GENTLE TOUCH HEALING

Healing

Holistic

Health

Other

Catalyst - In 1997 I found myself being pulled in too many directions. At the same time as having to work full time for a living I was Chairman of 2 local Healing Centres for a large national healing organisation, and making many home visits. The end result was fatigue and exhaustion, with too many calls for my healing services, and not being able to help more people.

Free Healing - I believe that healing should be given freely to those in need. At the same time healers need to pay their way in life. So I set out to find a way to continue to give free healing, to help more people, and also to support other healers.

Birth - The idea came to me to see if we could create a new range of energy products to help others and at the same time bring in income to achieve our objectives. I invited some of my fellow healers, plus some friends, to work with me on the project.

Pyramid Products - After listing a range of media such as sound, vibration and colour that could be used for healing, it became clear that we needed to mirror the principles of healing itself - channelling healing energy in a protective environment. For centuries the healing power of the pyramid shape has been widely known so we started working with the pyramid shape as our initial media. We found this shape ideally suited - a balanced area of channelled flowing energy, which can help bring our own body back into balance. After two years of hard work we came up with a range of pyramid based energy tools.

Marketing - During the next few years we attended many Mind, Body and Spirit exhibitions throughout the UK to promote our range of products. Although well received, we found the production and marketing cost exceeded the income, but this experience did give us in depth knowledge of the importance of shape in relationship to healing energies.

Inspiration - During this time we went to visit the Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary in Shere, Surrey, where we had a very special healers day out. The Sanctuary is set in woodland with buildings with good healing energies, wonderful arrays of flowers and foliage, picnic area and part of the house converted into a shop selling healing related products. This inspired us to think about having our own Healing Centre and to build it in a pyramid shape to maximise the healing energies. In this way the building itself would became part of the healing process.

Need - For many years we have rented local halls and community rooms as Healing Centres, often with noisy neighbours playing loud music, line-dancing etc. Often not having anywhere for patients to speak to us in confidence, limited facilities; and having to move desks and chairs to make space for healing, often in cold and draughty venues.

If we were doctors or other health workers we would build ourselves purpose built surgeries or hospitals. As Healers we equally need purpose built Healing Centres where healers have the right tools and work environment for healing.

This type of Healing Centre would give us the ability to expand our healing services and help more people, and offer our healing services to a wider sectors of the general public.

Location - We are initially looking for suitable land to build a Healing Centre. Ideally near a main road for access, but also away from noise and disturbance. It could be useful to have a house on the land that could become our temporary Healing Centre while the Main Healing Centre is being developed and thereafter become the Caretaker's or key worker's accommodation.

Sustainable – It would be important to make the Centre as financially self-sustainable as possible and look to sell a range of healing and health related products as one source of income. The main source of income would probably, as at present, come from donations.

Working Together – I feel that the future of healthcare will be healthcare specialists working together to give patients a wide and full choice of options and treatments. We will be looking to invite doctors, nurses, complementary therapists, and counsellors to be part of the Healing Centre, working towards a Holistic approach to healthcare.
Healing Services – We currently have a good team of healers and are looking to expand our team over the next few years so that we have the Healing Services to move into the Centre. We are also looking to develop close links with complementary therapists.

Being part of the Community – It is important that the Healing Centre is part of the community offering a wide range of healing and health related services. Some sectors of the community will need assistance in coming to us (e.g. the elderly) so we would arrange transport to/from the Centre on a regular basis for the local community. Another sector are those retired who have time on their hands. We hope some of them would be pleased to volunteer their services with us to help those in need who attend the Centre.

Visitors - This type of project may be of interest to others who wish to see and visit the Centre. It would be important that this is controlled to ensure the right ambience is maintained. At the same time we would need to share the experience to inspire others and for sustainability. Perhaps we could have 5 days for healing and 2 days for visitors.

Planet Friendly – It would be very important that the land had good energy so that the Healing Centre become part of the landscape and was connected to the earth. The Centre would be ‘ecologically friendly’ and also ‘planet friendly’. Our ancestors knew much about the importance of the shape of buildings that protected the earth energy. We are looking to build a Healing Centre that will we hope help our ailing planet - see Appendix A for further explanation.

