The Illuminated Heart

In this book, Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong distill a lifetime’s investigation of the theory and practice of Western psychology and classical Chinese philosophy and medicine. They trace the personalities and ideas from East and West that have influenced their own lives and their work with people in North America, Asia and around the globe. In so doing, they describe their vision of a world in which people can learn to appreciate diversity and experience the fullness of contact, understanding and empathy.

In this book, Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong distill a lifetime’s investigation of the theory and practice of Western psychology and classical Chinese philosophy and medicine. They trace the personalities and ideas from East and West that have influenced their own lives and their work with people in North America, Asia and around the globe. In so doing, they describe their vision of a world in which people can learn to appreciate diversity and experience the fullness of contact, understanding and empathy. Jock McKeen and Bennet Wong, founders of The Haven Institute in British Columbia, Canada, write: "The ancient Chinese believed that the root of an individual’s heart reaches to the depths of the universe. When one looks inward and finds genuine personal response, then shares this with another, a spiritual communication is possible. Each person has access to the beauty and music of the universe, which can be shared with others. This reminds us of the line from Les Misérables, 'To love another person is to see the face of God.'” The Illuminated Heart will inspire you to discover this truth for yourself.

Bennet Wong MD, FRCP(c), DLitt received his psychiatric training at the Menninger School of Psychiatry. Jock McKeen MD, LicAc(UK), DLitt studied at the College of Chinese Acupuncture, Oxford, England. In 1983 they founded The Haven Institute. In over 40 years of professional association together, they have presented at conferences and workshops around the world. They have travelled and taught extensively in Asia and Europe, as well as Russia, Africa and South America. They bring an ease with cross-cultural approaches to their work and as consultants to many agencies, corporations and groups, they have a wide experience in working with people in a variety of contexts. They have derived the core of their approach from the intense investigation of their own relationship, as well as their experiences with their clients. In their unique, personable way, they create an atmosphere of intimacy and trust in which each person is able to transform in his or her own fashion. In 2004, The Haven Foundation was established, a federally recognized Canadian non-profit charity. Wong and McKeen and their three sons passed the ownership of The Haven Institute into The Haven Foundation so that the facility and their work could continue in perpetuity. Both men are now Emeritus Faculty of The Haven Institute. In 2012, they were awarded honorary doctorates by Vancouver Island University.