Of all the animals I want to study in the wild, even live with, primates would be my top subject. Observe, learn, and unlike a true science researcher, I'd interact with them, involving myself in the never-ending business of staying alive. Because in learning what it's like to be one of them, I will understand more what it means to be human.
One of the greatest gifts I have ever received is the knowledge of evolution. This precious gift of understanding our history, the heritage of all life is beyond astounding. Mind-expanding is not enough. There can be no words to convey what I feel. (cue Jodi Foster's line from Contact: "They should have sent a poet!") youtube.com/watch?v=m_BYTZVmDHk
Primal reverence? The word 'spirituality' doesn't cut it. There's too much confusion tied up in that word, mainly the implication of a creator-deity that is all love, all wisdom. The bullshit is strong with this one, for not only are we products of evolution, we're victims of evolution as well. But I digress.
In the process of bonding with them my connection to our shared ancestor of 7 million years ago will be deepened immeasurably. I mean, if my cats can inform me about our shared psychology, this African sabbatical I'm fantasizing about going on would be nothing short of Enlightenment.
I'm going to write more on this later.