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by Dr. Jeff Edwards In the fall of 1997, I decided to take my practicum/internship class in counselor education over by the Physical Education building on campus to participate in the lighting and experiencing of a sacred fire and talking circle. I have used it twice again since then, and will use it for every class from this point on, I am so sure of its power to bind, bond, heal and protect. I am sure a fire circle sounded strange to all my interns. They asked me many questions about the experience for weeks before we actually participated in the activity. How was sitting around a fire, talking, related to learning how to be a great counselor? Would they be expected to share their feelings? Was this going to be touchy feely? What if it rains? All their questions related to their anxiety about the unknown and unfamiliar. I would have had these questions, too, if I hadn't already experienced the benefits of the fire circle. Our entire department of Counselor Education participated in a fire circle and I immediately realized the potential for use with our practicum students. Someone said, "timing is everything." I have come to believe that time is always ready, if one is prepared to enjoy and involve one's self in the activity. So it was the case with our fire circle. These students were in their first of three semesters of placement in the real world of counseling. The pressures of this final clinical experience are always evident, but it can be difficult providing a safe enough place so that they can begin to bond with each other, and let their hair down, in addition to providing a sanctuary to discuss the unspeakable. Questions students wrestle with are real, and untaught; How do I deal internally with the horrors that clients bring me? How can I really be helpful when I know so little? How do I stay present for my clients yet not let it affect my home life? Am I doing enough? Do I really know enough? Will I get in all my clinical hours? Seven weeks into their clinical experience, the third week in October, when the moon would be full seemed to be the appropriate moment to circle around the fire. We chose to start our fire with an ancient tool known as a bow drill, except we had a bow drill large enough that a team of ten people would be needed to successfully operate the drill to produce a fire coal. It was our sweat, our work, our fear of potential failure, and our group's efforts that finally produced a fire coal. Then there was the sacredness of the experience, the Native American custom of offering tobacco and giving thanks, the learning of the purpose of the fire, and acknowledging that all of our various heritages used fires and talking circles to provide each person an opportunity to share what was in their heart. The fire is a link to our commonality. After lighting the fire the participants, including the instructor, were ready to listen. To listen in silence, and listen without judgement. By listening they started to finally bond and a beautiful event took place. We were ready to "get real". We passes a goose wing to use as a talking feather. The person holding the "talking feather" spoke without any interruption until they were finished. But I will let you hear from their mouths what that was like. "Having the opportunity to take part in this experience is one that I cherish and will hold with me always. Sharing our energy to create a fire was inspiring, but what was shared around the fire and from the heart was a long lasting connectedness. I appreciated the bond that our group experienced and know that the positive energy of that fireside circle remains on the grounds of Northeastern forever. I hope that others will take the time to experience this unique moment of togetherness that sacredness can only be understood by willing participants." Colleen Keenan. "Our Sacred Fire was on a cold but very clear night with the moon lending us just enough light. Encircled by hanging blankets of every color and texture, we sought to create the spark that would ignite the fire which would bring us together. We all worked very hard to create that spark, but I think it was when we all, individually, "let go of control," that the fire spark suddenly flared. From that moment on, we were a team--almost a family. Circling around the fire we had created, and sharing our feelings and thoughts, and especially sharing the silent moments, was a profound experience for me. We are a group of very different people, all on our own special journeys, but there is now a thread that intertwines, connecting us with a deep sense of respect and caring. I will forever hold precious the memory of our Sacred Fire and the beautiful people who shared it with me." Marilyn Yirku "My experience with the ritual of the sacred fire was exhilarating and profound. It required all of us working together, each summoning from their own depths the extra bit of energy needed to bring life to our fire. Then sitting around the fire, through the sharing of personal fears and needs, we gave birth to our group. Individual struggles became shared struggles. The support my group offered healed and protected me. The bond we forged that night remains with me forever. I continue to get support from them whenever I need to share my struggles. That evening was devoted exclusively to us, to our group; it was indeed a sacred time." Nancy Elenbaas "It was cool...that's the best way for me to describe it. It felt so good to work with my fellow classmates on trying to make the flame. I liked the physical effort. It was rhythmical, often wordless, and hard work. For me, the left side of my brain was a bit quiet and I could just enjoy the ideas and effort of sacredness. There's so little ceremony in life nowadays, I've gotten back to some of it with my reliance on church services. They do soothe me. That one hour on Sunday has become my little time to really reflect as I listen to the hymns and often think along with the sermon. One of our pastors gives really great parable-like sermons. The story part of the fire-making ceremony is a parable of the possible, with reverence for the everyday things that I sometimes forget about. "My bit of charcoal from the fire sits on my dresser. Sometimes I pick it up and smell its sweetness and remember the wordless work rhythms that produced a "flow" of positive energy to produce the fire. Such a sense of accomplishment. Struggling, getting very tired, and then succeeding at something so basic, a thing which I take for granted, fire and light and heat." Susan Riley For me, the proof is in the pudding. Our class expected to have a final fire circle, on the last night of the semester, to wrap things up for the year. However, it rained that night so we brought the fire inside using a candle. The same process happened, as they shared how the year together had affected them; tears were shed, gifts of remembrance were shared, and the bond was sealed. I have facilitated the counseling interns at Northeastern every year of my eight years that I have been there. Some class groups are good, and some are not as good. The first class with whom I used the sacred fire circle is still meeting monthly as a group almost two years after they graduated. They discuss cases and get support that they do not receive from the different agencies and work experiences where they are employed. This year's class has decided to have an overnight with spouse/significant others and family at Starved Rock State Park, and are already talking about a sacred fire as a final experience there. In all my years of counseling and training counselors I have never before had such a meaningful class experience where there is such a sense of community as I have now. It started when I started using the fire circle as medium for community building. Something special happened at the fire circle that transcended the usual classroom experience. It is wonderful. And I will use it again and again. You may contact Jeff Edwards at <J-Edwards@neiu.edu> or (773) 794-2809 for further information. |