The analogy helps as we understand more about the workings of mind, brain, and body together. Much human stress comes from our clumsy handling of animal drives. Whereas a horse just acts in a horse-like way, following its instincts for better or worse, we are blessed (sometimes cursed) with the cognitive capacity to reflect on what’s going on. This brings great power, as we no longer have to follow every feeling within us, but also great suffering, because our deeply-rooted drives remain strong, not easily managed by the more recently evolved skill of self-mastery. When experience is painful, not only does our body produce urges to fight or flee, but our thinking mind joins in the act, with desperate attempts to get rid of the pain, usually with ineffectual problem-solving. Because thinking doesn’t trump feeling, we’re left in a stressful loop—the frantic ruminations of the mind can be felt by the body as something else to fear, creating more stress, pain, and rumination. This is where our horse-riding helps. As well as greater cognitive powers, humans also have access to awareness. By noticing what’s going on in our bodies and minds, we step out of the loop of reactivity. Instead of being like a horseman or woman in a frenetic and futile battle with a frightened mount, we stop trying to grapple our way to steadiness. Instead we relax and settle in our seat, bumpy though the ride may be. We might start talking to ourselves kindly and softly, like a horse whisperer, saying something like: “It’s OK. I know this is painful right now, and scary too. So let’s work together to move through this. I’ll hear and acknowledge your distress, recognizing that you’d like to get away from where we are, and you can trust that I’m steering well.” Responding to this calm confidence, rather than panic or anger, our bodies may begin to settle too. As a species, we find ourselves in an “in-between place” (to borrow a phrase from Pema Chodron). Conscious enough to realize our suffering and maybe the patterns that lead to it, but not always aware and resilient enough to respond to that suffering wisely. Fortunately, just as our bodies can be strengthened with exercise, so we can train our minds. By learning how we add stress to our suffering, and training our minds to do things differently, we can start to step out of the struggle. Life becomes less like being bucked by a bronco, and a little more akin to Olympic showjumping. Plenty of hurdles, but a bit more poise. Try working with this “Horse-Riding” practice, a few times a day, for a few minutes at a time (or longer if you like).
Horse-Riding Practice
I’ve written more about this horse-riding metaphor in a new book, Into The Heart of Mindfulness. For more on the mechanics of the mind and meditation, I’d also recommend James Kingsland’s new book, Siddhartha’s Brain: The Science of Enlightenment.
