Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,
Friendship without envy,
Or beauty without vanity?
Here, where grace is served with muscle
And strength by gentleness confined
He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.
There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent.
There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.
~ Ronald Duncan, “The Horse,” 1954

Having recently been introduced to the horse world I am constantly in awe of their qualities. I am told by those with decades of experience that the fascination never ends and I must say that I am looking forward to the time when I can deliver the same message many decades from now.

Over a period of many thousands of years, horses provided one of the most consistent and influential levers in the development of civilization around the world. As John Moore aptly noted: “Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoofprint of the horse beside it.” They’ve carried us, pulled us, powered our equipment and entertained us as we fumbled our way up through the pages of history.

We’ve domesticated them yet they retain their powerful and effective herd mentality. They protect one another, organize themselves, care for their young and enjoy life, all without our intervention. While the same could be said about the intelligence and skills of their human counterparts, I can assure you that no bet was ever lost by a horse at the track!

Horses can teach a great many lessons to humans who have an ear to hear. I don’t want to spoil it for you by telling the whole story, but each of the pure qualities of expression outlined by Duncan above are natural characteristics of what I call “radiance.”

Radiance manifests through any individual who has made the connection between inner greatness and outer expression. He who is radiant is outwardly oriented, focused in serving others and devoted to giving without concern for results. Is it really so hard to imagine?

When you forget about yourself radiance comes naturally. Your expression in radiance is characterized by nobility, beauty, grace, strength and gentleness. Not sure? Watch a horse for a few minutes. They possess these qualities and are unhindered in their expression.

I encourage you take the time before you go to acquaint yourself with one or several of these magnificent beasts which have not only witnessed, but participated in the rise and fall of great civilizations throughout the history of man.

When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes. ~ William Shakespeare, Henry V