Architect – Some years ago I was fortunate to meet the architect Jon Allen who is now working with us on this project. Jon has a great deal of experience in the design of buildings for this type of project - using shapes and natural materials that are good for energy. Some years ago he was one of the architects who designed a hospital for the poor in India for the spiritual teacher and healer Sri Sathya Sai (Sai Baba) and worked for many years as a design manager for The Prince’s Foundation - see Appendix B for examples of Jon Allen's architectural work.

Future Generations – I set out to make Gentle Touch Healing an organisation to help as many people as possible and to leave future generations of healers a supportive healing organisation with a sustainable Holistic Healing Centre. I very much hope that this project becomes a reality and we can achieve our aims.

Ray Wilson – Founder.

2. Project Vision

“Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity”
Hippocrates, Precepts Greek physician (460 BC - 377 BC)

The vision for the project sees the creation of a building specially designed for healing and health promotion, founded upon the principles that healing should be free for those who need it (this fundamental principle is also a founding principle of the NHS – healthcare which is free at the point of delivery).

The design of the building will be based upon those principles and qualities that are healing-giving; and produce and support well-being. This will include siting the building in order to complement the natural qualities of the site topography, vegetation, micro climate, landscape forms and characteristics. The building itself will feature natural materials, use of colour, and geometrical proportions to create a harmonious and peacefully environment, encouraging healing processes within patients, and supporting the staff and practitioners in their work.

2.1. Creation of purpose design building for healing and health
Healers need to work within an area of space where the Patient and Healers auras are not intruding with others, otherwise negative energies can pass from one person to another. They also need for the Patient to be relaxed at all times so as not to block the healing. Having a purpose built building designed for healing and positive energy will enable the healers to give a higher quality of healing and also be able to work with other healthcare specialists to give the patient a better healthcare service.

2.2. Delivery Free Healing
The intention of the healer is very important and not charging for healing clearly states and defines our intent. It also makes healing available to all.

2.3. A tranquil setting of gardens, woodland and courtyard
In today’s hectic lifestyle stress is one of the major factors in causing illness. Having a tranquil and peaceful environment is important in respect of the healing process. Gardens will be designed for healing using colour and aromatics.

2.4. Holistic approach to health
A Holistic approach to health is important and we feel is very much the future of healthcare. Treatment plans could be used covering areas such as Alternative therapies, Counselling, creativity, diet, energy medicine, healing, regular exercise, self help and support groups, customised for each patients needs.

2.5. Multi practitioner working
Combining the knowledge and skills of many health practitioners will give the patient a full choice of options, and a better healthcare service. For practitioners having an insight into other practitioner’s skills would aid the understanding of the patient’s healthcare needs. We would look to exchange basic knowledge between practitioners.
2.6. Space for training, exchange and community use
It is important that the Healing Centre is part of the community and can offer a wide range of knowledge sharing in respect of health related subjects, bringing people together for general interest and the well being of the community. Having good training and seminar facilities would be useful for local community groups in addition to our own needs.

3. Project Outcome

We would like to achieve the following outcome from this project:

3.1. More time for Healing
If we had more time, we would have more healing time for each patient. In addition, we would have the time to help more people.¹
3.2. Better facilities for Healing
If we had better facilities for healing it would help us maintain a high quality of healing. In addition, having more healing rooms would enable us to increase the number of healers working in the Centre.²

3.3. Sharing Knowledge
We would look to encourage healers and therapists to share basic knowledge so that they can better understand the various therapies that could be offered to those in need.

3.4. Community healthcare service
Having other healthcare workers in the Centre would enable the community to have a one stop place for healthcare and give them a wider range of healthcare services.³ It would also enable us to offer healing to a more sectors of the community (e.g. the Elderly).

3.5. Holistic approach
An holistic approach to healthcare would bring together skills and knowledge that would enable more healthcare options, to help to give a better quality of life to those in need. ⁴

3.6. Nutrition and Exercise
We would look to grow a range of good organic and nutritious foods to use in our Café and also to sell these products in our shop.⁵ Gardening can be good for exercise and also be therapeutic and would encourage volunteers to help us with the gardening. We would also encourage exercise as part of the holistic approach to healing.

