On a trip to Scotland, the psychotherapist family team of Adele, Deborah, and Thomas McCormick — pioneers in the psychotherapeutic use of horses — discovered that early Celtic mysticism held important insights into an equestrian-partnered spirituality. The McCormicks show how to integrate this spirituality with psychology, forming a new, powerful form of healing. Horses and the Mystical Path recounts their memorable journey and the lessons they learned from their amazing equine guides.

Since time eternal horses have walked beside us, helping to shape our destinies, taking us on journeys of the soul, and offering as a gift their power, mystique, and beauty. While it has taken some time, mental health professionals and educators alike have begun to formally acknowledge the emotional, mental and physical benefits that humans can receive by spending time with horses. In the U.S. alone, there are already more than 900 programs that offer therapeutic or educational programming provided in partnership with horses. Leif Hallberg has extensively researched the field of Equine Facilitated Mental Health and Educational Services, and this book reveals the many ways horses can help humans. Become familiar with: Key definitions Historical information about working with horses in therapeutic and educational settings Ethical considerations Practical applications Learn more about the healing power of horses and their rich history of working together with humans in Walking the Way of the Horse. For additional information about this book, and Leif Hallberg visit www.walkingthewayofthehorse.com

"[When we read and write poetry,] it is as if a long-settled cloud in our mind suddenly dissipates, and we are divine once again." -- from the Introduction Poetry is the language of devotion in prayer, chant, and song. Reading and writing poetry creates clarity, deepens and expands spiritual inquiry, and cultivates wisdom, compassion, self-confidence, patience, and love. In author Robert McDowell's words, poetry makes you into a tuning fork of the Divine. But poetry has disappeared over the centuries from religious ceremonies, academic curricula, and public discourse. In Poetry as Spiritual Practice, the first inspirational and instructional guide to combine poetry and spirituality, McDowell restores poetry as the natural language of spiritual practice and invites you to recognize poetry as "the pure sound and shape of your spirit." Vividly illustrated with a wide range of poems from all historical eras and poetic traditions, numerous religions and faiths, and McDowell's own and his students' work, Poetry as Spiritual Practice will reintroduce you to the unique pleasure of verse. And meditations throughout will allow you to integrate reading and writing poetry into your spiritual journeys and daily life. Since many of us have long forgotten, or never learned, the mechanics and terminology of poetry -- trochaic feet and tropes trip us up; we can't tell a villanelle from its shorter cousin, rondeau; and a terza rima may as well be a tanka -- this is also an instructional handbook on reading and writing poetry. An engaging guide through the landscape of world poetry, McDowell argues along the way for the many practical benefits of poetic literacy. Making poetry an essential part of daily rituals, aspirations, and intentions will put you on the path to greater meaning, growth, and peace in your life. At once an engaging technical primer, a profound meditation on the relationship between poetry and the Divine, and an inspirational guide for integrating poetry into spiritual practice, Poetry as Spiritual Practice will become a cherished companion.

An equine therapist shares the story of a spiritual awakening she experienced with her black mare, Rasa, which led her to investigate the metaphysical and scientific aspects of the human-horse bond.

Although midlife has been traditionally viewed as a time of decline, science and experience are demonstrating that most of our fears are unsupported. For many women it can be a time to rediscover important aspects of themselves that have been left due to the responsibilities of motherhood and careers. In Stable Wisdom, lifelong horsewoman Shirley Potterton provides a one-of-a-kind guide for women on a midlife journey that encourages transformation and positive changes with the help of an equine companion. Potterton, whose love for horses was rekindled at midlife, relies on experiences from her own journey of self-discovery as well as others to share powerful tools and exercises to help women embrace the wisdom of an intuitive creature in order to move forward, develop new skills, and utilize innate strengths. Through a step-by-step plan that can be applied with or without a horse, women can learn how to listen to the inner voice for direction; create and renew energy levels; develop a courageous approach to life; bring insight, wisdom, and experience to leadership roles; and initiate self-reflection without judgment. Stable Wisdom provides valuable guidance, tools, and confidence for any woman in midlife who dares to think big and is ready to discover her own unique wisdom and implement exciting life changes.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [311]-317) and index.

Life is a spectacular, wild, surprising, gut-wrenching, and fun-filled ride—so why is our society riddled with mental illness, addictions, despair, unhappiness, stress, rage, and hate? The vast and wide-reaching benefits of a bold outlook on life are not fully understood, and it’s time to change that. In Awakening to More, Drs. Adele von Rüst McCormick and Marlena Deborah McCormick reveal how to become wiser about yourself and life. Going beyond self-help, the McCormicks reject a paint-by numbers approach to living. Instead, they offer life lessons from real encounters with people and animals. They explore the animal and spirit side of human nature, because learning about the many faces of our lower and higher minds can keep us grounded. They illuminate vital wisdom for everyday living, relying on their knowledge of the classics in psychology, spirituality, and philosophy and on their experiences traveling into the heart of nature, especially human nature. The lessons presented here can help encourage your original and spontaneous edge and increase your sense of optimism, even during challenging times. This book offers narratives and wisdom designed to help you fully awaken to and appreciate the vast possibilities that are just within your reach in life. o Seeing our problems as a problem is a problem. Why not awaken to more? o Instead of trying to control or fix life, prepare to handle and enjoy what comes your way.