Here is a short and simple guided meditation – courtesy of Montaro – that you are meant to take out and do with your horses! If you have already spent time meditating with your horses, then you know that the energetic body of a horse commands a deep meditative space. So they make it easier to slide deeper and faster into meditative state – AKA deep relaxation, where the mind is quiet.
I was thinking about a reader’s request to share more about my meditation technique as I was sitting on the slow feeder next to Montaro and Jax (a few years ago), who were munching away. And Montaro said, “Why don’t you just record one right now?”
I got the sense that Montaro thought I should just do it live and he would assist. So I did. When I listened to it afterwards I was thrilled that you can actually hear the sound of their chewing – which I find as soothing as ocean waves.
Do this meditation while you’re around your horse. But your horse doesn’t need to meditate with you – they might be grazing or playing, it’s all good. You can either stand on the earth, or sit in a chair, on the ground, against a tree, on a hay bale, wherever feels comfortable for you.
If you’re standing – plant your feet evenly, hip width apart, pull up from your cervical spine at the back of your neck, which should lower your chin a little. You want to get your spine straight and your hips even – as much as is possible.
If you’re sitting – sit in a way that your spine is straight, and like the standing position, pull up from your cervical spine at the back of your neck, which should tuck your chin in towards your chest a bit. We want to get the spine straight (which automatically stacks your bones) so the energy can flow easily. Loosen your belt or undo the top button on your pants so you can breathe freely and deeply into your belly.
Either have your device on speakerphone, or only place your headphones in one ear. This is because you are going to become mindful of the sounds around you in the beginning – so I want you to also be able to hear your environment.
Hit PLAY and just follow along; I will guide you in what to imagine/visualize and when.
So DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDED MEDITATION and take it out to your horse’s space.
Or you can listen to it right here:
I have added about 5 minutes of silence/horses chewing on to the end of the recording, so you can just stay in that space for a while, if you like, or pull your headphones out of your ears if you want to stay longer.
Personally, I think all beginners should learn to meditate in a space surrounded by meditating horses – what a wonderful, easy initiation to meditation or mindfulness that would be!
p.s. Here is another powerful guided meditation you can do with the herd, if you’re feeling anxiety, fear, or loneliness.
Jini Patel Thompson is a natural health writer and Lazer Tapping instructor. She began riding at age 2 in Kenya, and got her first horse at age 8 in Alberta, and so continues a life-long journey and love affair with these amazing creatures.
