Kit was anxious about setting out alone for the South-lands. But Kit felt inspired by Eagle. Eagle had helped Kit see that Fear-of-The-Cold and Fear-of-Being-Alone were powerful in the lives of all beings.

Eagle also helped Kit see how the Gifts of Respect and Love could provide balance. With a strong sense of balance, fears that are part of all people will not cause too much instability.

So, on a beautiful sunny day, with an adventurous heart, Kit set out. Kit was determined to find the Spirit-Keeper of the South and learn more about the 7 Fears and the 7 Gifts.

Kit followed the mid-day sun. Before long Kit came to a river that was heading south as well. Kit was excellent at catching fish. Kit had learned how to combine techniques remembered from living with humans and skills that Bear had fostered. Everyone knew Bear was a master at catching fish!

Kit walked this path for many days and saw how gradually the river faded, the land became increasingly dry, and the trees practically disappeared. Kit saw tracks for many small animals, such as lizards, but rarely saw one.

Being alone began to wear on Kit. Kit was beginning to fear that there would not be enough water or food here in the South-lands. The sun was so hot that it became difficult to even think!

A tired Kit was turning over rocks, looking for something to eat. Suddenly a massive surge of energy – time appeared to slow, sounds became hollow – Kit’s face was inches from a huge snake!

“Did Eagle help you see more clearly what Raven meant about the two wolves that live inside all human beings?” Bear asked Kit.

“I think so,” said Kit. “Eagle explained that the wolf called Fearsome will feed upon the 7 Fears of all People, while the wolf called Courageous will feed upon the 7 Gifts of the Elders.”

“Eagle has always been one to see the big picture and the details. What did Eagle have to say about the Fears and the Gifts?”, asked Bear.

“Eagle spoke about Fear-of-The-Cold, which is the fear that you will not thrive or even survive the basic challenges of the world. It is the fear we feel when everything is not perfect around us. Eagle also spoke about Fear-of-Being-Alone, which is the fear that no one else will be there to help you. It is the fear that you will be abandoned.”

“What of the 7 Gifts?” asked Bear.

“Eagle spoke about the Gifts of Respect and Love. Others can treat us with respect. They can see that we all have needs. We all need shelter, water, food, and warmth. Others can help us feel loved so that even when we are alone we still know that we belong to a larger group that will look out for us.”

“That makes sense,” said Bear. “And it fits with a story that I’ve heard about the wolves Fearsome and Courageous…

“Long ago there was a great council of wolves. The alpha wolf had died. There were two wolves that the others looked to as the next possible alpha, the next pack leader, Fearsome and Courageous.

“The wolves met at their council spot and debated who should lead them. So caught up were they in considering the merits of following Fearsome or Courageous, that they were stunned to realize that a deadly forest fire had almost surrounded their meeting spot!

“We must flee!, screamed Fearsome. The fire will choke our lungs! It’s heat will pull the water from our bodies! It’s flames will burn our fur and flesh!

“Stop and think!, called out Courageous. If we stay calm and stay together there is a path for all of us to escape to safety!

“I am leaving now!, growled Fearsome. Unless you wish to die alone, you will follow me!

“You are my beloved brothers and sisters, said Courageous. None will be left alone. We must stay together.

“With the smell of smoke beginning to fill the air, Fearsome took off. A group of other wolves quickly followed.

“Stalker, said Courageous. You are our greatest scout. You will take point and find the path to safety. Swift Runner and Fleet Foot, you are our fastest warriors. You will stay on the flanks and guard any who might lose the path. The rest will stay in the middle, especially our younger wolves and cubs. I will go last. Look out for one another. No one gets left behind. We will all find safety together. Let’s go!

“When Courageous, and all those who ran with Courageous, reached safety, across a wide river, they found Fearsome and some of the other wolves already on the other side. Sadly, three of the wolves that tried to follow Fearsome became separated and lost. Later, their bodies would be found where they fell to the fire….”

“You and Eagle have given me a lot to think about,” said Kit. “What of the other Fears and Gifts? What else feeds Fearsome and Courageous?”

“Eagle has given you the big picture,” said Bear. “Now you must seek out the Spirit-Keeper of the South to discover more about the 7 Fears and the 7 Gifts.”

“Who is the Spirit-Keeper of the South and how do I find that person?” asked Kit.

“Head to the south-lands. I’m sure if you ask around you’ll find the Spirit-Keeper. Remember, all the animals promised to help you. Be like Eagle. Find the high places and look for the big picture. Then focus in on the details. Pay attention and you will discover more of what it means to be a human being. Come back and share what you learn.”

After hearing from Raven that two wolves live inside all human beings, Kit was feeling confused.

“Bear,” said Kit, “I’ve been thinking about what Raven said about two wolves, Fearsome and Courageous, battling inside all human beings. You said that whichever one you feed will eventually win.”

