The Obstacle

The world is not a friendly place. People steal, they judge, they attack, they ostracize you, or they execute you mentally or emotionally. You need to ask: “is this true all of the time?”

When you step back and look at things objectively and let go of the hurt, then the world shifts. Or in reality, the world continues to be the world — locked in fear, greed and self-centeredness. We can become free of the world.

It all boils down to our perception. This is the obstacle. It is the rock sentenced to Sisyphus. It is the criminal given a life in prison for committing no crime. It is the person who does not follow the conventional rules because they no longer work, and is banished from a group.

The obstacle is the way. The world is an illusion. Our perception latches on to things that we cannot control, or that have no value. 

“In life our first job is this, to divide and distinguish things into two categories: externals I cannot control, but the choices I make with regard to them I do control. Where will I find the good and bad? In my choices.” —Epictetus

When we recognize the externals have no control over us and we have no control over the externals, we are free.

No longer can the world harm us. The world will be the world, and spin in circles. 

The farm is a sanctuary for me. There is less chaos and less spinning. I invite others who need support. In a recent lesson, I asked a young student if he would like to play soccer with Hunter, the horse.

The boy replied, “how can you get a horse to play soccer?” 

The obstacle.

We set up a goal with two chairs and used a large exercise ball as the soccer ball. Hunter was contained in the indoor arena with no lead rope and no leader. The boy began kicking the ball. He scored a goal! We decided that Hunter was on his team. He passed the ball to Hunter, who did not move his legs but acknowledged the boy and the ball. 

The boy ran. I passed him the ball. He scored! Hunter was playing but not the way we imagined.

We can all play together once we let go of our perception of the rules. 

Come visit the farm. Hunter will teach you how to play soccer, once you let go of all you know. 

Camron Adibi is a horseman, equine relationship coach and a PATH Therapeutic Horse Riding Instructor who holds a master’s degree in education. He offers equine assisted therapy, sound therapy and Chi Equine Massage. He has a mission to improve horse and human interactions through education and storytelling.