Talking With Bears

Bears teach us about introspection and loving our goals and dreams
enough to protect and nurture them without fear.

"If you talk to the animals

they will talk to you,

and you will know each other.

If you do not talk to them

you will not know them,

and what you do not know

you will fear.

What one fears

one destroys."

- Chief Dan George

I went for a bike ride today, and toward the end I decided to extend it down the trail for another couple of kilometres. It was beautiful out and the forecasted rains hadn't yet started.

I crossed a bridge over a local salmon stream and stopped to look into the rushing water to see if the fish had returned. They had not, and feeling slightly disappointed, I turned my bike around to head home.

My attention was drawn to a splashing sound below. I looked down and saw a shaggy black bear crossing the stream. The bear ambled, perhaps also looking for spawning salmon.

After splashing about in the water a bit the bear noticed me. We looked into each others eyes. We talked.

I could feel the connection between us as the bear spoke of wilderness, freedom, and the benefits of moving through life without fear.

I realized we are not so different, me and the primal creature before me. We want the same things.

The lesson complete, my teacher stepped from the rushing but fishless water and disappeared into the forest.