Riding as Meditation

Meditation has long been seen as a way to become more focused and tap into inner power and wisdom we may not have known we possess. I began the practice of meditation after many years of listening to my best friend, Kerry, tout its benefits. As she worked her way through a PhD and an MD, she found more and more evidence of the benefits of the practice of meditation for mental and physical well being. Although at first I was skeptical, I decided to finally give it a try about four years ago. At first, it was pretty much impossible to quiet my mind! Dr. Kerry encouraged me to continue, that it would get easier and more beneficial with time.

I began with 15 minutes first thing each morning and my days seemed to flow more smoothly while I felt more centered and calm. I’ve tried different methods over the years, meditating up to one hour a day, but I came back to my 15 minutes because it was quick and effective. Now it is an important part of my day. I sit on my favorite blanket from Macchu Picchu in Peru and my Zen Buddhist meditation pillow and I center myself and go into my 15 minutes of silence.

Try to see your riding as a form of meditation for a while. I started doing this abut a year ago. I found that sometimes when I am riding, my mind would wander off to my “To Do” list for the day. Our lives have become so hectic that our minds begin to go a mile a minute. I wanted to be sure that when I am riding, there is nothing else that gets in the way other than me, my horse and the art. I walk with the horse into the riding arena and there is silence other then the sound of the horse. I focus on his movement and his responses to me. From time to time, I will repeat a mantra in my head.

I will silently repeat to the horse:

• I am fully with you
• It’s just about you and me
• We are one

Boticario III De La Parra during a Riding Meditation.

About five years ago, I never would have done something like this! I thought meditation was way too “woo woo” and “out there” for me. I was proud of my frenzied multitasking! Now, I am very happy I listened to my friend, Dr. Kerry. I believe meditation has allowed my riding to become better and more harmonious than I ever could have imagined.

“Many years of practice and meditation and study have convinced me that only by a way in which the rider does not use a continual force, can one have horses which take pleasure in their work while remaining obedient.” – Maestro Nuno Oliveira

Riding at Maestro’s place, Quinta do Brejo, in Portugal was absolutely like riding in a monastery. There was silence, other than Maestro’s voice and the movements of the horse. The arena was a sacred place. No one dared violate the silent energy between horse and rider.

Try this, it works! Since I began using my riding as a form of meditation, I believe my connection between the horses and myself is stronger.

Happy and Harmonious Riding!
Maritza