Firewalking

Igniting the Fire Within

“If we want to understand God, we cannot be afraid of what science might teach us. But if we want to understand science we have to know that science never has the last word.”

Guy Consolmagno

Proverb 6:28 asks, “Can one walk on coals and his feet not get burned?”

This question has generated many interpretations for those seeking meaning through the scriptures. Alternatively, researchers have used classical physics and rationalization to guide their work in attempts to understand how this observance is possible. Various linear scientific theories have emerged claiming to have solved the puzzle. These theories trivialize the experience of walking on hot embers by not taking into account the subjective experience of each participant.  Gregg Braden, a pioneer in bridging the gap between science and spirituality, has demonstrated how “historical narratives once accepted as facts are no longer holding up to new evidence”. This raises the question: will findings based on outdated laws of physics hold up over time with regards to the firewalking experience?

Hearing the word fire evokes a sense of fear in many. For some, visualizing a camp fire or focusing on flickering flames and rhythmic crackling sounds within a fireplace create an ambience of warmth and relaxation. Trance like occurrences when gazing at fire are common. Fire was first recognized as one of the four building blocks of matter by the ancient Greeks around 450 BC. Cultures and schools of thought ascribe varying symbolism to this element. The most common are: illumination, power, purification, death and rebirth, wisdom and knowledge, destruction and evil. Fire is used as a sacred element within many spiritual and religious rituals around the world.

The Hawaiian Kahunas of Old Hawaii (wise ones, healers) walked on hot lava. They understood the power created through accessing spiritual energy.  The Kalahari Desert !Kung Bushmen use fire as part of their healing rituals. Indigenous Australians burn native plants and used the smoke to purify thus creating sacred space. Mircea Eliade, considered an influential historian of religion, wrote about religious and spiritual practices of indigenous shamans. Masters of fire were expected to swallow burning coals, handle red hot iron and walk on fire before earning the title.

Curiosity inspired me to consider participating in a firewalk. On January of 2009 the opportunity was made available. The walk would be held at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. It was limited to fifty participants. I immediately knew this was the right experience for me. Walking into a classroom of strangers in awareness we would leave behind outdated paradigms while opening to new experiences was exhilarating.  Marvin L Allen, a now retired Master Firewalk Instructor and founder of PHOENIX Transformational Services taught the course and led the experience.  His passion for firewalking was undeniably palpable and contagious. As a retired firefighter, his shift in paradigms would be considered radical by many.  In preparing for the firewalk, we participated in an arrow break, glass walk (walking on broken glass) and rebar bending (bending a steel rebar with the throat. Figure 1) We were now ready for the walk of a lifetime.

Marvin shares some information on building a firewalking experience:

” Being a retired firefighter, I know that anything over 160F should give you a first or second degree burn on contact. At 212F water boils and turns to steam which can produce a first, second or thirds degree in 1/100th of a second that is why I don’t believe in the Leindenfrost effect as theory, where your feet are sweating creating a barrier to protect and cool your skin as you walk on 1200 to 1800 degree hot coals. A doctor at Stanford Burn Clinic Dr. Ron Soto, advised me that anytime human skin that comes in contact with 1200 degrees hot coals which is 5.66 times hotter than what it takes to boil water at 212, you should receive 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th degree burn (total tissue destruction of the feet almost to the bone in 1/1000 of a second”.

Marvin recalls the night back in January 23, 1999 when he received 2nd and 3rd degree burns while firewalking:

“If you recall in the seminar, I always stress with the participants to always ask permission before attempting to walk across the bed of coals. If there is any doubt, you don’t walk, if it is right for you, you will be drawn to step on the bed of coals and safely walk the coals. That night I received a “no” but went anyway, as we sometimes do when we listen to our ego or brain instead of our higher spiritual self. The bed of coals was 1800 degrees that night and it was 8 ft. wide and 16 ft. long. Everything was fine as I stepped onto the bed of coals and walked across. I could hear the singing and drumming and felt safe, then suddenly it felt like a pitch fork went through both of my feet”.

Yes, it is possible to walk on a bed of hot coals without getting burned regardless of what theory one ascribes to. The mind is very powerful and will believe what you tell it regardless of it being true or not. There are also many probable considerations as to why some individuals have experienced burns. Based on my personal experience, Marvin set the tone for the depth, safety and meaning of the experience.  He believes “the only way you can walk on a bed of burning coals is that your body, mind and spirit have to be at the same frequency as the temperature of the coals to do it safely”. Meaning that one must be in complete alignment with self and honor inner guidance as one merges with the experience. By choosing to approach the walk as an ancient ritual, the teachings of the fire continue to surface years later. Respect for this ancient ritual, sacredness and intent made my walk about courage and faith in the absence of fear.

Bibliography

Allen, Marvin. “Re: Firewalk Question”. Message to the author. December 3, 2016. E-mail.

—. “Re: Update and request”. Message to the author. August 12, 2017. E-mail

Braden, Gregg. “The Anomalous History of Humanity” Gaia TV. Season 1 Episode 4. https://www.gaia.com.

Burkan, Tolly and Burkan, Peggy Dylan. “GUIDING YOURSELF INTO A SPIRITUAL REALITY”. California: Reunion Press. 1983.

Chilton, Pamela. “THE KAHUNAS OF OLD HAWAII KNEW THE SECRET TO UNLOCKING THE POWERS OF THE BODY, MIND & SPIRIT”. Foundation for Research and Exploration of Mind Motivation. August 20, 2017. <https://www.odysseyofsoul.org/freeom/kahuna.htm>.

Eliade, Mircea. “SHAMANISM: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy”. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. 2004

Forty, Sandra. “SYMBOLS”. New York: Metro Books. 2008

Sternfield, Jonathan. “FIREWALK: The Psychology of Physical Immunity”. Massachusetts: Berkshire House, 1992.

Skinner, Stephen. “SACRED GEOMETRY: Deciphering the Code”. New York: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. 2006

Cohen, Kenneth. “Honoring the Medicine: The Essential Guide to Native American Healing”. New York: Random House Ballantine Publishing Group, 2003.