In an article about Asian men who train eagles for hunting, Stephen Kinzer writes:

The capture, taming, training, and keeping of eagles is highly ritualized. Most of the birds, which have a life span of about 40 years, are caught when very young—either snatched from a nest or trapped in a baited net. Once captured, the eagle is hooded and placed in a cage with a perch that sways constantly, so it cannot rest or sleep. For two or three days it is also deprived of food. During this time, the berkutchi, as an eagle hunter is called, talks, sings and chants to it for hours on end. Finally he begins to feed and stroke it. Slowly the weakened creature comes to rely on its master. When the berkutchi decides that their relationship has become strong enough, the training begins…. Not all eagles can be trained, but those who take to life with a master display intense loyalty.

While the training and breaking of the eagle may seem harsh, it is a picture of how over time God breaks our independent spirit to draw us close to him.