Mary S Corning,

08/21/2026

—I had to go deeper than a good ride.

“Eden, in a nutshell”

My life with horses is dramatically different than ever before.

I have been graced with a lifetime of adventures with horses.

I’ve ridden through cedar forests that, in the heat of the day offered a cooling shade, emanating their essence like incense drifting in an Earth cathedral.

I galloped my horse up trails at the timberline, excited just to catch a glimpse of the world from a mountaintop’s perspective.

I studied deeply, the concepts and philosophy offered by culturally transformative masters.

The vague teachings of these simple men, ran deep. Though they seemed more real than any academic curriculum I ever knew.

As I absorbed these experiences, I began delving into the true nature of the horse.

And that in turn, led me to unveiling a mystery that held the keys to everything I hold sacred.

This journey introduced me to becoming aware of the unreachable.

I had been focused on grasping or gaining something that I believed was outside of myself.

For decades I was focused on becoming the best rider I could be.

Eventually I realized, the rider in my dream also had to die.

I had to leave behind the lifelong belief that I was somehow insufficient and that I must fundamentally change who I am, in order to reach some lofty goal.

I had to address the ultimate human enigma. To unravel the metaphorical story of being exiled from the garden.

To truly know my horse and the freedom she represented

—I had to go deeper than a good ride.

The horse kept showing me its true nature. And eventually, I came to realize Nature itself.

Not nature as a possessive trait, but as the essential nature of all life.

I had to dissect…
—The belief that who I am is somehow separate from what I love.

I had to stop chasing a moving target and see that it’s all right here right now.

And so I Am.

Here.

With my horse.

No more are there polished ideals of a greater tomorrow. And no need for the elbow grease of striving to be.

And that’s where the ego fought hard. It fought for its life. That is the rider in the dream that had to go.

If there’s no greater tomorrow— what’s it all for?

Where does the adrenaline rush go?

What happens to the sense of worth and ambition?

The drug of choice had been validation and confirmation of a job well done!

As it turns out, drugs pale by comparison to life.

The air in every moment is now the incense of the cathedral.

Now my accolades come in the form of a Buddha giggle, as my horse gently and purposely lays her head on my shoulder while I fill the water tank.

And then, there is the joy that abundantly bursts as laughter, when she sucks up a mouthful of water for the pleasure of releasing it specifically over the crown of my hat.

The rider died.
But the ride continues.

The idea of becoming became preposterous.

And yet, every day we become something totally and magnificently new.

My life with horses has changed the very fibers of my perspective. I wouldn’t trade the journey.

I still smile remembering my teachers and the wisdom they tirelessly shared. It was all part of this amazingly intricate evolution of the soul.

The game isn’t over, the player simply realized it’s just a game.

Now I’ll take the simple over the complex. And ride out the rest of the trip celebrating the scenery.

Now I see clearly that the knowledge that surpasses all understanding is the golden jewel of this lifetime.

Perhaps that’s the gift of age and a life well lived.

My horse continues to hold the mirror. She keeps me joyfully exploring. Together we reflect the mystery and explore its offerings.

And we laugh.
Really, I found it’s just that simple.

What more could I expect, than that which is perfectly complete, yet ever evolving.

Eden, in a nutshell.

08/02/2026

Next Level Community meeting starting in 5 mins

08/01/2026

Join Us for The Next Level Community Group

Sunday, Aug 2nd, 2026 at 10 AM PST for a free and open discussion!

If ever there was a time to gather and discuss the potential for peace as a practice it’s now!

This transformative time in our culture offers us a wealth of practice—

But, as we know, if we practice what we don’t want, we get very good at creating a world that is easy to resist.

This group is a light, open forum. Yet we dive into the deep subject, of what I call integration.

“Integration” meaning, how to live in an ever changing world from an infinitely profound perspective.

Or, as it is said, “To be in this world but not of it. “

With the rise of AI, and the opportunity to see dramatically different perspectives across the spectrum, gathering to discuss such topics is not only connecting but also can be quite comforting.

We see that behind all the varied perspectives is a One who sees as a consistent conscious being.

Realizing this One, we can then integrate our thoughts and feelings into our lives with less volatility or resistance.

As I said, this is a deep dive. But the beauty and the draw of this group is that it leaves us feeling like we just went home, for a good meal.

