Savannah Kumar
A Polar Embearace
What do you see, polar bear? Let me
borrow your eyes, black stars in a sea of twinkling white. Your nose, covered by paws that double as snow. Snow and fur. Remind me that weÕre all made of the same
things. That the snow can be made part of me, as it is part of you. Embrace me,
and let me be the spirit inside of you, before you become the spirit inside of
me. Polar bear, let me inside of your den; lead me onto
the ice.
Fur
parting in all directions, grabbed by the wind. Skin exposed for a second,
reminding me that I was born hairless, reminding me to be thankful for my mama
bear, for keeping me warm inside her den
when I was born.[1]
Hairless. Naked. A part of me is always naked, exposed for nature to touch, to
take. I feel my body, merging with the snow for a moment, as I slide
down from my winter den.[2]
My legs, still frozen from the lazy slumber of my sleep, are warmed and
awakened by the friction of my body against the ice. I watch in solitude as ice
creeps across the water; I surrender to the power of the frozen EarthÕs
rhythmic journey across its liquid self. My nose is lifted to embrace the airÕs
breeze. A scent to follow. I will follow this scent,
perhaps Òover rafted ice and patches of open water,Ó until it leads me to a
seal.[3]
Only after a challenge can there be rewards. After miles of
walking, a silent, sneaky, speedy kill.[4]
A feast of blubber, dying my fur temporarily red, and serving as a symbol and
reminder of the sacrifice that the seal has made for me.
I
dive under the water, blood washed into the blood of the Earth. My fur following the direction of my dive. I am submerged,
forcing my body and my mind to attend to the way my breath is held. My lungs,
though seemingly held captive in the depths of my layered body, expand into the
icy water, feeling, for a moment, the piercing truth that nature can be more
powerful than even I. My bulky body moves effortlessly as I swim, pushing
against frozen water as I attempt to break free from the waterÕs depths. Trapped.
But I know that the floating ice will be my protector; I donÕt live in fear
when I know that others fear me. I break free from the frozen surface and
crawl, with my Ònotably massiveÓ paws, back onto the arctic surface, my
Òpigeon-toedÓ stance helping me to keep my balance on the slippery shimmer of
my ever-extending home.[5]
A mother polar bear and her cubs look
ahead into the arctic abyss that surrounds them.
A melting of my home. The solid surfaces have become
precarious resting places; they collapse and create waves that attempt to drown
me with their energy, stripping energy away from me as I swim to stable surfaces
that I have yet to find. Icebergs are br o ke n apart, melting quicker alone long distances between swimmm
swimmmmm
swimmmmmmmmmmm. I am hungry often. Tired always. Witness
my struggle and carry me back to a place of safety with your thoughts. Become a
part of me.
Depleting ice in the arctic is causing
this polar bear to swim against the possibility of drowning, in search of a
solid surface to rest upon.
I
will witness the polar bear of the wild and the polar bear within my Self,
spiritually liberating us both through this process of arctic reflection. The
polar bear has long been acknowledged as a symbol of both intellectual and
physical strength. Anthony Dalton, in Polar Bears: The ArcticÕs Fearless
Great Wanderers describes the importance placed on the symbol of the polar
bear by the Inuit and other aboriginal cultures:
ÒAboriginal cultures consider polar bears
to be wise as well as powerful. The Inuit recognize the species as superior
hunters and have always understood and appreciated the bears that roam the land
on which they live. The Inuit are also the first people to recognize the
gradual reduction in bear populations as greenhouse
emissions and other pollutants tarnish the environment beyond repair. Today,
because of its potential plight, the mighty Arctic bear has become a symbol of
creatures threatened by climate change in the Arctic ecosystem.Ó[8]
Physically,
the polar bear is constructed to be courageous, but inwardly, the polar bear is
calm, creating a spirit formed by the gentle synthesis of traits that are often
dichotomous. While the spirit of the polar bear seems eternal, I hear the polar
bearÕs call for help and the warning that she is issuing concerning the
condition of our planet. The polar bearÕs struggle for survival is not one that
is isolated. Ted Andrews observes that Òevery time an
animal or plant becomes extinct or threatened, the world loses some of its
beauty, and we, some of ours.Ó[9]
Thus, the precarious nature of the polar bearÕs current existence is teaching
me the necessity of attending to global struggles of all kinds and recognizing
that I must continue to find parts of myself in other people whenever I
interact with them. Furthermore, the polar bearÕs assertiveness in calling for
help from an instinct to survive is one that can serve me. I often neglect my
own wellbeing and am hesitant to reach out for help in fear of being an
inconvenience to others. The symbol that the polar bear has become can prove to
me that I can retain a sense of bravery even when I am expressing my needs.
