Editing Firewalking (section)

==Persistence and functions==
Social theorists have long argued that the performance of intensely arousing collective events such as firewalking persists because it serves some basic socialising function, such as social cohesion, team building, and so on. [[Émile Durkheim]] attributed this effect to the theorized notion of collective effervescence, whereby collective arousal results in a feeling of togetherness and assimilation.<ref>Durkheim E. ‘’The elementary forms of religious life’’. New York: Free Press 1995.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Vilenskaya|last2=Steffy|first1=Larissa|first2=Joan|title=Firewalking: A New Look at an Old Enigma|date=December 1991|publisher=Bramble Co|isbn=978-0962618437|pages=[https://archive.org/details/firewalkingnewlo00vile/page/n253 253]|edition=First|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/firewalkingnewlo00vile/page/n253}}</ref><ref name="Experience of Fire and Ice">{{cite book|last1=Leonardi|first1=Lewis|title=The Ultimate Experience of Fire & Ice|date=1998|publisher=Davinci Press|location=Google Books|isbn=978-0966467703|edition=1st}}</ref> A scientific study conducted during a fire-walking ritual at the village of [[San Pedro Manrique]], Spain, showed synchronized heart rate rhythms between performers of the firewalk and non-performing spectators. Notably, levels of synchronicity also depended on social proximity. This research suggests that there is a physiological foundation for collective religious rituals, through the alignment of emotional states, which strengthens group dynamics and forges a common identity amongst participants.<ref>Konvalinka, I., Xygalatas, D., Bulbulia, J., Schjoedt, U., Jegindø, E-M., Wallot, S., Van Orden, G. & Roepstorff, A. 2011. [http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/04/26/1016955108.full.pdf+html “Synchronized arousal between performers and related spectators in a fire-walking ritual”], ‘’Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108’’(20): 8514-8519</ref><ref>Xygalatas, D., Konvalinka, I., Roepstorff, A., & Bulbulia, J. 2011 [http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/27/article/17609/ "Quantifying collective effervescence: Heart-rate dynamics at a fire-walking ritual"],''Communicative & Integrative Biology 4''(6): 735-738</ref><ref name="A Guide for the Spiritually Curious">{{cite book|last1=Houff|first1=William H.|title=Infinity in Your Hand: A Guide for the Spiritually Curious|date=2001-07-01|publisher=Skinner House Books|isbn=978-1558963115|edition=2nd}}</ref>