A Centaurs Journey Blog

“It’s one of the cheapest ways to change your consciousness, and it’s legal.”
Tom Fleischner, Professor of Environmental Studies at Prescott College, holds a tiny magnifying glass on a piece of cord. We are invited to observe the intricacies of a Helianthus, a wild sunflower. Through the lens the patterns of the disk flowers demand one’s unwavering attention and awe; the mounds of unburst flower buds, and the clinging grains of pollen like a dusting of snow on the bark of a tree, captivate the mind without inspiring conjecture, conclusions, or even thought.
That at least, is how I experienced those moments. And that is what I understand mindfulness to be: an observation and appreciation of whatever is going on at present. Mindfulness means letting go of presets, and allowing the immediate to show itself without us attaching judgment to it.
My ability to be mindful is tested by my horse partner, Pumpkin. Pumpkin is turning out to be a very sweet mare, but it seems that she is having a hard time letting herself trust people. Along with this skepticism, she is startled by what seem to be attempts on her life by such things as ropes, water bottles, and fingers. When I am working with her, I need to be especially aware of our surroundings and her level of comfort. If I practice mindfulness, I can more fully appreciate that which is outside of myself (and be more open to potentially important sensory input), and be less distracted by inner ramblings and snap judgments.