The four biblical horsemen in Revelation are tied to the end times
but I will leave that discussion for another day. Yet beyond the purely biblical,
there is much we can learn from these examples. Consider the first three
horsemen from an individual spiritual perspective: The Pale Horse
represents the physical body and its destruction through all forms of
addiction, the negative as well as the seemingly positive. The Red Horse
brings destruction by our emotions and feelings and The Black Horse
destruction through intellect.
To ride the Pale Horse
means we have succumbed to addiction. Drugs, alcohol and gambling are obvious,
but what of the individual who is addicted to exercise or work or sex? The
gym, running/biking trails or the office can become an escape from the
world just as powerful as any intoxicant and equally spiritually
destructive. The difference being the alcoholic/addict has a
difficult time “fitting” into polite society while the workaholic is
often praised for their accomplishments, even as the other areas of
their life and living are sacrificed in the name of success or
“providing” for the family. The same family they are never present for,
the estranged children seeking acknowledgment, often by acting out, the
neglected spouse who ultimately files for divorce, resulting in the workaholic’s
lament: don’t they see I am doing it all for them?
Physical
activity and exercise in moderation is always a good idea, but when it
crosses over into narcissism, it becomes as sure a block to growth as
any drink or drug. Sex is part of our nature, so it cannot be bad, yet
the stories of lives and families ruined from unchecked sexual desires
are legion. The problems come when sex and obtaining sex becomes the
singular focus, living only for sensual escape, having lost sight of the
true purpose, that of two people sharing the most intimate of
experiences, the touching of two souls in embrace, a shared act of love.
To be clear: hard work, the occasional beer or glass of wine or
enjoying sex with a partner are not the problem, we ride the Pale Horse
when these things become dominate in our lives and we eschew honest
relationships or facing personal truths, both secular and spiritual
because they have taken over.
Zen, Revelation, Four Horsemen, The Secret, Source, Road Less Traveled, prayer,metaphysics, Law Of Attraction, Golden Key, ACIM, #Wayne Dyer,