Circa 1982-3: A friend wanted to go to ‘something’ at a beachfront mansion and did not want to go alone so I went with her.  It turns out there was a speaker, J-R, “Whoever that is?” I thought, but I stayed and listened.  At the end of his speaking it was announced not to touch J-R, give him space.  He got up, walked directly to me and asked me if I would like a hug! Now you all know that caused a huge stir in the energy around us.  I recall saying, “Of course, but they said not to touch you.” He just smiled and in the hug he whispered, “Let’s not worry about them, it’s all perfect,” and a few other short sweet sentences making the hug, in my memory, a very long one.

That was the first of many hugs and encounters I experienced from and with J-R before I ever even started Discourses or knew about MSIA.  Until much later, say 1984-5, I still didn’t know who he was but I knew he felt like someone from my spiritual hometown and I knew I had ‘found my way home’ as my ministerial blessing so aptly expresses.

Thank you J-R

From my loving heart,

Joy Orevik