Silence & Stillness, Lessons from a Horse
- by Rachel Davidson
- •
- 30 Sept, 2020
- •
...how horse spirit teaches me to be a better person (& writer)
When I was younger, I owned a horse. A beautiful chestnut gelding whom I adored. I trained him in the art of dressage. He trained me in the art of life and spirit.
It was through my horse, and the other horses I had the privilege of knowing, that I began to understand the power of intention and attention. How these two elements are the most productive of tools and, importantly, how both of them require a high degree of comfort in being still and silent. Valuable skills indeed.
Watch the top-level dressage riders perform their art; they barely move. Most observers, especially those that have never experienced what it is like to sit upon a horse, will often comment that it looks like the horse is ‘doing all the work’. But to sit that still and to be that in tune with a horse takes exceptional skill. The rider’s stillness, their physical silence, is, in fact, an indication of their mastery. There is powerful movement occurring, but it is so finessed, so attuned to the animal, in both balance and respect of the animal’s capabilities, that the merest of thoughts, the subtlest indication of intention and the tiniest twitch of muscle is sufficient for complete understanding to exist between man and beast. The ‘sport’ of dressage should look as if these two spirits are one whole, combined and in total harmony with each other. It is beautiful to look upon and ecstatic to experience.
I found that first connection to spirit through horses. They mean so much to me still – albeit that I no longer actively participate in that world. Horses are freedom, power and love incarnate to me. In my youth, they challenged me physically, emotionally and mentally. I remain grateful to them for directing my awareness to the presence of bigger meanings. They are the reason why a uniquely powerful horse-type character features in my first book, ‘The Point of Me, Beyond Veils, Book One’ and who performs the role of spiritual guide to the main character.
I have taken the teaching my horse gave me and used it in many other areas of my life. The bravery, patience and faith I learnt upon his broad back is still within my heart. The stillness and silence that I needed in order to be connected to him and be worthy of his obedience is where I now go to when I write. Now, instead of communing with a beloved animal friend, I commune with inspiration. In silencing myself, I am better able to hear the words I am given. I am better able to follow the truth of emotion. I can hear my curiosity.
But it is hard to do this! I live a busy day to day life (we all do). I have been trained, by other aspects of my upbringing, like most of us, to multi-task. To look outwards rather than inwards. I am as much of a sucker as the next person to the culture of celebrity and exposure. Within these spaces, I am sold the line that the ‘successful’ are the ones who spend their time in broadcast-mode. I feel pressurised to keep up, to be the loudest in the room, to attend every ‘party’, to be up to date with the latest news and trends, to have the most friends and followers. As someone whose work requires exposure – the more people who find out about my work, the wider my stories travel, the more viable my life of writing may become - I find myself regularly falling prey to this viewpoint.
Lord though! The clamour, this grabbing and elbowing way of conducting my life – frankly it scares me. I cannot do it. Where is the grace to that kind of life? Where is the consideration and careful placement? Where is the time for my heart to tell its own perspective? Where is the space for my truths to be revealed, shy and nervous as they are? How am I to coax them out into the light and make sure I have seen the fullest depths of them, if ‘success’ demands that all this be done on fast-forward settings?
No. I must return to my beginning. To the formative lessons I learnt in the company of my horse. I must go slowly and avoid spooking the beast I hope to be in harmony with. I must have faith that, with a focused intention and application of my attention the outcomes that are meant for this life of mine will arrive. I must remember that all I need to do is relax, keep showing up, keep practising, keep honouring spirit in all the forms that it turns up for me in my life.
This is where success is. This is where home will be found.
I shall speak only when wholly necessary. I shall move only when it is essential. I shall hone my strength, expand myself from within (not from without). Deploying my skills in silence and stillness, I shall hope to live in harmony and creation of truth and beauty.
This I learnt from my horse.
Rachel x
P.S. The Hope of Us, Beyond Veils, Book 3: Once again, I have reason to be deeply grateful for a whole load of you, dear readers! Thank you for turning up and supporting the launch of my third book last week. I've already had some wonderful messages and reviews about 'The Hope of Us'. If you've grabbed yourself a copy, then don't forget to let me know what you think of Mona and her answer to the question; can love overcome a legacy of abuse? (If you haven't yet got a copy, then fear not, there is a handy link to the Amazon page below).
P.P.S. I have a podcast too! Published on Apple Podcast - it is called "Letters from an Author" and features me, reading aloud these letters that I send to you, my subscribers, my friends. You can download and listen to the episodes - about 10 minutes or less per episode, because I know how busy we all are - HERE. I had great fun recording them, I hope you enjoy listening.
P.P.P.S Audiobook lover? The second Book in the Beyond Veils Series - The Truth of Her - is coming to Audible soon! I'm just going through the final quality-checks with Amy Foley, the brilliantly talented narrator who I worked with on the audiobook version of The Point of Me. Watch this space for details of when it launches.
P.P.P.P.S *NEW* Beyond Veils Series 'Fan-Club': I've been asked by one of my lovely readers to arrange an online get together of other readers so that they may chat amongst themselves about the various characters the series includes. As this lovely lady said "I have no one else to talk to about the mark these books have made on my soul and I so want to share thoughts and my love of the characters." So, what else can I do but to arrange this forthwith! A 20-30 minute gathering on Zoom of a weekday early evening, with a brief introduction from me followed by questions and chat is what I have in mind. I'll be writing out with dates soon - but if you like the sound of being involved in this then stick your hand up now (use the contact form) and let me know so that I can make sure you're included in the arrangements.
