SIMPLIFICATION AND LOVE
By: Kelly Michelle Jones, U.S.A.
“What the soul cries out for is the resurrection of the senses. Even in this life, matter would be nothing to us if it were not the source of sensations.”
C. S. Lewis
C. S. Lewis
The human condition is much improved by spending time with horses. However, the explanation of this phenomenon is difficult to put into words. The ability horses possess to live in the present moment simply and energetically provides the human body with a lighthouse in the storm. Some label this gracious sharing of wisdom and love, and it flows and connects us, just as horses subtly, deeply, and beautifully connect with one another.
When I think about horses accompanying humans along the journey to rediscovering intuition and a sense of self, I always want to break out into song. ”Love can build a bridge, between your heart and mine…don’t you think it’s time, don’t you think it’s time?” The Judds
The very concept of love is the basis for this article: the inability to harness it, the decision to allow for it, and even chase after it. For horses, it is integrated into their being in a much more subtle and simple way than for us humans.
When I think about horses accompanying humans along the journey to rediscovering intuition and a sense of self, I always want to break out into song. ”Love can build a bridge, between your heart and mine…don’t you think it’s time, don’t you think it’s time?” The Judds
The very concept of love is the basis for this article: the inability to harness it, the decision to allow for it, and even chase after it. For horses, it is integrated into their being in a much more subtle and simple way than for us humans.
Humanity
The active, energetic flow of this non-linear idea of love is the thread woven within the fabric of the entire universe. When beings exist in a state of calm awareness with access to all of their senses, the door swings open for this beautiful allowing of heart-centered awareness. Within this space, we find purposefulness, safe relationships, and a deep sense of self. This coherence, emotional intelligence, and spontaneous action define the heart of the herd and the heart of God.
Within the awakening of the five senses, we find the beginning of what it means to go beyond our “false self” or that ego-based, culture-centered personality that we develop over decades of living. Our personality uses behavior based on the knowledge that is developed in a world based on competition and compliance, in which we are drawn to satisfying needs and trying to achieve success measured against standards based on currency exchanged, titles earned, and things collected.
Within each of us lies a desire to return to the person we were created to be. It is a burning flame dappled with playfulness and creativity, and it is within this warmth we find safety and a sense of home. We touch on this warmth briefly and sporadically, especially when we see things that give us a sense of wonder, experience great love, and give completely of ourselves vulnerably and spontaneously.
The active, energetic flow of this non-linear idea of love is the thread woven within the fabric of the entire universe. When beings exist in a state of calm awareness with access to all of their senses, the door swings open for this beautiful allowing of heart-centered awareness. Within this space, we find purposefulness, safe relationships, and a deep sense of self. This coherence, emotional intelligence, and spontaneous action define the heart of the herd and the heart of God.
Within the awakening of the five senses, we find the beginning of what it means to go beyond our “false self” or that ego-based, culture-centered personality that we develop over decades of living. Our personality uses behavior based on the knowledge that is developed in a world based on competition and compliance, in which we are drawn to satisfying needs and trying to achieve success measured against standards based on currency exchanged, titles earned, and things collected.
Within each of us lies a desire to return to the person we were created to be. It is a burning flame dappled with playfulness and creativity, and it is within this warmth we find safety and a sense of home. We touch on this warmth briefly and sporadically, especially when we see things that give us a sense of wonder, experience great love, and give completely of ourselves vulnerably and spontaneously.
And When We Are with Horses
Horses have stepped into a role for us that can be characterized as a parent: gently guiding us, taking our hand, across a busy street, navigating us through traffic and chaos, suffering and pain, around roadblocks of confusion and distractions, past patterns of guilt and placating others. Horses are not convinced by promises of reward to veer from the course of finding their way home. They know very well which way to go. Slowly, that dysfunctional system we worked so hard to create and maintain begins to unravel in the presence of a horse.
Horses don’t waste time with the niceties, trying to play a game, and fulfilling a set of rules given by generations that came before. They are calmly aware in the present moment, with us, right here and right now. We need to listen, surrender, and allow ourselves to heal and return our nervous systems to nature to experience the simplicity and joy it offers.
Scientific evidence supports the transformation that occurs when humans allow horses to reveal to them a sense of “true self” and that empowers us to return to what we were intended to be. These sentient beings love freely, see truth, and through a remarkable sense of intuition, can offer compassion, trust, and gentleness without fear, manipulation, or greed.
Getting caught up in the rationalization of something that is not rational is the cause of the perceived chaos in our world, an overzealous race for intellectual answers in an energetic world. The Earth itself is an active, moving source of strength that we all share. Horses open the door and show us this vortex of living, breathing, engaging, and experiencing. This enlightenment brings us closer to what was intended - awe and wonder, playfulness and curiosity, vitality and wholeness.
Horses have stepped into a role for us that can be characterized as a parent: gently guiding us, taking our hand, across a busy street, navigating us through traffic and chaos, suffering and pain, around roadblocks of confusion and distractions, past patterns of guilt and placating others. Horses are not convinced by promises of reward to veer from the course of finding their way home. They know very well which way to go. Slowly, that dysfunctional system we worked so hard to create and maintain begins to unravel in the presence of a horse.
Horses don’t waste time with the niceties, trying to play a game, and fulfilling a set of rules given by generations that came before. They are calmly aware in the present moment, with us, right here and right now. We need to listen, surrender, and allow ourselves to heal and return our nervous systems to nature to experience the simplicity and joy it offers.
Scientific evidence supports the transformation that occurs when humans allow horses to reveal to them a sense of “true self” and that empowers us to return to what we were intended to be. These sentient beings love freely, see truth, and through a remarkable sense of intuition, can offer compassion, trust, and gentleness without fear, manipulation, or greed.
