As I progress in the studies of Mastering Alchemy (5th year at the time of writing this article) I would like to share with you the concept of the 7 Layers of Thought by Jim Self - Founder of Mastering Alchemy which I believe are very insightful to our connection and being with our horses.
First, I would like to share Jim Self's teaching about the 7 Layers of Thoughts. Then I would like to share with you what I have experienced using this "7 Layers of Thoughts" with my horses.
What are the 7 Layers of Thought as taught by Jim Self - Mastering Alchemy and how do they relate to our connection to horses?
Please note: There are no distinct layers, there is no line between 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 etc, it is much more like looking at the colours of the rainbow, you look and you really can't define where red turns into orange and so forth, it is kind of an overlap. To help the brain understand we put them into 1, 2, 3 and so forth.
One of the most important aspects of being able to shift between the layers is noticing where you are. And then it is as simple as making a decision to step into another vibration. Without knowing where you are, you don't know where to step into next.
1st
First Layer of Thought - Chatter
For Humans
In the 1st Layer of Thought is where you experience people that start talking and never stop. They talk all the time, they have something to say about everything. A great portion of what they have to say is of no significant value and it is not even particularly interesting except they are your friend, so you listen and listen. You try to engage with them and they just continue on and on and on.
This is not a bad or good person, it is just a person who plays in this 1st Layer of Thought. Interesting is that they never say: What do you think? How was your day? What is going on with you?
There is no pause, no real recognition. It is interesting because if you were to interrupt them asking them where they had this information from, they would say ... what??? And then you say, I am sorry I interrupted you where were you, they don't remember more often than not rembering what they just said or what they were just talking about.
For Horses
How do you feel your horse is responding when people are operating the the first Layer of Thought? If the horse has a choice, it simply would leave... if it has no choice, have you noticed how horses can fall into a space that feels vacant, the eyes are withdrawn and so is also the energy of the body, withdrawing because it can not leave.
Is there any connection possible? Maybe not. If a horse is trained, it will go through the motions but will not make any attempt to connect to you. It is isolated and alone with itself.