Welcome, Nor'dzin!

One of my favorite things about blogging is making connections with people all over the world. I would like to introduce you to a new blog called ceffylau. It is written by a woman who lives in Cardiff, Wales, named Nor'dzin. She is a Buddhist, an ordained ngakma who teaches meditation, yogic song and other yogic practices. Nor'dzin and her husband have two horses, Red and Dee, and they are people who clearly love their four-legged friends.

Pema Chodron, an American Buddhist nun who has written many wonderful books, reminds us that all activities should be done with one intention, which is to awaken the heart. She says we should speak in a way that encourages other people to hear us, trying not to use words that cause barriers to go up or ears to close. She believes that it will teach us to learn how to listen and how to look. "If we really want to communicate, we have to give up knowing what to do. When we come in with our agendas, they only block us from seeing the person in front of us. It's best to drop our five-year plans and accept the awkward sinking feeling that we are entering a situation naked. We don't know what will happen next or what we'll do." I find that this is also true when I communicate with my horses.

So, welcome, Nor'dzin! I'm looking forward to listening and learning from you.