Getting caught up in the rationalization of something that is not rational is the cause of the perceived chaos in our world, an overzealous race for intellectual answers in an energetic world. The Earth itself is an active, moving source of strength that we all share. Horses open the door and show us this vortex of living, breathing, engaging, and experiencing. This enlightenment brings us closer to what was intended - awe and wonder, playfulness and curiosity, vitality and wholeness.
The Herd
I watch my horses interact as a herd every day, up close as I feed and groom them, and far away as they make their way through the day. A routine is in place for their footsteps, always suggested by my 24-year-old mare, Leda. In the 20 years I have owned this mare, she has always guided her herd no matter its size or makeup. The other horses respect and follow her, and her wisdom casts a glow of safety over the herd. Recently, I added two horses to my small herd of three to help a friend with two geriatric rescues.
The dynamics that horses weave with one another are always fascinating to me. To humans, we see harsh behavior when the two new members integrate into the movement of the herd. Squeals and pinned ears meet requests for connection. Seemingly, it is a breakdown of unconditional love and acceptance with no sense of empathy for two old, rejected, and arthritic souls that arrived scared and confused by so many moves, new humans, and experiences. Then, intentionally and carefully observing the shifts each day, each of my three mares takes time alone with the newcomers to graze, nap or travel to the next destination. This herd is integrating their energies and sharing their space.
Then, the wonderful wisdom of horses becomes more obvious to my human mind as the two new horses move in and fill roles that were missing in my herd. The old gelding, a retired stallion kept in a small breeding stall his entire life, becomes the sentinel, staying on the edge of the herd and warning of potential danger. This guarding eye has taken the pressure off of Leda, as she has historically taken on this role in addition to guiding her herd mates. Then, the arthritic, skinny, thoroughbred mare slowly started to wake up and show her and show her playful personality.
I watch my horses interact as a herd every day, up close as I feed and groom them, and far away as they make their way through the day. A routine is in place for their footsteps, always suggested by my 24-year-old mare, Leda. In the 20 years I have owned this mare, she has always guided her herd no matter its size or makeup. The other horses respect and follow her, and her wisdom casts a glow of safety over the herd. Recently, I added two horses to my small herd of three to help a friend with two geriatric rescues.
The dynamics that horses weave with one another are always fascinating to me. To humans, we see harsh behavior when the two new members integrate into the movement of the herd. Squeals and pinned ears meet requests for connection. Seemingly, it is a breakdown of unconditional love and acceptance with no sense of empathy for two old, rejected, and arthritic souls that arrived scared and confused by so many moves, new humans, and experiences. Then, intentionally and carefully observing the shifts each day, each of my three mares takes time alone with the newcomers to graze, nap or travel to the next destination. This herd is integrating their energies and sharing their space.
Then, the wonderful wisdom of horses becomes more obvious to my human mind as the two new horses move in and fill roles that were missing in my herd. The old gelding, a retired stallion kept in a small breeding stall his entire life, becomes the sentinel, staying on the edge of the herd and warning of potential danger. This guarding eye has taken the pressure off of Leda, as she has historically taken on this role in addition to guiding her herd mates. Then, the arthritic, skinny, thoroughbred mare slowly started to wake up and show her and show her playful personality.
Integration
“I would whisper love so loudly
Every heart could understand
That love and only love
Can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart's desire
So that you might see
The first step is to realize
That it all begins with you and me”
Love Can Build a Bridge, The Judds
Peace reigns once again as these amazing, sentient beings demonstrate to us humans that it isn’t about winning, losing, being important, or achieving a status that brings value based on quantity in life. It is about working together to weave a beautiful web of strength that benefits every member through non-judgmental acceptance, patience, a willingness to learn about one another, recognizing the past we all have, and allowing for trusting reliance on one another.
Heart-centered awareness leads us to this broader, more open experience of this beautiful energetic world. We need to see others through the eyes of unconditional love and recognize that most people are doing the best that they can with what they’ve been given. We must step away from the anxiety of trying to play roles we were not designed to play and authentically embody the soul we were given because only then does it finally feel like we are home.
The simplicity of this way of living is in and of itself staggeringly difficult to achieve, for it is within presence that we find meaning. It is up to us to bravely face the shadows in our souls, look around at our fellow herd mates, and see how we can all dance together in connection. And thank God, He was gracious and loving enough to recognize that we need horses beside us on this journey called life, to act as our guides, bringing us back home.
“You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” C.S. Lewis
“I would whisper love so loudly
Every heart could understand
That love and only love
Can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart's desire
So that you might see
The first step is to realize
That it all begins with you and me”
Love Can Build a Bridge, The Judds
Peace reigns once again as these amazing, sentient beings demonstrate to us humans that it isn’t about winning, losing, being important, or achieving a status that brings value based on quantity in life. It is about working together to weave a beautiful web of strength that benefits every member through non-judgmental acceptance, patience, a willingness to learn about one another, recognizing the past we all have, and allowing for trusting reliance on one another.
Heart-centered awareness leads us to this broader, more open experience of this beautiful energetic world. We need to see others through the eyes of unconditional love and recognize that most people are doing the best that they can with what they’ve been given. We must step away from the anxiety of trying to play roles we were not designed to play and authentically embody the soul we were given because only then does it finally feel like we are home.
The simplicity of this way of living is in and of itself staggeringly difficult to achieve, for it is within presence that we find meaning. It is up to us to bravely face the shadows in our souls, look around at our fellow herd mates, and see how we can all dance together in connection. And thank God, He was gracious and loving enough to recognize that we need horses beside us on this journey called life, to act as our guides, bringing us back home.
“You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” C.S. Lewis