Beyond
threat of extinction, the polar bearÕs existence is often plagued with other
types of suffering. Male polar bears (often fathers) are often found
ÒattackingÓ female polar bears and their cubs in an effort to maintain their
own survival. [10]
I can apply this knowledge by recognizing that danger can come not only from
strangers, but also from my most personal relationships, and that it is my duty
(like the mama polar bearÕs) to protect those who are dependent on me with my
life. I can learn to be cautious of over-trusting, but to refrain from being paranoid.
The various threats that polar bears experience emphasize Òjust how fragile life is in the ArcticÓ
and demonstrate that because humans are Òprotected by modern technology and
well-equipped against the elements, we humans tend to forget [the fragile
nature of life]--until our equipment fails.Ó[11]
Lessons from the uncertainty of a polar bearÕs life can be carried into my own
life by reminding me that it is necessary to constantly reflect on and vocalize
my gratitude for others and for my life. I must also create a space for myself
be separated from societyÕs ÒequipmentÓ to engage the raw reality of my life
and to focus on introspection rather than living for others.
Despite
a fear of extinction, the polar bearÕs life is not consumed by sadness and fear.
The polar bear recognizes the importance of play and of forming relationships
with others. Polar bears are Òsolitary predator[s]Ó because there is Òno
evolutionary need for polar bears to develop cooperative hunting skills.Ó[12]
However, polar bears are Òplayful animalsÓ and Òunder favorable conditions in
autumn, young and even adult bears may play together for hours.Ó[13]
I hope that the polar bear can teach me a more authentic form of play and teach
me to actively honor the importance of play in my life, while maintaining a
degree of solitude in the work that I do.
Polar bears engage in dynamic play from
childhood to adulthood.
While
a plethora of stimuli might frighten a polar bear, the polar bear is confident
enough to transform fear into curiosity. Anthony Dalton explains
that Òpolar bears are wild creatures, and they are not easily
frightened. They are curious, and therefore they are dangerous.Ó[15]
In my own life, I am intrigued by many theories, concepts, and experiences, but
I often dismiss my curiosities in fear of losing track of an end-goal or doing
harm to my physical self. I must learn from the polar bear and recognize the
strength within me and engage my curiosities, rather than being held back by
fear. At the same time, I must recognize that I do not have the physical build
of a massive polar bear, necessitating that I develop a better understanding of
my limits.
The
polar bear demonstrates incredible determination and is proactive in carrying
out actions that will fulfill her desires. In fact, Òthere are stories of bears
showing remarkable foresight during a hunt. Seeing a seal on an ice floe, a
bear was observed turning its back and lowering itself, one hind leg at a time,
into the water in order to avoid making a splash and alarming the seal.Ó[16]
The
patient and thoughtful strategies that the polar bear utilizes in her quest for
survival will serve as a template for my own actions; I can learn to be patient
in stages of planning, rather than acting immediately on my impulses.
The
totem of the polar bear has long held me close in my own embrace. In my childhood, I often sought the
protection of the polar bear when I didnÕt feel safe in the world around me.
For years, I slept with a white polar bear at my side, sharing with her all of
my secrets and hugging her until her fur lost its softness and turned yellow,
just as a real polar bearÕs might. A polar bearÕs whispers tell me that I am
strong and brave, and I listen. I aspire to inspire, as the polar bear does. To
be the protector, but like the polar bear cub, to learn to allow myself to be
protected sometimes. I must embrace the environment in which I live and
constantly show appreciation for the beauty of my life.
I
am grateful for the essence of the polar bear that resides within me. For the
energy and grace that is contained within two layers of fur and packed into my
heart, warming me. Thank you, polar bear, for your teachings, for sharing with
me the insight that all creatures on Earth can sense the same feelings that I
experience; I can connect with them and gain understandings of myself through
these connections. The idyllic image of polar bears, walking in solitude and
then in solidarity will remain in my deep consciousness. Always present in this
moment. In this breath. Polar bear, I see myself in
you.
Word Count: 1,900 with quotes
1,653 without quotes