May 29, 2017
John Shields started his adult life in seminary and worked as a priest, but his view of life and spirituality all changed after hearing CIIS Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Professor Brian Swimme.
Mr. Shields became a spiritual cosmologist after attending a lecture of Dr. Swimme and later wrote in his own memoir The Priest Who Left His Religion in Pursuit of Cosmic Spirituality, "we come out of the universe to play a role in the unfolding of the universe".
Read more about Mr. Shields life and death in a fascinating article from the New York Times about physician-assisted suicide in Canada.
At His Own Wake, Celebrating Life and the Gift of Death
VICTORIA, British Columbia - Two days before he was scheduled to die, John Shields roused in his hospice bed with an unusual idea. He wanted to organize an Irish wake for himself. It would be old-fashioned with music and booze, except for one notable detail - he would be present.
