I tried this, but it seems like it's required for the IR to at least be working for the individual a little bit for the statement to work
If you say it is required, then that is so for you.
It took me probably 10 years before I started feeling energy from meditation,
and that was when I was attuned to Reiki.
If you have a desire to be able to feel it, stick with it. It may seem like nothing's happening.
We each have our own abilities.
Maybe you see energy/forms in your mind instead of feeling it.
Maybe you get thoughts/intuit ideas.
Not everyone experiences the same.
I know it can be hard. I thought nothing was happening for 10 years, but I stuck with it.
It should happen much faster now with the amount of Light on Earth right now.
I'd work on keeping your vibration high. Focus on what brings you the highest excitement.
If you feel emotion, that can be a barometer to how you are doing vibrationally.