3.7. Sustainability
Being a sustainable Healing Centre would enable future generations of people to have these facilities available to them and not be a drain on other resources.

3.8. Ecological/Planet friendly
Being ecologically and planet friendly would help ensure that the Healing Centre did not take resources from our planet, but we hope would help to enhance the planet's resources.

3.9. Inspirational
We hope that this project will inspire others to create similar projects to help the general improvement of healthcare services.

Footnotes

1. Currently we give healing 1 evening per week. Expanding to 5 days/evenings per week would = 30 fold time increase.
2. Currently have 1 healing room, expanding to 7 healing rooms = 7 fold room space. Would need to increase our current
number of healers from 9 to approximately 40/50. (Currently there are 12,000 registered healers in the UK).
3. A comprehensive healthcare service would be offered to the community. In addition, a wide range of health related
services would be made available – e.g. Meditation, Relaxation techniques.
4. Holistic approach to include: Counselling, creativity, diet, healing and regular exercise.
5. A range of health related products will be grown on site, in addition to a range of healing plants.


Notes

This drawing is a conceptual site plan. When a site is chosen it will have a
profound influence on the layout of the Centre, which will be adjusted to suit.

(Concept drawing by Jon Allen – Architect)

4.1. The Site (Continued…)
The site will be chosen so that it will offer the appropriate balance of natural tranquillity and accessibility. Good public transport links will be essential, and the Centre plans to run a private pick up service. The natural setting will give a chance for Nature to lend a hand in restoring natural peace before visitors even enter the Healing Centre Building. The ground will also feature special gardens for healing herbs, aromatic plants, and colour display. A labyrinth will be laid for contemplative exercise. Woodland as well as open areas will offer opportunity for walking or just sitting. Fruits and vegetables will be grown organically for the Café kitchen. A site are of 6-8 hectares (15-20 acres) is being sought.

4.2. The Building
The building will be beautiful, naturally healing, and carbon neutral. The construction will include natural, local and reclaimed building materials, and all finishes will be chosen for their positive contribution to air quality (natural paints, finishes and fabrics). Daylight will be plentiful, with solar gain controlled. Works of art and planting will grace the interior spaces. Energy will be generated on site by a combination of solar panels and ground source heat pumps, or similar renewable technologies. Food will be grown on site, and woodland could be managed for bio-fuel if required.
In the centre of the building will be seven healing rooms, accessed through a central 'Reception ' and ' waiting area' fountain court entered through an archway. The area will be bathed in light from above, but separated from the surrounding waiting and circulation area by the walls of the healing rooms and the threshold of the central court. The healing rooms will be entered past a Reception and waiting area, acting both as guardian and greeter.

Around the healing rooms, and under the pyramidical roof, will be waiting areas and spaces for quiet conversation or reading: a lift and spiral staircase give access to the basement, which would feature a crystal cave together with additional function spacer and storage as required. Encircling the waiting area will be various support spaces, such as information and administration offices; donation room and wishing well; shop and café; rooms for doctors, nurses and other health practitioners; staff, seminar and training rooms; toilet and rest rooms.
The seminar and training spaces will be arranged so that local community groups can hold meetings and other functions. Providing linkage to other buildings on site, and to some of the garden areas, will be a covered walkway. All spaces will be carefully designed in order to cater for people with the full range of disabilities.

4.3. Concept Drawings

4.3.1. Geometric Design

Notes ¹
Open Space – to encourage free energy movement (Feng Shui).
Bagau – based on a ‘Bagau’ for good balance for healing rooms (Feng Shui).
Pyramid - 6 sided – attracts and enhances energy (Heart Chakra & Sacred Geometry).
East Entrance – encourages energy to enter Healing Centre (Feng Shui).
Egg of Life – relates to ‘stem cells’ - in essence the creation of life.
Hexagon – brings outer room shape in line with six-sided pyramid shape.
North Direction – enhances energy within six-sided pyramid.

