Bear

A 'Bear' represents a strong, powerful mental habit. Animals in dreams represent habitual thoughts -- thoughts that are so ingrained in our minds that we do not consciously choose to think them. They just keep entering our mind automatically. The type of animal gives insight into the nature of the habitual thought. A bear is large, powerful, and can be both nurturing and dangerous. Bears hibernate for months and emerge with tremendous force. This reflects a habitual thought pattern that may have been dormant but carries enormous power when it surfaces. Consider the qualities of a bear: strength, protectiveness, solitude, and the ability to be ferocious when provoked. When a bear appears in your dream, you want to examine your most powerful habitual thought patterns. Is this a protective habitual thought, like a mother bear guarding her cubs? Or is it an aggressive thought pattern that is creating destruction in your life? Was the bear calm or was it chasing you? If it was chasing you, it represents a powerful habitual thought that you are running from rather than facing and addressing. To transform a strong mental habit, you must first become aware of it. Practice concentration daily to increase your ability to observe your thoughts. Once you can see the habitual thought clearly, you can begin the work of consciously replacing it with a new, productive thought pattern.