Jul
09
2010
0

Zen Dressage

“Zen Buddhists are encouraged to each have their own understanding so this is my perspective. Buddhism (including Zen) may be a religion or a philosophy, and is often defined as a “way of life”. Zen Buddhists teach that everyone has a Buddha nature and that the small mind, our thinking mind, blocks us from reaching that realisation, and subsequent direct experience. In Zen, the follower is aware of the emptiness of all things, and of the interconnection of all life. The logical mind tries to perceive the truth by dealing with concepts, which are, in Zen terms, empty. Therefore, insight must be gained outside that logical process, at a different level. In Zen Buddhism, the key words are direct personal experience, which can occur at almost any moment when realisation occurs. Different versions of Buddhism have their own way, but all seek the Buddha mind and follow the core teachings of the Buddha. “
Rather than being instructed in how things are or should be, the student is given techniques for achieving his or her own understanding and sensation of reality. Zen has been compared to drinking a glass of water. You cannot know the taste without tasting it yourself. This firsthand experience gives the advanced Zen student a firm self-confidence.
Many of the concepts of Zen are totally interchangeable with those of classical riding. Indeed, many students of classical riding have found Zen writings extremely helpful in their quest to “understand” the philosophy behind the classical principles.
I have selected some of my own favourite glimpses into “Living for the present” and “awakenings”.
A Hindu story tells of a fish who asked of another fish: “I have always heard about the sea, but what is it? Where is it?” The other fish replied: “You live, move and have your being in the sea. The sea is within you and without you, and you are made of sea, and you will end in sea. The sea surrounds you as your own being.” The only true answer is the one that you find for yourself.
Written by admin in: Horse Dressage History |
Apr
08
2010
0

Classical Greece – Dressage

This is an age old Olympic equestrian sport, but it  can also provide great training for any  horse you want to be obedient, supple and willing to respond to you.  A good riding horse of any breed, is a partner that responds to your body signals while staying in balance and moving with proper energy. Dressage training is the training of the horse’s mind and body as a working unit, and every horse of any kind can benefit form this training.

The discipline began in Greece during classical times. The riding masers of the Renaissance developed a training system that has changed very little and is still the basis of the discipline in the modern world. More is asked as the horse becomes mentally and physically ready but the basis of the training is a step-by-step progression from simple to complex movements.  Dressage creates a unity, a dancer gliding beneath a rider,  an art form that harmonizes the free, powerfully agile movements of the horse willingly and gracefully bearing the weight of his rider. The horse and the rider identify each with the other, harmony within and without.

Schooling begins a long road which must be traveled patiently.  It begins with gymnastics because the horse’s muscles must be strengthened to carry with ease his own weight combined with that of his rider.  The hind quarter take the load, with hind legs reaching near the center of gravity, well under the body.  In this way the fore legs of the dressage horse can rise freely and take long strides.  The back is arched to form an elastic bridge while the neck is carried proudly and freely from the shoulders. The burden of the rider has in this way been removed and the  horse regains the ease of motion belonging to it naturally,  easily performing movements and leaps in the same manner as the natural wild horse.  Two creatures, man and horse, have become one.

Written by admin in: Horse Dressage History |

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