In my
workshops at Mandala I ask the participants what they feel is the
most important element in riding and working with horses. The answers
are always interesting, but for many years, the word that I was
looking for was balance.
We
discussed how balance was not just our physical balance, but included
also our mental, emotional and even spiritual balance and how if one
area was out of kilter the others were all effected. We see that
clearly with our animals too. As we take them through the TT
confidence course, improving their physical balance, emotional and
behavioral issues also improve.
But over
the past few years I have begun to discover a different answer to
that question and that answer is now self
awareness.
In today’s
society where achieving, obtaining knowledge, accumulating more,
tapping into technology and living at a frantic pace have all become
the norm, we have lost touch with nature, the earth and our
true inner self.
Without
that clear sense of self it is very difficult to connect with another
living being, to be in true balance in every aspect of our lives.
We can look
to our animal friends to help us learn how to rediscover our true,
authentic selves. Reconnecting with animals, plants, the earth and
all nature can help to lead us back to ourselves.
Animals are
masters at living in the
moment. They are in their
bodies, not hampered by a continuous stream of unwanted thoughts.
They do not create their own problems, nor do they spend endless
hours in worry.
Take time
to observe your sleeping cat, watch your dog at play or wander
through a herd of horses. Let yourself just “be” and enjoy the
oneness with your animal friends. Let your mind be still and allow
yourself time to feel the peace that emanates around you and the
energy that flows through your body.
In times of
stress we often loose touch with our inner (true) self. It is then
that we begin to feel frustration, anger, fear or begin to take
things personally and become judgmental both to ourselves and to
others that we are interacting with.
Notice that
all your animals accept things as they are. They are not judgmental
and they don’t hold grudges. We have all seen how our dogs love us
unconditionally and even when our pets have a squabble with each
other it is over and done with without resentment.
Self-awareness
can give us a real key for coping with these situations. Becoming
aware of the importance of your breath can help your rediscovery of
self.
Notice that
your animals breathe deeply and freely. They don’t worry about
sucking in the bellies, or puffing up their chests!
Good
breathing creates relaxation in both your body and your mind. It
brings in life giving oxygen and expels carbon dioxide and other
impurities. The flow of energy in your body is greatly affected by
your breathing. Deep, abdominal breathing will allow the energy to
flow through the body.
Take
a few moments out of your busy day to sit or lie down and be with
your breathe. You may find that visualizing your animal companion
sleeping helps you to slow down and go within or you may find that
your cat or dog joins you in this quiet moment. Feel the breath
traveling down through your lungs to your diaphragm as you inhale,
hold it softly for a few seconds and then very slowly exhale. Feel
the breath and the energy traveling through your body.
Next
time you go for a walk with your dog allow yourself to become more
aware of your surroundings. See the world through your dog’s eyes,
ears and sense of smell. Use “soft eyes” to take in everything
around you. Notice what your dog sees, as if looking through his
eyes. Try not to label things or think. Just “be”, in your body,
in the moment, in your dog’s world. Notice your heightened sense
of smell. Notice the breeze, the warmth of the sun or the feel of the
mist.
You
will be amazed at how calm, relaxed and at peace that you feel.
If
you are lucky enough to have a horse in your life, give yourself time
to slow your pace down and once again to just be. Horses are very
sensitive to our emotional states and ask that we be truly authentic
with them. So if you are angry at the world, frustrated or fearful,
let the horse know how you feel and let the horses way of being bring
you to a calmer, happier place. Listen to the sound of them chewing,
watch their deep breaths and slow yours to match. Communicate with
them through a gentle touch, perhaps scratching their favorite spot.
And begin to notice that you are feeling calmer, more connected to
the earth and aware of the energy flow through your body.
I
sometimes think that cats are the original yogi masters! They have
relaxation down to a fine art. Join your cat for a few minutes in
totally luxuriating in your own body. Stretch and move in ways that
you thought impossible. Purr. Stroke your cat and totally absorb
yourself in the feeling of their lithe bodies and soft fur rubbing
against you. Play. Curl up and take a nap. Enjoy the sense of peace
and utter relaxation that being with a cat can bring to you.
By
truly connecting with our animal companions and joining them in
“being in the moment” we can begin to rediscover our true selves.
We can begin to trust and follow our “gut instincts”, we can
begin to recognize that nature is not our enemy, to be manipulated
for our benefit or overcome, but that we and all creatures are part
of a much larger whole. As we begin to accept the teachings that
animals offer us, we can look at them with a new appreciation and
open our hearts to them. You will soon find that this appreciation
begins to extend to all of nature, yourself and your two legged
companions, creating a wonderful new way of living.
