Oneness: A Universal Truth

I’ve heard incredible stories over the years—tales of conflict, defeat, triumph, and resilience. But recently, I came across one that has stayed with me. John Diaz shared his experience of surviving Singapore Airlines Flight 006, a tragedy in which 83 people lost their lives in the flames, while 95, including John, survived. Now living with daily physical pain and relying on a walker, John’s life has changed profoundly. Despite his injuries, he describes feeling more alive than ever, transformed by the events he endured.

John recounted the harrowing scene: “The inside of the plane looked like Dante’s Inferno, with people strapped to their seats, just burning. It seemed like an aura was leaving their bodies—some brighter than others. I thought the brightness and dimness of the auras reflected how one lives one’s life.” This moment left a lasting impression on him, reshaping his outlook on life and mortality.

John’s experience of witnessing what he described as energy or light leaving bodies made him more empathetic. While he stops short of calling his survival a miracle, he now lives with a newfound sense of purpose. “I want to live my life so my aura, when it leaves, is very bright,” he said. His story offers a profound reminder of the fleeting yet powerful nature of our existence.

At the moment of physical death, we shed the ego and human brain, gaining what many describe as a 360-degree perspective. From this vantage point, the “bigger picture” becomes clear, and we understand that all is ultimately well. Mortality, often viewed with fear and avoidance, becomes a doorway to something far greater. Yet many of us shy away from discussing it, leaving our loved ones unprepared for the inevitable.

My mother passed away suddenly at 54 when I was just 19, and I’ve come to see how avoiding conversations about death can be a disservice to our families. By addressing mortality openly, we can provide clarity and comfort for those we love, especially our children, who will one day face this transition themselves.

The human body is composed of six primary elements: oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, calcium, and phosphorus. These elements connect us to the natural cycles of the Earth. Oxygen, for instance, circulates through plants and animals, returning to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide during respiration. This CO2 is absorbed by plants during photosynthesis, completing an elegant and continuous cycle.

Nitrogen, the most abundant element in the atmosphere, is another vital part of life. It moves through soil, plants, water, and air, serving as a building block of DNA, the foundation of our genetic makeup. This same nitrogen supports plant growth, which in turn sustains the food we eat. The interconnectedness of these elements reminds us that life and death are part of a harmonious cycle, linking all living beings to the larger rhythm of existence.