Sensory Deprivation

Happy Full Moon in Pisces! Today I want to talk about floating. As we know, Pisces is the fish of the zodiac. Pisces floats in a dreamlike state, full of fantasy and mysticism. Pisces are deep feelers, known to be cry babies and “out to sea” so to say versus being more grounded like an earth sign. Pisces is a water sign and the last sign of the zodiac, so a culmination of all 12 signs, the heightened maturity of our evolution, their statement “I believe.” Pisces’ believe in love and the unknown, that there can be a better future and they are great dreamers.

Have you heard of sensory deprivation? Sensory deprivation, known as a float tank, is a trend where people go into an enclosed space full of Epsom salt, devoid of light and external stimuli, and float for hours on end reaching deep states of meditation and consciousness. The deprivation of external forces allows us to go deep within and access our greater wisdom as well as physical healing abilities. Floating has been said to reduce anxiety, chronic pain, improve sleep, and more. There is very little it can’t do. The water you’re floating in is buoyant enough to keep you afloat while being at a temperature that blends with your natural body state creating the illusion of not knowing where your body is in space anymore, allowing for an even deeper experience of being alone with your thoughts. Just a brain floating in a jar. People sometimes leave the tank feeling very light or spacey due to these effects.

I first floated while living in Portland, Oregon. I can’t be sure what exactly turned me to or introduced me to floating, but I know I was in a phase of spiritual searching. I was always trying to reach a deeper more enlightened state, as well as to hack my meditation, which was sorely lacking any sense of calm or focus. My first few floats were pretty disastrous. I get motion sick easily, so the simple act of floating had me nauseated. I probably spent no more than five minutes horizontal at a time my first float and left early. It was miserable. My second float I took Dramamine, but felt like my head was much too heavy, had neck pain the whole time, and was cold. For me, I was not impressed with this whole experience and reached zero states of nirvana.

Recently I found myself extremely stressed with an overactive mind, and feeling too financially pressed to continue with my regular forms of self-care that I pay for monthly such as cranial sacral, massages, facials, and even seeing my own therapist regularly! Riding home one night with some friends they mentioned I live near their float shop. We briefly chatted about my past experiences and that was it. But something in me was sparked. A few days later in the middle of the morning I booked an impromptu, free first float at Float Seattle Greenlake. I was pretty excited, despite my past experiences, and eagerly set off to my appointment.

Floating was unlike anything I have done for myself. Yes I got restless, yes my mind was everywhere but in the present. However, I also felt relief from my constant neck issue immediately after. I left the tank simply craving to get back in. I love the idea of no stimuli, no cell phone, no Internet, having nothing to do or create and no input coming in. I love this idea and yet I struggle constantly with holding fast to it in my everyday life. My mind loved being in that blank space, uninterrupted, allowed to simply exist. I booked another float for the next week, however a few days later I caved and went last minute again. And then I booked a float everyday that week. And then I booked floats every single day out nearly three weeks.

As I said previously, my mind was craving the tank. The whole first week I would spend all day thinking about when I would float next, desiring it. After leaving the tank my mind feels calm. I can’t say I always reach this deep, enlightened space where time and my body cease to exist. I do feel more relaxed, less anxious, less stressed. My over active mind stills slightly and I feel more able to go about my day. Going into the second week I stopped thinking about my float each day, and only remembered it each morning when my alarm went off telling me it was time to go. I would kind of dread it honestly. Prior to the float my mind would already be racing and I wouldn’t want to be “bored” for an hour just hanging out with my thoughts. But once I arrive, once I am in my room it all feels better. In the tank I feel at ease and stop wondering about what I have to do later, I stop tracking time in my mind and hoping the music plays soon to signal it’s over. I just float. And dream, and wonder. I’ve realized as my mind adjusts to this new habit I am no longer preoccupied with the future. I have begun to revisit memories from the past that need addressing, like I am working through my backlog of time that I didn’t give myself the space to process in the moment. I have also begun to fantasize and dream more in the tank. Simply enjoying the creativity of my mind and allowing it to have fun. And, as many report can happen, I have also been able to work through some stuck places in my day-to-day life and find answers to problems I had not been able to solve in my prior over analyzing and anxious states.

So where does this lead back to the full moon in Pisces? Well I find it very fitting that I began a floating habit leading up to the watery harvest moon that is in Pisces. I am using this time of deeper awareness and intuitive heightening to the maximum effect by giving myself the environment and time to connect to my internal knowing. This full moon asked us to open ourselves to a greater consciousness and release what is holding us back from connecting to that deeper knowing. So self-care this two-week cycle, float! Float Seattle has a free first float, but even if that feels out of your ability, where can you create a more peaceful, easeful state for yourself this week? How can you get more in tune with yourself, and get less in tune with all the external junk in our environment? I wish you the best of luck swimming these intuitive tides and I hope you find something magical!