I've been invited to lead this firewalk as part of a company retreat near Salt Lake City. We are in a small valley. A stream, which the early summer runoff has turned into a roaring torrent, runs through it. A drummer holds a steady beat. The firelight dances on the faces of the people in the circle, people gathering, as they have done for thousands of years, around fires.
High mountains circle our group speaking of beauty and permanence.
Their snowy caps reflect the silver light of the half moon just coming over the horizon. To the west, appearing as massive as the mountains, lies the hotel with hundreds of hotel rooms, conference and ball rooms, restaurants and, up on the tenth floor, the snack bar, gym, swimming pool and Jacuzzi. It seems almost out of context seen behind the fires, with the drum echoing ancient earth rhythms. This retreat is being held due to the extreme pressures that change in the industry is inflicting on the individuals in this company. Their market is growing rapidly and, for the first time in their history, they are facing intense competition.