The Snow Bear (A Mindfulness Parable for Kids)

The story of The Snow Bear guides children on a journey to find ways of working with difficult emotions, such as anxiety and fear, using mindfulness.

The Snow Bear is particularly suited for times of great social and environmental change to help children find a place of fearlessness. Based on observations from nature and wisdom millennia old, the story within works with animal archetypes exemplifying characteristics of modern times that the protagonist, Barry Bartholomew, has to overcome. Barry seeks the wisdom of the forest community himself and from the wise Snow Bear. The Snow Bear helps Barry overcome his anxiety and fear of an impending forest fire using lessons on mindfulness and the wisdom of the natural world. As the lessons come to a natural end, Barry’s solidity is tested by a fire that has overcome the forest. He works with the various psychologies of each species in the forest community to help them “cross to the other shore”—an allegory for finding complete freedom within oneself.