A Quote

"A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living."

 Virginia Woolfe

Nice quote sent to me. Sitting on a bench out in the garden, sun coming up, birds making morning noises, cup of coffee, new running shoes on ready for bounding around the neighborhood fields, dogs at my feet, and the adventure of life unfolding. Excited by the new horse. New projects already showing up, people to teach, horses to sell, and more.

Contemplating the transition

Nador

Nador

Peaceful walking with only the sound of the wind, my feet, and my breath. I have found a good track to run and walk that is safe and out the backdoor of where I stay.

Nador: I begin the system of training him 4-6 times a day to engage his mind slowly and repetitively. He is very athletic, sensitive, and intelligent, so this system will probably suit him well. The footing and lack of fencing will also encourage a more systematic process to further reduce errors.

Day 1: brushing, longing, bridle, hand walk on the property.

SFO-Hungary-Jaipur-Indio

Bodega Bay, California

Amazing countdown and transition to Hungary, etc. Check marks in a lot of areas. Wonderful to walk and talk with friends.  Two months each in Hungary and India, and then starting a riding/teaching job in Indio, California (January 2016). The ever shifting containers. Going to meet my new horse and try out a new training approach. The flow...

Intense lucid/dream experiences that without a doubt reverberate throughout my wake state. Thinning of the exterior scaffolding, but still able to function most of the time. I am constantly in awe of the mystery unfolding. The reflection from the outer world of the different place I live from internally is periodically tested and continues to gain ground as a state of being. The interaction in the outer world is the wave lapping onto the beach and then the return to the depth of the ocean. Spiritual teachings, stories, and insight from the various religions continue to support this transformation on a mental level. The wave of intense experiences feels like a call to India and a preparation for what transpires in the presence of the ashram. Then back out into the outer world to digest and find an equilibrium in the new awareness.

I constantly raise my hand to be a cave dweller, but it doesn't appear to be my design. The opportunity to travel and live in different countries is a privilege. Witnessing the day-to-day living, the vibration of each culture, and current affairs is fascinating. To observe the stream of refugees leaving Syria, traveling through Hungary, and finding their way to other countries for relief and hope. Who can blame them, but how to deal with the mass human migration?

Walking Half Marathon in San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz

Perfect day to walk the half marathon in San Francisco. I always feel a sense of thankfulness to be here, but the weather and company were perfect as well.  Finalizing the details before shifting once again. Going to investigate horse training and international sales in Hungary before heading to India in October?  

Stop Trying To Climb

There is potentially a lot of ego in climbing. As I examine my next step, direction, and options, what do I see as an approach that tends to lead to pain? Climbing with my ego leading the way. I can better understand that trying to "be the best" led to some really cool knowledge, tools, and helped developed  self discipline and will, but not inner peace. Learning techniques and methods for the sake of humaneness, insight, and communication have led to stillness and a bridge to peace. As I reflect on the two part circle theory that Gurudev feels is representative of life, there is no linear path/climb. Patience, presence, and "Let Go!", since it is all part of a large cycle. A major part of the early belief system and scaffolding are ready for further remodeling. The ladder, roof top, and so on were metaphors.

Spiral Staircase of Patience

Sir Galahad, 20 year old Thoroughbred gelding

Okay, so I have patience when training horses and riders, but not for my daily life. Homework.

I was wondering if there could be a major fracturing without pain. Now, I can say yes. The recent night/dream experience was life changing, but it appeared as an offering of support rather then an opening from a point of despair. Grace.

Spending time looking at videos of Olympic dressage riders from the past, Nuno Oliveira's training, classical riders, reading classical training books etc. as I sit with the state of horse training in the modern world. Looking forward to teaching in Hungary. Really enjoyed examining the basic riding behind the jumping community. Watching the old videos is reminding me of my roots and why I am satisfied with where I have evolved in my training approach. The horses and riders are my daily teachers. The second book is very timely as a voice for the horse.

Ultimo

Dillon

Markers

Evening walk in Modesto

Almond orchards are vacuumed in preparation of harvest

Marker one: a brief experience of the outer state and inner state matching, but still while functioning as a body. It was if another layer of the exoskeleton was peeled back. I have been asking what I could let go of to thin the separation of the inner and outer state. Nice opening to another state of being.

Marker two: a dream so graphic, so real, so powerful, so mind numbing, so inclusive of every aspect of my life, so... that I was dazed when I woke up. "Let go! You are the Self and in the lap of Divine guidance." was my only translation? It appears that my capacity for dreams has also shifted? Fascinating all of the access points to Source through our limited perception.

What next? No idea except that all roads appear to be leading towards a trip to India at the end of September.

Everything in storage, next job unknown, a window of time after teaching in Hungary, and the freedom to follow the magic carpet.

Hospital entrance