The Firewalk

Have you ever done anything that at the time you were just overwhelmed with the enormity of it that it just blew your mind? But then later rationalised and thoerised and explained away what happened? But still enjoy telling the tale?

Well I have.

I am a graduate of the Anthony Robbins Mastery University. I don't tell too many people this. But I do tell some of the stories.

Like the firewalk story.

I've done two firewalks during my time with Tony. One short one and one long one. The short one was about 10 feet long and the long one was over 40 feet in length.

I was scared when I did the first one, after midnight on the first night of Robbin's "Unleash the Power Within" seminar. That walk, and indeed the seminar, had a profound effect on my life.

The symbolism of that experience, and the meaning that I attached to it, meant that if I could walk over searing hot coals - that you can cook your dinner on - I could do anything. If I were able to take control of my mind, my emotions, my body for this feat - what else could I do?

Well after some important coaching from the platform: don't run (you might trip and burn); walk briskly (you don't want to burn); keep your head up (don't look down or you might burn) and wash your feet off at the end (or a coal might be stuck between your toes and you'll burn), and some suitable hypnotic suggestions implanted by the master I was ready.

We went outside and the place was electric. Ten or more drums were beating out an insistent, primal, tribal beat. The smell of the fires and the glow of the fires added to the excitement. We were pumped. I got in a line (there were about 20 or 30 "lanes" operating) and began the clapping (in time with the drums) and the chanting ("Yes! Yes! Yes!). I was also looking around nervously at everyone else looking around nervously. What was I doing?

The it was my turn.

The "coaches" at the start of my lane, my fire, my transforming walk grabbed me. They shouted "Are you ready?" "yes", "Are you ready" "Yes" "Are you Ready?" "Yes!" I yelled back as loudly as I could (see I did get the picture).

"Then do your power move!" they shouted. I did. "Again!" I did. "Again!" Again I did. "Head up! Go!"

And off I went. It only took five or six steps to change my life. Forever (well so far anyways).

I (or perhaps Tony) had so wired my mind that the results of the walk were etched deeply into my psyche. I have always been a results oriented, highly able individual. But now I had an external confirmation of my "powers to control my mind". It was awesome.

Now - when I got back inside to put my shoes back on, I examined my feet. To see if I was burnt. Of course I wasn't. But what was amazing to me was - everyone else was examining their feet too!

It was so comical that I burst out laughing, releasing a whole lot of emotion and tension at the same time. But I hadn't burn my feet! Wow.

Subsequently I did some research and found that blind Freddie and his dog could walk on hot coals and not burn their feet - but it didn't matter to me. I'd been transformed!