The War is over

A war requires two opposing forces in order for there to be a war. What happens when one side continues the war, while the other side walks off the battlefield and no longer participates? Have you been in this type of war? I have. With the opposing force gone, it quickly becomes an internal war. Like all wars, now it really is senseless and without any meaning.

This one-sided war can happen to an individual, a family, a community or a nation. This is the power of illusions. The illusionary war enslaves its keeper in a fight to the death. The insane is convinced the war is not over. The guns, ammunition and words of attack are restocked and reloaded. They go all in with guns blazing with not one return fire. 

The truth is rarely shared in the theater of war. There is no opponent. 

In a recent lesson with one of my students, we discussed war horses. It occurred to me later that this term is a contradiction. “War horses” is not only a contradiction, it is an oxymoron, similar to “deafening silence.” There is nothing about horses that are warring. Sure, they will get upset with other horses but it passes and they move on. 

One of the many gifts in my life is that I work with older horses. They are playful wise ones, like childish monks. Rudy is a 26-year-old gentle giant full of life. He is an old warrior who still works as a therapy horse for his owner who is a licensed mental health specialist. He does not want to retire. Does any horse really want to retire? He does not do much riding anymore due to health issues. He mostly does ground work with clients who are struggling mentally and emotionally. Many of these clients are at war. 

The owner allows me to ride Rudy. When I arrive at the barn, he is already waiting for me at his stall door. He wants to go! This is his chance to show off while he is off-duty from his regular job. I groom him and put on his only war gear: a saddle and bridle. I climb gently onto his back and we walk together around the farm. We visit the other horses. He struts like Napoleon's Marengo or General Robert Lee’s Traveller. He is proud to have a rider. He becomes a warrior with a rider. He snorts, puts his head down, makes contact with the bit, and goes forward with no asking. 

Rudy, however, never fought a war. He does not know the concept of war. All he knows is that carrying a rider makes him the highest ranking general. He has no weapons other than his heart. 

What makes Rudy different from us humans? He knows there is no opponent. He does not buy into the illusion. He is not enslaved by the airborne leaflet propaganda being delivered as part of humanitarian air missions. Rudy is a peaceful warrior who fights with his heart. His intention is to capture you with his heart. His only propaganda: meet me at the barn and let’s connect.

If you are at war and have not surrendered, put up the white flag and let yourself drop the weapons. When you surrender, the help arrives. You can learn more about my offerings for help here.

Bring it on, says Rudy.