The Psychedelic State achieved by floatation tank?!

Some people state, in the first few floats many people get very positive mental and physical benefits. These benefits can be seen here.

As I continued to tear layer upon layer, deeper and deeper into meditation in the tank, I was able to reach the feeling of ego-death, without the use of psychedelic drugs. I have indeed experimented with LSD and Mescaline, which have definitely changed my view on the world and how it works. I was able to analyze the patterns that were stunting my spiritual and physical growth, and gently letting them go with positive self-hypnosis.

Positivity flooded my head and many visual colours seemed to swirl around in many shapes and forms. At one stage I had a vision of looking at myself dissolving, a truly profound experience filled with love and compassion. This is the deepest I have ever gone in meditation and I owe it to the float tank, which prevents all distractions from the outer world.

I had some pretty powerful memories of my childhood come up which also led me to the lessons my parents have given me, it’s almost like my parents were chosen for me to learn from. I was in essence trying to shatter previous belief systems and truly dig deep to feel comfortable in my own skin. I felt an overwhelming connection to all beings, I can see the cycles and programs that people are utilizing in their mind, the majority of it is fear based.

We must learn to open our hearts and give love and compassion to all beings, because we all deserve liberation from the tricks our mind plays on us.

Much love JKS

Mental health; An inspiring story of Schizophrenia recovery.

I stumbled across this fantastic talk, on Eleanor Longden’s experience with schizophrenia.

“Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world. People with schizophrenia have an altered perception of reality, often a significant loss of contact with reality. They may see or hear things that don’t exist, speak in strange or confusing ways, believe that others are trying to harm them, or feel like they’re being constantly watched. With such a blurred line between the real and the imaginary, schizophrenia makes it difficult—even frightening—to negotiate the activities of daily life. In response, people with schizophrenia may withdraw from the outside world or act out in confusion and fear”. – Helpguide.org

This talk gives a incredible, first hand account of what someone goes through, with this condition. Eleanor mentions that “awareness and compassion” were the best tools to use to rationalize the thought patterns, that would go on in her head.

How common is it?

Schizophrenia is normally deemed to be a “rare” occurrence, it actually is widely accepted to be 1 in every 100. So a lot more common than one might think.

What causes Schizophrenia?

Genetics do play a part, with 1% of the public having the chance of developing the disorder, 10% chance if you have an immediate first-degree relative (Parent or sibling). Environmental factors seem to be the trigger of these genes, stressful situations such as physical or sexual abuse as children can trigger this disorder.

This TED talk definitely shows that you can live with a condition and achieve something huge. Eleanor achieved a High Degree in Psychology and also the highest Masters.

Check out her recommendations on books and articles on the topic to become informed.

Sources:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml

http://www.schizophrenia.ca/learn_more_about_schizophrenia.php

Floatation # 6 ; Unedited thought spill.

Float # 6

I decided to take a pad and pen with me to my 6th float! Which was a standard 90 minutes. Here is what was written in ink directly after I got out. It is very profound but it is untamed.

Everything is beautiful, everything can be achieved. Nothing is impossible. I have now experienced absolutely nothing in the depths of infinite knowledge. Turning focus inside instead of outside peels away the layers of confusion.

I have finally met my true self, the one who is infinite in the cosmos. If only we could learn to turn our focus inside, we would see infinite beauty and infinite compassion. The ego creates misery and craving but your true-self is free and immersed in true love. I am love.

Reflections of myself dissolving into my core essence, is something so incredibly profound. Stripping away layers of illusionary tales my mind creates, I can be purely present without distraction. This is an incredible tool to use and should be used to find true love. Anything external is so temporary but internally you are eternal in this moment. I owe a great deal to Meditation and the art mindfulness, it has enabled me to find my true-self.

Your true-self cannot be found in your partner, husband or wife. In our society we are consistently trying to find the missing piece in another person or thing. This is an ego trick, you already HAVE everything, YOU are it.

It was definitely an incredible experience to say the least. Some incredible things can come to your mind after the float, it is best to capture them!

Check out the Floathouse Victoria’s Facebook page or their Website.

Here are some posts that are related to floating.

Benefits of Anti-gravity in the floatation tank

The art of letting go

Benefits of Sensory Deprivation via Isolation tank (Float tank)

Much Love JKS

The Floathouse Victoria, The art of letting go

I have had my first ever experience floating at this wonderful facility.

I had heard about Floatation tanks from a good friend and thought it would be an awesome asset to enhance the practise of vipassana meditation. It definitely did surpass every expectation I had on it. The important thing is that every experience is individual so trying to tell someone that you will feel this and that and see that is wrong because you will go in expecting something to happen. Every time you float it’s different, it’s the same as reading a book at one stage of your life and then reading it again later it has a different perspective, because in nature everything is constantly changing even ourselves.

My first experience:

I booked my float through the website and walked into downtown victoria. It was a grey sluggish day and it was wet. I got inside went to the desk and was greeted by the friendly operator. I had already paid for my float online so all I needed to do was go to the washroom (it’s a smart idea and respectful) and sit in the comfy bean bag. They have offerings of different loose leaf teas and lemon water for your comfort. What was going through my head was interesting, I felt skeptical but also very excited at the same time. I was incredibly nervous when I was been told the shower pre wash routine and was given some ear plugs to stop the salt water going deep into my ear canal.

The tank itself had lights that you can turn on and off and an option to turn the beginning and end music off also. I felt the music was fantastic to gently let go of my body. The temperature of the water is at the same as body temperature so eventually you do not feel the water at all, the water has 1200lbs of epsom salts dissolved in it and enables you to float perfectly on your back releasing every muscle in your body.

You float completely naked so there is nothing that can distract you, some people may find this weird but come on spending a little time with yourself alone can be a very profound experience. I got into the tank and laid on my back using my hands to hold the sides of the tank to stabilize the water I just disturbed. I close my eyes turn the lights off and start breathing deeply into my abdomen (It helps also to stabilize the water)I start to have the thoughts of the day float away and I feel this overwhelming feeling of peace and relaxation. I do not want to share too much of what happened to me in the tank as I don’t want to influence your experience or build your expectations.This is something you have to try for yourself. Your sense of time evaporates and all the stresses of the world float away.Your body just dissolves, some people may think “Why the hell would you want that to happen?!” well to answer that question, you owe it to yourself to take a break from the constant barrage that your senses get every day which create patterns of craving and distract you from your true self.

Check out my previous posting on the benefits of floating to get an idea of what it can do for your life. Benefits of Sensory Deprivation Via floating

For me the experience has been incredibly profound. I was going through homesickness and it was pretty unbearable and I couldn’t find an equilibrium, floating definitely centered me and gave me an opportunity to observe my actions through deep introspection. Spotting patterns I was making to prevent progress on my journey here to Canada from New Zealand, I was self sabotaging many aspects of my life until I found my equilibrium again by floating. Give it a go it will indeed help you!

If you’re looking to make a booking here in Victoria go here.

Here are the contact details for Vancouver and Victoria branchs.
I’m definitely looking forward to sharing more of my experiences on floating right here on Mentalphase.com!

Thank you for reading! and thank you to the Floathouse!

Much Love JKS