Tag: spirituality

Posted on

The Easter Connection: Death, Resurrection, and Transcendence

By Donnie Yance

“There isn’t anything about a caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.” 

                                                 –Buckminster Fuller

The parallels between near-death experiences (NDEs) and the core narrative of Easter in Christian theology are both striking and profound. Easter commemorates Christ’s resurrection—the ultimate transition from death to new life—which resonates deeply with NDE accounts. Many experiencers report feelings of transcendence, encounters with a loving presence, and a sense of passing through darkness into brilliant light, mirroring the Passion and Resurrection story central to Christian faith.

Continue reading “The Easter Connection: Death, Resurrection, and Transcendence”
Posted on

The Art of Living: Finding Balance in a Fragmented World

by Donnie Yance

In our hyper-connected yet somehow disconnected modern world, many of us find ourselves longing for something deeper—a sense of wholeness that transcends the fragmentation of daily life. We seek not just physical health, but a harmonious existence that nourishes body, mind, and spirit equally. This integration isn’t just a luxury; it’s increasingly becoming essential for navigating our complex lives with grace and purpose.

The Forgotten Wisdom of Wholeness

Ancient healing traditions from around the world share a common understanding: true wellness emerges when we honor the interconnectedness of our physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. From Traditional Chinese Medicine’s concept of qi balance to Franciscan spirituality’s reverence for natural harmony, these wisdom traditions remind us that fragmentation leads to suffering, while integration leads to flourishing.

The Latin root of the word “health” is salvus, which is also the root of “salvation”—suggesting that true healing involves both physical restoration and spiritual wholeness. Similarly, the words “health,” “whole,” and “holy” share linguistic origins, pointing to an ancient understanding that true wellness encompasses far more than the mere absence of disease.

Continue reading “The Art of Living: Finding Balance in a Fragmented World”
Posted on

Christmas and Chanukah: A Light Shining in The Darkness

Imagine a world without light. I know it can be really hard, right? Without this fundamental element there would be no sight, no plants, no animals, no life; just a cold, dark, lifeless, void. The Christmas season is the time to contemplate the birth of The Light of the World, and the Chanukah season is a celebration of miraculous Divine Light. 

As Christ said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12)  

Light is fundamental to both spirituality and science, and the concept of plasma is a bridge to understanding this critical source of light that fills the cosmos.  

Continue reading “Christmas and Chanukah: A Light Shining in The Darkness”
Posted on

The Significance of Optimism, Hope, and Kindness Over Medications

Unlocking Happiness, Cardiovascular Health, and Longevity

God is not found in the soul by adding anything, but by a process of subtraction.
Meister Eckhart, sermon on Romans 8:18

While the United Nations and most scientists consider any age beyond 60 as old age, it’s important to recognize that aging varies for each person. Some individuals may feel elderly and frail at 60, while others are still vibrant and healthy. Numerous factors influence the pace of aging – some accelerate it, while others decelerate it.

The global population of individuals aged 65 and older is increasing at a faster rate compared to other age groups. Based on data from the 2019 Revision of the World Population Prospects, it is projected that by the year 2050, approximately one in six people around the world will be aged 65 or above (16%), which is an increase from the ratio of one in eleven observed in 2019 (9%).[1]

Continue reading “The Significance of Optimism, Hope, and Kindness Over Medications”
Posted on

In Death and Grief We Find Love

Reflections for Easter, Passover, and Spring

By Donnie Yance

Man looking at the horizon

Just before Christmas, I lost my youngest sister Gi Gi, to a sudden accident. She was in a coma for several weeks prior to her transition. As my sister hovered between life and death, I found myself in a deep state of grief and reflection.  A reflection on birth, life, death, and the embracing of the great mystery. I choose to call the great mystery Love, or, better stated, Agape Love. 

Continue reading “In Death and Grief We Find Love“
Posted on

Searching for Happiness and Peace

Searching for happiness and peace has to do with our connectedness to ourselves, those around us, and to our universe.

“Many of us feel disconnected by difficult times, longing for ways to awaken God’s love in ourselves and the world,” Richard Rohr, a Franciscan priest, has written in his book The Universal Christ, “The reality we face is simple yet difficult—the healing of the world hinges upon honoring the inherent sacredness of the world and everyone in it.”

Continue reading “Searching for Happiness and Peace”