Trotting along the Path of Horse and Mind Training
In the quiet open grassland forests that are known as Clear Sky Retreat Center, where nature abounds, I found myself invited into the world of horses. The Center, with its rich teachings on awakening and transformational growth of all types, became the setting for what I would come to understand as yet another opportunity for a transformative journey—this time with two specific horses.
I had never been horse crazy. That was a sentiment only a couple of us shared during our initial gathering with Yvonne, the Natural Horsemanship trainer. As we introduced ourselves and shared our histories with these striking creatures, I shared my sense of uncertainty. “I’ve never really understood horses, or spent much time with them and I’m here because it seems like a great opportunity. And I’m afraid of them.”
"I’ve never really understood horses, or spent much time with them and I’m here because it seems like a great opportunity. And I’m afraid of them.”
One thing I have learned on this personal growth path at Clear Sky is learning to be vulnerable and communicate what I am experiencing. My moment of sharing vulnerability was held by the group. The space was not filled with hurried reassurances or attempts to comfort me. Instead, my friends simply witnessed my fear, nodded knowingly, or offered a reassuring smile. I felt accepted and seen in my vulnerable bravery.
My relationship with fear has stemmed from a perspective learned in childhood that viewed experiences as burdens placed upon me—something I had little control over. However, under the guidance of my spiritual Teacher, Catherine Sensei, I began to unravel this belief. She embodies the Bodhisattva spirit. She has shown me time and again that with intention and effort, beings can indeed be trained. Her aspiration commits her, not only to human beings, but to all sentient life. Training our minds and therefore influencing our experiences of life and how we interact with all manifestations is a treasure, opportunity and our birth right. Suffering happens but we no longer need to be subject to suffering. Fear can be felt but it no longer has to dictate how I experience life.
One of the pivotal lessons I received came from Qapel, one of Clear Sky’s Founding Teachers. He said, “You must be willing to die, no matter what.” Initially, this statement struck me as theoretical. I had heard similar sentiments from books and movies particularly regarding Samurai warriors, for example. However, as I reflected more deeply, I realized it was an invitation to train my mind and my actions. Fear has often governed my actions, limited my experiences and increased my feelings of nervoursness not limited to the topic of horses. His teaching offered a possibility that there may be a way through to the other side where curiosity and investigation live.
As I undertook Natural Horsemanship lessons, I felt a shift within me. My friend’s observation—“You really look different when you approach the horses”—was telling. I realized that in recognizing, accepting and acknowledging fear, it had less control of my physiology, emotions, energy and actions. I learned that they have a different language than humans but I could be trained to communicate with them. It showed that we could understand each other. I experienced growth in my interactions with the horses that spread out and permeated into all aspects of my life. When I change everything is affected. Learning with the horses has increased my repertoire of approaches to numerous challenges. Fears started to dissolve, replaced by a resilience I hadn’t known before.
Catherine Sensei often emphasizes the connection between training horses and training ourselves. Through more understanding of these powerful beings, we not only learn empathy and communication but also cultivate skills that allow us to reduce suffering—both within ourselves and in our interactions with others. As I engage with the horses, I embrace the role of a student eager for growth. Each conscious interaction with all beings, becomes a way to train my mind, to align it with the compassionate goals we set as a community.
This journey itself brings up fears. Being witnessed during this training process can feel intimidating. It’s natural to seek solace in anonymity during moments of vulnerability, and to retreat into our shells. Yet, being witnessed is a kind of connection and we all long for connection. Where it be with other humans or with other consciousnesses, or both. Consciously connecting offers profound opportunities for growth. Lets share our fears, successes and experiences! Let’s create an environment of trust and support, and flourish together.
To become a wise trainer of people, as Sensei exemplifies, requires commitment to continuous learning, and a desire for transformation. Each interaction with the horses reflects my mind state at that moment. A mirror of my internal storm or calm. Thus, as spiritual seekers, we can embrace the wisdom that is our birthright, as offered through the horses, as we learn to train our own minds and hearts.
In this journey to “No Fear,” I grow into maturity. I ripen and find courage. I am also encouraging others to do the same. And together we create a space to grow together.
Embracing the opportunity with the horses has not only provided me with new skills and confidence; it has ignited a flame of compassion and understanding that I now wish to share with the world.
One thought on “No Fear: Embracing the Journey of Horse and Mind Training”
Tashi Delek Maureen!
Namgyal Rinpoche, when speaking of Hayagriva’s nature, would refer to the horse galloping wild and free in mountainous meadows – neighing with abandon…
Below it says, “The neigh or cry of a wild horse on the Tibetan plains is known to have the loudest cry, but in this guise, it symbolizes the roar of Dharma carried by the wind.”
Hayagriva – https://pathways.samyeinstitute.org/wiki/hayagriva/
Hayagriva is a wrathful manifestation of Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara embodies the compassion of all the buddhas and connects to the enlightened mind. In the Hayagriva manifestation, he represents the enlightened speech of all buddhas. He is the Heruka of the Lotus (Padma) Buddha Family. Referred to as “Lotus-like Speech”, he is usually depicted as red in color with a dark-green horse head with a blazing red mane emerging from his fiery red crown. The fierceness of his speech is represented by the screaming or neighing horse head. The neigh or cry of a wild horse on the Tibetan plains is known to have the loudest cry, but in this guise, it symbolizes the roar of Dharma carried by the wind.