I remember a few years back hearing rumours of a sensory deprivation chamber opening soon in Halifax. As someone who dabbled in meditation, my interest was immediately peaked, or perhaps it was the brilliantly hilarious episode of The Simpsons “Make Room for Lisa” where Homer and Lisa try their hand at sensory deprivation. Regardless of the inspiration source, to say I was excited to try the first floatation tank east of Montreal would be a drastic understatement.After the tour ended and the door shut in the room, I was left standing alone with this giant, salt-water, space shuttle looking machine, staring back at me. Now I should mention, I cannot swim and I’ve never been a fan of smaller, enclosed spaces. I begin to question if I could actually do this, but I knew that I had to try it, at least, once.
I still recall the feeling of the salt water encompassing my feet as I first entered the tank, I took a deep breath and lied back. Rocking in the water, I remember lifting my hands from the base of the tank… I was floating, I was actually floating! As a non-swimmer, this was an absolute first for me and it felt incredible. I lied there for a few minutes and just took it all in. Confidence assured, I reached up and shut the hatch, breathing deeply as the water settled back around my body.
The remaining sixty or so minutes passed in a blur of conscious and unconscious thoughts. As the chanting sounds awoke me from my semi-conscious slumber, I pushed the hatch open and exited the tank. I felt refreshed and recharged, and I realized this first float was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I knew I had found something special, and I knew I would be back again.