At Our Core

“People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass themselves without wondering.”

-St Augustine

One of the reasons I like to float is because it gives me an opportunity to experience myself. Like my true self. The self that exists apart from pain and stress and anxiety. Let me tell you right now I really want to be that person all the time. That person is full of love and empathy. He is clear and confident. It gives me a glimpse into who I could be if I handled things better in my everyday life.

It helps to be reminded I am capable of being that person. Knowing it’s attainable makes me want to work that much harder. The experience is more motivating than writing some things I aspire to on a piece of paper and hoping for the best; I actually get to be those things, even if just for a little while.

Running a float center has given me the chance to observe and speak with other floaters, and find out I am not the only one who feels at his best during and after a float. There seems to be a better version of each of us, calmer and more thoughtful, just under the surface of our stress and insecurities. As I thought more about this phenomenon, I developed what I call my “Layers Theory.” It’s a way to understand ourselves as human beings and all our complexities. I honestly believe this is how I’m made up, and I believe this is how you’re made up, too:

The Crust

Humans, you and I included, are constructed mentally, emotionally, and even socially the same way the earth is. Our outermost layer—the crust if you will—is what the rest of the world sees. This is where most of life exists and interacts. Just like the earth with its flowers and forests, we also cover our crusts with beauty and show off our best selves. Our crusts are made of both a fear of being judged and a desire for acceptance. Floating can help us shed this layer.

The Mantle

Underneath our crust exists our mantle. It is unstable, disruptive, and constantly in flux. We do our best to keep it contained, but sometimes it shifts our crust, and can even burst through it, showing how turbulent we are inside. It is made of unmet needs and defense mechanisms. I know people who assume this is the depth of humankind. Floating can help us shed this layer.

The Core

Whether you approach this from an evolutionary or a spiritual perspective, the existence of a deeper layer makes sense. Our core. It is pure and solid, and it radiates warmth. Just like the earth’s core rotates in the opposite direction of the mantle, our core’s characteristics are also opposite our more superficial layers. Where our mantle is tempestuous, our core is calm. The mantle disrupts life, the core protects it.

You need only experience it once to confirm your core is in there. Accessing it requires we get past both of the other two layers, though. Once we’re able to experience our core apart from everything else is when the game completely changes. We realize who we can be, and, if we’re willing, we can learn to tap into our core more and more until we can fully understand and express it.

Floating is just one of many paths that allow us to see a better version of ourselves. The important thing is that we’re all striving to improve, to look at what needs changing within us and change it.

That said, if you’re looking for something to help you be better, we’d love to have you stop in and see who you are after a float.

Interested in giving it a try? Schedule a float today!

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