Choosing to become inner directed to live with authenticity is the first step in building empowering relationships. Our growth is dependent upon taking responsibility for our emotions, circumstances, behaviors, thoughts, and reality. We cannot control, manipulate, dictate, or change our outer world. What you see is a reflection of what lies within. Your horse is a reflection of your inner world – all of your relationships and circumstances are. You must choose to turn within and look within your own heart to meet your needs. As you become willing to do the inner work, your external reality will shift to reflect your internal shift.
When you think about taking responsibility for your life, how does it make you feel? Nervous? Relieved? Anxious? Uncertain? Resistant? Excited?
How do you feel about the idea of surrendering the need for external control in favor of lasting internal change?
How does it make you feel to let go of the attachment to molding your horse’s behavior?
Do you feel as though you will be bullied if you release the belief that you must be the master/boss/lead mare?
Do you feel as though you will be abandoned if you release the belief that you need to be your horse’s friend?
Would allowing the horse to have authenticity make you feel vulnerable like maybe you will lose your ability to meet your needs through exerting some form of external control?
Are you willing to consider that the concerns of being bullied, abandoned, or losing control are still forms of giving away your power? Are you willing to consider that your ego and false identity are all that you are at risk of losing? Are you willing to consider that by shedding the ego and false identity, you only have perfect love to gain? Are you willing to consider that as you empower the divine within you, the divine will be the reflection you see in your horse?
Your needs cannot be met without meeting the needs of your horse. To become empowered you must empower the horse. If the horse is reflecting authenticity, he will also choose to interact in a manner that is inner directed rather than fighting for autonomy. The result will be to replace external conflict with interconnected harmony.
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This post is part of a year-long series of heart reflections based on the book Soulful Horsemanship, A Path to Emotional Freedom for the Horse and Human. Soulful Horsemanship is a spiritual approach to working with horses with the goal of developing empowerment, authenticity, and inner peace for the horse and human alike. Please join me on A Journey through the Heart with Horses and awaken to the life of your dreams.
