By Taylor
Last Saturday, I did something out of my comfort zone: I spent a full day at Green Gulch Farms, a Zen center just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The event was run by Every Day Zen—a group affiliated with the San Francisco Zen Center—and, honestly, I was nervous going in. I’d never done a full 9-to-5 meditation session before.
The day was structured around sitting meditation and walking periods, all in silence—including lunch. As the hours went by, something interesting happened: my mind genuinely slowed down. Without the usual distractions or small talk, I settled into the rhythm and found a sense of peace I didn’t expect.
At the end, they surprised us by splitting us into small groups to share what the experience meant to us. It sounds simple, but after a full day in silence, the act of listening—and speaking—felt startlingly intimate. I was amazed by how open everyone became; many people, including myself, got emotional. There was this deep sense of connection, even though we’d spent the whole day not speaking to one another.
Reflecting back, I realize how powerful intentional silence can be. If you ever get a chance to do something like this—even if it sounds intimidating—I truly recommend it. Don’t let the nerves stop you. I definitely left changed.
Photo by Dave
Hakone Zendo 