(Concept drawing by Jon Allen – Architect)
Footnotes

1 = please see Appendix A for explanation of the Planet Friendly building design

4.3.2. Healing Centre Plan View


Notes
Healing Rooms – equipped with treatment couches, chairs and washbasins. Opened at one end with curtains that can be drawn across, as necessary. Natural light from 3 directions.
Consult/Examination Rooms – for use/hire by doctors/therapists.
Interview Rooms – for confidential discussion with patients.
Children's Room – for children to use while waiting.
Library – for books, tapes, CDs on healing, therapies, health (for study and lending).
Lift – to/from Crystal Cave below Healing Centre.
Spiral Staircase – to/from Crystal Cave – spiral form for enhancement of energy.
Wheelchair bays – throughout the Centre wheelchair bays for those who need assistance.

(Concept drawing by Jon Allen – Architect)

4.3.3. Healing Centre – Basement Plan

Crystal Cave

Notes
Crystal Cave - Selection of crystals to help the Healing Centre energy, plus create a stunning display for education and inspiration.
Storage Rooms – for storage of chairs and tables.

(Concept drawing by Jon Allen – Architect)

4.3.4. Healing Centre Front View

Holistic Healing Center

4.3.5. Healing Centre Cross Section

Holistic Healing Center

Notes

Pyramid – The most powerful part of a pyramid is 1/3^rd up from the base. If the pyramid was at ground level it would be too high for surrounding land plus disabled people would need to climb up one level to receive the most benefit of the pyramid energy. We would look to sink the structural poles forming the pyramid into the ground so that 1/3^rd distant from the base would be the same level as a treatment couch.
Pyramid Structure – Angled poles need only create the pyramid shape. From our studies the angle of the poles to the ground should be 42.1 degrees.
Solar Panels – Four out of the six sides of the pyramid roof will have solar panels. The other two sides will be made of glass to bring nature light into the building. The right balance of daylight without excessive solar gain, and energy generation by means of solar panels, will be the subject of detailed technical studies design development.
(Based on concept drawing by Jon Allen – Architect)

4.3.6. Healing Centre Aerial View by artist Chris Draper

5. Timetable
Phase 1 – Project Formulation
Establish Healing Group ) Done
Initial formulation of Project ) Done
Engage Architect for concept development ) Done
Produce Project Initiation Document ) Done
Phase 2 – Project Initiation
Circulate Project Initiation Document
Site search
Raise funds for next phase
Phase 3 – Site Identification
Consider various options and identify preferred site
Secure option on preferred site
Prepare plans (3 months)
Submit Planning Application
Await Planning Approval (6-9 months)
Raise funds for next phase
Phase 4 – Site Acquisition
Acquire site
Prepare detailed plans (6 months)
Raise funds for next phase
Phase 5 – Construction
Tender + tender evaluation (2 months)
Place contract + mobilisation (1 month)
Construction (18-24 months)
(Inc. Fit out/commissioning/landscaping)
Phase 6 – Operation
OPEN HEALING CENTRE
Ongoing management and development of healing programme
Ongoing maintenance of building and gardens
Use of Centre for community use

Timetable


6. Progress to date

6.1 Achievements to date

1997 – Group formation.
1998 – Trading company set-up (for Energy and Health related products).¹
1999 – Website launched.
2003 – Support Group set-up (Friends of Gentle Touch Healing).
2004 – Current Healing Centre started (Tuesday evenings).
2004 – Became registered charity.²
2005 – Became a members of The Alliance of Healing Associations.³
2007 – Started Library of books, tapes, CD's and DVD's.⁴

6.2 Current Healing Activities

We run a Healing Centre at The Rufus Centre, Flitwick, Bedfordshire each Tuesday evening. (Average 8 patients each evening, 400 patients per year).⁵

Our Healers make many home visits to patients. (Average 30 per week, 1560 per year).

Bringing healing to the community – including:
A Village Tour covering 8 villages during October/November 2006.
Ampthill Festival 2005, 2006 and next due in 2007.
Flitwick Fun Day 2005, 2006 and next due in 2007.
Bedfordshire Mind Body & Soul Fair 2005, 2006 and next due in 2007.
Flitwick Library – monthly event each Saturday afternoon started 2007.

We have a comprehensive informative website - which includes the following:

Healing Forum
Distant Healing Book (approximately 400 healing requests per year)
Guide to Self Healing
Healing Poems and Sayings
Recommend Healing Books
Useful contacts – hyperlinks to other health related organisations.

