“I’m the only one who’ll walk across the fire for you” was the song lyric in my head as I stared at the bed of 1200°, red-hot coals being prepared for our group during my first encounter with a fire walk. Although my Adventure Partner was by my side, and he had done a 60’ long fire walk before we met, this was scary. I knew I wasn’t going to get the courage up to put my bare feet on those burning hot coals for him. I was doing this challenge for me!
What a great coincidence that Melissa walked through fire too! (photo: Tony Robbins Firewalker testimonial)
Turns out, Melissa Etheridge (who wrote and sings that song), also walked across fire – after having written the song – and realized she (too!) was walking not for anyone else, but for herself. If you’re asking yourself, why would anyone (BE SO CRAZY!!) purposefully walk on fire when they could get seriously hurt…the short answer is, it’s empowering. I know, because I’ve done it four times now!
Fire Walking History
The image that came to mind for me is one of ancient priests in India walking over hot coals for some religious reasons. I’ll admit, an initial fear I had over doing this challenge was that I am not in some high, religious zen practice where I believe my faith is stronger than physical high temps. I found an article that thoroughly discusses the history of firewalking (“The Ancient History of Firewalking” link below in Resources). Here are the highlights:
- Firewalking has been around since at least 1200B.C.;
- 4,000 years ago, two Brahmin priests in India had a competition on who could walk the furthest on hot coals;
- Firewalking has been practiced by shamans, healers, gurus in many countries, not just India;
- Romans exempted you from paying taxes if you could prove you could walk on fire without burns (this fact greatly entertains me!);
- In Bali it’s a rite of passage for young girls;
- The Kahunas of Hawaii would walk on not-completely-cooled lava;
- Native Americans have incorporated it into many ceremonies, including those for warriors
- There are even references to walking on hot coals in the Bible.
Fire Walk for Personal Growth
Go! Oprah! Go!
Walking over fire as part of the “personal growth” movement started in 1977 with an article in Scientific American, where they wrote instructions on how to build the bed of coals and walk on them. This guy, Tolly Burkan, did it and felt like he was transformed. A few years later, he and his wife, Peggy Dylan, started teaching others about firewalking. In 1983, through the seminars they developed, taught Tony Robbins. Tony Robbins decided to become a master at this, and has included it in his empowerment weekend seminars ever since. Peggy still conducts instructor certifications at the top school for firewalkers called Sundoor. Almost 4 decades later, millions have walked on fire!
Doing the Impossible by Believing in yourself
I’m not going to lie to you. Walking on a bed of hot coals, on purpose, is a big adventure. There are a lot of fears and doubts to overcome. The natural instinct to not want to put yourself in pain is the obvious one. Doubt that your mind can actually be trained to overcome matter. Then there are all those other self-criticisms that pop up. Are you ‘good enough’ or trust yourself, or willing to ‘let go of the outcome’ because you can’t ‘control’ fire. When you’re looking at that bed of raging hot coals, it’s easy to believe it’s impossible.
During the day I helped clear the mountainside to create an area for the fire ceremony
Kat knows all kinds of wood and how they will burn. For our events, she used donated wood as well as her own.
Prepping the Site
The first time I was offered the opportunity to walk across fire was while I was at a long weekend camping event (a Vision Quest) in the Catskills. We committed to the event during the day. The woman who ran it, Kat, needed help preparing the site. I offered to help clear the land for the fire. While working with Kat, I asked some questions. She has a vast knowledge of many ancient traditions, and listening to her made me feel more comfortable. Kat shared she had trained professionally at Sundoor (the school started by Peggy Dylan, and still runs today. She is known as the mother of the western firewalking movement).
If you’re going to put yourself at risk, goes my new theory, it’s best to be with guides who know what they are doing! Don’t do this at home. No walking over leftover coals from any bonfire…that seems to be a true recipe for disaster. I have been teased about walking over the coals left by burning the Man at Burning Man. No, my friend, that is not the point.
People sorting through the ashes from the Man bonfire at Burning Man
Build the Fire
Part of the process is helping build the wood pile for the bonfire. We form two lines, and the logs are passed down. Each log receives an affirmative word. Repeating these positive words helped me feel even more positive about myself, and what I was putting out into the Universe. Since there was a good size group, I could feel that I wasn’t the only one benefitting from this system.
Building the fire, and watching Kat and her assistant start the fire was informative. This is the point where she educated us on the cautions of fire, as well as how it is regarded in the spirit world. You can get hurt (mostly “fire kisses” where I felt little stings. “Spirit” believes that these areas represent areas of your life you need to focus on). Keep your focus (no selfies in the fire, for that’s a big distraction for everyone). For me, I have a deeper respect and awe for fire.
