Assuming you nodded in agreement, not about the restorative part, but the not experiencing it part, do you feel as I do, inadequate?

I’ve listened to friends espouse the positive effects of meditation. They feel cleansed, more aware, more focused, more certain. So, I try…yet again.

I have taken classes. I assume the posture, close my eyes, take deep cleansing breaths, and then open one eye to see what everyone else is doing. Okay, okay, I close my eyes again, resume my breathing only to yet again surreptitiously peer, from beneath veiled lids, to see if anyone else is sneaking glances too.

When alone, with no reason to sneak glances, I opt for the lying on my back maneuver. Again, with the cleaning breaths, the visualization, the clearing of the mind ritual. Nada, nil, zip, zero. Did I pay that bill, return that call, reorganize my underwear drawer?  My mind is flooded with random and inane thoughts.

But I’ll persevere.  Or alternatively, I can medicate, which is really quite close to meditate, I mean what’s a consonant here or there, to achieve the desired state of euphoria, peace and tranquility.