After being on my spiritual path for a little while I felt attracted to the Shamanic way of life and started training in the Celtic tradition at Dunderry Park, Co. Navan.

As part of my Shamanic training we “had to” challenge ourselves to let go of inhibitions, things that were holding us back and reach a new level of healing. Sure, there are many different ways of doing so and not everyone needs a firewalk to move on.

I like to explore and try out new things and this was definitely an interesting experience to go through.

That night we lit the timber ourselves we later walked on and watched the stacks burn down. A powerful yet scary sight if you know that you are later supposed to walk on it. We prepared ourselves mentally, we drummed, we wrote our own affirmations that we then later burned in that fire.

Walking over the burning timber was an indescribable experience. It was so beautiful as we shared it with the people in our group. A challenging moment for sure: Will I burn myself? Will it be painful? Am I daring enough? Question over question, doubt over doubt… Will I talk myself out of doing it?!?! Come on…. Just go and do it!!!!

I felt so empowered after: Yes, I did it!!!!
In total I walked 8 times that night and every single time was a rush, so liberating. The first time is the scariest, but after it got easier. Especially on the mental level. No blisters, in case you are wondering. 😜

It is worth challenging yourself sometimes. Going to the next level – whatever that means for you personally.
If we allow ourselves to get scared too often and talk ourselves out of challenging situations and back down, we don’t move on with our lives, we don’t get to know our limits and don’t reach our full potential.

The world is a marvelous place and we need to explore and protect it, and go after our dreams, whatever they may be.
The world is a little less frightening and overwhelming when we let ourselves go with the flow and jump into the deep end. And every single time it is less frightening and we come out stronger than before. A bit like Indiana Jones – it can be worth the risk: JUST GO FOR IT!

That night opened up a new world to me on more than one level.

A few impressions of the firewalk:

An additional note:

I had not written any poems for the last 10-15 years. Somehow I hadn’t felt a connection to that part of me anymore. I needed to heal and let go of something inside myself first before I could access it again. That night I wrote my first poem after so many years and I am happy I did. Felt like I was finding my voice again, a voice I had buried deep down inside. Something so mundane yet so magical…..

This is my little piece. I hope you like it:

7th October 2017

Fire in the night
The moon shining bright
A silent witness
Hearts on fire
Determination roaring high
Feet touching the gleam of the past, the future
From the dark into the light
Enlightened
New beginnings
Peaceful.

For more information on the Shamanic Way (taught in Dunderry Park) please visit http://shamanismireland.com/ .