Why Metta, Anyways?

Straightforward: Metta is the Pali term for “loving-kindness.” It is the first of four sublime states of mind - Compassion (karuna), Sympathetic Joy (mudita), and Equanimity (upekkha) being the other three. These four attitudes are said to be “sublime” because they are the right way of conduct toward all living beings. They are the great removers of tension, the great peace-makers in conflict, and the great healers of wounds suffered in the struggle of existence (because we all know just how real the struggle can be).

The states of mind are also known in Pali as Brahma-vihara, “vihara” meaning abode - a warm dwelling place. Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy, and Equanimity should be our “default settings,” our inseparable companions throughout life’s journey. As someone who has spent the past five years traveling and relocating, often under intense circumstances, having a practice that centers the mind as a home to retreat to has become especially important to me.

In horsemanship practice, Metta approaches with love first and recognizes the mule or horse as a sentient being deserving of this ultimate gift. While we are all walking different paths in our horsemanship journey, as long as our practice stems from love, we are already on the right track. Metta is the root that keeps us “crazy” horse folk doing what we love to do in any weather condition at any hour of the day. From what better place is there to start than from the state uniting us all?

Finally, when considering my social “image,” I wanted to incorporate both mountains and mules whose wisdom and medicine I hold so dearly. The alliteration of “Metta Mules” flows so perfectly together as well. Of course, I don’t have a logo yet. But the concept is alive in my mind (the M’s representing the ears of my two mare mules - always attuned, what great teachers).

One grounding question I like to ask myself when working with horses:

Is what you are doing/using right now [insert activity/exercise/tack/tool] being done to the horse and used against the horse, OR is what you are doing right now [insert activity/exercise/tack/tool] being done with the horse and used for the horse?

For more information on the four sublime states, read the following contemplations: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel006.html