I Was Born Very Far From Where I Was Supposed To Be, So I Have Been Going Home Ever Since.
Bob Dylan
Fears and Doubts Peeled Away in Four Steps.
First Hand Observations from A First Time Fire Tender.
Last night I witnessed an amazing transformation of 14 individuals. They all came, really not knowing why, but thinking, perhaps, that this would be an exciting experience, something different, a chance to prove to themselves that, whatever the challenge, they were up to it. That’s what they thought….
Hal Harrison, the leader of the seminar, thinks differently. He thinks the Fire called them. The Fire called them to wash them clean of all of their doubts and fears and replace it with confidence and love, and my friends, when these 14 walked away that night, all were full of love for each other and amazed at what they had done to conquer their fears.
First Hand Observations from A First Time Fire Tender.
Last night I witnessed an amazing transformation of 14 individuals. They all came, really not knowing why, but thinking, perhaps, that this would be an exciting experience, something different, a chance to prove to themselves that, whatever the challenge, they were up to it. That’s what they thought….
Hal Harrison, the leader of the seminar, thinks differently. He thinks the Fire called them. The Fire called them to wash them clean of all of their doubts and fears and replace it with confidence and love, and my friends, when these 14 walked away that night, all were full of love for each other and amazed at what they had done to conquer their fears.
This was the Mind Odyssey Seminar, held at the McMackin House Restaurant in Salem, Illinois. Fourteen strangers, looking around, some a little nervous, some forming opinions of the others, thinking perhaps, that there was no way that the person sitting across from them would step on hot coals. Wondering about themselves, would they fail, wimp out, or be embarrassed in front of these strangers? Little did they know that, within the hour, these same strangers would become their strength, their support, and their pride.
Hal, with the support of Denver Dobbins, who also is a certified Mind Odyssey instructor with several years of experience, began the session with some history of fire walking, success stories of past seminars and what to expect emotionally. Each was led through an elaborate system that ended with a single word that brought home their innermost fear or doubt. Some ended up with a single word that represented their biggest dream. Some of them were beginning to see that this was going to be bigger than just running through a pile of hot coals. Some were beginning to see that this could be a life changing experience. All would come to this conclusion before the night was over. I could see it, and I only observed the beginning and the end of the day. Someone had to stay with the fire, making sure the coals were just right and that was my job.
Now the fear factor began to sink in. Now was the first step toward the ultimate. Their first test. Each was given an arrow. A REAL ARROW with a metal target point. They wrote their word on the arrow.
Hal, with the support of Denver Dobbins, who also is a certified Mind Odyssey instructor with several years of experience, began the session with some history of fire walking, success stories of past seminars and what to expect emotionally. Each was led through an elaborate system that ended with a single word that brought home their innermost fear or doubt. Some ended up with a single word that represented their biggest dream. Some of them were beginning to see that this was going to be bigger than just running through a pile of hot coals. Some were beginning to see that this could be a life changing experience. All would come to this conclusion before the night was over. I could see it, and I only observed the beginning and the end of the day. Someone had to stay with the fire, making sure the coals were just right and that was my job.
Now the fear factor began to sink in. Now was the first step toward the ultimate. Their first test. Each was given an arrow. A REAL ARROW with a metal target point. They wrote their word on the arrow.
Each was instructed on how to place the arrow point against their throat just in the notch made where the collar bones come together and the feathered end against a serving tray held by Denver. Each was told how to breathe and the proper position for the body to be in and each was told how to break the arrow by lunging into it. Come on folks, this could kill ya. That is when the support began, and as each actually got up to break their arrow, their symbol of fear or doubt, that was the moment, the very moment they began to come together. The chanting and the hugs and jubilation at having conquered the fear. What a moment for each of them!
One struggled and could not.
Lighting the fire was a solemn occasion. Each placed a log on the pyre and each was given a paper torch to light the fire. Once again, this brought them closer, a circle of new friends around a campfire sort of atmosphere, only deeper, more personal. They were asked to use their energy to make the fire grow and it grew and as it grew hotter, their bond as a group grew stronger. It was almost hypnotic, a thing to see and experience.
Lighting the fire was a solemn occasion. Each placed a log on the pyre and each was given a paper torch to light the fire. Once again, this brought them closer, a circle of new friends around a campfire sort of atmosphere, only deeper, more personal. They were asked to use their energy to make the fire grow and it grew and as it grew hotter, their bond as a group grew stronger. It was almost hypnotic, a thing to see and experience.
They retired into the restaurant for dinner and more stories, lessons and another fear factor event. This I only heard about since I was outside tending the fire. Each of the new found friends was directed on how to walk on broken glass. I heard that each did. More arrows were broken.
One struggled and could not.
One struggled and could not.
Now was the time. The fire had burned down, it was dark and the coals glowed with a life of their own. I moved the unburned logs to the side and banked the coals up against them, and then each one was given the rake and asked to move some of the coals out into a bed suitable to walk on. Each felt the heat and each saw the coals glaring back at them. It was very quiet and very fearful. The coals were spread; the drum was beating a rhythm. Each was fighting their fears. Staring into the coals, looking to the others to make the first move. Time stood still and the hesitation was heavy. I wondered if anyone would be able to do this. I wondered who would be first.
It was Mike.
He placed his broken arrow, with all of his fears written on it, the pieces now tied together with brightly colored yarn, at the end of the bed of coals. He proceeded to the head of the fire, literally danced with his fear, and stepped off. It averaged four steps across, five or six for some, three for others, but the first time most got across in four nice long fast strides. This was the peeling away of fears and doubts. I watched his face. Fear as he took the first step, expectation of pain on the second step, surprise on the third step andjubilation on the fourth step. It was amazing!
It was Mike.
He placed his broken arrow, with all of his fears written on it, the pieces now tied together with brightly colored yarn, at the end of the bed of coals. He proceeded to the head of the fire, literally danced with his fear, and stepped off. It averaged four steps across, five or six for some, three for others, but the first time most got across in four nice long fast strides. This was the peeling away of fears and doubts. I watched his face. Fear as he took the first step, expectation of pain on the second step, surprise on the third step andjubilation on the fourth step. It was amazing!
It was the same for all. Hugs all around, jumping up and down with joy and disbelief. It started slow as they each worked up to it.
Then a strange thing happened. The one that struggled was half way across before anyone noticed! No one saw her start but there she came with the “I will not fail again” look in her eyes. She broke the dam and the rush was on. She walked at least three times that night
After she walked it became a freeway with one after another coming across, again and again; they began to dance in the fire. They spun, pranced, and came across in pairs. Some walked slowly and with short steps. They no longer approached the fire in anticipation of fear or pain but they approached it in anticipation of joy and happiness. It was an amazing thing. You could see the change in their faces and eyes. They were survivors, participants, who had all experienced the same cleansing at the same time and because of that, will be forever bonded to each other.
It came to an end. They formed a circle and Denver introduced a new word for their vocabulary. The word was “Namaste” and means, in ancient Sanskrit, “The God within me recognizes the God within you” and truly, each could see the other in a whole new light. There was a twist on the group hug as each put their arm around the shoulder of the other in a tight circle and then they all took one step in. Now, that was a hug. A N’um Hug. They began to drift inside to celebrate and then the most moving thing for me happened. The one who struggled came out to the fire after every one had left. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was going to burn her arrow. It was her symbol of failure and she wanted it consumed by her success. An amazing young lady with many hidden doubts and fears had fought and won. What an ending.