The start of the wood pile in the fire walking ceremony area
Broken Arrow Ceremony
While we waited for the bonfire to run its course (and turn into the hot coals) that evening, Kat gathers everyone around. I understand Tony Robbins spends hours getting his audience of thousands into the right state of “peak” mind before his firewalks.
Kat has a different approach, which is still very uplifting. She conducts a “broken arrow” ceremony, where with the energetic sound of the arrow busting apart, you release something negative from your life. This could be a range of things. An action by someone else which emotionally hurt you. Or a belief about yourself that keeps you from feeling happy, loved or possibly healthy. Being open and vulnerable with the people there helps form a connected community. This group energy itself becomes a part of the courage needed later when it’s time to step onto the coals. The ceremony also helped me further believe in my own abilities, my own strengths.
As part of the tradition, the Broken Arrow is put back together differently, and bound with yarns. I chose my favorite blues for this one.
Our Broken Arrows from our first fire walk with Kat.
How to walk on fire
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See yourself on the other side.
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Be honest with what’s in front of you/ the obstacles
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Walk with purpose -like you know where you’re going
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Celebrate your achievements
At the Edge
There I am, standing at the edge of the fire. I have hesitations. Yet, these are not as huge for me as the other big adventures in my life – jumping off a bridge into a creek, jumping off a ledge to fly on a trapeze, or jumping out of a plane to tandem skydive. What’s the difference? Maybe it was the “baby steps” leading up to this moment. As I often say, one adventure leads into another. Small adventures lead to bigger ones. I took many baby steps to get to this edge.
Plus, the four steps that are repeated to boost your self-belief that you can do the impossible…walk on fire. Visioning the outcome. Not being in denial about what you are facing. Assuming the confidence, the faith, that will move you forward. Knowing that no matter the outcome, you will honor yourself for having what it takes to have moved forward.
Getting the coals red hot in preparation for the Fire Walkers
There I am, standing at the edge of the fire. Envisioning myself on the other side, celebrating, as there are others in the group already doing so. I have my word or phrase ready to yell as I cross. Standing there, I am fully aware of the 1200° that will soon be underfoot. I can do this! That important step, walking with purpose. I am doing this! Striding confidently to the other side. I did this! Let’s do this again!
Walking to the other side of the fire!
I’m a Fire Walker!
There I am, standing at the far edge of the fire. Feeling all the feelings: pride, disbelief, belief, super happy, relief, empowered, charged, community, excited, amazed, transformed, accomplished, I did it, powerful, all the things that scare me are gone, Yaaas!!
It’s enjoyable that it’s a comparably small group at each event. We become closer as a community, even if we were strangers before. We went through the fire several times, practically until the coals all die out. Walking through with friends or lovers. As a newly created community, we celebrated each other’s achievements. One man who suffers from diabetes and is losing feeling in his feet went through with some aid. His joy was effusive. A young boy was afraid, despite his parents’ encouragement. I told him a secret – to imagine himself telling his friends in school how fierce he is, he can walk on fire. No one is going to bully him, that’s for sure. I saw how his confidence soared when he reached the other side.
Kat made sure that part of the process included the space to honor each individual transformation, because for so many of us, it became an emotional time too. If we can walk on fire, we can imagine other ‘impossible’ things which we are now empowered to feel are possible.
The coals after the fire walk made into a heart for all of us to enjoy
Are you ready for your own fired up superpower?
Having walked you through the process of walking on fire (from my point of view), are you ready to try this kind of adventure? If you are in the New York area, I’m happy to connect you directly with Kat. Otherwise, here are a few resources to get you started on your own journey across the coals!
(Note, I am not affiliated/receive earnings from any of these resources. And if you use them, all the risks are up to you! I have just put them here for your access. PS – If you have any comments or questions, put them in the comments below and I will be sure to answer you!)
RESOURCES
Kat Naslas www.katalysthealingarts.com (please contact Kat if you are interested in a fire walk, or if you’re interested in leading fire walks – she is a Sundoor trainer)
Video on Oprah at Tony Robbins
Video of Melissa Etheridge on Firewalking
Tony Robbins Firewalk course (part of “Unleash the Power Within” event)
Some history links:
Indian Folklore on Firewalking
Penn Museum The Strange Practice of Firewalking
You need more fun & spontaneity in your life, and aren’t sure of next steps or the path to follow. Let’s connect! You could choose a free 15 minute chat, various courses, or even select one-to-one coaching.
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