Jared Leto recollects studying concerning the pandemic after a quiet retreat

When Jared Leto When he entered his two week silent meditation, he never thought he was going to a global pandemic. But that’s exactly what happened last March. During the Jan. 26 episode, The Tonight Show, the 49-year-old actor remembered reappearing from retreat and learning how much the coronavirus had spread.

“When I went out there were about 150 cases,” he recalled, “and in that short time when I got out there was a shutdown, a state of emergency, and the whole world was changed.”

Because the silent meditation was aimed at removing distractions, Leto did not talk to anyone, watch TV, and had no phone for almost two weeks. He also said the teachers did not alert the students.

“You made the decision not to disturb the participants,” said the Oscar winner. “And I didn’t turn my phone on until I went back to LA. So I drove all the way and tried to be peaceful and zen and keep the feeling up. I came back and I was, you know, nice it was like Rip Van Winkle. “