
Take a Walk on the Fire Side
Walking on hot coals has long been a test of individual courage, and also of mind over matter; here’s what happens when you walk on coals when you aren’t in the mood.
By Robin Postell
You feel like God divorced you? Maybe like your soul took a hike and left you at home with the kids? Maybe you have decision fatigue or have fried your neurotransmitters on any number of overly-prescribed pharmaceutical wonder drugs.
Or, like me, maybe your heart was thrown in the gutter by your soul mate? Well, firewalking might be the antidote to all your doubts and insecurities.
Out here in the pitch-black woods of Dahlonega, Georgia’s Forest Hills Resort, the only light is coming from the fire blazing in front of me. Two dozen or so yuppies are dancing around barefoot in a circle, chanting, “Do it, do it, do it.”
That tribal vibe, which isn’t far from the “real world” of Republicans vs. Dems, Crips vs. Bloods, sports teams squaring off the same way UFC fighters do in the Octagon, is strong.
These curious folks are eager to “find themselves.” They’ve been participating in an assortment of group therapy sessions, like detoxing in Native American sweat lodges they built themselves out of saplings. And the good ole trust falls when you cast your cynical belief that no one is trustworthy or ever really there for you and hope somebody – in this case a total stranger – catches you.
Also in the mix are lifelines, consisting of blindfolding themselves and following a rope through the woods.

The main event, fire walking, will be the real test. Those in attendance have been building this huge fire all day, adding wood piece by piece until a conflagration licks the night sky.

There are couples here. One is expecting a baby and trying to save the marriage. Divorcees. Ex party-mongers searching for new meaning. The odd thrill-seeker. All have come to be healed of dread and darkness and discontent.

Once the fire rages, excitement does, too. Allowed to wane, the fire reduces to hot embers glowing orange beneath their rakes as they stretch the gauntlet about 20-feet across the forest clearing.

Glowing red and black, they begin their jaunts across, their passion growing into a primordial scream out here in the deep, thick wilderness.

“Do it!” they chant. “Go for your dreams!”
A few have stripped down to their underwear. My turn to walk too quickly comes after everyone else has already gone. Even the dog in attendance has run over on its quick-stepping paws four times.

I’d been hoping they’d forget about me. My Nikon and journalistic presence engrossed in total coverage, I fooled myself, would deter them from pressuring me to do it.

Nope.
They eye me like the odd man out in “Children of the Corn,” and I stare my own demons down. Actually, I pretended to. Total peer pressure. Nothing in me felt like it was a good idea.
I go for it.

Halfway across the bed I want to test myself – my feet have a mind of their own and begin pressing into the coals defiantly, as if I’m smashing a bug. My feet burn, but my adrenaline keeps me going. My mind, blank. Nothing. I jump off the coals and onto the cool grass. The only thing that’s changed for me is that the pain in my heart has been distracted by the pain in my feet.
Everybody hugs and congratulates me. “A few more times and you’ll be over it – you’re feet won’t even hurt,” one of the acolytes says to me, his feet looking like two porterhouse steaks.
Back at the lodge, barrels of cold water are waiting for our burning feet. They give us T-shirts that say, “I walked on fire,” with puff-paint illustration of cartoon feet standing on a bed of orange coals.

We all hug again, say our good-byes…and head back to the safety of our bad infomercials and Armani-clad charlatans where we rightfully belong.
Business as usual.
My feet hurt.


