03-22-2007 - Sensory Deprivation (Float Tank)

[David Warner]

Date: 03.22.2007
Time: 5:30PM – 7:00PM
Experiment #1
Subject: Sensory Deprivation Float Tank

Date: 04.09.2007
Time: 1:00PM – 2:30PM
Experiment #2


Author:  David A. Warner
© Copyright 2007
www.invisiblelight.us


The first time that I became aware of the sensory deprivation float tank was in the movie 'Altered States' released in 1980. When I first started projecting in 1987 I was interested in exploring different various techniques-methods that would aid and produce the out of body experience.

A friend explained to me about the sensory deprivation isolation float tank from the movie 'Altered States' and how individuals have reported out of body experiences. This immediately grabbed my attention and peeked my interest of this being utilized as a tool for exploring consciousness. The only problem that I faced is where did these float tank's exist and what was the cost?

It wasn't until 2006 I did some internet web searching for the sensory deprivation float tanks and arrived at this web site: www.floatation.com. The locations that I referenced at the web site required some distance in travel and were out of state. The two closets sites were in Chicago, Illinois and Toledo, Ohio which would take some planning and a few days off of work.

Every so often, I would return to the web site and see if any float tanks were available for the state of Michigan and to my surprise a business owner of 'Just Relax Flotation' made his float tank available at the Oasis hot tub spa in my hometown of Grand Rapids. Now, how cool is that and what luck!

I contacted the business owner 'Lucas' and explained about my studies, research, and experience with the out of body consciousness. This experience I always wanted to do, float in pure isolation and see if this would be a tool for astral projection. I think Lucas probably thought I was weird, a space cadet and had some good drugs to offer.. But when I presented to Lucas my research, journal entries, stats, spiritual background, detail of my web site and sincere work he could tell that I was serious. So I made the appointment for 03.22.2007 to start floating at 5:30pm and end at 7:00pm at the Oasis located in Grand Rapids, MI. This was perfect timing because my wife and I just purchased a sony hard drive video recorder and what a perfect way to document this experiment.


When I first arrived at the Oasis I was greeted by Lucas and he went over a few guidelines of safety, entry and exit from the tank. Lucas asked if I wanted to have meditative music or the jacuzzi bubbles running while floating. I opted out just for pure silence, tranquility, and relaxation and hoping that I could shift consciousness into the astral body.

The first important step in preparing for floating is to recognize that any open wounds, cuts, scratches, shaving hours before would be discovered by the salt in the water and would hurt! I didn't think there would have been any issues but the cuts show even if you are not aware (OUCH!).

The second step is to make sure you shower before/after entry into the float tank.  Wash your hair and your body to remove oil, dirt, grim, and any bacteria. When exiting the tank, the salt is thick and it feels like your body has a crust of salt layered growing as a outside skin.

When relaxing in the tank and to have pure silence it's good to wear ear plugs so that it drowns out the noises along with preventing salt invading the ears.

The floor of the tank and sides is made up of a vinyl lining and is extremely slippery. I found myself at times when trying to exit the tank, I kept slipping and had a difficult time rising to my feet.

The most important thing to remember while in the tank, don't drink the water, lay on your back at all times and be extremely careful allowing no water from getting into your eyes.

When I first entered into the sensory deprivation tank and the door closed, it was pitch black and no light escaped. Laying back into the water I immediately started floating w/o any sinking or my body touching the bottom. The water depth is about 2-3 feet and dimensions of the tank roughly were 7' x 5' feet. While inside the tank, the water temperature was extremely warm, relaxing, calm, and immersed into complete solitude.

During the hour and thirty minutes of floating there were times that I did lose awareness and would catch myself in flight of thoughts, sometimes phasing in and out consciousness. To totally relax my body, I had to bring my arms upright and raise them above my head. If I let my arms rest to the side of my body, my neck muscles would tense and cause strain. I did find it difficult to totally let go, relax and leave the body. Not to say that it was a failure but it did make me aware of my resting positions of my physical body and having complete relaxation during the obe.

Both experiments were well worth the money and investment. Even though, I wasn't able to produce the out of body state, I was able to relax, enjoy the experience and finally float. I believe this to be a successful tool for other means of therapeutic relaxation, stress elimination, and peace of mind.


Tvos

[jub jub]

David, I really admire your dedication and taking the time to share your experiences with us! 

[David Warner]

Jub Jub,

It was a interesting experience. I wish that I could have projected but for me personally, it was difficult to become totally relaxed. I am sure over the time it would be possible but for now it was a long wait to experience this.

