No Fear: A Journey of Courage and Mindfulness with Horses at Clear Sky Center

 

In the open grassland forests of Clear Sky Retreat Center, surrounded by stillness and nature, I was invited into the world of horses. Known for its teachings on awakening and transformation, Clear Sky became the setting for an unexpected inner journey—one that began with fear and ended in deep connection.

I had never been especially drawn to horses. During our first session with Yvonne, a Natural Horsemanship trainer, several of us shared feelings of uncertainty or even fear. When I admitted, “I’ve never really understood horses, and I’m afraid of them,” the group simply listened. No one rushed to fix or reassure me. Their quiet presence offered something rare—acceptance. In that shared silence, I felt safe to be vulnerable.

Facing Fear and Training the Mind

My relationship with fear came from an old belief that life’s challenges were things that happened to me, not experiences I could engage with. Under the guidance of Catherine Sensei, my spiritual teacher, that belief began to soften. She embodies the Bodhisattva spirit, reminding us that with awareness and effort, all beings—including ourselves—can be trained.

Fear, she teaches, doesn’t need to vanish; it simply needs to be understood. When seen clearly, it loses its control over how we live and respond.

One of Qapel’s teachings also stayed with me: “You must be willing to die, no matter what.” It isn’t a morbid statement—it’s about surrender. It invites us to let the small self die each time we choose curiosity over resistance, presence over avoidance. Through this lens, I began to see fear as a guide, not an enemy.

Learning Through the Horses

Natural Horsemanship revealed how deeply our energy communicates beyond words. Horses mirror our inner state. When I was calm and grounded, they approached. When I was tense, they stepped back. Gradually, through awareness and breath, I learned to meet them with steadiness.

A friend remarked, “You look completely different when you approach the horses now.” That reflection spoke volumes. Recognizing and accepting fear had softened something inside me. It allowed for genuine communication—not only with the horses but with life itself.

Training the Mind, Opening the Heart

Catherine Sensei often reminds us that training with horses mirrors training the mind. These beings teach presence, empathy, and non-verbal understanding. Each interaction becomes a mirror of our current mind state—whether still or stormy.

Being witnessed during moments of vulnerability can feel uncomfortable. Yet, allowing ourselves to be seen—by both humans and horses—creates a bridge of authentic connection. And it’s through connection that transformation takes root.

Awakening Through Connection

To become a wise trainer, as Sensei exemplifies, is to commit to continual learning and transformation. Working with horses has shown me how every encounter reflects back my own awareness. As I guide them with patience and clarity, I am also guiding myself.

This journey to “No Fear” has redefined courage for me. It’s not about eliminating fear—it’s about meeting it with openness and curiosity. Each step with the horses has deepened my compassion, expanded my confidence, and reminded me how inner training naturally radiates outward into the world.

When we train the mind, everything shifts. Fear softens, connection grows, and courage becomes the quiet pulse that carries us forward.