Hero John Morton (below, far left), co-founder of the Institute for Individual and World Peace and world renowned lecturer and author (not to mention all-around nice guy), is found here rescuing this mare's foal who took a dive off of an embankment. Not to worry, mom, the kid's all right! Johnny has spent much time and energy into manifesting this dream of Windermere.
Lynn Cox (2nd in) can often be found squeezing in a ride with visitors between her many horse management duties. Not only does she handle most of the administrative paperwork with the horses, but she also is responsible for their training, feeding and health programs. Yes, she does everything including feeding it in one end and shoveling it out the other.
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Although it looks suspicious, we have been assured that Ted Drake (2nd from far right) and our newest staff member George Pace (to the left of him) are not hiding behind that tree avoiding the many chores that a full working ranch demands (we believe they're just camera-shy). Actually, you will usually find George on his 4 wheel mule or with tools in hand. Ted handles the administrative duties of the ranch (when they say,"the buck stops here"---they're not just talking about the many deer running around on the property).
Last but far from least is our beloved John-Roger, also a respected lecturer and author of many New York Times Best Sellers and co-founder of the Peace Foundation. His vision of a place, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, where people could come to reflect upon how they could bring peace into their own lives and into the lives of others, made Windermere a reality.(And he also has been known to wield a shovel and lend his expertise in training horses on the ranch in his "spare time.")
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Visitors hike or ride on horseback along the Chumash trails, rich with Indian folklore and lined by cold water sandstone upon which are carved initials and dates spanning from 1868-1886. The original stagecoach road is also a favorite route, giving travelers an idea of what pioneers had in the way of "super highways" and a new appreciation of our modern automobiles' suspension systems (now we know where they got the word "shocks!").
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| Tranquility resides by our pond. | Peace meanders through our oak glen. |
Here in this very pristine setting, visitors come up for the weekend and, along with Ted and George, have put in much time helping to preserve this natural habitat, in addition to putting many trail miles on our horses with Lynn. The rule is: if you're going to ride, you're going to shovel. We have made most of our improvements here with the tireless efforts of many volunteers. All have given us feedback that they walk away from Windermere with so much more than they come with--good times, laughter, and inner peace (not to mention walking like John Wayne the following day).
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Most
of all we are about our beautiful Arabian horses. Running free on 140 acres
of rugged, yet breathtakingly beautiful mountain terrain overlooking the azure
blue ocean and picturesque legendary Santa Barbara (after all, how many towns
do you know about that had a soap opera named after them.....Okay, okay, so
there's that little town in Texas, too).
So sit back, relax, wander though and enjoy our web site. Better yet, come visit
us!
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Here
is an excerpt from an article written by Allan Hartley
Editor/Publisher - New Perspectives |
Many individuals and organizations are concerned with world peace today. However,
one group approaches peace in a unique way, which is worthy of our viewing.
The Institute for Individual and World Peace is the inspiration of John-Roger
who is a teacher, educator, and author. It was founded in 1982 by individuals
committed to the "upliftment of the planet through a commitment to the enrichment
of individual life."
The operant word in the title of their organization is individual. They believe
that world peace can be achieved by individuals taking responsibility for peace
in their own lives.
...the Institute is unique in their approach to peace. They are creating "a
place of peace" which is two-fold in its focus.
Windermere is the Institute's peace retreat located on 140 acres of Manzanita
and Oak two thousand feet above the Pacific Ocean overlooking the City of Santa
Barbara and the offshore Islands.
The Windermere Ranch has a herd of 40 horses, mostly Egyptian Arabians, the
first arriving in the spring of 1989. The Institute is learning about peace
while getting to know their horses.
The Windermere newsletter highlighted this new way of relating to horses. "Hippotherapy,
or equine therapy, is the name applied to using horses to help people better
understand themselves and their relationships with other humans. There are a
number of centers in the U.S. offering retreats for the physically handicapped
using horses to build self-confidence and improve physical fitness. A more recent
development is holistic treatment center offering retreat programs for couples,
business executives, individuals suffering form post-traumatic stress syndrome
and people who simply want to get over their fear of horses."
