Horse Zen Around, a center for personal development

This week I had an amazing experience at Horse Zen Around in Huger, SC with Tracy Liebmann.

Every encounter we have with each other, or with animals and nature, comes with a message. Often we’re not receiving that message. We’re thinking of something else or postulating a response to something said. We’re not in the present moment.

Most animals are born with fully developed brains, while the human brain is only 20 percent of its adult size at birth. We develop neurological pathways over time and use those trails so often we forget we have choices. We forget to listen and learn from our experiences. We also forget how to intuit.

It’s been noted as humans, “The youngest of all species, we have the longest and most demanding apprenticeship.”

Horses, however, are large, powerful, intelligent, and extremely adept at reading non-verbal clues. You can feel a horse’s presence and the energy it carries. We can’t be close to a horse without feeling its soul. Horses stand in their essence, and it’s uncanny how they are able to read us.

Tracy encouraged us to ask our horse a question. I walked with my horse across the field, impressed by his demeanor. I said, “You are such a gentleman.”

"You can feel a horse's presence and the energy it carries."

He was more than a gentleman – wild, sensual, playful – all characteristics I associate with myself. The horse mirrored me, the parts of myself I want to keep alive, and what I seek in my companions. I wanted that horse to stay with me forever, and in that observation, I was given an answer.

After spending time with Koady and Joe, two horses at Zen Around, we were asked to journal about our experience, our questions and the answers, which can be metaphorical and revealing.

With a little coaching from Tracy, I discovered something that was apparent to her, something that hit a hot spot; it was a piece of information I knew inwardly and had recently speculated on, but hadnʼt yet taken necessary action.

My lesson had to do with letting go.

There are people and experiences we want to hold onto forever. Viewing our life subjectively, instead of objectively, we can miss important messages, lessons telling us to move on. After all, we’re only human, the youngest of all species.

Journaling experiences with horses at Zen Around

We remember and learn from tactile experience. When humans are touched by the presence of a living being, they understand from a deep knowing, the place of intuitive instinct I try to introduce to my clients.

Don’t believe me? Spend time with a horse.

The reaction to fear is determined by the intensity and the resulting fearful thoughts. There are four reactions, anger, anxiety, guilt and depression. The symptoms can arise from real or imagined triggers.

When we ignore or bury our fear we are building an even greater reserve of anger, anxiety, guilt and depression. It becomes more than an energy problem. It can result in physical illness. There are hundreds of symptoms and dozens of illnesses.

Once, watching National Geographic, I saw something interesting that we can learn from. A small animal when faced with a predator will run faster as its adrenaline kicks in. As the animal senses he’s losing the battle it will fall down as if dead. It’s body actually creates a smell of decay. The attacking animal walks away. When it’s safe the animal picks itself up and shakes as if shaking the experience off and walks away un-tramatized.

It’s not the same with humans, we store our experiences, our traumas and fears. We cater to them. They in turn have more power over us than we have over our self. Anyone who has a fear or phobia will tell you that it may be unfounded but it’s real to them. So how do we deal with fear?

Remember the saying “there’s nothing to fear but fear itself.” What if you welcomed it the next time and faced it. Turn your attention to the sensation in the body. That in itself simplifies it. Take that deep breath and let go. Realize that fear is a learned feeling, that it’s not who we are or against us. It just is. It’s an emotion and like every emotion it is a call to action.

When you feel a familiar fear arise, remember that like all emotions, it will dissipate. Welcome it as  your friend. It has, no doubt, on occasion served you. Get away from the mental dialogue that will take you to never never land.

Notice the underlying fear that brings this emotion to the fore. In general it will be the loss of security, money, feelings of abandonment, loss of health, loss of love or meaning and purpose. Now relax. Nothing ever comes from running away. Nothing positive can happen if we deny, ignore or bury our head in the sand.

Look those monsters in the eye and see if like the predator chasing the small animal, they too don’t walk away. Shake yourself off and know that the opposite of what you fear is waiting for you to take action. Come back to life fully embracing fear, knowing your will is stronger than the emotion, experience, or pattern you have formed.

James Baldwin wrote: To defend oneself against fear is simply to ensure that one will, one day, be conquered by it; fears must be faced.” Fearlessness comes by walking through that door with loving kindness toward yourself.

Thich Nhat Hanh suggests talking to your fear: “Hello, my old friend fear, you have been with me for a long time. Now I see you again, please join me here.”

We wish for a dramatic turning point and if we’re not paying attention to our inner urgings, it might actually take something harsh or dramatic to get our attention. What we’re waiting for and looking for are clear answers, we want to know the outcome before we take action, we want to have some control over the outcome.

Get Recharged, Empowered and Make a Difference.

It doesn’t come easy but worth working at!

Until we feel comfortable WITHIN our self we look at everything outside our self for solutions. It doesn’t occur to us that the solution lies within.

The next step is to blame someone or something for our distress or dissatisfaction. When we take this track nothing changes. We see the mote in the others eye but not our own. At this point our relationships can turn sour, our jobs leave us feeling discontent, the conditions that we face seem unfathomable, the times we live in chaotic, our government to blame. Ok, maybe not all of those but one or two.

I’m not judging, it’s quiet habitual for us to do this without question. We have all been there, each of us and it’s easy to get caught up in this thinking.

