Firewalking

When you listen to the voice of your soul, and take action on its behalf, all things become possible.

Firewalking teaches a profound lesson about the power of the mind, and the effect that our thoughts and beliefs have on our experience of reality. It is a practical way of confirming our instincts and validating our intuition. Firewalking provides an unforgettable visual image to accompany our thoughts and beliefs. It shows us the vastness of human potential. And most importantly, it helps us to shift the energy of fear.

"Upon arriving at the firewalk my stomach was queasy with anxiety and anticipation. The mystery of the next few hours left me scared of the unknown. Questions were racing through my head, "Why am I here?" "Can I really do this?" As the night unfolded, I let go of these uneasy feelings and allowed myself to rest upon the support of the group and trust in Stephanie. Through this support and trust I was able to participate in the workshop and firewalk ceremony wholly. After walking across the fire, I realized a POWER hidden within me. This power gave me strength to answer questions that had earlier brought fear. Because of this memorable Friday night, my new found power will be alive in me forever."

We've all been taught that fire burns. When you have the experience of walking on fire without being burned, you re-evaluate other things you've been taught. If fire doesn't burn, maybe germs don't cause colds. Maybe getting old doesn't mean getting slow, stiff, or weak. Maybe getting sick doesn't mean having to die. Maybe we are capable of much more than we originally believed.

When we walk on fire without burning, many other possibilities open up for us. Physical and emotional barriers can fall away. When we examine the beliefs that create undesirable patterns, we are able to replace these beliefs and change our lives. As we practice the art of creating our own reality, we quickly evolve to new states of harmony.

"I've never experienced this level of trust in myself and my inner voice before. Its so powerful! Thank you beyond words."

I have walked on fire over two hundred times and have experienced the miracles and powerful transformational effects of this ancient ritual. As an observer, I have watched the fire awaken something deep within others.

Everyone's experience is unique, and there are many ways to experience firewalk. It is a personal and sacred journey. During a firewalk ceremony we can:

Experience deep levels of surrender, trust and faith.
Call on our inner light to meet the energy of the fire.
Ignite or rekindle a vision from our deepest Self.
Allow the sacred energy of the fire element to purify and heal us.
Walk as a sacred prayer of the heart.
Become reminded that we are beings capable of walking forward with intention.

For centuries, human beings have gathered around fire in community. Our culture has lost its way when we fail to gather around this healing element and share who we are with our community. Firewalking returns us to this element and to the circle surrounding it. One of the greatest joys of facilitating these gatherings is in witnessing the close community that forms as a result. When we gather in community to support each other and the whole, we begin to create real and lasting change in the larger picture.

A History of Firewalking

Firewalking is an ancient ritual, rich in tradition and found in many cultures worldwide. The oldest recorded firewalk was over 4000 years ago in India. Two Brahmin priests were competing to see who could walk further, one managed to do so and his feat was written down in the historical records of that time. Over Three thousand years ago ascetics in India walked across hot embers to purify themselves.

St. Francis of Paola was recognized by the Catholic Church in 1519 as a Saint, largely because of his ability to handle fire without getting burned.

In Greece and Bulgaria, the Anasternaria serve Saints Constantine and Helen on May 21 in an 8 day ceremony to honor the saint's fire walking ability by dancing on fire.

Over thirteen hundred years ago "Yamabushi" mystics, who combine Buddhism and the nature worship of Shinto, created a firewalk festival in the mountains outside Tokyo which continues today. It is said that thousands of spectators witness mystics firewalk first and then join in and walk the coals themselves in a purification ritual.

On the Indonesian Island of Bali, young girls walk on fire in a ceremony called Sanghyang dedari; the Balinese believe the gods to be "children of the people" and the young girls are said to embody them during the firewalk.

It is rumored that ancient Romans would be excused from paying taxes if they were witnessed crossing the coals without being burned. The Vikings were said to have walked on hot chains.

Tibetan monks, chanting, cross the glowing coal bed one hundred eight times to deepen their capacity to concentrate and focus. The Kahunas, mystics of the Hawaiian Islands, walked on glowing hot lava in honor of Pele, their Fire Goddess.

In 1880 a young Dr. William Tufts Brigham of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu found himself on the hot lava while spending the day with three of his Kahuna friends. Dr. Brigham wrote of his experience:

"When the rocks we threw on the lava surface showed that it had hardened enough to bear our weight, the Kahunas arose and clambered down the side of the wall. It was far worse than a bake oven when we got to the bottom. The lava was blackening on the surface, but all across it ran heat discoloration that came and went as they do on a cooling iron before a blacksmith plunges it into this tub for tempering. I heartily wished that I had not been so curious. The very thought of running over that flat inferno to the other side made me tremble. The Kahunas took off their sandals and tied Ti leaves around their feet. About three leaves to the foot. I sat down and began tying Ti leaves on outside my big hob-nailed boots. I wasn't taking my chances.

