Horsewomanship

The Horsewomanship Manual is now in the Naturalpaths Store - http://www.shop.naturalpaths.org/ - it is the manual from the class I taught for the Dona Ana Branch of New Mexico State University in the 1990's. It is for men and women. The principles are just gentle, relying upon consistency, clarity and compassion to COMMUNICATE with horses instead of force them into submission. But it helps us to understand that boundaries are necessary because horses are bigger than we are and stronger than we are. We have to use our heads and think about how we relate to them. Their experiences are like drops of water in a well - positive experiences and negative experiences... what kind of life experiences fill your horse's "well"? The Manual has a chart for working out a program that adds positive drops!

Creations

Ever notice how everyone gets cold and flu symptoms at the same time ads on TV start for cold and flu remedies? I'm old enough to remember an ad for the "Summer Cold" that probably was intended to prolong the season for more profits. Cynical? Sure I am. I personally suspect that all the doctor and hospital TV shows are for inundating viewers with symptoms and suffering...the ads on all the programs, not just medical ones, push drugs just as vehemently as an addict's supplier. Police "dramas" instill fear. The more frightened people are (about disease, robbers, etc.) the more controllable they are. And I actually believe that most people want to be "controlled", to have outside authorities. If you have authority over your life, you also have to take responsibility. This is sounding really negative - contrary to my intentions! My desire is to tell humanity that you can take responsibility for your life and regain authority in your lives and create something really dazzling for yourself and your animals outside of fear and manipulation. I have not bought my "converter box" for digital TV reception (no surprise, huh). I'm just not interested in what that world has to say. I love my videos...I still have lots of VHS, old Dr. Who episodes, Dressage videos, good movies, Yoga tapes. I won't miss anything but PBS...

Horses Heal Us

Horses are our most direct link to our natural selves. They watch the stars come out at night. They wait for sunrise at dawn. They gallop across damp green fields, take naps under ancient trees feeling the roots beneath the soil that anchor all energy, drink cold, clear water and savor aromatic herbs. And they welcome us to join with them in this dance and sing our songs with their own.

Holistic Health

The Natural health methods operate on the concept of Proactive vs. Reactive. Holistic modalities are Proactive - they work to nourish the body and prevent disease and disorder. Allopathic methods are Reactive - they address symptoms after the fact. Both are necessary medicines. The former, though, can make the latter unnecessary in most situations.

Consume or not consume

A friend just asked me what I believe is going on in the world right now. I have a strong opinion about it all. I think that people lost track of life. Instead of living, they chose a lifestyle. Instead of considering what they could enjoy, continue using and repair, they felt that they couldn't live without the next edition of each object in their lives. Now, everyone is deeply considering what they can live without. Waste has been a national attitude. People have not been aware of things like: the gift card or rebate card that expires on them with $2.30 left on it (multiply that by 10 million), the prices on an item at the shelf being $1.19 but at the checkout it's $1.69 (multiply that by 10 million) - things that are wasted money or money spent without intention. And cars that run perfectly being traded in for new, different looking models. Cell phones, computers, all the gadgets and tools that companies couldn't be content with just making a living selling - they wanted to make a killing. Yes, it's greed, but it's something else, too. It is looking outside of ourselves for distraction, entertainment, non-stop chatter in the mind to keep us from becoming the very special beings that we can become. Drala teaches us to see everything around us as sacred - to not just look at things but to see them. It teaches us to see ourselves as sacred...as the good human beings that we truly are. Then the clutter just falls away. We don't need to play the games of the setting sun world that would hold us static in our fears and limited beliefs. We have pushed the Dralas away. We need to call them back now.

Dreams

I've had a lot of dreams come true in my life and I've had a lot of things that did not work out in the long run. This is everyone's story. With my lifetime of work, study, experience and adventures, I have realized just what I want to create with my Art, my Writings, my Classes and my energy. And I need to put it out there to the Universe. It is, of course, just a variation on all the things I have done and am doing, but it is melding into a very distinct application of my skills and knowledge. I want to have a farm for older horses. Not exactly a retirement home, although that would be part of it. And as much as I loved schooling youngsters all these years, I have such a respect, love and devotion to old horses that have worked hard and well. I want to love them, heal them, share life with them and share them with others...in natural health forums, horse spirit workshops, and much more. But I want to bring my own style and perspective to the venture, sharing it with like-minded persons on specific levels. Mr. Charles deKunffy wrote to me once saying "Kathy, out of great dedication come fine things, you will contribute to the equestrian arts." That's what I intend to do. I Love horses. I Love dogs. I Love the Dharma. Naturalpaths is all about that balance and it is the foundation of my dream. Remember - those who abandon their dreams will discourage yours. Keep dreaming...and become it.

Air

After I fed the horses and was taking hay to the goats tonight, I walked into a pocket of much colder air and it reminded me of the pastures in Arizona. We could walk (literally miles) across the multi-levels of horse pastures in the morning and at each depression or low spot the air would be warmer. In the evenings, the bowl-like areas that were lower were filled with colder air...fresh, crisp cool air that was invigorating. The horses stood in the mornings on rises and hills waiting for the warming sun to arrive. In the evening they gathered in the bosque under trees in lower areas. Their awareness was instinctive. My delight at the discovery, kind of special and unaware at the same time. I have heard that cities produce their own weather if they are large enough. That the buildings change the air currents and temperatures. Nature adapts. Air flows no matter what gets into its way. We adapt, hopefully...embracing what arrives and flowing around what gets in our way.

Energy without Aggression

That's what Drala is. And life with our animals should be free of aggression. And life with our partners, companions, parents, children, bosses, employees - ALL should be free of aggression. Fear is often the seed that germinates into anger. If we can all just realize that we are here for something more valuable and profound than out maneuvering each other, we can build a more compassionate and less aggressive world. Here are my "mantras" for the time being: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT? that one will shut down many potential fights and struggles. IF YOU ALWAYS DO (THINK) WHAT YOU ALWAYS DID (THOUGHT), YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU ALWAYS GOT. remember thinking precedes doing and our thoughts Really, Really DO create our reality. What is your picture of reality? YOU ARE LIVING IT.