Our website has on average 140 visitors per day (51,100 visitors per year).

6.3 Architect engaged
Jon Allen, Architect Dipl Arch, RIBA, AECB has recently been engaged to assist in the production of this document.
Footnotes
1 = Since being a charity, trading company key objective has been changed to raise funds to support our charity.
2 = Gentle Touch Healing Registered Charity for England and Wales no. 1105985.
3 = The Alliance of Healing Associations are part of “UK Healers” - umbrella organisation for UK Healing organisations.
4 = Library of books, tapes, CD's relating to Healing, Health, Therapy's and association subjects.
5 = Currently have 9 healers in the group and looking to expand up to 15 in 2007.

7. Contacts

Ray Wilson
Founder
Gentle Touch Healing
46 Dukes Court,
The Mall
Dunstable
Bedfordshire
LU5 4HW
Telephone number: 01582 663900
Email: ray@gentletouch.co.uk
Website: www.gentletouch.co.uk
Registered charity no: 1105985

Jon Allen Architect
Dipl Arch, RIBA, AECB
89 Minet Avenue
London NW10 8AT
Telephone number: 020 8961 3279
Mobile number: 07951 785855
Email: jon@lapis.fsnet.co.uk
Website: www.jonallenarchitect.co.uk

Appendix A – Planet Friendly

The subjects within this section would take many volumes to explain in detail. The information below is just a general synopsis of these subjects.
Living Planet – Like ourselves, our Planet is a living entity with energy centres (Chakras), an Aura and grid of energy lines (generally known as ‘Ley Lines’). Our ancestors knew how to created buildings and structures that would protect and help the Planet’s energy. Over the years this knowledge has been lost and we tend to create building and structures that drain the Planet’s energies.

Planet Energy – The Planet’s Chakras are linked to major ley lines, which act like main arteries. In the UK we have a major ley line that runs from Cornwall to Norfolk passing through major energy places such as Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Avebury and also passes through local places to where we are based in Bedfordshire. It is widely acknowledged that the Earth’s Heart Chakra is based in the UK and from our studies, this relates to a six-sided shape – verified by ancient Yogic symbols.

Pyramid Shape – The square-based pyramid shape is important and associated with one of the ‘Platonic solids’ within Sacred Geometry the ‘Octahedron’. The pyramid shape is sometimes known as a Geometric Pranic Generator (Pranic meaning energy) as it attracts and builds up energy into a dense and balanced energy field, which can assist in bringing our own energy into balance. There is also a link with pyramids to ‘The Golden Mean’, which architects have used for thousands of years in the proportion of buildings.

Sacred Geometry – Relates to the original cluster of stem cells, which forms the ‘Egg of Life’ at the creation of life. From this initial cluster of eight cells, five shapes can be extracted by drawing lines between the centres of each cell, these are known as ‘the 5 Platonic solids’. Extending the cell cluster we can create what is known as ‘The Flower of Life’ and also ‘The Tree of life’ which relates to the Jewish Kabbalah.

Fibonacci Series – Leonardo Fibonacci lived around 1175 AD, found the Fibonacci Series (1,1,2,3,5,8…) creates an interesting link between number and geometry. This series of numbers progressively get closer to ‘phi’, which is the fundamental proportion within the Pentagon. In Nature this formula often appears, for example; in the number of petals a flowers has and the butterfly wing designs. Fibonacci series of numbers forms a ratio of 1.6180339, which is similar to our own DNA ratio.

Feng Shui – Used for many years to encourage the movement of energy within buildings.

Illness – Can relate to some form of ‘imbalance’. Balancing our energy can enhance our body’s own natural healing process. This also applies to our ailing Planet, which urgently needs healing. Building a Healing Centre complex using the above-mentioned properties could create a special healing tool to help the planet as well as those who attend.

Octohedron Egg of Life Golden Mean

Top

Appendix B – Jon Allen's Archiectural work

Examples below of some of Jon Allen’s architectural work

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences Designed by Professor Keith Critchlow in association with Jon Allen


The Tent at St Ethelburga’s Opened by Prince Charles Bix Studio – near Henley “Winner of Chilterns Building Design Award”