It’s fortifying and inspiring. And then it prepares us for another round in that great mysterious world we call our own.

We look forward to a fabulous discussion!

See you there.

Mary and Magnus

Here’s the link.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88068646726?pwd=v8JDqbVYZ5O4vn5s6dh7EWNlzsUDqS.1

Meeting ID: 880 6864 6726
Passcode: 754055

07/29/2026

“The mystery the miracle and ultimately… the mirror. “

Which Web is Yours?

Take one detail and show it to several individuals and perception will dawn its many cloaks.

Is it any wonder that the human race believes in war. We are fighting over details, not realizing that each perspective is a conditioned response.

We are products of the world we build.

It’s a cycle.

And if we are unconscious of the source of our perspective, then habit will be our architect.

This is why I find it essential to realize and practice, perceiving through clear awareness.

—Awareness prior to thought.

Of course thought will prevail. It is the most ingrained habit we have.

But we, as human Beings can learn another way.

And it’s really quite simple.

The first half of my life was muddled in mire.

At a young age my emotions didn’t seem to align with the world I saw.

My ideals certainly were not demonstrated in people’s actions.

I was all about love.

Yet, as I ventured into the world, I witnessed the fallout of such perceptions as striving, separation, scarcity.

I quickly became confused. And I got lost.

It took me a long time to find my way back to the realization that love is indeed truth.

But, I had to learn it wasn’t the love that was made.

I had to look inside myself, not out into the chaos that I was witnessing.

This practice still remains with me today.

It seems, looking back, it was a complex journey to return to a simple clarity of life. Yet, somehow it happened.

Scripture and ancient philosophy have endless stories of “salvation“.

Prophets have written of the long arduous journey dissecting the misconceptions of human perspective.

While others, share the realization as an “awakening”. It’s as if they suddenly woke up from a sleeping dream. Many of these awakenings came after intense hardship.

Pain, it seems, is shaking us awake.

My awakening is simple. It trickles with a consistent drip. Like an IV —in the form of Inspired Vision.

But my revelation, and the recognition of the need for it, was born right into the cells of my body.

—Realizing Love is real is what I took birth for.

I enjoy an interesting contrast standing at the apex of polarity.

In one eye I see complete unity in all life. And in the other I witness a disheartening sense of separation.

The very perspectives that I resisted as a child, are still shockingly present. They are incredulously provocative in our modern world.

The human conditions of greed, power and separation, all feel foreign in the natural world.

This world, my world,is one of marvel and awe. Here I sense that all is given.

And yet, in man’s world I can clearly see that, what is given is often squandered, and forgotten, prompting the need for greed.

And so I come to the middle of my web.

My perspective is both illuminated and dark.

But… the realization that there is an awareness of both, is Eden!

The one who sees both heaven and hell must not be either.

To perceive there must be consciousness.

And so it is, pure awareness is infinitely separate yet ultimately linked, from the ensuing perception.

This “One” (consciousness) within, doesn’t get involved. The pure awareness doesn’t hold opinions. She doesn’t age or get sick. She isn’t even a “she”.

Pure awareness is ultimate freedom from the confines of the things that it perceives.

That said, “Freedom” too is a perception.

Because what is not confined can’t possibly entertain the need for it.

And this… is the true brilliance that I witness in nature!

Life without the human web simply lives. It offers the unending example of acceptance.

Which web does the spider see?

The trees and the bees enjoy a life experience without the concept of hardship or glory.

Can we possibly find this in ourselves?

The mind struggles to conceive of such an acceptance.

Thinking wants the answers! Without answers it loses its perceived power. Fear needs a solution!

Human emotions also need a place to land. What would come of pleasure and pain?

Our critical thinking wants a podium from which to debate its findings.

Humans are on a quest!

We just haven’t realized that we may be defending the very thing that is keeping us stuck in a perpetual drama.

And so, we build machines, that neither sleep nor die. But they think!

They think in such extreme measures that they have blown right past the minds that created them. We are building a thinking entity.

And, there is a chance that entity may pour fuel on the very fire that burns our souls.

Perhaps that is what it will take for humans to see things differently.

30 years ago my release from the habits that were killing me, came with a fire in my soul.