What I would like you to know is this is a perfect time to take back your power. You see, when you blame others or circumstances you become the victim. You are in fact saying to your self that there is nothing you can do. That can leave you feeling helpless, inadequate, angry or all of the above which turns into depression. All or any of these left undetected can lead to physical problems and disease.

If and when you feel this way you are being asked to go inside. It’s seems dark and dangerous to start examining your beliefs and the story you have told yourself in order to survive. It’s downright scary, what will be left of me you ask?

It’s safe to look at the ways you’ve rationalized and defended your behavior.  Admitting to that means you are human, we do these things. You may mistakenly think that what you do and how you behaved or reacted is who you are.

You may think you are the accumulation of your past experiences. No, those were experiences that were there for you to learn from, to examine as a way to your inner self. So what did you learn?

Don’t go feeling sorry for yourself. I understand that we encounter trauma’s that haunt us for a very long time and I recognize those who have experienced tragic conditions. For some it takes longer and takes much work to resolve the past. What I am suggesting is that deep within each of us is a reserve. It is there when we look for it and we need to understand the force of love behind it.

There is a force within each of us that is begging to be empowered. That is our purpose and our design. Let go of the past, take only what you need. Look at life as if it were the first day of your life. No matter what happens be grateful for this life, for your ability, for your breath and your gifts what ever they are. Use them for your benefit and the benefit of others. That is the first step to empowerment.

To be in tune with the world trying to heal itself we must be in tune with what is going on internally in our own lives. We are witnessing an upheaval, a revolt, a revolution across the middle east and here at home in states like Wisconsin, Ohio, and others. There is solidarity of purpose on both sides. We should understand that their must be changes, we can’t go backwards. Nature isn’t like that ~ it continually evolves, self corrects.  We must have the courage and will to try what hasn’t been tried before. To take action knowing that it will not be perfect, but it will development into something workable.

We must remind ourselves that after a revolution comes an involution, a going within. If we are against something what will it look like to be for something and what is that something. There are many espousing the virtues of conservatism without examining  the past or having an action plan that addresses immediate and long term needs, which can have disastrous ramifications in the future.

As for the brave and emboldened protestors the question will be how to revolutionize the old anarchy’s both here and abroad? There are sure to be as many ideas as there are people and we will have chaos for awhile. Can we act as one spirit as we move to change what we perceive as oppressive? Can we be of one mind when we address our need to heal? What would that look like and who will take the lead?

There is only one answer and each individual must choose for him or her self. The question we face is simple yet difficult; am I able to put aside my ego mind and act out of intention. What is that intention? The evolutionary intention would be to be in the world as an individual but to make decisions as if the other is also you. In other words do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Honor your differences but look for your likeness, look for what connects you not to what separates you. Until we see ourselves as one we will feel separated and fearful.

In turn, we can be at odds with something in our own life and sabotage ourselves or project this onto others so we don’t have to face our self. We are witnessing what the consequences of projection looks like. It can get all dressed up and look official, seem confident and secure on the outside but on the inside there is a soul being ravished, an unseen cancer growing while destroying its host and gradually divesting it of hope, its energy running on fear. It is in our best interest and the interest in the survival of the species that we address our inner demons by examining our motivation in each decision and action we take.

If we are only concerned with our self surely we will fail. If we can include universal values that include all people regardless of race, education, religious beliefs and culture we are in line with the highest order. In the final analysis we are all human beings, each facing different experiences and circumstances. Our needs and desires are universally expressed. How we respond in the end depends on honestly facing patterns, habits, and beliefs created by fear rather than integrity. Our intention should be to be clear and honest with our self.

WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING THE DECISION COMES FIRST

I decided to move to SC in 2001. The decision was made because I needed soul time. Raising four children and starting several businesses left little time for inner work. I needed a place in the sun, a place to rediscover my Self. “Hello self, do I know or remember you? What did you bring with you when you arrived? What were your special gifts, desires and dreams?” Tough questions for fast times.

Slowing down and relaxing took practice and a daily pink slip. My mind went into overdrive thinking what a great place to start a Wellness Center. (No, not at the moment.) Instead I challenged myself in new ways. I journeyed to Omega for a five day workshop with Caroline Myss and that lead to deepening my engagement with inner work followed by a two year intensive with Caroline at CMED Institute in Chicago. It recharged my life. I wanted to share what I experienced and I was certificated to take this into the world. I decided to download and experience my new perspectives before I started to speak with authority.

In 2005 I traveled to Greece with the Maryland Institute of Art and to India. (Sort of a pre-”Eat Pray and Love” adventure.) The following year I began to hold workshops. Deep in my heart the dream of a sacred place, a center for personal growth was percolating but I couldn’t commit to it. I had something else to do and wasn’t sure what that was.

In 2007 I joined Obama for America in SC. It called to so many aspects of myself archetypally speaking. I marched off every day; we won the primary in a southern state and put the campaign in serious position to take the White House. I traveled to three other states and met people from all over the world! I will forever treasure the experience of thousands of positive beings working together non-stop without ego involvement.

Though I was teaching classes and workshops it wasn’t until 2010 that I decided it was time for that dream to become a physical reality. I opened a Studio and reconfigured my courses. That decision has unleashed material help and people that have blessed my life with their presence and encouragement.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,  always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the  moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meeting and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.”  William Hutchinson Murry

When you surrender and use the help available all kinds of cool stuff starts showing up. You will know when it’s time if you listen to that small voice. Once you get that feeling don’t be wishy-washy about your decision. Go for it!