Angeles Arrien

Responsibility and Discipline: The Four Fires

Sources of Inspiration: The Four Fires

Universally, fire is regarded as a spiritual symbol of awakening. It is also a purifying force that can be constructive or destructive, depending on how we use it. Many sacred texts, such as the Bible, Koran, and Torah, speak of fire as a symbol of the vital life force that can be called upon for transformation, re-visioning, or the transmission of renewed meaning. Traditionally, the four fires that these sacred texts refer to are the fire of vision, the fire of the heart, the creative fire, and the soul’s fire

We encounter these fires throughout our lives, and we need to reconnect to them so that we can experience what truly inspires us. The fire of vision provides visions or dreams that show us possibilities and potential in our lives, inspiring us to manifest what we see or are called upon to do. The fire of the heart teaches us about what and whom we love. The creative fire signals the work that we love, a keen awareness of our gifts, and our desire to express them as a way of contributing to the world. The soul’s fire calls us to be authentically who we are and serve others rather than our own egos.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa were seized by all four fires, as is often the case with anyone who is inspired by a great dream or who explores any one of the fires in depth. The four universal fires urge the human spirit to look deeply for meaningful connections, to manifest creativity and vision in generative ways, and to listen to the soul’s promptings for deepening and renewal.

–from Angeles Arrien’s The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom, pg. 34-35.                                                                                
 
 

Monthly Practices:

• The fire of Vision:
  What new visions or new possibilities are capturing your imagination? At the end of each day this month, ask who or what inspired you today?

• The Heart’s fire:
  What or whom do you love? What are you learning about love this year? Are you following what has heart and meaning?

• The Creative fire – “the fire that takes no wood”:
  What creative projects, aspects of work, or new applications of your creativity are sources of inspiration for you at this time?

• The Soul’s Fire:
  What spiritual experiences or deep internal callings or longings are making themselves known to you this year? At the end of each day, notice which of the four fires were present: in what relationship; under what circumstances; and what thoughts, insights, feelings provoked your awareness of their presence?

View all Reflections