All the perceptions that I thought were necessary for life, burned on that fateful morning. It was an absolute destruction of the world as I knew it.

Often it seems, destruction is the precursor for new life.

I remain an optimist.

The clarity that came after the fire brought the realization of the ultimate.

This pure awareness holds my cards. This is where I hang my hat.

My faith is real, not perceived.

It’s not hinged on a gentle world. It is naturally unchanging and unending.

Faith doesn’t need my written words to prove itself.

I am simply describing what it is not. True faith is not dependent on belief.

There is no validation. I’m not even required to recognize it. Although, I am deeply grateful that I have.

These are transformative times.

I watch the different webs as they form. I see from multiple perspectives.

Sometimes what I witness is shimmering with illuminating light. Sometimes it’s so dark it skews my vision.

I revel in the call of nature. And I’ll settle in, to weather the storm.

I absorb nature’s blessings as I watch the tailless bird simply celebrating the cool morning in the garden fountain.

I age like my favorite pair of boots. They serve a comfort and a purpose. Yet, one day their soles will wear completely down.

I suppose, someday… so shall mine.

Creation, with its ever changing, moment to moment, blow by blow reporting, bursts with the pure experience of life.

In it is a release of energy so charged that it prompts spark after spark that launch infinite perceptions.

One web, many visions of light.

This is life 101.

—The mystery, the miracle and ultimately… the mirror.

07/23/2026

Grace humbles my sorted mind as she quietly changes up the game.

Persuasively she guides me, away from old thoughts.

She won’t hesitate to show me who I am.

Her dark eyes draw some kind of gap—some abyss straight into my soul.

No matter my question, her answer is yes. If even to show me my petty ways.

With a grin I nod and say “Ahhh… Right again dear Grace! “

My master teacher needs no words.

She strips my thoughts like old worn out paint, as she exposes my barren grain.

She expects me to return each day, back in class. I’m sometimes humbled, and sometimes full of twisted wired thoughts.

But always with grace she presents the path, that is neither built nor found.

Its appearance can’t be that simple or the game would surely end. And who here believes in endings?

She knows that I know that she knows.

And yet she lets me go on playing the leading role.

There I am again looking for the curtain call.

But in this class, I try a little less.

Because the “try” just seems to get in the way of it all.

Then, each day, Grace brings me home again. Dropping me off like the old school bus.

She leaves me on the corner of my questioning mind.

I look over my shoulder on the way back home, back to the opposing thoughts she is saving me from.

Her tail sways, in her marriage with the wind.

And I am keen on this last lesson of the day.

—Nothing holds her down.

Sometimes the master teaches by walking away.

Sometimes by making us pay.

But always is the lesson free.

For freedom is the cause and the way.

07/14/2026

The Fade

Life’s ultimate exam, had me caught in the crosshairs.

My life’s scope was pointing at a moving target— the bullseye of success. The mirage of an illusive center.

Alas, it would seem, success was not the target. Success was only the practice.

Hindsight will say, my life had purpose. The truth is, purpose is imbedded in the marrow of my bones. I don’t find it, I am it.

An aging grace now whispers so loudly it shakes me awake,

“Walk in sand and leave no trace. “

—wait… what?

“Become a gentle mist and joyfully evaporate.”

“Relax nothing is in your control”.

And then, eventually my “Yea buts“ wore off. And acceptance found a bliss so great it’s suitable for the final course—the sweet dessert of life.

Only The Fade can perform such a feat as to unplug the ego.

This lovely contradiction of youth, where we experience the evolution of nothing.

What grandeur there is to be known in the endlessness of space.

This… the last great comedy, the parody of success, the illusion of control.

A joyful finding of brilliant humor!

This is the bonus round of a life well lived.

Without eyes I easily see,

It’s not all or nothing.
It’s, all IS nothing!

The lovely fade into grace.

That God, what a kidder!

I wouldn’t have missed this ride for any tempting fate.

It’s delicious to be ambitious. But like too much cake the sweetness sours the stomach.

With age comes wisdom. And then, that too fades to dust. And that dust moves on to build galaxies.

So it is in a life, as life.

And so IT IS!

07/05/2026

Mornings reintroduce me to purity.

Before I get involved in all the ideas, expectations, and thoughts about what is happening or not happening in my world.

