John R. Yungblut

Photo: Sarah Huntington
While a student at Harvard, John Yungblut asked his favorite preacher what was universal in religion? Where would he find it? Rufus Jones answered, “For that, my son, you must study the mystics.”

John was a lifelong student of the mystical approach to religious experience and of the ideas of C. G. Jung and Teilhard de Chardin. He aspired to be an advocate for the mystical heritage in Christianity, up-dated by Jung’s myth of the psyche and Teilhard’s myth of cosmogenesis, a universe still being born.
John served in the Episcopal ministry for 20 years before becoming a member of the Religious Society of Friends.  He then served successively as Program Director of Quaker House, Atlanta; Director of International Student House, Washington, DC; Director of Studies at Pendle Hill, Wallingford, PA; and Director of the Guild for Spiritual Guidance, Rye, NY.
In 1978 John founded Touchstone, Inc. with the vision of quickening the aspirations and longings in individuals who pursue the inward journey to the Self, God within.  He led many retreats, touched many lives as a spiritual guide, counselor and mentor, and authored five books and seven pamphlets.  John died of cancer in 1995.
 "To have read John Yungblut's words is to have been enriched. To have felt the gentleness and kindness of his presence is to have been blessed."
- Charlie Finn in Virginia 
"I remember John as a jewel of a man with much depth and intelligence. I so enjoyed working with him and being with him."
- Father Joe in Westerly, Rhode Island
Hallowed Ground
Charlie Finn

Hallowed ground becomes more hallowed
with the spreading of ashes received today
of a father who both mentored my spirit
and called me his friend.
They will dissolve in the fervent Earth
within the touchstone of my stone-circle
where I am joined by all my ancestors  
when we greet the rising sun.

Books

Pamphlets