*Photo by Alexandra Komyo Brown
Lay Practice and Training at OMS
For an introduction to Zen practice and study at OMS, begin by joining one of our group events led by Zuisei Goddard. Most are held virtually and are open to everyone. Visit the calendar or sign up for our monthly Events Newsletter.
To deepen your Buddhist practice at OMS, you can commit to one of two distinct paths—training as a Formal Student or becoming a Practicing Student. The relationship between the student and OMS Guiding Teacher Zuisei Goddard lies at the heart of both, though each path has a differently level of commitment. Explore both below.
For a general description of Zen training and the student-teacher relationship, visit here.
The Two Paths:
Formal and Practicing
Formal Students
Formal Students are practitioners who have made a formal commitment to study with Zuisei as their primary teacher and to consistently and actively participate in the sangha. Visit here for a general description of Zen training for lay practitioners.
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This path is intended for you if:
You are seeking to deepen your study of the Buddhist teachings and want to live with clarity and compassion.
You are familiar with Zuisei’s teaching and are eager to commit to a formal-teacher student relationship with her.
You are happy to engage with and support a community of noble friends who share your interest in the Buddhist path. You are invested in and able to be an active member of Ocean Mind Sangha.
You want to wholeheartedly enter into traditional Zen training. For more on lay Zen training, visit here.
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The main requirements for becoming a Formal Student at OMS are active participation in the practice and training offered by Zuisei and the sangha.
Practice is individual, training is communal and requires commitment to the sangha.
For more information on the requirements for becoming a Formal Student and the application process, please schedule a private meeting with Zuisei.
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The minimum financial commitment of a Formal Student is a monthly recurring $30 donation to Zuisei that includes one 20-minute Private Teaching session per month. Students are welcome to schedule more meetings if they so choose.
Registration for group events like Buddhist Study and Zazen Intensives is done separately, since these directly support the operations at OMS and seed our scholarship fund.
If you’d like to train as a Formal Student or have questions about the process, schedule a time to meet with Zuisei.
Practicing Students
Practicing Students study with Zuisei privately, and are welcome to engage with the sangha as often or as little as they choose. They aren’t considered to be in formal training and are therefore not bound by specific commitments.
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Yes, if you:
are familiar with Zuisei’s teaching and are eager to grow in your practice with her guidance
would prefer to practice without a formal commitment to the sangha
*Please note that training in koan study or shikantaza is reserved for Formal Students only.
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This path is entirely nurtured and created by you and Zuisei as you work together, without any formal requirements. You are welcome to come and go as you wish, and to engage in the sangha’s offerings as you’re willing and able.
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Practicing Students can choose between registering for recurring monthly donations to Zuisei, (each of which covers one 20-min Private Teaching session with her), or to schedule as-needed meetings.
Cost: 55 min I $125 • 30 min I $55
If you’d like to become a Practicing Student, or have questions about the process, schedule a time to meet with Zuisei.
