I had no idea how significantly my life would change as a result of meeting Harvey Jackins. Two school friends invited me to an introductory lecture in 1970 in San Diego, California, USA. What Harvey said that night made lots more sense than much of what I was studying in graduate school, plus it fit my experience. When my friends started an RC class that month, I signed up. A year later I received my permission to teach.
Two memories of Harvey stand out in my mind:
At a week-long workshop at La Scherpa (in California) in the early 1970's, Harvey talked about the power of love in our lives and invited people to share about their "loveliest love." What followed was one of the most profound experiences I have ever had. People shared about loving their parents, their pets, their children and spouses, sweethearts and friends. As more people shared, the emotional discharge increased and the more clearly we felt our ability to receive and give love. I realized as never before how powerful love is and how it is truly our natural way to feel toward another human.
Several years later at another workshop, Harvey was counseling me on my relationship with my father. Standing with him in front of the room, I wept as I recounted a painful incident during which, at age thirty, I finally confronted my father and told him he could not order me around. I told Harvey that when I raised my voice my dad thought I was going to hit him and put his hands up to protect himself. I told how I reassured my dad that I had no intention of hitting him and how we both began to cry. At that point, Harvey shocked me by saying, "Think how much more you both would have cried if you hadhit him!" His words were so unexpected, I began laughing and crying twice as hard as before.
Thanks to Harvey and to the principles of RC, I have been able to contribute in a special way to my students, my family, and my community. I am grateful to Harvey for his love and for the clear vision he has left us of what is possible to accomplish.
Ray Charland
Santa Cruz, California,
USA