“I don’t know if I can do this.” These words are often uttered prior to someone attempting to walk across 900-degree hot coals for the first time. The ritual has a long history with the earliest recorded instances occurring in India in 1200 BC. It was used then and now as a test of an individual’s strength and courage, or in religion as an act of faith. For example, Tony Robbins incorporates firewalking into a course entitled, “Unleash Your Power”, to help participants master their emotions and fears.
Much is made of the mental preparation required prior to firewalking. The test may be less in the walk itself and more in releasing one’s fear in advance and moving to a zen-like state. However, following a successful walk, many people not only celebrate their achievement, but they share a profound sense of gratitude for living through a painful experience. It is only when we walk across fire that we realize how much better it is not to be doing that anymore.
I often hear similar emotions expressed when talking with clients about emerging from a painful divorce or a terrible job situation. While in a bad marriage or suffering through an unfulfilling work situation, we are walking on coals without the benefit of sufficient mental preparation. It’s just one long row of hot coals that keeps going, like a conveyor belt. We can get so used to the continuous pain that we learn to simply suffer through it. Or we fear the unknown of what it is like beyond the coals.
By making the conscious decision to end the fire walk, there may initially be some residual fear and sadness for leaving behind what was known, but this is almost always followed by a huge sense of relief and gratitude. Having had experienced the pain makes not being in that state anymore so much sweeter. In addition, we can better prepare ourselves for future tests knowing what to expect and having greater faith in ourselves and our abilities.
Are you ready to step off the coals?