The path of the Mindful Horse is a personal journey of emotional and spiritual development. In Celtic lore there is the
concept of anam cara, or the soul friend. A non-judgemental, supportive and deeply honest friend. A friend decent enough to observe both our strengths and our flaws. There stands The Horse, should we chose to open our hearts.
Guided by our horses we can look compassionately within ourselves, heightening our self-awareness, we learn to accept, and understand what it means to act without judgement.
And when we have settle within ourselves, then we can begin once again to look outwards. To recognise and accept in
others, our horses and the environment that we share.
Mindfulness is a practice - as such it must be part of each day - it is a constant learning and development. It is a journey, and that is why there exists this path. In travelling together at every step there is the potential of a new awakening, a new insight or some fresh wonder to share.
The path of the Mindful Horse invites us to be aware — And once aware, it offers us choice — In choosing, we engage; and it is then that we develop real presence — When fully present we are at our most effective; whatever it is that we undertake.
THE PATH OF THE MINDFUL HORSE
Right here, right now
- Erkhart Tolle: Nothing ever happened in the past, and nothing will ever happen in the future
- We connect with our breath and anchor ourselves in the present moment
- We are fully present; we know where we are, what we are doing and why we are doing
- We engage with attention, clear intention and awareness
How do I feel? What do I need?
- We connect with and are aware of our whole being
- We acknowledge how we feel and recognise and respect what we need
- We are aware what is ours and what is not ours in the moment
- We recognise not just physical sensations, but our feelings and emotions as the present themselves around our body.
I’m me! And that is good enough
- Ohso: Drop the idea of becoming someone, you are already a masterpiece
- Have honour for the self: never under value yourself or your experience
- Behave in congruence with who they are and what you value.
- Be accepting of yourself and others, do not judge. Calm that criticizing voice
- Recognise the resources we need within us. We are not projects – nor are those around us
Beat strong my compassionate heart
- Develop a compassion connection – for ourselves, for others and for all other living things
- Take time to enjoy and appreciate something good that you see in yourself and others
- Recognise and acknowledge the positive intention in the actions of others
- Recognise and celebrate what it is that we share
What is going with you?
- Foster an empathetic and understanding openness towards others
- Practice an awareness of others’ state and needs. What do you see? What might you offer?
- Recognising and responding to the communications that occur beyond language
- Calibrate own behaviour in line with others needs or their higher good
What is happening around here?
- Develop a meaningful environmental awareness. A real connection to your surroundings.
- Physical, mental and emotional alignment to circumstance and situation
- Open to the full sensual experience of the moment
If it doesn’t happen now it doesn’t count
- Live for the moment, make each moment count.
- Understand the transient and impermanent nature of things. Accept that all things will pass.
- Recognise and acknowledge those things that drawing you out of the moment
- Let go and release that which of no value in this moment,
- Free ourselves from the indulgences of rumination and contemplation
THE FOURTH KARMIC LAW
For us to grow, it is we who must change - and not the people, places or things around us. The only given we have in our lives is ourselves and that is the only factor we have control over. When we change who and what we are within our heart our life follows suit and changes too