“Well… seems to me that whichever one gets the most food will become the strongest,” said Bear. “But, I must admit that I don’t understand how two wolves, even if they were very tiny, could fit inside your body!”

“Silly Bear. I know that Raven didn’t mean real wolves.”

“Raven is a tricky one. You always have to think long and hard about Raven’s teachings. Raven is a transformer and has a way of changing a person,” said Bear.

“Maybe I should ask Raven to explain?” said Kit.

“I think you’d be better off asking Eagle. Eagle is the Chief of All the Birds and Spirit-Keeper of the East. If anyone can make sense of Raven – it is Eagle,” said Bear.

“Okay,” said Kit, “how do I find Eagle?”

“Head east, toward the rising sun and look for the high spots. That’s where you’ll find Eagle.”

So Kit set out to ask Eagle about Raven’s two wolves.

Kit traveled to the East, and climbed the highest peaks. After a long climb, overlooking a tremendous view, Kit found Eagle. Kit shared what Raven had said about human beings having two wolves, Fearsome and Courageous, inside of them.

“I think Bear is right,” said Eagle. “Whichever one you feed will grow stronger. But what do these two wolves feed upon? I think that Fearsome must feed upon the 7 Fears. That means that Courageous must feed upon the 7 Gifts.”

“Chief Eagle, what are these 7 Fears and 7 Gifts?” asked Kit.

“Hello Cougar,” said Bear. “I wonder if you could help me with something?”

“Greetings Bear,” said Cougar, “Even though I sensed you coming from quite a distance, you surprise me! I don’t think you’ve ever asked me for help before. What can I do for you?”

“Well…,” said Bear, feeling somewhat embarrassed, “I’ve recently decided to try and walk the path of The Chief. I was talking to Chief Buffalo and it became clear that to walk this path, I will need some help from others.”

“If I would someday be a chief, I must honestly look at my strengths and weaknesses. The problem is my temper. Chiefs need to be thoughtful. Sometimes, when I get angry, I cannot control my own feelings and behaviors. Sometimes I cannot think at all. I become angry just because I get frustrated or even having to wait too long for something I want.”

“That would be a big problem if you were a cougar,” said Cougar. “We cougars have learned how to be very patient. We have to lie still for hours waiting for our prey to walk right by. Then, in an instant, we leap!”

“Can you teach me that kind of patience?” said Bear.

“I can teach you the way we teach our kits” said Cougar. “But you will have to make a commitment. It is a skill that seems easy enough to do, but it will only work to change you if you practice every day. You have to train your muscles to tense and then relax.”

To learn what Bear learned from Cougar, check out Bear Clan relaxation tools on the Tools page. You’ll find audio you can stream or download, text of the Bear Clan Systematic Muscle Relaxation sequence, and a tracking form you can download.

Do you teach relaxation, meditation, mindfulness, or other related techniques to your child-clients?

What barriers have you found to getting your clients to commit to these practices?

Many years before founding Bear Clan, Kit was still living with Bear. You might know the story of how Kit was found in the forest, all alone, just a small human being. Perhaps you’ve heard about the Great Council of Animals and Bear’s offer to make Kit part of the Bear Family. Now years later, Kit had learned how to live like a bear. Kit felted loved and respected and a strong sense of belonging with the bears.

Only occasionally would a human hunter even come near where Kit now lived. When that did happen, Bear knew every tree in the forest and easily evaded these human hunters, who only saw the signs Bear wanted them to see.

Bear noticed from these almost encounters that Kit seemed to be truly terrified of these hunters. Afterwards, sometimes Kit’s whole body would tremble, Kit would jump at even small sounds, and would have nightmares instead of peaceful sleep.

To Bear, hunting and even being hunted was just a normal part of life for animals. Bear asked Kit why the hunters brought forth such fear. Kit did not know.

“I’m sorry,” said Kit, “I don’t really remember much about what it was like before I was a bear. I don’t like humans.”

“Hummph…,” said Bear. “It is true that you are now a bear. But you are also a human. Do you remember what Chief Buffalo said at The Great Council that convinced me to make a place for you in my family?”

Kit’s eyes got very large but no words came out.

“Kit,” said Bear, “You will always be part of the bear family. Remember your lessons in how to relax. All Chief Buffalo said was that it would be good for the animals if we understood humans better. I have an idea. Raven is known to be a very deep thinker and is always watching other animals, including humans. Why don’t you ask Raven about humans, and then let me know what you learn.”

“I will do that,” said Kit, and soon after set out to find Raven.

When Kit returned, Bear was curious to hear what Raven had said about humans.

“I’m not sure it makes sense to me,” said Kit, “but I will tell it to you the way that Raven told it to me.”