The upshot of the matter was that I sat tight and refused to take off my boots. In the back of my mind I figured that if the Hawaiians would walk over hot lava with bare callused feet, I could do it with my heavy leather soles to protect me. Without a moments hesitation the oldest man trotted out on that terrifically hot surface. I was watching him with my mouth open and he was nearly across - a distance of a hundred and fifty feet - when someone gave me a shove that resulted in my having a choice of falling on my face on the lava or catching a running stride. I still do not know what madness seized me, but I ran. The heat was unbelievable. I held my breath and my mind seemed to stop functioning with the first few steps my boots began to burn. They curled and shrank, clamping down on my feet like a vise. The seams gave way and I found myself with one sole gone and the other flapping behind me from the leather strap at the heel. I looked down at my feet and found my socks burning at the edges of the curled leather uppers of my boots.

I beat out the smoldering fire in the cotton fabric and looked up to find my three Kahunas rocking with laughter as they pointed to the heel and sole of my left boot which lay smoking and burned to a crisp on the lave. I laughed too. I was never so relieved in my life as I was to find that I was safe and that there was not a blister on my feet, not even where I had beaten out the fire in the socks".

In many Native American cultures, the medicine people used fire and Firewalking to heal purify the tribal community. In a 17th century letter a Jesuit priest, Father Le Jeune, writes to his superior, telling of a healing firewalk he witnessed among the North American Indians. He reports of a sick woman walking through two or three hundred fires with bare legs and feet, not only without burning, but all the while complaining about the lack of heat she was feeling. Some 30 years later, Father Marquette reported similar firewalks among the Ottawa Indians and Jonathan Carver writes in his 1802 book Travels in North America that one of the most astounding sights he saw was the parade of warriors who would walk naked through a fire, with apparent immunity.

These ancient rituals are continued today to restore power and possibility and to enhance the well-being of communities. The benefits of firewalking clearly outweigh the risks.

"The ability to walk on fire, as you must have reminded us several times, is ancient. It's in our blood. I felt that I was doing something I have done before, and before that. . .Thank-you for opening that familiar door. Intimately familiar and yet. . .I needed your easiness of manner, your gentle, irresistible nudge, your totally convincing affirmation that we already know how to be in our power to say yes or no. . .and to join you where anything is possible. Thank you for your amazing give-away."

You may have seen Peggy Dylan lead Diane Sawyer and the Good Morning America staffers on a firewalk on national television.

My journey with firewalk

I have always been drawn to fire. Within all of us is a deep magic, and I see that reflected in the flames. Fire has connected me to ancient parts of my soul and to the present belief that I have the ability to create my state of being.

When I tentatively shared with my brother my desire to become a firewalk instructor (I was expecting a negative reaction) he smiled and said "Well that makes sense. I remember you as a little girl standing on the grates of fire melting your sneakers just to see how long you could stand there!"

I became interested in firewalking as a tool to heal myself and to share with others the intense and profound ability within themselves. Walking on fire has the ability to leave us with a sense of personal power that is unforgettable. I see Firewalking as a natural compliment to the Shamanic work of restructuring subconscious beliefs and restoring personal power.

I learned the art of firewalking from my Spiritual Teacher, Peggy Dylan, at Sundoor School of Firewalking. It was truly transformative and one I hold as one of the most profound experiences on my path. I remain grateful for the opportunity to learn from Peggy. It is an honor to bring these teachings back to this area and share them with you.

I bless your journey and encourage you to ignite your vision through this sacred rite of passage.

Firewalking FAQ

Why would anyone want to walk on fire?

There are many benefits to Firewalking, which is why after thousands of years we still are doing it! Here are a few reasons I can think of:

To face fear and teach the body how to move forward and make decisions, while in fear, can effect great change in patterned responses to fear (such as the fight, flight or freeze responses)
To deconstruct old beliefs that are not life serving (such as "I can't")
To move through perceived obstacles and limitations
To welcome and embrace the element of fire and utilize its medicine in a new and profound way.
To expand your current realm of possibility.
To purify the body and increase vitality

Is it real fire?

Yes. Together we build and light a fire using seasoned, local firewood. The coals we walk on are glowing embers typically 900 - 1500 degrees.

Is there a risk involved?

Yes, as with any challenge, there is a risk; and your safety is my utmost concern and intention.

Can I come and just watch?

It is not necessary for registered participants to commit to walking the coals in advance, or in order to participate and benefit. Firewalking is voluntary and your choice will be supported. * Non participating spectators are not allowed.

Can children come?

Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome, with a parent's permission. Please check the schedule for Rite of Passage firewalks or contact me if you have an interest in creating a group event for teens.

How many times can I walk on the fire in one evening?

As many as you like, for as long as the fire lasts!