I’m sitting inside the womb, eyes closed, as an overly pleasant voice slowly guides me towards what should be some level of serenity. This is meditation class at Inscape, (no, not the office furniture manufacturer) a new luxury space for reflection in New York City’s Flatiron District, a mental fitness studio or sorts. While I should be at peace and obliviousness of my surroundings, it’s hard not to take a peek every once in awhile.
According to the founder, the vibe at Inscape “is somewhere between 4th century monasteries, the mood in the temple at Burning Man, and the feeling you get when you look at the infinite horizon line.” This new 5,000-square-foot boutique meditation center, which has its own conspicuous gift shop at the entrance, represents a more luxe, mainstream approach to meditation, which has become a burgeoning trend in an era of increased digital distraction. Between apps, employer-sponsored mindfulness classes, and an embrace by the tech sector, meditation and mindfulness has become a billion-dollar industry.