Thoughts Like Horses

Our thoughts can be like horses – galloping very fast and with a life of their own. It's easy to be stuck on them and feel that you have no choice but to go along for the ride. This short clip offers you a simple way to get off the galloping mind horse so that you can be more than your thoughts.

Transcript

There is a Zen story about a man on a horse.

The horse is racing down the road,

And the rider is clutching on.

A traveler on the road shouts out as they pass by,

Where are you going?

Ask the horse,

The rider shouts back.

Our thoughts can be like that horse,

Galloping very fast,

While we're barely able to hold on.

My thoughts have certainly felt like that at times.

Sometimes we notice that we've been riding on them without even noticing.

Sometimes for a very long time.

Minutes,

Hours,

Days,

Or longer.

What do you do once you notice?

When you notice that you're carried away by a galloping mind story,

Try this.

Imagine yourself standing on the ground and watching the horse gallop off into the distance.

Once it's a speck on the horizon,

Bring your awareness to your body.

You might notice a different sensation in your head,

Now that you're off of the thought horse.

Maybe there's more lightness in space.

Maybe some tension is gone.

Maybe you can feel your body calming down a bit.

And maybe you don't feel a difference.

That's fine too.

It's great to just be off that horse.

When you imagine yourself doing this as best you can,

You're reinforcing that you have a choice when it comes to thoughts.

You can be carried away by them again and again.

Or you can gently disengage instead.

You always have a choice to stop riding a thought horse,

Even when it feels like you don't.

Sometimes it takes a while to undo mental habits,

And that's normal.

Like anything,

This takes practice.

Just do your best to get off the horse.

Some days will be easier than others.

What matters is practicing choosing a different response.

Let's practice dismounting from thought horses today.

You and me together.

I'll be right here doing it too.

Every time you find yourself on a galloping thought,

Imagine yourself standing on the ground watching it gallop away.

Reviews

This Zen parable is so helpful in disengaging from my galloping thoughts. Thank you.😊

Very good! My mind races more like an out of control freight train, but I get the idea. Best wishes. Warmly, Anne

How I respond to my son my save his life & also keep me sane. Quieting my thoughts should help.
I’m practicing while I awake his arrived. Right now I’m off the horse! 🙏

Brilliant analogy and metaphor. Really helped me reframe and "dismount". Thank you very much!

Thank you 🙏 Great tool that I will use! Sending gratitude and light 🙏☀️

Man I love your content! Two days in a row listening to you feels Like being redirected at what is exactly I was looking for. Thanks so much and definitely keep going 🌻

This is a very helpful technique I can remember! My "thought horse" is free tonight. Thank you

This image gives me a plan the next time I'm carried away by unpleasant thoughts.

I i really liked this one REALLY LIKE THIS ONE THANK YOU🙏🙏

Jason, thank you! That’s a lovely extension of the “Ask the horse” story!
Namaste,
Donna

I’m returning to work today after a 2-week vacation. This will be very helpful as I adjust back into a momentum moving faster than me.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I will do my best to not ride the thought horse today. Namaste, my friend.

Thanks for sharing this analogy and helping harness our galloping thoughts.🙏

This is perfect, but what surprised me was that I felt alone and fear if I let the horse go. The unknown I think.. but interesting. I found I had to reassure myself it’s ok to let that horse run away.

I'm greatful humble a Christian Actor singerbwith courage and a Purpose to inspire encourage others Amen 🙏

Applause 👏 ✌! Thanks Jason

“You and me together, standing on the ground, watching it gallop away.” Beautiful imagery and practice. Thank you.

Love it. Thank you ❤️

Wonderful! Thank you.

Thank you, I like the idea of watching the horse gallop away taking my idea with it. Already implemented it during the meditation, already felt equanimity. Thank you 🙏