The Tony Robbins firewalk
The firewalk is a life-changing experience. Countless people have sought out spiritual purity, demonstrated devotion and pursued personal mastery using fire. To take your personal growth to the next level, challenge yourself and stop settling for less. The symbolic milestone that is the firewalk can help you understand what motivates you and how to make positive changes in your life. As Tony Robbins has said, “We are trained, almost innately, to be scared of fire and to keep away from it. That is why walking through a pathway of fire is a powerful expression of moving beyond one's fears.”
History of firewalking Fire has played a central role in human cultures since ancient times. Worship of fire as a source of healing, purification and transcendence had a place in the human tribe even when we first began to formally record history. For our ancestors, fire ceremonies provided a way to acknowledge the sacred importance of fire and commune with the universe. Although its purpose has shifted for modern people, contemporary firewalking remains a powerful tool. Tony says, “Walking over any hot surface does encompass some risks, but it has been done safely for centuries, and when administered properly can have enormous value as a reminder of what we are truly capable of.” Because firewalking predates written language, we don't know exactly when it began. However, India was the first to formally record firewalking more than 4,000 years ago. Many African cultures, which remain in the cradle of civilization today, also have a long, rich history
of fire rituals. Both the Kung Bushmen and African Hindus have always incorporated firewalking into their religious and healing ceremonies. While firewalking rituals among native North Americans were observed in the 17 th century by a Jesuit priest, some claim that this tradition officially came to the United States and the West when Laurens van der Post, an anthropologist, wrote about the fire dances he observed as he studied the Kung people. Upon his return, he brought his fascination with the practice to the attention of the academic community. Some claims this was the launching point for the modern firewalking practices in the West.
Why firewalk?
Firewalking is a formal step towards your goals for personal growth. It is a symbolic demonstration of your commitment and a powerful source of motivation. As proof of the inner strength we can all develop and master, the firewalk allows us to prove to ourselves that we really can achieve anything. Although people have many different reasons to firewalk, they share many of the same benefits from the experience. It allows them to face their fears in a positive way, and to stop seeing them as insurmountable. So many of us make decisions based on fears we harbor close to our hearts, fears we don't like to address. The firewalking experience allows you to remember how it feels to take positive chances and feel rewarded by doing so.
How does it work? Firewalking is the act of walking on hot cinders, coal or rocks with bare feet. Most firewalkers do not sustain injuries, and those that do find them to be superficial. Firewalking is still a
spiritual process in many cultures — even those who do not imbue the practice with spiritual significance find it empowering and transformative.
How is it possible to walk on hot coals?
Firewalking without injury is based on both emotional power and scientific principles. With the exception of a few varieties, coals do not conduct heat well and usually don't get hotter than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit; the ideal firewalking temperature is between 900 and 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Both charcoal and embers from hardwoods are good insulators, and so are the ashes they produce. This means that they help insulate your skin from too much heat. Wood or coal that has burned enough to look red hot and ashy is what firewalkers use for this practice. By the time these substances have burned long enough to achieve this state, they are mostly carbon — a poor conductor — and all of the volatile organics have evaporated. Finally, arrangement and speed matter. There is no need to run, but the firewalker must keep moving steadily. When placed in this kind of flat, even path, the walker can move purposefully over the coals without his or her feet digging too deep. So long as the firewalker continues to move, the coals don't have enough time to burn the feet.
What Tony says about the firewalk
Firewalking is an inherently powerful way to acknowledge fear and move past it, because fear of fire is instinctive. Mastering the knee-jerk reactions our instincts manufacture for us allows us to see how our minds and wills can overcome physical and external circumstances. Tony explained how the process works for The Huffington Post: “This is really not about firewalking anyway. It never has been. It's been about getting people to break through their fears and limits. If you look at what holds people back from expanding and deepening the quality of their lives, what prevents them from taking the actions that are necessary to transform their body, relationships, career, business or impact their kids? Invariably, it’s fear! Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of rejection, fear of pain and fear of the unknown. In order to get people to know that the techniques they are learning work, I like to use a physical metaphor that tests them to be able to take action in spite of fear.” For those who believe they could never firewalk, Tony offers us this insight into the possible: “It's not some magical mind-over-matter process. As I tell people in our events, anyone can walk on fire! Anyone can, but few people do! What people can do is amazing; what they will do is too often disappointing.”
Facts on firewalking Today, millions of people all over the world have tried firewalking. Many of them are so moved and motivated by the experience that they go on to teach others to firewalk. The firewalk has made various appearances in popular culture; for example, it was featured on the television shows Survivor and Oprah’s Next Chapter. Firewalking has even functioned as a powerful team-building exercise by Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola and Microsoft. And
although some of the world's most influential people have firewalked, including President Clinton, the practice is used by people from all walks of life.
The biggest myths of firewalking
The most pervasive myth about firewalking is that it is dangerous. However, more than 4 million people from all over the world have firewalked with Tony for almost four decades, and, in that time, only about one percent of people have experienced any pain at all. None have experienced injuries beyond mild pain and blistering, and each firewalking event is attended by medical professionals to treat the few minor problems that do occur. The other major myth about firewalking is that not everyone can do it. People fear that they don't have the strength or fitness to firewalk. But if you can walk, you can firewalk. There is no special personal capability required — all it takes is the will and the right guidance.
Is firewalking for you? Firewalking is an opportunity to take the next step toward a life filled with achievement, passion, personal growth and reward. It is a powerful tool for identifying and conquering fears and limitations. Uniting ancient human cultural traditions and modern goals, firewalking is a completely unique experience. However, it is an entirely personal decision whether or not to try it, so the decision is ultimately up to you.