Research findings and clinical experience increasingly reveal that spiritual factors have a significant part to play in recovery from illness. Launched in December 1997 at the Royal College of Physicians, London, the Foundation’s premise is that better understanding of these factors can benefit both patient and practitioner by promoting healing, reducing stress and staff fatigue and raising morale.
The Foundation’s original primary objective was to support the work of the Global Hospital and Research Centre (GHRC) in Mt Abu, India. The hospital is pioneering a healthcare model which combines the best of modern medicine with complementary approaches and spirituality. It provides essential services in an area where there is an acute shortage of healthcare – free consultation to all, while those unable to pay (three fifths of the total) also receive free treatment. The hospital website www.ghrc-abu.com gives further details including ongoing projects and new services.
The Foundation continues to provide extensive support for this work. Under the guidance of Dadi Janki, its President, it also extended its remit to include values-based educational initiatives within the healthcare sector worldwide. In September 2004 it launched Values in Healthcare: a spiritual approach, a personal and team development programme for healthcare practitioners now used in more than 30 countries.
The Foundation also publishes information leaflets, books and CDs, and small booklets to support healing and wellbeing. See section on “Publications“.