The moment our eyes met, time dissolved. A silverback elder, his gaze steady and knowing, looked directly into me—not at me, but into me. In that instant, the ancient veil between species seemed to thin. There was no language, no barrier, only recognition. I saw wisdom, curiosity, and something profoundly familiar. Was it an ancestor’s spirit? A mirror of my own being? Or simply the unspoken truth that we are deeply, inextricably connected?
The Journey Within the Journey
Long before I stepped onto the misty trails in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, my true journey began – a journey of intention, awareness, and spiritual preparation. Meeting the gorillas was not just an item to check off my bucket list; it was an invitation to enter sacred space, to be fully present for an encounter that has the power to shift something deep within.
In the days leading up to the trek, I set an intention – not just to see the gorillas, but to truly meet them. To meet them as equals, as fellow beings on this planet, as wisdom keepers with their own stories, their own presence, their own right to be. I quieted my mind through meditation, visualizing the moment of first contact, setting the expectation that I would not be a mere observer but a participant in an unspoken dialogue of respect and connection.
The hike itself became a practice in mindfulness. Each step through the ancient forest was a lesson in patience, a shedding of the distractions of everyday life. The rhythm of breath, the feel of the earth beneath my feet, the scent of damp foliage – all of it drew me deeper into presence, patience, and reverence. The physical exertion was not just a challenge to overcome but a gateway to awareness. With each climb and descent, I was reminded to stay in the moment, to be grateful for the privilege of walking through this living cathedral of green.
As I drew closer, I reminded myself: Do not miss the moment. It is easy to let the mind race ahead, to anticipate, to worry about the perfect photograph, to be consumed by the idea of the experience rather than the experience itself. But the forest asks for something different. It asks for stillness. It asks for presence. It asks for reverence.
I released expectations, knowing that whatever unfolded would be exactly as it was meant to be. The only thing required of me was to be there – fully, openly, humbly. I was stepping into the home of the gorillas, into their sacred space. And as I prepared to meet them, I also prepared to meet a deeper part of myself – the part that remembers how to listen, how to see, how to simply be in the presence of something greater than myself.
Ancestral Echoes
Sitting among the gorillas, the familiarity was undeniable. A mother cradled her infant, rocking instinctively. Young ones tumbled in playful mischief. The silverback, a quiet yet commanding presence, watched over his family with a sense of duty not unlike human fathers. In their gestures, I recognized love, conflict, curiosity, and comfort. The humbling truth of our shared lineage pressed against my chest—98% of our DNA intertwined, carrying whispers of a story millions of years old.
Sacred Reciprocity
This experience is not just a privilege; it is a responsibility. These majestic beings exist on the brink, their survival intertwined with human choices. Local communities, conservationists, and indigenous wisdom keepers hold the delicate balance between preservation and exploitation. To witness gorillas in their natural habitat is to inherit a duty—to protect, support, and advocate for the lands and lives that sustain them. Reciprocity is the sacred contract of such encounters: we are given the gift of connection, and in return, we must become guardians.
Beyond the Tourist Gaze
As a wildlife photographer, I have learned the difference between watching and witnessing. A camera can capture an image, but presence captures essence. It is tempting to see the world through a lens, yet true connection happens when we put the camera down. In those moments, when we shift from observer to participant, we truly see.
The Medicine of Connection
Gorillas teach us what it means to be. They exist in a state of pure presence, unburdened by the distractions of the modern mind. There is no rush, no pretense—only the authenticity of the moment. They communicate in glances, in gestures, in subtle shifts of energy. We, too, can remember this language, the unspoken dialogue of trust and understanding that transcends words.
Yet, the encounter goes beyond observation; it is an exchange, a deepening of what it means to connect across species. Sitting in silence among these magnificent beings, something shifts inside. Their slow, deliberate movements mirror the rhythms of the natural world – unhurried, intentional, attuned. The stress, the urgency, the worries we carry begin to dissolve in their presence. They remind us that we, too, are part of something vast and ancient, something that does not demand but simply is.
There is a profound healing in this connection. The simple act of being near another intelligent, sentient being – one that does not judge, expect, or require us to be anything other than present – allows the nervous system to reset, the heart to open. Science has shown that spending time with animals, especially in the wild, reduces cortisol levels, lowers blood pressure, and enhances overall well-being. But beyond science, there is soul.
To lock eyes with a gorilla is to remember our own wildness, our own wholeness. It is a call back to the part of us that has never been separate from the Earth, that has always known how to belong. In that moment, there is no hierarchy, no dominance – just two beings, breathing the same air, sharing the same sacred space. This is the medicine of connection, the kind that lingers long after the forest fades from view, the kind that stays in the bones, whispering: Remember who you are.
Carrying the Wisdom Home
Leaving Bwindi, I knew I was not the same. The encounter left an imprint, not just in my memory, but in the way I now walk in the world. How do we honor such an experience? By slowing down. By listening more than we speak. By deepening our connection to nature, to each other, to ourselves. Gorilla wisdom is not just about the past – it is about the future we choose to create.
Are you ready to embark on a journey that will change the way you see the world – and yourself? Join me on the journey of a lifetime!
About the Author
Rev Karen Fry is the owner of Spirit Tours and a spiritual leader at CSLDallas. Rev Karen holds a Masters in Consciousness Studies from Holmes Institute from the Santa Rosa, CA Campus. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing & Sales from the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN where she graduated magna cum laude. She’s known for her enthusiasm, inspirational speaking, and prosperity consciousness as well as her wildlife photography.