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

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

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