Chimpanzee: Living in Harmony

Understanding the qualities of chimpanzees can give us a different perspective of our own place on this planet. The work of Jane Goodall and other researchers have given us a deeper appreciation for the strong intelligence of these animals.

They are tool makers, using what is available to accomplish tasks. They are able to eat fruit containing poisonous seeds without crushing those seeds. They also treat themselves with medicinal herbs.

Chimpanzees are also emotionally complex animals, exhibiting almost as wide a range of feelings as humans. I once saw a documentary about a chimp in a research station who expressed anger through vocalization and sign language because one of her human companions had been away for a few days. When the woman explained that she'd had a miscarriage, the chimp drew a line down her face indicating tears.

When the details of modern life perplex us, it can be helpful to remind ourselves that every complexity in contemporary life is a human creation. We can always choose to simplify our lives. The medicine of the chimpanzee can help restore to us the simple ways of life that create joy.

Chimpanzees can teach us another very important lesson. So often, we as humans consider ourselves to be the masters of the physical world, greatly superior to all other creatures. The great intelligence and emotional range of the big apes, dolphins, elephants, and other animals, can gently put us in our place. From a less self-important perspective, we can come to appreciate the unique gifts of every being inhabiting this planet and experience ourselves not as apart from the natural community but in harmony with all of life.

Chimpanzee is one of the Wild Earth Animal Essences