HEALING WITH HORSES – THE THIRD CHAKRA
WILLPOWER – INTUITION – FEAR- GUT FEELING- PERSONAL POWER
Building Spiritual Confidence
Third Chakra Lesson Of the Horse: “You’re allowed to be afraid – but you can’t let it govern your choices and actions”
A horse naturally knows when you are comfortable with being approached as demonstrated here by JJ and Tiara.
The third chakra is considered to be the center of energetic power of a person; it is our “gut feeling”, our intuition and our desire to move forward – our willpower. If your third chakra is out of alignment or is blocked, then you will experience lack of feeling powerful, lack of willpower, hesitancy in decision making, and an inability to move forward on plans you have for yourself. You will continuously questions your intuition or gut feelings about things. You will find that you ignore your gut, and then regret it. Physiologically, Third Chakra blockage results in digestive issues and sensitivities.
We are encouraged through the study of chakras to become aware that we are both physical and energetic beings – spiritual in nature, and connected to a higher source, in whichever way you conceive of that source. Through the practices of presence and awareness, we become more in tune with our connection to that divine source and the manner in which it communicates to us directly, is through our “gut instincts”. Connecting with that source and really understanding where your center of power comes from – is the ticket to the removal of all fear.
Historically we have downplayed our instinct in favour of pure rationalism – today that is changing. Women especially have been taught over the millennia to “tune down” their inner navigational systems. In North America the culture has been created around a belief that “emotional response” is weak and invalid, when in reality, an ability to listen to and make decisions based on a faithful understanding of the “Still small voice” within – is the most powerful choice a human being can make. Not paying attention to our inner guidance has resulted in the evolution of a culture run entirely cerebrally and materialistically – and that kind of focus is getting us nowhere fast. . We have entered an age when this is simply no longer enough for what we need to survive and thrive.
By participating in any program which allows you to return to a basic presence and understanding of your “gut”, individuals are contributing to the healthy continued evolution of the planet. We are finding that reconnection to nature and to animals in general, horses specifically is an effective way of living a more peaceful and energetically connected life, allowing you to rely on your instinct as a real tool in decision making.
There are many ways of perceiving and dealing with our chakras. Horses are an exceptionally effective way of understanding where your blockages lay and how to manage them. Horses reflect a person’s interior energy. They are not aware of what you are trying to tell them on the outside, but rather focus on the true energetic intention you bring into your interaction. You can be smiling on the outside, but if you are deeply frightened or sad in truth, a horse will know it and will reflect this back to you in no uncertain terms.
PREY VS PREDATOR
A horse is a prey animal. Therefore its only resource for survival is its ability to run. On occasion horses will use a “fight” response when they are afraid, but this only occurs if they feel trapped or unable to escape a perceived threat. See any similarities to the way you might handle conflict in your life?
In horseback riding, I often teach that the most important part of your body to be aware of during any equine interaction is the third chakra solar plexus area. It is your center of gravity in the sadlle. If you know where your center is, you will have a more connected safe and enjoyable ride. By being aware of the sensations in the solar plexus, you bring yourself immediately back to center and into a space of recognizing the present moment in your experience.
When I ask a new nervous rider -
“How are you feeling”?
Often people will unconsciously put their hands to their solar plexus if they are feeling nervous or anxious. If they are feeling joyful and relaxed, their hands move to their heart.
One of my favourite lessons taught to me by horses is that we are all allowed to BE AFRAID…we’re just not allowed to let that fear govern our decisions.
Horses do not react aggressively if you are afraid. This is a myth. Horses however will not stay with you, stand beside you or feel entirely comfortable with you, if you exhibit signs of insecurity because they will sense this and fear that there may be a real reason for being afraid, putting them in a state of preparedness to flee.
If your mind is scared, which happens to everyone, horses can teach you how to allow that to be, but generate a centered peaceful feeling in your body. This is a matter of awareness and discipline. Now, imagine if you could take this kind of awareness into your interactions with people in your life? Your body is allowed to be fearful, but your mind is centered and relaxed knowing that the fear is only generated by your thoughts. The results can be quite fantastic.
The third charka can be a response to intuition – our higher sense of knowing that goes beyond thought and human emotion. We feel our “gut” when we are going to make a move in our life and are not sure which direction to take. |We pay attention to our gut with our children. We pay attention to our gut when we are placing bets on a football game.
Honing the ability to listen to and TRUST your “gut”, is a most important tool in spiritually understanding your life. Horses can be very helpful.
In this chakra exercise, we will work with horses to understand both how powerful our conscious and subconscious intentions can be, and how our intereacvtions with animals can help us to know our personal truth on a more profound and functional level.
Horses are animals which exist entirely off of “gut feeling”. By spending time in quiet observation of the herd we will come to see how their subtle yet complex system of communication, based entirely on “gut instinct”, serves to keep horses both safe and balanced within their herds. We will spend time sketching drawing or representing the horses in our own creative way. Then in the round pen, each participant will be given the opportunity to work energetically one on one with a horse of their choosing.
The activity begins by using your gut to choose your horse. Then later, once you get to know the personality of your equine partner better, you will come to understand and explain to the group what it is about that horse that attracted you, what it was in their energy that reflected back to you something about yourself which is of key importance in your spiritual development.
Horses make us vulnerable. They are big, we are small. They are mysterious to most people and yet, are quite obvious to them.
Being vulnerable and aware of the sensations of your body in a state of vulnerability will allow you to transpose what you learn about yourself, into your “non retreat” world.
Horses are gentle brilliant teachers.
I look forward to the continuing journey with you!
QUESTIONS:
1- Can you remember some times in your life when you had a “gut feeling” about something and ignored it? What happened?
2- How do fear, anger and resentment feel in your body? Where do they arise?
3- Did your parents and environment teach you to honour your instinct?
4- Are you afraid of horses? What is it that makes you afraid? List all of the “things” you can imagine happening that are bad in your interaction with a horse.
5- Finish this sentence… “ When I have a gut feeling I….”
6- How do you protect yourself when you feel threatened?
7- State 10 things in your life you have POWER over. List 10 things you are POWERLESS over.
8- Where does your personal power come from?
