The Bear in The Woods

You are cross legged, your back is straight. There is a little strength in your abdomen. The air is still. You’re focused on your breathing; the air is passing in and out of your nose; your lips are slightly parted with your tongue gently resting on your two front teeth. You’re aware of the temperature difference in your nose between the in breath and the out breath. It’s a beautiful morning, pleasantly cool, just right. You’re facing the lake, eyes are half closed, and there is a faint mist gently rising from the tepid water.

You are still and calm. You allow thoughts to come in and out of your mind and you sense your concentration improving. Your concentration on your breathing is improving. You’re beginning to exclude everything else from your mind. You are intently aware of your breathing

All around the lake are woods. The trees are tall and lush; their leaves are a beautiful green. There are creatures in the woods, all going about their business: searching for food, seeking out mates, building their nests. There is one creature in the woods we might need to be wary of: A large brown bear.

Normally, we would have no reason to be afraid of a brown bear, but this particular bear, is very hungry, restless and a little confused. He sees you sitting on the shore. He is trying to catch your scent but the gentle breeze is offshore and so he can only guess at what you are

What you are is an enigma. The bear is silently watching you from behind the trees furiously sniffing at the air. Are you a danger to him? Are you edible? Are you an easy meal? Are you a plaything? Why do you not see him and run away? After all, surely YOU, can smell HIM?!

The bear decides to approach you. His paws barely making a sound as he moves across the gravel. He is now beside you, gently sniffing. He’s never smelt such a thing before: A human, still, fearless and calm

The bear becomes increasingly confused. He knows you know he is there, he sees you breathing, and yet you do not move, you do not run, you do not smell afraid. The bear becomes agitated in his confusion. He pushes at your arm with his nose. Your body rights itself and you remain balanced and still. The bear means nothing to you. You know he cannot make sense of you and the bear himself is becoming afraid. He emits a low growl from deep down in his throat.

This sounds makes you aware of his fear. All you need to do now is tell him to move on. Gently, in a whisper, you say, ‘Go back to the woods now dear bear, there are small creatures there, far more appetizing then me. They know to be afraid and will make far more interesting prey’

The big brown bear stands, turns, and makes his way slowly back to the woods. He knows the game is up, he has failed to aggravate you; to unsettle your calm. Your fearlessness has made you formidable.