31 Comments
WayneBrian
Your blog just looks awesome
ROBINPOSTELL
Thanks, I’ve been working on it for a while. Your feedback makes it worth it!
Илья Осколков
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I will also be grateful for the subscription 😘
P.S: Author of this blog: please excuse me for such a comment that can be considered spam 😰
ROBINPOSTELL
Hi, thanks for leaving this comment. I’m working on a comprehensive coronavirus post that will hopefully go live today! I am interviewing friends in S. Korea, Italy, and China. I’d like to add yours, too. I will check yours out now.
ROBINPOSTELL
I wrote a post today using my friend in S.Korea. I’d like to include your perspective in an upcoming post.
tanvi_bhattar
Hi. I want to make a famous profile on wordpress. Please read my latest article on – http://tanvibhattar.wordpress.com/
Thanks!
ROBINPOSTELL
Hi! Well, then, you will, because determination and intention are what it takes! Really put your blood and heart in it, and people will take notice. Thanks for visiting my website!
tanvi_bhattar
Thankyou so much 🙂
GoGo
You might wanna read about Sita who walked through fire to prove herself to God Ram. This is the story of Ramayana. These are Hindu Gods.
ROBINPOSTELL
Thanks, I will!
mellonysam
Well…walking on hot coals is the best way to show courage bt sometimes u gonna have to ask yourself if its worth it. Its worth it when you discern it and people appreciate you, appraise you for who you really are.
Solarayo
Huh… Interesting to read your take on fire-walking! I can say I’m a sorta new member of the “heart was thrown in the gutter by your soul mate” club and might have to get brave and try this one day, haha 🤔
ROBINPOSTELL
It was quite humbling because I’ve always thought of myself as a mind over matter person.
Athena Adas Prine
dynamic site,,no BS objective input…credible first hand witnesses,,Ms Robin, keep us rockin” for more! electric…eclectic ,,energizing,..capable of setting a fresh honest higher standard in reporting!.
ROBINPOSTELL
Thank you, Athena!
Leslie Giammanco
Very similar to how performers feel when they debut at a major opera house or concert hall. Heart pounding anticipation fear excitement exhilaration. The right of passage. It’s an experience you never forget. Excellent article Robin.
ROBINPOSTELL
Thank you, Leslie! I hear you have a lovely voice
Adewemimo Charles
😂😂😂😂😂
FuzzYdicE
What an eye catching post! Exciting and attention grabbing, well crafted!
ROBINPOSTELL
Thanks for the feedback!
CK
Wonder you burned your feet at the end?
I did not know until today that over the other side of the globe, there is such an event of fire walking.
I am living in Malaysia, we Chinese Malaysian has many different religions and cultures. One the the religion believe on praying to gods in Chinese temple, just like else where there are Chinese population. They have this same thing as walking on fire, in believing that it will bring good fate and prosperous to people. As you can see from this link https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2008/10/13/homage-to-nine-emperor-gods
In my hometown called Selandar which is located in the historical town State of Malacca. We have an even better version of it. They build structure like castle and put them into fire so that people will walk through it. They only perform this celebration every 10 years. Last was 2017, and hopefully I will be able to witness it again in 2027. You can see the video from this website but it is in Mandarin. http://tinkangkeng5.gbs2u.com/bd/index3.asp?userid=25806948&idno=5
In order for the people to participate in this ritual, they have to be on vegan for 49 days. It was told that if the 49 days vegan practicing is followed, they will not get burned on the fire. Which is holding true to date… amazing…
ROBINPOSTELL
This is very interesting! Yes, I did burn my feet a little, although no one else did. I think becoming mentally prepared for it is essential. I think I would have been fine if hadn’t been in a low vibrational emotional state. And I think being vegan, as you’ve mentioned, to cleanse the body, mind, soul, is an excellent idea. My feet weren’t burned badly, but I did have some hot spots for about a week. I crossed the coals about five times.
CK
I did not know until today that over the other side of the globe, there is such an event of fire walking.
I am living in Malaysia, we Chinese Malaysian has many different religions and cultures. One the the religion believe on praying to gods in Chinese temple, just like else where there are Chinese population. They have this same thing as walking on fire, in believing that it will bring good fate and prosperous to people. As you can see from this link https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2008/10/13/homage-to-nine-emperor-gods
In my hometown called Selandar which is located in the historical town State of Malacca. We have an even better version of it. They build structure like castle and put them into fire so that people will walk through it. They only perform this celebration every 10 years. Last was 2017, and hopefully I will be able to witness it again in 2027. You can see the video from this website but it is in Mandarin. http://tinkangkeng5.gbs2u.com/bd/index3.asp?userid=25806948&idno=5
In order for the people to participate in this ritual, they have to be on vegan for 49 days. It was told that if the 49 days vegan practicing is followed, they will not get burned on the fire. Which is holding true to date… amazing…
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Jay Bleu
Fun and Exciting post! Happy to have found it!
ROBINPOSTELL
Thanks! I’m adding more photos
Jay Bleu
Cool! Still not sure I know the purpose of it, other than for the thrill!
ROBINPOSTELL
In the case of my story, it was about building your confidence, and the whole “mind over matter” issue.
R
Jay Bleu
Oh ya now I see it now. What a thrill 😊
Geri Lawhon
A great story about peer pressure and being caught in the moment. Still this post was great, because you did do it. Thanks.
ROBINPOSTELL
Thanks for reading it and for the feedback. You’re right, peer pressure was the driving force!