I was gifted an opportunity to be an observer from the side lines of this special event. I couldn't partake in the walk itself due to the strength of the soles of my feet. I find it very difficult to walk barefoot on any surface that is slightly rough.
Having excused myself from the actual 'Fire Walk' event I was able to do something I am very practiced at, I observed, I'm an artist, I love people, I've been watching and drawing people for many
years.
Of course I attended the Pre-Walk presentation, this is essential for all participants and for me, as an observer, I needed to know what, and how, the people were supposed to be doing for the transformational walk. I needed to know that when the 'EGO' shows it's head, there is likely to be pain close at hand. The EGO is ever present and can be an enemy to us at times. Just when we think we might understand something the EGO raises its head and tells us 'I've got this', 'this isn't hard', 'even I can do this', 'why are they making such a big deal of it'. Then, WE foolishly 'believe' the beast and forget the lessons, from the wise, we were taught. I had also written an 'Intention' on my piece of paper, we all have fears or doubts that we need to let go of to get over.
The Fire was set up and waiting for our arrival. At this point, just a nice loosely stacked piles of dried logs. We all gathered around, I had my 'Intention' to place into the fire. The 'Master' called us in to hold hands and how to respect and honour the upcoming proceedings, he told us how to present our 'Intention' to the fire. When all 'Intentions' were submitted, we stood well back and watched the fire come into 'LIFE', there is no other way to describe a Fire, it IS a living entity, with a huge power to consume if given freedom.
Once the fire was started we went to dinner, the fire needs time to flourish and go quiet.
When we returned, the 'Walkers' gathered around the embers in readiness. I retreated so I wouldn't be in their way, I also wanted to watch and record the event.
I looked closely as the people gathered their inner strength in readiness for their first, potentially life changing, step into an unknown arena. There was fear in the air. Lively music started pumping and the 'walkers' responded to the beat, raising their energies, getting their mind hyped up so the 'EGO' was kept at bay.
Then, suddenly, the first person stepped into the arena and quickly strode across to the grass on the other side. Emboldened by the first act of bravado, others quickly joined and stepped across the embers, there were marshal’s all around the fire circle with a generous supply of water to cool the feet and release any 'sticky' embers, this is MOST important, serious injury could result if this is neglected.
The tunes were kept loud, the spirits were high. The bold got bolder and crossed more often, the meek also got bolder and crossed. The JOY on the faces was a fantastic sight. They had achieved a MAJOR discovery of inner strength and of the power of belief.
There was a break point to replenish the embers, they need to be kept high at 17oo degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a magical temperature. Once the Embers were ready, the walkers were gathered again.
The second phase of the 'Walk' was 'Chanting' there is a special chant and frequency to get into sync with the energy of the Fire. They all started chanting and the energy rose again, on and on they chanted, this time though, there was no reluctance, they'd all crossed the embers before. On they chanted, on they walked, with heads held high, EGO at bay, the chanting was in control of the mind. They also held their head high for their 'achievement'.
After a time, the embers, again needed refreshing, everyone stood back and were reminded about the next phase, the 'Silent' Walk. This is the toughest section as there is no external music or chanting to occupy the mind and keep the EGO quiet. This phase brought all of the lessons together, it is the mind over the EGO, focus the mind on 'something' an inner chant, a prayer, anything to let you walk without interruption.
The third, 'Silent' phase was, perhaps, more amazing as they stepped again across the fresh embers, this was perhaps the truest test of their resolve. Once again they ALL stepped up for the challenge, they ALL stepped out across the embers, they ALL did themselves proud. They not only felt proud for themselves they also felt proud for their fellow walkers. A group of people pulled together to achieve a great feat and acquire a very long lasting memory.
After the 'Silent' walk, there was a 'putting' out phase, another show of respect to show that you'd finished with the fire for this time.
As we walked away, there was lots of self-reflection, congratulations for the others and a general feeling of elation.
I witnessed many emotions and watched the people overcoming them and achieving a fantastic feat. I don't know how they felt the next day, whether they had suffered any 'Fire Kisses' or not, but they should have ALL looked back at the night before with joy in their heart.
It was a great achievement for ALL participants, one worthy of applause and accolade.
Author Credit: Empe 2018
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