The Clew of the Horse, Part 3

 The season of Moura is an apt time to finish up our review of the Clew of the Horse. The final portion of this Teaching directs towards an individual and the importance of discipline and impermanence.

Thou art not thy body, nor is thy body any portion of thee. It is an estate which thou hold'st for a time, and after a time shall pass from thee. Therefore, have governance of thy body, nor let it be in any thing thy ruler. Keep it in purity as a temple built of earth and a place of devotion.

 This portion calls out that while you exist within a physical body, this is not all that you are and that they physical aspects are not unending. You are called not to be totally immersed in physical whims, but you are also called to take care of your body. Your body is how you interact in this plane of existence; you shouldn't let every base need guide you, but neither should you disregard your body and physical needs.

Thou art not thy mind, nor is thy mind any portion of thee. It is an estate which thou hold'st for a time, and after a time shall pass from thee. For longer than the body shalt thou hold it, and when the body passeth into dust, still it shall be with thee. Yet in its turn shall it pass away, and in its appointed season. But thou shalt never pass away; when all the worlds are dust thou shalt endure. Therefore, have governance of thy mind, nor let it be in any thing thy ruler. Keep it in purity as a temple built of air and a place of devotion.

 Your mental self, or mind, is also transitory and not truly who you are. It too can influence you, and your actions of whether to let it run wild or remain balanced and even will affect you as well. You should also take care to support and care for your mind, as it is important; both your physical and mental selves are worthy of and consideration. The premise here is to show that one should be caring for and doing right by their physical and mental selves, while at the same time realizing they are more than these aspects. 

When we are lax in taking care of ourselves physically, we are more susceptible to sickness or deleterious effects. This is true for our mental states as well. This is not to condemn any one for behaviors beyond their control though, but merely to call in attention to ways to strive to do better for one's own sake. Spiritual progression means also taking care of all aspects of oneself.

Hard to govern is the mind, like to a proud horse that drinketh the wind, filled with its own desires. Fain would it draw the rein from thy hand and carry thee where it will; fain would it take the body for its mistress. Like to a bird that doth hop from twig to twig, turning first to one fruit, then to another, without control or constancy.

It is very easy for our minds to wander, and can easily get to imagining things or thinking things that are either not true, not good for us, or gets us into bad situations. The analogy of a horse running free here is certainly succinct; a runaway horse is really not unlike runaway thoughts. And if a thought starts running, it moves down into our bodies. Stress and tension and unease spread out and affect us physically, for example. Learning to control the mind that acts like a horse, whether by our own determination or by outside assistance, helps to correct ourselves to a place of balance. 

Yet calm the mind and bring it to the garden of thy Lady; to the peaceful garden to rest by gentle streams. By long training is it brought to contemplation; is it bridled that it may tread the heavens.

Let it be in harmony in all things. In the smallest actions, let its step be measured. Let the body obey her in her harmony, that all works show forth control, respect and courtesy. As in a dance, the two shall act together; as in a dance where each doth know her part.

For if thy horse run loose upon the high-road, how shalt thou learn to ride among the stars?

Spiritual practice takes discipline, training, and patience. In this month of Moura, we are focused on discipline and re-aligning with God Herself. As nature ebbs and flows, this is a month of ebb and some practices such as fasting on Fridays and giving up of a pleasurable items helps one to focus on their perception of the cycles of nature and the meaning behind each season. Striving to progress and step closer to God means taking time to assess one's actions and thoughts, and in what ways we can better ourselves and our choices. 

Moura is also a time of stillness, and God as the Still Center of Being. To become still requires discipline; not unlike a running horse, one cannot be still without effort and being mindful. 

This is why I find this Teaching a very good reading for this season; to help one focus on Stillness, what one is willing to do for self discipline, and remembering that God's Light comes from the Still Center to the very depths and even at the darkest hour, there is always Light beyond.