Sensory deprivation chambers (floating?)

[ZZZZ]

Hey guys. I saw sensory deprivation chambers mentioned a few times, and decided to look into them. Does anyone have any experience they would like to share? I've noticed the spas etc. in my area refer to this as a 1 hour float, 2 hour float, etc. but I'm assuming this is just a more pleasant way to describe the "sensory deprivation chamber."

 

I was considering paying for an hour long session and meditating while focusing on the breath, but I want to get the best bang for my buck if I'm able to make it more profound in any way. Any tips/pointers?

Edited November 27, 2018 by ZZZZ

[Forestluv]

I've done three floats. One 60min. and two 90min. If you can meditate for 40-60min., I would recommend a 90min. float.

A few suggestions for a first time:

1. Pay attention to the instructions about turning off lights, music, buttons etc. One friend I went with spent the first 15min. trying to turn off the new age music. Then another 10min. frustrated about losing the first 15min. . . .

2. Consider using a head pillow for neck support (a small extra charge)

3. Once you get into the tank, do NOT touch your face - the salt concentration is super high. I scratched an itch on my cheek, then my eyes burned for the next 20min. 

4. Accept that it will not be perfect sensory deprivation - it's more like 90% sensory deprivation. Just let go of the last 10%. I've had friends that couldn't stop focusing on a slight sound or that their toe touched the edge of the tank a few times. If you let go of the little bit of sensory perception it will seem like nearly full deprivation (except perhaps for internal pains that arise).

5. If pain arises, I try to just relax deeper - rather than squirming around. It's possible to dissociate from the body such that one doesn't identify with the pain. Then, it gets interesting.

6. When you start, let go from the get-go. Let go of trying to let go. You may have thoughts like "what's supposed to happen?", "am I doing this right?", "I don't want to screw up this opportunity", "Dang, I've already wasted the first 10min. trying to let go". . . Let all of that go. Allow consciousness to drift off wherever it goes.

7. A small amount of a psychedelic or edible cannabis made it more profound for me.

[ZZZZ]

1 hour ago, Serotoninluv said:

I've done three floats. One 60min. and two 90min. If you can meditate for 40-60min., I would recommend a 90min. float.

A few suggestions for a first time:

1. Pay attention to the instructions about turning off lights, music, buttons etc. One friend I went with spent the first 15min. trying to turn off the new age music. Then another 10min. frustrated about losing the first 15min. . . .

2. Consider using a head pillow for neck support (a small extra charge)

3. Once you get into the tank, do NOT touch your face - the salt concentration is super high. I scratched an itch on my cheek, then my eyes burned for the next 20min. 

4. Accept that it will not be perfect sensory deprivation - it's more like 90% sensory deprivation. Just let go of the last 10%. I've had friends that couldn't stop focusing on a slight sound or that their toe touched the edge of the tank a few times. If you let go of the little bit of sensory perception it will seem like nearly full deprivation (except perhaps for internal pains that arise).

5. If pain arises, I try to just relax deeper - rather than squirming around. It's possible to dissociate from the body such that one doesn't identify with the pain. Then, it gets interesting.

6. When you start, let go from the get-go. Let go of trying to let go. You may have thoughts like "what's supposed to happen?", "am I doing this right?", "I don't want to screw up this opportunity", "Dang, I've already wasted the first 10min. trying to let go". . . Let all of that go. Allow consciousness to drift off wherever it goes.

7. A small amount of a psychedelic or edible cannabis made it more profound for me.

Ooh, I wish I had a way to microdose. Maybe next time. This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you. My main worry is that I might somehow fall asleep, but the foreign environment and water might help with that. Perhaps I'll give it a shot with some more consistent meditation practices.