Full Circle Digital Magazine August 2013 | Página 32

F I R E W A L K I N G • K E N A N N A N D A L E - FA C T O R F I C T I O N ? by Meryl Francis FIREWALKING Ken Annandale inspires us to overcome our fears and assist "Moaners and Groaners" to change into "Movers and Shakers" Doubt and confusion, fears and fallacies, beliefs and barriers. These haunt people for much of their lives. The result? Millions who fail to achieve significance or their creative potential. Factors such as upbringing, circumstance, lack of role models, confidence or ignorance, result in a mediocre existence for the majority. On the other hand, stories are told of locals who climb Everest, swim freezing oceans, write best sellers, build empires, or even walk on fire! In an attempt to correct that imbalance, Ken Annandale, a high school dropout, former drugsquad cop, ex-naval officer, author and scuba dive master, guides people over red-hot coals in order to turn "Moaners and Groaners" into "Movers and Shakers". Overcoming obstacles or excuses and ‘defining ones’ purpose should be the number one priority of every person on the planet. Why take your body and mind to such an extreme place? Reasons abound. People attend the Firewalk to undo past damage, prove a point, boost their self-confidence or break out of their comfort zone. Many do it as a personal challenge to remind themselves of their potential and purpose. ‘‘My entire family have walked unscathed across the coals!” but he adds, ‘‘this is NOT something to be tried at home!” Walking effortlessly over five metres of glowing coals and "Ignite the Fire Within" without flinching or crying out is remarkable. With the support and encouragement of the experienced Firewalk Instructor, a “buddy” and group of raucous co-participants, walkers cross the coals and step into an ice-cold pool. Amazingly the abrupt cold of the ice is more alarming than the shimmering coals. Everyone leaves with the overpowering realisation: "If I can do this…if I can walk on fire, I can do almost anything I set my mind to!" A tangible personal reference to what is humanly possible, signalling a turning point in their lives. Some report it wasn't the fact that they walked over the coals, but the fact that they took the first step. Others declare they neither felt any pain nor burnt their feet and that the experience was like “walking over popcorn”. On the safety side, Annandale concedes some people get small blisters. Nothing big or dramatic, but a reminder of the fact that they joined an elite group of Firewalk graduates. We call the blisters trophies and celebrate the fact that the walkers are human! As for other dangers? “My entire family have walked unscathed across the coals!” but he adds,” this is NOT something to be tried at home!” Author of the book “Movers, Shakers, Moaners & Groaners”, Annandale believes the Firewalk “shakes” walkers into leaving dead-end jobs and unhealthy lifestyles or relationships. It awakens a desire to move on and do something more challenging. This accelerated deep bonding process is perfect for sales and leadership teams. Ken Annandale can be contacted on 082 920 8912 or [email protected] “Fire is symbolic of fear. Stepping onto the coals and passing through the ‘gateway of fear’ allows one to singularly focus their mind and attain the ‘inconceivable’.” Discovering you can walk unscathed across a bed of coals in excess of 1200 degrees is a radical way of redefining your understanding of what is physically and psychologically possible. Fire is symbolic of fear. Stepping onto the coals and passing through the "gateway of fear" allows one to singularly focus their mind and attain the "inconceivable". "We don't remove the fear. We confront the fear in a four-hour process without hypnotism, chanting or an altered state of consciousness. It is a process of information, education and inspiration.” says Annandale. From the time the participants arrive they learn the basic elements of fear, fire and the associated physiology. Delegates are shown how to focus, respond and react. Acknowledging that courage is not the absence of fear, but action in the face of fear, means that one can make fear their servant rather than their master. FULL CIRCLE DIGITAL MAGAZINE AUGUST 2013