No Fear: Lessons from Horses and the Mind
At Clear Sky Retreat Center, surrounded by forests and wide-open spaces, I was invited into an unexpected journey—one that involved horses and the mind.
I had never been particularly drawn to horses. In
fact, I was afraid of them. I shared this openly with the group during
our first session with Yvonne, the Natural
Horsemanship trainer. What followed was not correction or reassurance,
but quiet support. My vulnerability was witnessed and accepted. And that
was the beginning.
At Clear Sky, I’ve learned that true growth
starts with honesty. With guidance from my teacher, Catherine Sensei,
I began to see how fear doesn’t have to control my life. She teaches
that training our minds allows us to experience life differently. Suffering
may happen—but we don’t need to stay stuck in it.
Another powerful teaching came from Qapel, who once
said,
“You must be willing to die, no matter what.”
At first, this felt extreme. But in time, I understood: it
was about letting go of fear, and stepping into the unknown with courage.
That teaching stayed with me as I began working with the horses.
Through the Natural
Horsemanship lessons, I noticed a shift. I began to understand their language—one
built on energy, presence, and intention. I didn’t need to
control them. I needed to listen, and adjust. As I changed, they
responded. And slowly, fear turned into trust.
The horses became mirrors for my inner
state. If I was anxious, they noticed. If I was clear, they relaxed. Each
moment with them reflected something within me. And the more I trained with
them, the more I trained my own mind.
Catherine Sensei often reminds us that how we treat
others—humans or animals—is a reflection of our inner world.
Through this experience, I saw how connection, patience, and presence
reduce suffering. Not just for the horses, but for myself and
those around me.
At times, being seen in this process was difficult. Fear
doesn’t like the spotlight. But I also saw that being witnessed brings connection.
And connection brings growth.
This journey with the horses reminded me that fear
is not something to avoid. It's something to meet—with awareness, with support,
and with a willingness to grow.
Through this, I’ve discovered a quiet strength I
didn’t know I had. And with it, a deeper sense of trust—in myself, in
others, and in the path
of awakening.
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