Tvos

[MisterJingo]

Thanks for sharing tvos . I've always wanted to try a flotation tank in regards to attempting OBE. Are you planning on any more sessions in a tank?

[David Warner]

I will do a few more sessions in the future, but not anytime soon. I also included video on my site of the float tank.

tvos

[injaneer]

I posted my first float tank experience here in this thread.

http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_experiences/how_i_learned_to_stop_worrying_and_get_to_the_vibrations-t25660.15.html

[David Warner]

Hey Injaneer,

Thanx for sharing the experience - I didn't use a head pillow during my float and wish I would have. I found it difficult in relaxing . Like you, the first time was tough with the heat in the tank and just floating but I managed to relax and get past it.

Interesting about the crown and heart chakra energy - how have your projections been afterward?

tvos

[injaneer]

TVOS,  I have been lurking around here for quite a while.  However I am one of those that still have yet to have a projection.  At least not one that I remember.  I have had a few almosts....  I was and still am hoping that the floating will help me learn how to reach this state.  I can say I have had a pretty high dream rate sense the tank.  However to date, nothing has really changed.  My personal feeling is it will probably take me 2-3 floats for it to really make a difference.  Especially since the first one was spent getting used to the concept.

[David Warner]

Injaneer,

The float tank for me was very relaxing and enjoyable to a degree. I don't think that it will bring success for an obe personally. For others, if it can help achieve that state of awareness, go for it and document the entire experience.

Don't give up and keep trying. Just remember, there's no short-cuts or fast food take outs with projecting. Your body will know when its ready to shift consciousness. Focus on one technique at a time for at least 3-4months. If it doesn't present result, move on to the next technique and apply the same 3-4 month period.

Good luck and thank you for sharing your float experience.

Tvos

[injaneer]

TVOS,

Thanks,  I will do.

Injaneer

[prometheus2050]

I have been attempting to have an OBE for awhile now with no success. and I came a cross the use of a float tank so I decided to build my own. it took me about 4 months to build one but it is finished now and have floated 5 times now. the first one was all about getting the bugs worked out and the next 2 were frought with other distractions. to cold need of neck pillow, and other issues but last night I had a good float with little distraction the neck pillow issue is still not perfect but still working on that on to get it just right. I floated for about 3 hrs I wish my urge to swallow would subside because it brakes the flow of stillness. I fill now that the biggest meditative issue that I am up against now is the vibration sensation that takes over my body and just stays there and it almost becomes painfull that it in itself becomes a huge uncomfortableness that makes me want to move to stop the sensation. the time went by quite quickly though I would have floated longer but I set the filter to turn on at 2 am just for that reason. so I can at least get out and still get enough sleep. I would like some Ideas to get past the vibration sensation though because it is really distracting I had the same problem when I was tring to OBE from lying on the bed using binaurl beats I felt like I could get to the body asleep part and got the vibrations but could never get past those. and I usually fell asleep on the bed.

[David Warner]

Hi  Prometheus2050,

Contact me at www.astralpulse.com and I will be glad to chat with you 1on1 and help.

It sounds like you are very close and probably be able to steer ya on the right path.

All the best,

Dave

[prometheus2050]

just how do I contact you

one other thing I was going to use a pic of my tank as my avatar. I used an online pic posting site and used that link in my profile and did not get an error this time, but I dont see the pic in my profile. did I do something wrong.

[David Warner]

david@astralpulse.com

also, please visit www.astralpulse.com if you are interested in joining.

all the best,

dave

[prometheus2050]

I had a great float last night about 2.5 hr. I finally got past the vibrations after about an hr and I feel I did this by trying to pull the vibration up to my head because it has always been the strongest in my left leg. Kinda odd, anyway I played with that for a while and did not really noticed when it stopped for some time.then I started to send my focus to my third eye and used some meditation on that to activate it and while I was doing that I started to hear and feel what I think is the rushing noise that I have read about. It was not very loud but was clearly present, (I do wear earplugs in the tank to keep the salt out of my ears and this clearly changes sound and in away magnifies the sound of your own blood flow in a way.) I was able to play with that too it was like I could make it continue as long as I wanted it to it was like I was causing it by sending my thoughts to my third eye. The more I focused on it the more present it got. At this time I attemped top project with a few technics that I could remember, was unsuccessful. it felt like my body was gone very cooool it was like I was floating in a thick liquid by far the best float yet.

this is float #5