The Cart, The Horse & The Driver

A little over a decade ago I learned of a certain analogy that explains our (mankind’s) situation very well. The analogy is that a person is like a horse drawn carriage, where the cart represents the body, the horses represent the emotions, and the driver represents the intellect.

Interestingly, this analogy can be traced back to the Hindu texts known as the Upanishads, which are at least 2500 years old, and can be related to our modern scientific understanding of the structure of the brain being comprised of the brain stem (moving functions), limbic system (emotional functions) and the prefrontal cortex (intellectual function).

I find this to be a very useful model for three reasons.

The first reason is because the analogy highlights that we are not just our thoughts, feelings or actions. Rather, these are all functions that are in service of something.

What is this something?

I’ll come to this in a moment.

The second reason this model is useful is because it shows that in order to get anywhere, to do anything, all three of these functions must be in good working order. An intelligent mind but erratic, disorderly emotions and a body in disrepair will achieve nothing. Similarly, a beautiful and well-maintained carriage (/body) without knowledge or skill to navigate the roads (/intellect) and untamed horses (/emotions) will go nowhere. Well-fed and calm horses without correct guidance and a dysfunctional carriage will quickly become agitated and dis-regulated.

The third reason this analogy is useful is because it shows that not only are the individual functions (carriage/body, horses/emotions and driver/intellect) important to develop and maintain, but the connections between these functions must also be understood and developed in order to operate properly. The horses which propel and drive us must be securely connected to the driver via the reins, as well as connected to the carriage via the shaft. The driver too must be connected to the carriage via the seat.

Now I mentioned that these functions are all in service of something. If we consider the analogy, it becomes clear that a horse-drawn carriage as a whole has a function of transporting the passenger.

It might seem, at first, that this passenger is us. However, I believe within our ordinary state that the passenger is not the essential us, but rather something more akin to a random passenger riding in an Uber. This ordinary passenger is a false us, it is whatever identity has taken control of our functions in any particular moment. Another name for an identity, as I spoke about in the last musing, is a costume or a character that we play. In one moment one identity/character is riding in the Uber, and the next moment it’s an entirely different identity/character. Sometimes these identities/characters may be familiar with one-another, but frequently they are complete strangers.

If we understand that this is our situation, that our mind, emotions and body exist to get us where we wish to go, but that the us that is riding in the carriage is a completely different us from moment-to-moment, then it becomes clear why it’s so bloody difficult to get anywhere we wish to go. One moment we’re traveling north, the next minute we’re traveling south, and the minute after that we’re getting lost in a back-alley.

In other words, this analogy helps us see why it’s so difficult to just put down the spoon. Because the us that wishes to put the spoon down is not the same us as the one who wants to eat the Cadbury Freddo Party Cake.

So what to do?

We need to remember our aim. And by “we” I don’t mean any of the multitude of passengers that are riding in the carriage. Rather, we must remember the aim of the owner of the carriage — the real I. And we must understand that there exists within us a legion of identities/characters that have their own ideas and goals that are trying to jump in the carriage at any moment, but that these identities/characters are not really us.

This is a big and difficult thing. It may well be the most difficult thing in the world. It’s so big that I don’t think we can do it alone. I believe we need others with a similar aim to keep us on track and to remind us of the way. This is why true growth requires one to be a lifelong student, working with others on the same path to keep our efforts focused and true. It’s fucking hard to get where we want to go, but when we work with allies - others on the same path - we give ourselves the greatest opportunity to succeed.

Thank you for reading. It’s an honour and a privilege to share with you.

With love,

🙏🐒