What are the causes of Cole's changes?

The spirit bear really beat Cole up the first time around. Cole had been aggressive to the bear trying to scare it away. Cole was being his same old controlling self. The Spirit Bear is supposed to be a reflection of Cole's own spirit. Cole was stripped of all pretense and ego when the bear nearly killed him. The second time around on the island, Cole is more self-aware: he has let much of his anger go. Cole wants to see his Spirit Bear but without all his negative energy. He wants to see the reflection of his inner change in his bear. Cole begins to take responsibility for his actions and feels the need to atone for his sins.