When life gives you perspective, share it. Born in Honolulu in 1937, Aunty June Naughton reflects on her lifelong spiritual journey to uncover what really matters. We get into some BIG questions about awe and love in this philosophical and honest episode. In her words, it all comes down to love: "Nothing is as important to who we are and what we are; it is the relationships we form with ourselves, with our God and with one another that are truly important." Aunty June shares about growing up in a Chinese neighborhood near Punahou, Oʻahu in the 1940s after the attack on Pearl Harbor, rollerskating through Maryknoll School's chapel and having an innate, childlike interest in Catholicism as an elementary student. She describes the power of expansive presence through Buddhist meditation as well as her internal struggles to answer questions about human existence. Is there a higher power - if so, then what? If not, then what? We follow her life path as she discerned the Catholic sisterhood, moved to New York to become a teacher and finally returned to Honolulu to work with international students at the University of Hawaiʻi. We are grateful to Aunty June for sharing her unfiltered reflections as she embraces her own spiritual journey in the wake of health challenges. We hope this conversation can be a catalyst for pondering. It is not intended to be prescriptive about what to think or believe, but rather document one individual's journey into love for life. Mahalo for listening. Episode Highlights 0:23 Reflection on a lifetime of exploring spirituality 2:05 Born in 1937 in Honolulu 2:31 A love letter 4:27 Am I going to surrender? 5:49 Who is God? 7:10 Fighting doubt 7:40 Community is a reminder that we are trying and evolving 8:50 The power of silence (practicing Buddhist meditation since the 1970s) 11:05 Awe: Transitioning into the final years 13:02 Growing up in the 1940s in a Chinese immigrant community 15:06 Attending Maryknoll School; rollerskating in the church 16:01 Wanting to be a Catholic at age 6 17:37 We are all called to be mystics (called to experience God in a special way) 18:26 Awe and aliveness 20:14 "Just This" by Richard Rohr, learning to be open 21:21 Did Jesus know about quantum physics? Knowing vs. Being 23:34 Young adulthood - considering becoming a nun 24:37 Trying to figure it out: Is there a God or not? 25:27 Studying and working in New York 26:18 Moving back to Hawaiʻi to work with international students at the University of Hawaiʻi; sharing the spirituality of love with students to help them cross barriers 27:40 Encouraging students on their own spiritual journey grounded in their home culture 30:45 Grafetulness 32:02 Facing fear 33:24 Gratitude vibrates at a higher vibration 34:26 Love is the most important thing there is 36:01 Talking about spirituality is part of our growth 36:23 The word "love" is tiny, the feeling of love is expansive 36:45 Everyone's spiritual experience is different Show Art Photo Credit: June Naughton
When life gives you perspective, share it. Born in Honolulu in 1937, Aunty June Naughton reflects on her lifelong spiritual journey to uncover what really matters. We get into some BIG questions about awe and purpose in this philosophical and honest episode. In her words, it all comes down to love: "Nothing is as important to who we are and what we are; it is the relationships we form with ourselves, with our God and with one another that are truly important." Aunty June shares about growing up in a Chinese neighborhood near Punahou, Oʻahu in the 1940s after the attack on Pearl Harbor, rollerskating through Maryknoll School's chapel and having an innate, childlike interest in Catholicism as an elementary student. She describes the power of expansive presence through Buddhist meditation as well as her internal struggles to answer questions about human existence. Is there a higher power - if so, then what? If not, then what? We follow her life path as she discerned the Catholic sisterhood, moved to New York to become a teacher and finally returned to Honolulu to work with international students at the University of Hawaiʻi. We are grateful to Aunty June for sharing her unfiltered reflections as she embraces her own spiritual journey in the wake of health challenges. We hope this conversation can be a catalyst for pondering. It is not intended to be prescriptive about what to think or believe, but rather document one individual's journey into love for life. Mahalo for listening.
Episode Highlights
0:23 Reflection on a lifetime of exploring spirituality
2:05 Born in 1937 in Honolulu
2:31 A love letter
4:27 Am I going to surrender?
5:49 Who is God?
7:10 Fighting doubt
7:40 Community is a reminder that we are trying and evolving
8:50 The power of silence (practicing Buddhist meditation since the 1970s)
11:05 Awe: Transitioning into the final years
13:02 Growing up in the 1940s in a Chinese immigrant community
15:06 Attending Maryknoll School; rollerskating in the church
16:01 Wanting to be a Catholic at age 6
17:37 We are all called to be mystics (called to experience God in a special way)
18:26 Awe and aliveness
20:14 "Just This" by Richard Rohr, learning to be open
21:21 Did Jesus know about quantum physics? Knowing vs. Being
23:34 Young adulthood - considering becoming a nun
24:37 Trying to figure it out: Is there a God or not?
25:27 Studying and working in New York
26:18 Moving back to Hawaiʻi to work with international students at the University of Hawaiʻi; sharing the spirituality of love with students to help them cross barriers
27:40 Encouraging students on their own spiritual journey grounded in their home culture
30:45 Grafetulness
32:02 Facing fear
33:24 Gratitude vibrates at a higher vibration
34:26 Love is the most important thing there is
36:01 Talking about spirituality is part of our growth
36:23 The word "love" is tiny, the feeling of love is expansive
36:45 Everyone's spiritual experience is different
Show Art Photo Credit: Molly Mamaril