I feel that deep inside us, we are all romantics. Some of us allow this nature to express itself openly, wearing our heart on our sleeves, whilst others are guarded, daring not to indulge in what may simply be disappointed hopes.
Feelings of shame often keep an open willing heart enslaved to external ideals never feeling true freedom. True heart felt freedom allows for clear and conscious breath, fullness and an expansiveness that is felt as Infinity. The path of the Mystic comes to mind.
What is it that is brought out in you when your lover knocks, or when you fall in love? What is it that inspires your love with your horse when you see the depth of knowing in his eyes, generating a passion in you to capture that beauty –to somehow access it?
Many an Artist tries to capture the untameable quality of the horse- to the Artist, the horse is emotion- pure spiritualised matter, powerful in his presence.
The desire to capture something special, something unknowable at the start is the clue that something profound is underway. Something that the Artist or Rider feels maybe lacking within, so, by possessing, painting or capturing the horse, we seem to be claiming some of these qualities for our self.
But there is a flaw- it is like a secret saboteur distorts our journey. The innocence at the beginning, the love and freedom that we found initially in our pony as children is slowly turned into a sport in order to justify why we should own a horse. The Horse, instead of being our source of inspiration, becomes a tool, an object that needs to mastered, moulded, dominated, and wilfully used to fulfil his purpose breeding. The War Horse. The Trophy Horse. ( Generals of War and the Trophy Wife?)
Self mastery is overlooked, as the ribbons get wider and the horses more expensive, proving that their path and pain was worth it.
As we grow and invite in new experiences, our perspectives change, and if we allow our hearts to really open, we have no choice but to become less competitive, kinder and more altruistic, carrying strength of heart and courage in the face of adversity. The ability to stand up for what is right and to take loving action as required.
Romantic notions? I don't think so.
The best relationships are those that inspire you to do you best, under all circumstances, and it's these relationships that have a luminous quality in whatever form they take.
When a relationship between a horse and his rider has evolved to this level it is obvious. But the journey was unconventional, as it could only ever be.
Trying to judge a horse and rider combination in the conventional sense looses all its value when you begin to see a deeper and richer reason for your relationship.
Next newsletter expands further these concepts.