It was through my horse, and the other horses I had the privilege of knowing, that I began to understand the power of intention and attention. How these two elements are the most productive of tools and, importantly, how both of them require a high degree of comfort in being still and silent. Valuable skills indeed.
Watch the top-level dressage riders perform their art; they barely move. Most observers, especially those that have never experienced what it is like to sit upon a horse, will often comment that it looks like the horse is ‘doing all the work’. But to sit that still and to be that in tune with a horse takes exceptional skill. The rider’s stillness, their physical silence, is, in fact, an indication of their mastery. There is powerful movement occurring, but it is so finessed, so attuned to the animal, in both balance and respect of the animal’s capabilities, that the merest of thoughts, the subtlest indication of intention and the tiniest twitch of muscle is sufficient for complete understanding to exist between man and beast. The ‘sport’ of dressage should look as if these two spirits are one whole, combined and in total harmony with each other. It is beautiful to look upon and ecstatic to experience.
I found that first connection to spirit through horses. They mean so much to me still – albeit that I no longer actively participate in that world. Horses are freedom, power and love incarnate to me. In my youth, they challenged me physically, emotionally and mentally. I remain grateful to them for directing my awareness to the presence of bigger meanings. They are the reason why a uniquely powerful horse-type character features in my first book, ‘The Point of Me, Beyond Veils, Book One’ and who performs the role of spiritual guide to the main character.
I have taken the teaching my horse gave me and used it in many other areas of my life. The bravery, patience and faith I learnt upon his broad back is still within my heart. The stillness and silence that I needed in order to be connected to him and be worthy of his obedience is where I now go to when I write. Now, instead of communing with a beloved animal friend, I commune with inspiration. In silencing myself, I am better able to hear the words I am given. I am better able to follow the truth of emotion. I can hear my curiosity.
But it is hard to do this! I live a busy day to day life (we all do). I have been trained, by other aspects of my upbringing, like most of us, to multi-task. To look outwards rather than inwards. I am as much of a sucker as the next person to the culture of celebrity and exposure. Within these spaces, I am sold the line that the ‘successful’ are the ones who spend their time in broadcast-mode. I feel pressurised to keep up, to be the loudest in the room, to attend every ‘party’, to be up to date with the latest news and trends, to have the most friends and followers. As someone whose work requires exposure – the more people who find out about my work, the wider my stories travel, the more viable my life of writing may become - I find myself regularly falling prey to this viewpoint.
Lord though! The clamour, this grabbing and elbowing way of conducting my life – frankly it scares me. I cannot do it. Where is the grace to that kind of life? Where is the consideration and careful placement? Where is the time for my heart to tell its own perspective? Where is the space for my truths to be revealed, shy and nervous as they are? How am I to coax them out into the light and make sure I have seen the fullest depths of them, if ‘success’ demands that all this be done on fast-forward settings?
No. I must return to my beginning. To the formative lessons I learnt in the company of my horse. I must go slowly and avoid spooking the beast I hope to be in harmony with. I must have faith that, with a focused intention and application of my attention the outcomes that are meant for this life of mine will arrive. I must remember that all I need to do is relax, keep showing up, keep practising, keep honouring spirit in all the forms that it turns up for me in my life.
This is where success is. This is where home will be found.
I shall speak only when wholly necessary. I shall move only when it is essential. I shall hone my strength, expand myself from within (not from without). Deploying my skills in silence and stillness, I shall hope to live in harmony and creation of truth and beauty.
This I learnt from my horse.
Rachel x
P.S. The Hope of Us, Beyond Veils, Book 3: Once again, I have reason to be deeply grateful for a whole load of you, dear readers! Thank you for turning up and supporting the launch of my third book last week. I've already had some wonderful messages and reviews about 'The Hope of Us'. If you've grabbed yourself a copy, then don't forget to let me know what you think of Mona and her answer to the question; can love overcome a legacy of abuse? (If you haven't yet got a copy, then fear not, there is a handy link to the Amazon page below).
P.P.S. I have a podcast too! Published on Apple Podcast - it is called "Letters from an Author" and features me, reading aloud these letters that I send to you, my subscribers, my friends. You can download and listen to the episodes - about 10 minutes or less per episode, because I know how busy we all are - HERE. I had great fun recording them, I hope you enjoy listening.
P.P.P.S Audiobook lover? The second Book in the Beyond Veils Series - The Truth of Her - is coming to Audible soon! I'm just going through the final quality-checks with Amy Foley, the brilliantly talented narrator who I worked with on the audiobook version of The Point of Me. Watch this space for details of when it launches.
P.P.P.P.S *NEW* Beyond Veils Series 'Fan-Club': I've been asked by one of my lovely readers to arrange an online get together of other readers so that they may chat amongst themselves about the various characters the series includes. As this lovely lady said "I have no one else to talk to about the mark these books have made on my soul and I so want to share thoughts and my love of the characters." So, what else can I do but to arrange this forthwith! A 20-30 minute gathering on Zoom of a weekday early evening, with a brief introduction from me followed by questions and chat is what I have in mind. I'll be writing out with dates soon - but if you like the sound of being involved in this then stick your hand up now (use the contact form) and let me know so that I can make sure you're included in the arrangements.
