I had a unique experience last night worth sharing. My buddy and presence coach Patrick Combs invited me to do a guided cold plunge.
For those that have never done one of these, or are remembering a time you jumped in a cold body of water, just assume that you have not!
First step was to strip down to board shorts. No gloves or booties like in some cryotherapy sessions to protect your digits. Just a bathing suit.
Step two was to agree on a length of time that we would be in the cold water (41.6 degrees in case your curious). Patrick conveyed that we would try for three minutes. He stated that this was the recommended amounting time for a first timer. I thought this sounded reasonable, and more importantly, doable.
Step three was to go for it. As I stepped into the cold water my Ego immediately challenged the idea that this activity was reasonable or doable. There might have been a couple of f*bombs uttered inside my mind as well.
Step four was to sit in the cold water and attempt to stay calm. Before I got in, Patrick coached me on what to do in the first twenty seconds . But after that, I
had no plan! 🥶
His excellent guidance in those first twenty seconds were followed to a tee, as if my life depended on it. I took three deep breaths in and out with my mouth. Immediately after that, I did the same with my nose. This calmed me incredibly despite the adversity being felt from the coldness.
After that, I was on my own. Not because Patrick wasn’t right next to me. He was also very likely speaking to me and providing additional guidance and support. But, that was not my experience.
My experience was a major battle raging at full volume in my head between two different masters.
In one direction, my Ego wanted me to quit immediately. In fact, it was screaming at me to get the fuck out of this harmful and dangerous situation! It’s bokunrvwas defeaning.
In the opposite direction, my Soul was quietly and calmly inviting me (perhaps even challenging me) to a place of consciousness or zen, where freezing was not my condition at all.
For what seemed like an eternity, this battle raged back and forth. One second I’m freezing and physically shaking. The next second I feel warmth from my breath into my chest and them to my stomach area in my core.
Just when it got to the most physically and mentally straining point, I found zen and my body adjusted to the cold. A warm wave went through my inner-self.
Patrick then invited us to depart the water. Afte dealing with the equally challenging experience of getting in a hot pool afterwards and adjusting, he told me how long we had been in the water.
He said proudly, “you made it five minutes Eric!” The mind is a trip. The Soul is a way better guide than the Ego.