Before I over think my steps, or my choices, the morning moon shows me what is true and real.

I value the start to every day, with a reverence for life. I emerse myself in nature and witness what God meant for us.

No idea of man has ever compared with what I see in nature.

There’s no grandeur greater. There is no beauty more real. Nature asks for nothing. Not even our attention.

This unnamed artist infinitely serving divine masterpieces. Shifting glimpses into creation, so brief they’re gone when I blink, only to find yet another wondrous moment.

Each day I question, how could I possibly get lost when I have this ceaseless guide.

But I do.

I lose track of her. I close my eyes and in a breath re-enter the atmosphere of petty human conditions. Even though the conditions pale by comparison. And honestly, I think that’s the point.

Back and forth between the world’s I go, strengthening my resolve. The flux makes me a better traveler.

With each moonlit morning I wake a little more. I get a little more practice in clarity. I can see what’s real and what is the mind’s play.

And, I trust.

I trust that the same artist that sent the sweeping clouds also built me. Here, humbled by my messy complications I feel held. I feel forgiven.

I grow into my self. I come home each morning from the long arduous journey into the maze of thought. And I remember who I am. And perhaps more importantly, who I’m not.

I laugh out loud that I ever took myself so seriously, as to have a negative thought.

And then, I’m off again, into man’s Wild West, into the body’s vulnerability, and into the ideas of right and wrong.

But I travel with the smile of the morning moon. I may sway, but I won’t fall. And each day the path home becomes a little more clear. The realization that no matter how far off track I get, I always end up back in the love of morning’s light.

06/21/2026

Next Level Community Group 10 am today.
Sunday —June 21.

We’re excited to share some quality conversation with those who care to join us this morning.

Link in comments 🥰🙏🫶🏼

06/20/2026

Sunday June 21, 10 am
FREE
Next Level Community

Join us for another fascinating and dynamic conversation.

This month we will be visiting about the use of adversity to expand a greater awareness.

The conscious integration of mind and heart creates a life experience worth savoring.

See you there!

Recently, I had the opportunity to revisit this phenomenon in a very alarming way. There’s nothing like riding 1000 pounds of self-preservation as it’s sailing through the air in instinctive reactive fear, only to land with an impact of my body’s velocity meeting the hard packed ground. It’s...

06/17/2026

Riding the Unified Line…
Freedom in Discipline

Words are tricky. We all have a history… a long vast history, with reactivity to certain words.

Personally, “Discipline”was one word I had little respect for, early in my life. The discipline I knew in general, was full of judgment, criticism and condemnation. There seemed like there was always a “should” connected to it. Although, later I realized that I was indeed very disciplined.

At 18 years old I launched and ran a successful small business. That takes a lot of discipline. It took discipline to fulfill my lifelong dream of independently building a home and horse facility from completely undeveloped land.

Looking back at my early life I had a great deal of self-discipline.

I have realized the difference between the discipline I resisted as a child and self discipline. To a large degree the game changer was an element of freedom. To be successfully disciplined I needed to feel free. And this is a subtle and powerful difference.

The discipline I experienced in school and the discipline of working for someone else felt much more judgmental. I came up against conflict and negativity that seemingly separated me from the freedom to succeed. Even at a very young age I could taste the difference.

I soon learned that I wanted, even needed, to feel freedom in my discipline. I wanted to build on faith and inspiration rather than simply complying to someone else’s criticism.

So this lays the groundwork for one very significant difference in how the word discipline is used. And also why, I feel so many cringe at the sound of the word.

In today’s world there is. strong movement towards love, peace and unity. Our world needs these elements of life to come forth and bring the human race out of its tail spin of control, power and corruption.

But there is a vast division between people’s belief of what would make our world a better place. Many people confuse appropriate discipline with an act of control. And this begins to divide us as a race. Rather than becoming effectively disciplined, we become separate.

Control then begins to whittle away at diversity. Sadly, this creates pain and suffering rather than an effective way of living.

The horse community is not immune to seeing this conflict as well. I have watched over the last 4 decades as we went from relying on force and control through intimidation to a world of giving the horse liberty.

I can see the parallel in the general population’s resistance to a truly free world and the new unknown liabilities within the ideas of horsemanship.

