Every human being, to some level, is seeking a deeper connection, perspective and purpose in life. The superficial tends to chip away at the greater depths of who we truly are. Inwardly, we want to remain conscious and find meaning while we are here on the planet. But how do we navigate the world we live in? How do we stay connected? For thousands of years, humans have held a profound spiritual relationship with themselves and the Earth. However, as modern culture increasingly infringes upon these times, this conscious understanding and awareness can diminish, leading us to feel disconnected. In recent years, many people, influenced by global events, have embarked on a quest for deeper meaning. For some, horseback riding and healing through horses have become significant avenues for connection, personal development and positive mental health. “My horse Royal Ace and I have developed a partnership over the last three years that has taught me so much about my own capacity for growth and competition and has fueled my passion for the sport,” shares Jen Press Marden, board member of SUS.org in New York City. She and her husband, when not in the city, live in Sag Harbor. For Jen, riding is “freeing” and has helped her “to remain grounded and to recognize, with gratitude, what has been central to experiencing so much joy and a greater self-awareness.” Jen has an impressive resume, including working for Vogue, producing and co-hosting the radio show “A Fashionable Life” and being a contributing fashion reporter as an ABC News co-host. Riding has been an invaluable resource of community and sisterhood for her. “Ace and I are about to enter our third year competing at the Hampton Classic,” she said. “There’s absolutely nothing like it. I’m so excited to put all of our hard work to the test!” To embody and connect with who we really are and why we are alive is one of the biggest driving themes within the sphere of personal development. “The horse is the outer perspective that gifts its rider with the inner perspective. The ability and insight for one’s inward journey are guided by the gentle, harmonious heart of the horse. One can experience this profound insight and connection when in the presence of these amazing healers,” says Emilya Washeleski, a 17-time World and Reserve World Champion equestrian. Standing before a horse, with your heart fully centered, is an experience of profound depth and inspiration. These majestic beings command respect through their immense strength and power, yet they also embody a remarkable intuition and sensitivity. It is no coincidence that so many people who are seeking to uncover a sense of purpose and connection in their lives are irresistibly attracted to horses. • Throughout my life, personally and professionally, I have always been drawn to the work of personal development. By delving deep within, I have explored unknown aspects of myself, coming to understand myself better, reaching states of inner peace and stillness, and all the while thoroughly enjoying the process through the use of various modalities. My lifelong love for the arts as well as deep appreciation for spending time in nature both greatly support my overall sense of well-being. I have always felt in my heart that there is more to life than what is routine and mundane. While most of us sense this, daily routines can sometimes overpower or drown out the voice that yearns for growth and expansion. What is this voice that calls us to grow, heal, learn, and transform? According to some cultures and original wisdoms, they say that this voice is our soul, the voice of creation. In my exploration of the soul and my wanting to know this level of myself, I embarked on a journey of learning. One of the teachers I studied with shared this insight: “To know your own soul and to see yourself as a soul is not complex; it is very simple. It is like searching for a horse while riding one. You may look far and wide, but at the same time, you are galloping with the horse, naturally moving along with it, hanging on together, experiencing unity. “While the mind might be elsewhere, trying to interpret and analyze, you are and will always be a spirit. Riding is one of the most natural experiences we can have as humans when we’re in our heart. Horses, with their pure spirits, also reflect our own pure spirit. They are manifestations of the creator and embody the deep, loving spirit of the earth and of wisdom.” • No matter what faith or spiritual path you may follow, spending time with horses can connect you to it on a profound level that is beautiful and divine. People often describe interacting with horses as a form of healing on a cellular level, as they bring you face to face with your true self in a deeply transformative way. A story comes to mind where I experienced this. I remember I was on a camping trip in my 20s in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. My friends and I had made a little campfire, where we cooked dinner and played acoustic guitar under the stars, singing and sharing stories. We all went to sleep, and in the morning we were unexpectedly woken up by peculiar movements against the tent walls from the outside. I was the first to get out of the tent and investigate — and to my surprise, we had a herd of about 20 wild horses as our guests. They must have smelled our cooking from the night before and came to check on our leftovers. I put on my sweater and slowly walked toward them. To my delight, the horses did not seem to mind my presence and allowed me to co-mingle with them. I couldn’t help but notice how amazing and beautiful they were. I took in all the sights and sounds they brought to us. I felt connected to their sensibility, their humor, their fun-loving personalities. They were not preoccupied with to-do lists or roles; they were free. I had a profound experience witnessing the beauty of their spirits. I felt like I was one with them and experienced my spirit co-existing with theirs. It was a reminder I needed. • A good friend of mine, Kayla Looking Horse-Smith, resides on the Shinnecock Territory in Southampton with her husband, Jonathan Smith, and their four children. Kayla is Hunkpapa Lakota and an Indigenous fashion designer. Kayla’s uncle, Arvol Looking Horse, is the 19th-generation keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe. White Buffalo Calf Woman is a holy prophet to the native people. Avrol Looking Horse has been globally recognized as a pioneer for peace, having received the Nobel Peace Prize for World Peace and Prayer Day, celebrated every summer solstice, June 21. This event brings together people from all faiths, races, and backgrounds to join in the experience of collective care and prayer. Chief Arvol Looking Horse shares, “Our name, Looking Horse, was given to us back in the 1800s. It signifies the sacred horse, with many stories reaching far back in time. Crazy Horse and Looking Horse are connected; in choosing a horse they specifically would ride black horses, because their hooves are strong and don’t crack.” He continues, “In our family, we have always had horses. I still have 100 horses, and we continue to share stories about them. I grew up in a traditional and ceremonial way of life. Horses have always been a part of our lives. Our grandfather taught us to respect horses and offer them our hearts. We must not break their spirit; instead, we should treat them as we would our brothers or sons, honoring their holy spirit. We still have many horses today.” Clearly, there is much to learn and embrace in the relationship between human beings and horses, as well as between humans and nature as a whole. The more we engage in activities that connect us to our heart, the better the energy we will create, both individually and as a collective humanity. There are many paths and modalities for personal development, and while different people resonate with different approaches, the special healing power of horseback riding is powerful and is one to consider when practiced consciously from the heart. Lauren Aiyana is a life coach, holistic educator and public speaker. She lives in Southampton.