Few names resonate with such profound respect and admiration as Dr. Jane Goodall, a woman whose life was a testament to unwavering dedication and a deep connection to the natural world. Her passing on October 1st, marked by a moving memorial service at the National Cathedral, leaves a void felt globally.
Beyond her celebrated work with chimpanzees and the institutions she built – the Jane Goodall Institute and the expansive Roots & Shoots program empowering youth in over seventy countries – lay a profound and personal faith. A conversation with her earlier this year, just months before her death, revealed a spirituality that was both deeply rooted and remarkably inclusive.
Raised within the Anglican tradition, Dr. Jane’s belief wasn’t confined by dogma. She embraced the idea that faith takes different forms depending on circumstance, stating she would have embraced Islam had she been born in Egypt. For her, God wasn’t a distant concept, but a tangible presence, “as real to me as the wind that rustled through our garden.”
Her early spiritual life was marked by diligent study of scripture. She meticulously collected favorite verses, storing them in a cherished “Bible Box” for daily inspiration. Among them, the powerful call to unwavering commitment: “He who has once set his hand to the plough and looketh back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven.”
A pivotal moment arrived during a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. While listening to Bach, she experienced a profound sense of “mystical ecstasy,” a conviction that a powerful spiritual force – God – permeated the universe. This wasn’t merely intellectual assent; it was a “call to action,” a divine prompting that shaped her life’s purpose.
Throughout her extraordinary life, Dr. Jane consistently drew strength from her faith. She often quoted the Apostle Paul, acknowledging that her relentless schedule was only manageable through a deep belief in the power that sustains all life. Her approach to challenging conversations was equally insightful: listen with an open heart, seeking connection rather than confrontation.
Perhaps the most striking revelation came when discussing death. Dr. Jane confessed she held no fear, viewing it not as an ending, but as a transition – “perhaps, more like the beginning.” She embraced the unknown with anticipation, calling it “the most exciting adventure ever!”
Even in her final weeks, Dr. Jane’s faith remained a beacon. A handwritten note to a friend concluded with a simple yet powerful plea: “Pray! To the Great Spiritual Force of the Universe, whom we know to be God.”
Her legacy isn’t simply a chapter in history, but a continuing call to action. Dr. Jane Goodall’s life inspires us to live with purpose, to illuminate the world with kindness, and to face the ultimate unknown not with dread, but with hopeful expectation.
