Eastern philosophy enters the stables in this unique guide to horsemanship.
Zen Mind, Zen Horse: The Science and Spirituality of Working with Horses is a primer on spirituality, brain function, and the bonds between the equine and human species. It is written from Dr. Hamilton’s unique perspective as a Harvard-trained brain surgeon and an experienced horse trainer. It is both a technical manual for training horses and a guide to extracting the deeper, spiritual lessons we can learn from these animals and applying them in our daily lives. It looks at horsemanship as a spiritual journey, open to anyone,at any level of expertise, and at any stage in their lives.
Horses understand and respond to the flow of vital energy around them. They use this energy, called chi, to communicate with their herd, express dominance, and sense predators. You can learn simple techniques to make you more receptive to your animal’s chi, so you can develop a calm and effective training style that will not only help your horse follow commands, but strengthen the spiritual bond between horse and rider.
Reviews
“Zen Mind, Zen Horse is both practical and profound, offering sound advice for tapping the wisdom of horses as natural mindfulness teachers.”
–Linda Kohanov, Author, The Tao of Equus
“These deceptively simple techniques embody a powerful set of spiritual techniques.”
–Andrew Weil, MD, Author, Eight Weeks to Optimum Health
“Zen Mind, Zen Horse is far more than a book about how to care for a horse, though it stands out as one of the best on the subject. Rather, Hamilton has given humans a way to achieve our highest good by allowing horses to be our guides. This beautiful testament to the power and magic of equine energy captures the soul of a horse perfectly.”
–Susan Richards, Author, Chosen By a Horse
Spirituality and Partnership
Ground work with horses provides a vital tool for humans — from a complete novice to an accomplished horse trainer — to reawaken and strengthen the capacity of our dormant right brain. With the lessons in Zen Mind, Zen Horse , we can discover a reliable way to silence our inner voice. We can move from an isolated, self-absorbed “me” to a connected, interactive “we.” Developing a partnership with a horse teaches us to summon and focus our own vital energy, the non-verbal life force of chi, in our interactions with others.
Zen Mind, Zen Horse is not just a book for those who feel the deep tug of affection for horses; it is also for anyone who has a spiritual itch to become a better, happier and more fulfilled individual, and wonders where to start and how to accomplish it.
Zen Mind, Zen Horse is the 2012 Nautilus Gold Winner for Animal/Nature “Books That Are Changing the World.”
The Nautilus Gold Award recognizes distinguished literary contributions that promote spiritual growth, conscious living, high-level wellness, green values, responsible leadership and positive social change…while at the same time stimulating the “imagination” and offering the reader “new possibilities” for a better life and a better world.
