Written by Sue Morris

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This section is for the more spiritually minded.  Many riders say that their whole outlook on life began  to change once they took up the study of classical riding. I have certainly found a peace to my riding that was not there some years  ago. Once the goal-setting aspects have been dealt with (and that  isnt a cry for you not to compete, many of my students do and I encourage it) things begin to progress in a different way. The hardest question to answer is: What is Zen? "Zen Buddhists are encouraged to each have their own understanding so this is my  perspective. Buddhism (including Zen) may be a religion or a  philosophy, and is often defined as a "way of life". Zen Buddhists  teach that everyone has a Buddha nature and that the small mind, our  thinking mind, blocks us from reaching that realisation, and  subsequent direct experience. In Zen, the follower is aware of the emptiness of all things, and of the interconnection of all life. The logical mind tries to perceive the truth by dealing with concepts, which are, in Zen terms, empty. Therefore, insight must be gained  outside that logical process, at a different level. In Zen Buddhism,  the key words are direct personal experience, which can occur at almost any moment when realisation occurs. Different versions of  Buddhism have their own way, but all seek the Buddha mind and follow the core teachings of the Buddha. " Rather than being  instructed in how things are or should be, the student is given techniques for achieving his or her own understanding and sensation of reality. Zen has been compared to drinking a glass of water. You  cannot know the taste without tasting it yourself. This firsthand experience gives the advanced Zen student a firm  self-confidence. Many of the  concepts of Zen are totally interchangeable with those of classical riding. Indeed, many students of classical riding have found Zen  writings extremely helpful in their quest to "understand" the  philosophy behind the classical principles. I have selected  some of my own favourite glimpses into "Living for the present" and "awakenings". A Hindu story  tells of a fish who asked of another fish: "I have always heard about the sea, but what is it? Where is it?" The other fish replied: "You live, move and have your being in the sea. The sea is within you and without you, and you are made of sea, and you will end in  sea. The sea surrounds you as your own being." The only true answer is the one that you find for yourself. Breathing Nothing to Attain...Just  Ride Listening is internal Planning is  external Blending is  internal Struggling is external Being with what is happening is internal Wishing  things were different is external Teachers and Students Being in the body  and sensation oriented is internal Being in your head thinking about what to do next is external Loose, fluid and relaxed musculature is internal Contracted, locked musculature is external Copyright (c) Sue Morris 1998-2005