Dominique Barbier - The Alchemy of Lightness: What Happens Between Horse and Rider on a Molecular Level and How It Helps Achieve the Ultimate Connection

The Alchemy
of Lightness

The Alchemy
of Lightness

What Happens Between Horse and Rider
on a Molecular Level
and How It Helps Achieve
the Ultimate Connection

Dominique Barbier and Dr. Maria Katsamanis

Photography by Keron Psillas

First published in 2013 by
Trafalgar Square Books
North Pomfret, Vermont 05053

printed in china

Copyright 2013 Dominique Barbier and Maria Katsamanis

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, by any means, without written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer quoting brief excerpts for a review in a magazine, newspaper, or website.

disclaimer of liability

The authors and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. While the book is as accurate as the authors can make it, there may be errors, omissions, and inaccuracies.

Trafalgar Square Books encourages the use of approved safety helmets in all equestrian sports and activities.

library of congress cataloging-in-publication data

Barbier, Dominique, 1950

The alchemy of lightness : what happens between horse and rider on a molecular level, and how it helps achieve the ultimate connection / Dominique Barbier and Maria Katsamanis, PsyD.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-57076-619-0

1. Dressage--Psychological aspects. 2. Human-animal communication. 3. Molecular biology. 4. Dressage horses. 5. Dressage riders. I. Katsamanis, Maria. II. Title.

SF309.5.B35 2013

798.23--dc23

2013009676

All photographs by Keron Psillas except where otherwise noted.

Book design by Gryphon Design Collective

Cover design by RM Didier

Typefaces: Chapparal Pro and Ex Ponto Pro

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Art by Lauren Schultz based on a sequence of ten illustrations Taming the Wild Ox, depicting the levels of realization in the search for spiritual illumination by Zen Master Kakuan, China, twelfth century. The horse represents ones true naturethe emptiness of consciousness, a presence in an infinite field of awareness, knowingness, and onenessspiritual awakening. The ten illustrations depict progressive steps of awareness leading ever closer to enlightenment.

The horse (my true nature) has never been lost, so why do I search? In confusion I lose even the smallest signs of my true nature, my existence.

After a long search I begin to understand that I have not lost anything and I discover the tracks (signs) of my true nature, the existence of my true self.

I perceive the horse. I perceive that he is not apart from (my) self.

My true nature dwelt in the wilderness a long time. The mind is stubborn and unbridled, distracted and wandering. I must catch my true nature, my understanding of consciousness.

Discipline and practice are needed to tame the wandering and distraction of my consciousness (true nature). There is no room for doubt.

After the struggle I sit astride my horse (my true nature), and return to my life. Onward I go, observing all, maintaining discipline and practice.

I reach my home, in serenity. My horse can rest. My true nature is transcended. I have no need of strong measures or force, although my discipline and practice remains.

Horse and self have transcended, merging in no-thingnessemptiness of consciousness, presence without qualities, no craving, no attachment, no desire. The understanding of the vastness of the universe brings silence and peace in humility. There is no limitation.

From the beginning, my true nature was evident. In silence I see integration and disintegration. I see that which is creating and that which is destroying.

Everywhere I look I see enlightenment. I seek no honor or acknowledgement. I seek to share the existence of my true nature.

This text was written collaboratively and with one focus, and therefore a singular voice. My coauthor Dominique Barbier, a renowned horseman and clinician, has shared his insights and love for the horse with the world for over 40 years. Because of this, as a horse trainer, I agreed to collaborate on this project as it is in direct alignment with aspects of riding and living closest to my heart. Exploring how we can facilitate the communion between horse and human, two animals, resulted in dialogues, which birthed this book. While we had initially started with an outline and a general blueprint of the content, it was the meandering of our discussions that yielded the depth and honesty you will find in its pages. And it is this synergy of mind and soul between two people that opens the door to explaining the synergy of mind and soul that we seek with our horses.

Many people require proof in order to develop a belief or faith in the existence of something. Therefore, the pages ahead include mention of recent scientific findings meant only as an introduction to one way we can explain complex phenomena, such as telepathy, psychic connection, and interconnectedness. In recent years, advances in the sciences, especially in the field of quantum physics, give us valuable insight into concepts critical in the communion between animals. Recent experiments conducted and elucidated by scientific writers such as Dr. Bruce Lipton (