Honoring Jane Goodall: Awakening Our Sacred Connection with All Life
by Julie Russell, RN, LRMT, CHt – Reiki Verde Valley
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
— Jane Goodall
This month, I felt deeply moved watching the extraordinary interview Dr. Jane Goodall recorded to be shown after her passing, now streaming on Netflix in the documentary section. In this final message, she reflects on her life’s work — and offers one last plea for humanity to awaken to the fragile beauty of our planet and the suffering of its creatures.
Her quiet strength, humility, and unwavering devotion to all living beings have shaped generations of environmental stewards — and profoundly influenced my own path as a Reiki practitioner and teacher. Jane’s voice still echoes with urgency and grace: “We must remember that we are part of nature — not separate from it.”
Through the Sacred Mirror, I see that Jane’s message is also Reiki’s message. Both remind us that life force energy flows through every tree, every wing, every heartbeat. When we reconnect with that current, we remember who we truly are — caretakers, not conquerors.
Honoring Jane’s Legacy through Reiki Practice
Each time we channel Reiki, we have an opportunity to restore harmony between humanity and the natural world. Here are a few ways we can align our practice with Jane’s message:
- Earth Healing Meditation – Sit outdoors or near a window. Place your hands on your heart and the Earth (or a plant) and invite Reiki to flow through you into the planet. “I offer peace, love, and renewal to the Earth and all her children.”
- Animal Reiki Offerings – Send Reiki to wildlife sanctuaries, endangered species, or your own animal companions. Visualize the energy creating balance within ecosystems that have been disturbed.
- Distance Reiki for Global Healing – Once a week, dedicate your session to environmental harmony — oceans, forests, and the collective consciousness of humanity awakening to compassion.
- Teaching and Mentoring – Encourage your Reiki students and clients to include “Earth and Animal Reiki” in their daily self-care or healing circles.
Simple Life Changes that Honor Her Work
Jane often reminded us that small acts multiplied by millions of people can transform the world. Here are gentle lifestyle shifts inspired by her wisdom — and deepened by Reiki awareness:
- Choose sustainable products: biodegradable cleaning supplies, refillable containers, and non-plastic alternatives whenever possible.
- Support cruelty-free and eco-conscious brands: look for “Leaping Bunny,” “Certified B Corp,” or “Fair Trade.”
- Consider eating fewer animal products — or none at all. Educate yourself on the reality of factory farming, including not only the suffering of animals but also the inhumane conditions faced by the workers asked to perform these painful tasks. Be aware that everything holds the energy it has been exposed to. When animals live in fear and constant stress, that vibration imprints within their flesh — and when we consume it, we take that energy into our own bodies. Reiki invites us to bring consciousness, compassion, and gratitude to every choice we make about what we eat and how it is sourced.
- Plant native species in your garden to support pollinators and local ecosystems.
- Compost and recycle mindfully, turning waste into renewal.
- Buy less, love longer: repair, repurpose, or share rather than replace.
Organizations that Carry Jane’s Torch
- The Jane Goodall Institute (janegoodall.org): Continues her work in conservation, education, and youth empowerment.
- Roots & Shoots: Her youth-led program inspiring compassionate action for people, animals, and the environment.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Protecting endangered species and habitats globally.
- Best Friends Animal Society: Working toward a no-kill nation for shelter animals.
- Rainforest Alliance: Supporting sustainable agriculture and forest protection.
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals): Advocating for animal rights and exposing the suffering behind industries that exploit animals for food, clothing, and entertainment.
A Closing Reflection through the Sacred Mirror
As I watched Jane’s final message, I felt her spirit reflecting through the Sacred Mirror — a mirror that lives within us all. It asked: “Will you remember that the Earth breathes with you?”
Each of us has a role in this great healing. Reiki gives us the language of light to communicate beyond words, to honor life not through fear, but through love.
Let us dedicate our November Reiki practice to Jane’s memory — offering energy to the planet, the animals, and to the awakening of human hearts everywhere.
“Only if we understand, can we care.
Only if we care, will we help.
Only if we help, shall all be saved.”
— Dr. Jane Goodall