The gradient line is vast! And I feel the it requires a keen eye to truly understand what is effective. I see a great need for integrating a free spirited self-discipline into a world that has become driven by control.

I gain endless experience playing this gradient line in my world. As I integrate my personal desires with the desires of others, I learn to adjust and broaden my understanding. Specifically, the most valued relationships in my life—my husband and my horse, both offer great opportunities to learn integration.

When I ride my horse I am integrating both my commitment to freedom as well as the necessity for discipline. Especially based in very different points of view, it requires some deep reflection on the needs we both have.

For us to be able to ride into a metaphorical long sunset, the horse and I also both need to feel safe. We have to learn to work together to live a healthy existence, free of separation.

Riding horses is an extremely heightened opportunity for unity, because of the physical liability if nothing else.

Other relationships are also keenly tuned to the necessity of learning integration. For instance, family relationships. Our core family gives us the opportunity to be very different and have opposing ideas and beliefs, while still being united by birth. Another gradient line. Do we stay closely connected to our family even though we’re vastly different? And if we choose to dedicate ourselves to a rich relationship, how do we navigate the waters of difference?

I have vast experience in this relationship as well. And it is an ongoing curriculum. Having 30 years sobriety, after living through a very dysfunctional, alcoholic family, I have had to learn to integrate the love of my heart while understanding not everyone around me, is willing or able to embrace this world through sobriety.

When I was first sober 30 years ago, one very popular term that was used in these relationships is codependency.

Codependency through the study of relationships became somewhat of a trigger word. It implied that the person that did not drink, but had a relationship with those who did, could easily fall into a psychological addiction of wanting to rescue or convert the alcoholics that they were in relationship with.

The very first self-help book that I read that opened my eyes to my own patterns was “Codependent No More.“ Written by Melody Beattie

Ms. Beattie was a pioneer and strong proponent for educating people on how to become free from this internal dependency.

That was a big integration for me. I moved from a purely external dependency to the internal. And then I had a clear view of the whole picture. This brought a wholistic perspective back into all my relationships.

My horse is a fabulous place to integrate the internal and external perspective. I desire the depth of unity that I know nature provides without abandon. And all the while there is a very real and physical necessity for having a relationship that is mutually effective. We have to bridge the gap of understanding and this often takes a clear minded discipline. When we ask a horse to carry a rider, we are merging the worlds. And this is the opportunity to realize the beauty of self-discipline.

As we, grow and evolve as a race, we are also facing a change in our modern world that is highly technological. This means that we are going to be (and already are ) deeply influenced by inorganic agents.

I think now, more than ever, we benefit from strengthening and unifying the inner and the outer worlds. We must become solid in our humanity.

Is it any wonder that humanity is struggling to find peace within our own race. There is much to be uncovered and understood.

The most powerful quote that I find for my life, that reminds me where to look for the key is,

—“Nothing leaves its source.”

We must understand the source of our thoughts and our actions. We must look deeper to see if our life is lived from love or fear?

And from where I stand, whether it’s horses or life, fear still initiates the vast majority of humanities decisions.And that is one of the biggest hurdles I feel we humans are faced with today.

Right here right now I choose love. But what does that mean? How do I apply that to life? And how does discipline factor into that scenario?

With my horse I have to understand that discipline is not a trigger word if it comes from love. This is a current and vibrant example of integration that I practice in my life.

Staying deeply focused on the relationship and on the well-being of us both, while not getting lost in personal desires is my current curriculum.

And this, as always, transfers into everyday life. When I’m faced with people that I love, who are doing what I feel is killing them, I look to the source of my response to gauge my part in that relationship.

I still have strong boundaries and I also set up a faith-based discipline. This means, at times some boundaries are flexible. I adjust as I understand.

I now know the discipline I set doesn’t have to carry an element of control. The discipline is true, authentic and clear minded. My choices come from the present moment not some condition I adhered to in an ancient past. And with this I am much more capable of coming from love rather than fear.

It’s all a work in progress. We all are. And I believe there is a moving target. I don’t know if there’s any end set point. But I do know the difference in how it feels in every interaction when I allow my humanness to be experienced through the eyes of the eternal.

***If you want to dive deeper into this topic, The Next Level Community free Zoom gathering, meets this Sunday —June 21, at 10 am PST. And this will be our topic. See the link in the comments. ***