Merging Boundaries
There is a belief now in human society that first we escaped from the wild, and now we are destroying it. Perhaps the wild is always waiting. Although we think we are separated from it, is it not simply the source of who we are.. and in remembering who we are, might we integrate again with Nature in some way as yet unseen?
Part of the journey with my holistic herd seems to be learning about the horse rhythm. The learning is a process of infiltration. First, letting go of my own desires to be able to perceive what is happening in the horses lives, and then allowing what I perceive to enter my consciousness and align with my own rhythm. The further this process goes, the more I realise that the horse rhythm is actually the same as my own rhythm, when I am beyond intellect. Which means beyond culture, conditioning and egoic desire.
One of the challenges I have been experiencing during the last ten years is finding peace concerning the relationship between the horses and the dogs in my life. These journeys which seem to unfold in the outside world, are actually happening within. A spiritual gymnasium where growth and development leads step by step into acceptance of the present moment.
We often think that to be safe with horses we have to be aware of the dangers. Most of us were told before our first encounter with a horse never to stand behind them because they kick. To always to present the palm of our hand when feeding a treat because they might bite our fingers. It is better not to sit on the ground, but crouch if you have to, or you might be trampled.
This advice is certainly sensible in a world where events are random and horses and their actions are strangers to us. Yet there is a different way to perceive the world. There is a way of being around horses that is safe because it feels safe. Then all the events that happen are in alignment with that feeling.
Engaging with this moment is nothing more that accepting how you feel and being with it. A lot of the time we set up different ways to avoid feeling how we are feeling. Distracting ourselves with books, television and computers. When we are spending time with horses it can be a great opportunity to let go of those defence mechanisms and become still.