There are a great many theories about firewalking and apparently a great need amongst primarily its sceptics to try to explain this ancient phenomenon in the language of science. In general I have two responses to this; one of compassion and healthy dissociation, and quite frankly one of mild frustration. The Leidenfrost effect, the laws of thermal conductivity, heat capacity theories, all rely on the old set of physics laws. Unfortunately there's not been any research yet from a quantum physics angle. That I would find interesting. However, everybody needs to make up their own mind but in my experience life is just far too interesting and magical to spend much time trying to fit all its phenomenon into the one accepted box. Generally it doesn't fit.

One of the oldest tribes on this planet, the K'ung from the Kalahari desert, have been firewalking since the dawn of time and view it this way:

'If our n/um [energy] is higher or equal to the n/um [energy] of the fire, we can walk on the fire unharmed.'

That is such a true statement about life: if our energy, enthousiasm and passion for a certain desirable goal is higher or equal to the barriers that life puts up, we will reach that goal! It doesn't even matter if you get your feet on those glowing embers. What matters is whether you are willing and capable to give full expression to your heart's desire. No matter the fears, the self-imposed limitations, the opposing cultural beliefs, or the possible rejection by your loved ones, to name but a few 'dream-stoppers'. The firewalk is one of the most powerful methods to learn how to generate enough energy to break through those limitations and transform paralyzing fears into effective, focussed action that will propel you forward towards reaching your goals.

So is firewalking hard and dangerous? No, it's not hard to learn how to do this, and yes, the possible consequences of walking on fire are obvious. Yet, when we allow our beliefs to change and encompass a greater reality than the one we're stuck in, we are capable of so much more! I see it at every firewalk in the faces of those that come off the fire for the very first time:

I didn't believe it was possible - I can do anything!

Yes, you can!