Silent Cafe, a two-hour session inspired by coffee and mindfulness, came to Hackney Central on Wednesday. The pop-up promises an “escape from the sensory overload of modern life with an evening of quiet, mindful calm and playful presence.”
Creator Tom Corser says the idea began when he visited a traditional coffee-house in Vietnam that was run by people with hearing loss. “I’d been struggling with the noisy environment outside, and I was struck by how quiet and calm it was in there against the clamorous backdrop. They served a traditional array of teas and coffee, and I felt completely revived and refreshed.
“I thought, so many people could benefit from something similar to that here in London. There are so few places in the city where you’re guaranteed calm – I wanted to bring the sanctuary of a library into a coffee-house.”
Mindfulness – described by the NHS website as the practice of “paying more attention to the present moment” – can strengthen mental wellbeing and help to manage anxiety and depression. “I’ve battled depression on and off throughout my life,” says Tom.
“It’s wonderful that mindfulness has been elevated into the mainstream. Friends of mine have also talked about the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. With men especially, it can really bridge a gap between your emotions and your understanding of yourself.”
The event took place in a back room of the Hackney Coffee Company, set apart from street noise and filled with plants and artwork. “We choose places with a welcoming feel, that provide a beautiful, calming space,” Tom explains.
As we file in, hush falls and gentle music swells in the background. In this silent environment, at first the loudness of your own thoughts – and how loud you imagine the thoughts of the others to be – is almost overwhelming. Tension and silence go hand in hand, and it feels distinctly un-British to sit with company and not make any greetings or fuss.
At times, I see friends who have visited together giving each other a loud look across the long tables, raising both eyebrows or gesturing with their eyes to ask if they want a drink from the menu. There are whispered words only for the first half hour, followed by a spell of total silence. There are also hardly any written words in this room – no signs, few instructions, and no text in the surrounding artwork.
Cutting out all other voices in this way makes the experience more peaceful for me and it also eliminates distractions. Having uninterrupted time that has to be spent on yourself can be slightly uncomfortable. But over the course of the session it becomes more natural.
Colouring sheets, origami, haiku templates and decaffeinated tea and coffee soon cover the tables. Flurries of silent activity break out. Most of the 14 of us are writing, drawing and scribbling, but a few take time to just sit closed-eyed and listen to the soft music. We pour tea and coffee into the tiniest of cups, just a few sips in volume. Every element of the experience is designed to make you handle the time more measuredly and reflectively, a skill that you can carry out with you.
“Someday I would love to set up dedicated Silent Cafes across London,” Tom says. Sessions cost £20 and you can find the next spot at www.silent.cafe. “Our events sell out fast. People really enjoy the sessions – sometimes I notice that after they are over, a few people want to stay quiet for just a bit longer. The stillness is something they want to keep.”
