For centuries, humans have said to horses, 'You do what I tell you or I'll hurt you.' Humans still say that to each other -- still threaten, force and intimidate. I'm convinced that my discoveries with horses have value in the workplace, in the educational and penal systems, and in the raising of children. At heart, I'm saying that no one else has the right to say 'you must' to an animal -- or to another human.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of respect and understanding in relationships, rejecting intimidation and force as means of control.
Monty Roberts highlights the parallels between human-animal and human-human interactions, criticizing the use of threats and coercion to gain compliance. He advocates for a more compassionate approach, suggesting that true leadership and teaching should be rooted in mutual respect rather than fear, and acknowledges the broader implications of these ideas in various societal contexts.
In practice
During a team-building seminar, this quote can serve as a reminder to leaders about the importance of fostering a supportive and cooperative environment.
I had been riding horses before my memory kicked in, so my life with horses had no beginning. It simply appeared from the fog of infancy. I survived a difficult childhood by traveling on the backs of horses, and in adulthood the pattern didn't change.
A good trainer can hear a horse speak to him. A great trainer can hear him whisper.
You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.
You're creating it all. Nobody else is doing it to you.
In temptations against chastity, the spiritual masters advise us, not so much to contend with the bad thought, as to turn the mind to some spiritual, or, at least, indifferent object. It is useful to combat other bad thoughts face to face, but not thoughts of impurity.
Grace is what matters. In anything. Especially life, especially growth, tragedy, pain, love, death. About people, that's what matters. That's a quality I admire very greatly. It keeps you from reaching for the gun too quickly; it keeps you from destroying things too foolishly; it sort of keeps you alive and keeps you open for more understanding.
You can never be wise unless you love reading.
"Some would call you a saint, some a chandala; some a lunatic, others a demon. Go on then straight to thy work without heeding either" - thus saith one of our great Sannyasins, an old emperor of India, King Bhartrihari, who joined the order in old times.
Only a fool lets somebody else tell him who his enemy is....never let your enemies choose your enemies for you.
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