Today’s blog is about the ultimate challenge of walking on fire. It certainly is no weak feat as it requires mental focus. Participants must break their mental barriers and walk on the specially prepared fire bed. It isn't difficult, but it isn't easy as well. It works only on one philosophy- 'You just have to take your mind across, and your body will follow’.
Tony Robbins, one of the world’s leading personal development gurus has been advocating firewalking since the nineties. Tony says, “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.”
The physics of hot coals for firewalking points out that “mind over matter” will prevent feet from burning? Tony doesn’t blame anyone from thinking that. He says, “It’s a scary thought indeed, but actually it’s much safer than you might think.”
Fortunately, you don’t have to take his word for it because there’s a science behind firewalking that will convince even the most doubtful that it can be perfectly safe. According to science, the mystery behind walking on hot coals and why it works can be understood by examining a physical property known as thermal conductivity. Essentially, it’s an object’s ability to transfer energy in the form of heat to another object. Why is this so important? Because it has everything to do with the transfer of heat from the searing, sizzling coals to your naked feet.
Coal is comprised of carbon, which, as it turns out, is pretty terrible at conducting heat. And a hot coal, in particular, is covered with a thin layer of ash, which is an even less effective conductor. So, what you have is something bad at transferring heat to your skin encased in something even worse at conducting heat (ash).
The brain though is where your emotional state comes into play. When you’re in a heightened state of fear, your body’s blood vessels constrict so there’s less blood flowing through your feet, and therefore less burn protection. On the other hand, if you’re in the right state of mind – peak state – your blood will flow more freely, helping to protect your feet.
Mastering you fear and emotional state by convincing yourself that you have no choice will be the incremental step toward unlocking an extraordinary life. Be excited about the challenge that firewalking presents instead of getting sucked into negativity and apprehension.
When you consider the science behind firewalking from both a physical and mental perspective, you’ll see that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain from participating in a controlled event where walking on hot coals is used to ignite change and increased self-confidence.
Take care!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Feat (n) = achievement, accomplishment, deed, act
Innately (adv) = naturally, distinctively, characteristically, genetically, inherently, instinctively, essentially, intrinsically
Searing (adj) = intense, shooting, stabbing, agonizing, (ant) mild
Ash (n) = residue, powder, dust, cinders, embers