Gentle Touch Healing (Registered Charity)

Holistic Pyramid Healing Centre (edition 2.2) (updated on 10th June 2013)

Contents 1.

Introduction..........................................................................................................

3

2.

Project Vision.......................................................................................................

5

2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. 2.6.

Creation of purpose design building for healing and health................................... Delivery Free Healing............................................................................................. A tranquil setting of gardens, woodland and courtyard.......................................... Holistic approach to health..................................................................................... Multi practitioner working........................................................................................ Space for training, exchange and community use.................................................

5 5 5 5 5 5

3.

Project Outcome...................................................................................................

6

3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 3.7.

More time for Healing............................................................................................. Better facilities for Healing...................................................................................... Community healthcare service............................................................................... Holistic approach.................................................................................................... Sustainability.......................................................................................................... Ecological/Planet friendly....................................................................................... Inspirational............................................................................................................

6 6 6 6 6 6 6

4.

Project Description..............................................................................................

7

4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4.

The Site.................................................................................................................. The Building........................................................................................................... Animal Healing Building......................................................................................... Concept Drawings……………………………………………………………………….

7 8 8 9

5.

Timetable............................................................................................................... 15

6.

Progress to date................................................................................................... 16

6.1. Achievements to date............................................................................................. 16 6.2. Current Healing Activities....................................................................................... 16 6.3. Architect engaged.................................................................................................. 16 7.

Contacts................................................................................................................ 17

Appendix A – Planet Friendly....................................................................................... 18 Appendix B– Jon Allen's Architectural work............................................................. 19

1. Introduction 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. 1 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.

1 = Please see our website

www.gentletouchhealing.org.uk for details of our range of energy products.

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. 2 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. 3 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 these aims. Ray Wilson – Founder. 2 = Please see Appendix A for explanation of the Planet Friendly building design 3 = Please see Appendix B for examples of Jon Allen’s architectural work.

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 sitting 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.

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.

4. Project Description 4.1. The Site

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 Animal Healing Building Looking to have a building for the healing of animals – primary cats, dogs and other small animals, and possibly for some horses. This building equipped with a suitable waiting area for animals. The healing part of the building would need to have a suitable benches that animals can be lifted on to or walk up a ramp to. Outside places to leave and tie the animals with drinking water facility.

4.4. Concept Drawings 4.4.1. Geometric Design W N

S E

North Direction

Open Space

Hexagon ‘Ba Gau’

‘Egg of Life’

Pyramid (6 sided) East Entrance

Open Space Ba Gau Pyramid – 6 sided North Direction East Entrance Egg of Life Hexagon

Notes 1 To encourage free energy movement (Feng Shui) Base on a ‘Ba Gau’ for good balance for healing rooms (Feng Shui) To attract and enhance healing energies (Heart Chakra & Sacred Geometry based. One corner facing North to enhance energy (Pyramid technology) To encourage energy to enter healing centre (Feng Shui) Relates to ‘stem cells’ – in essence the creation of life (Sacred Geometry) Bring outer room shape in line with 6 sided pyramid (Heart Chakra)

(Concept drawing by Jon Allen – Architect) 1 = Please see Appendix A for explanation of the Planet Friendly building design

4.4.2. Healing Centre Plan View

Healing Rooms Therapist rooms Doctors suite Interview rooms Children’s area Quiet room Seminar room Library Lift Spiral walkway Shop Café Office Reception Public Toilets Wheelchair bays

Notes Equipped with treatment couches, chairs and washbasins – see next page for more details. For use by complementary therapists. For use by doctor and nurse complete with doctors reception. For confidential meetings with patient and families. With sensory stimulation equipment and toys. For reflection and meditation. For training and meetings. For books, tapes and CD’s about healing and related subjects. For access to/from basement. For access to/from basement. Selling health related products. Selling snacks, teas and coffees. For administration of the healing centre complex For patient bookings and welcoming Including disabled toilets. Wheelchairs for use by patient.

(Concept drawing by Jon Allen – Architect)

4.4.3. Healing Centre – Healing room

Room Size Sound proof Room floor Room Doors Entrance door Curtains Skylight Room lights Colour lights Music controls Treatment Couch Healer stool Chairs Coat stand Washbasin Drinking water Data connection Electric power Cabinet Storage

Notes Room size long enough for Treatment Couch and also wide enough for working on outside auras. Curved side rooms would help the energy flow. Room to be made sound proof so that no outside noise disturbs the healer and patient. Room floor to be carpeted to make it comfortable on the healers feet if healing with no shoes. Room doors to be silent when opening and closing + allow to be set to open. Room to have end entrance/exit door with window and blinds. Room door entrance to have curtain that close silently. Room to have skylight for nature light + adjustable blinds to cover the skylight. Room lights to be to dimmable. Room lights to emit colour lighting to fill the room. Room to have controls to the music played with volume controls. Room to have treatment couch that can be easily adjusted hydraulically + adjustable backrest + floor power supply facilities to avoid any cables. Room to have a stool on wheel for healers use with adjustable height. Room to have suitable chairs for healer + for patient family use. Room to have coat and shoe stand for use by healer and patients. Room to have washbasin and paper towels. Room to have drinking water facilities, ideally filtered. Room to have data connection for laptop computer with link to Internet and Internal patient records. Room to have adequate electric power sockets on both sides of the healing room. Room to have lockable cabinet for healers personal belongings e.g. handbag. Room to have inbuilt into the walls storage facilities for supplies.

4.4.4. Healing Centre – Basement Plan

Crystal Cave Staff changing rooms Power room Storage rooms

Notes To help energise the healing centre, education and visitor attraction. Staff Changing rooms complete with staff lockers, toilets and showers. For control of all the equipment within the healing centre complex. For storage of chairs, tables, supplies and other additional equipment.

(Concept drawing by Jon Allen – Architect)

4.4.5. Healing Centre Front View

4.4.6. Healing Centre Cross Section

Notes Pyramid – The most powerful part of a pyramid is 1/3rd 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 – related to 51’ 03 angle on pyramid face. 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)

4.4.7. Healing Centre Aerial View by artist Chris Draper

5. Timetable Phase 1 – Project Formulation Establish Healing Group Initial formulation of Project Engage Architect for concept development Produce Project Initiation Document

) Done ) Done ) Done ) Done

Phase 2 – Project Initiation Circulate Project Initiation Document Site search (suitable sites found) Raise funds for next phase

) Done ) Done ) Started

Phase 3 – Site Identification Consider various options and identify preferred site Secure option on preferred site Prepare plans Submit Planning Application Await Planning Approval Raise funds for next phase Phase 4 – Site Acquisition Acquire site Prepare detailed plans Raise funds for next phase

(3 months) (6-9 months)

(6 months)

Phase 5 – Construction Tender + tender evaluation Place contract + mobilisation Construction (Inc. Fit out/commissioning/landscaping)

(2 months) (1 month) (18-24 months)

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

2013/15 2016/17 Find Site Planning Approval Secure Funding Construction OPEN CENTRE Rest of Complex

2018

6. Progress to date 6.1 Achievements to date 1996/1997 – Vision concept/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 – Started Healing Centre (Tuesday evenings). 2004 – Became Registered Charity. 2 2005 – Became a member of The British Alliance of Healing Associations. 3 2007 – Design refinements, Fund Raising, Creation book Library. 4 2011/Present – Moved Healing Centre to Wrest Park, Silsoe to expand healing services. 6.2 Current Healing Activities 1. We run a Healing Centre at Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire – open seven days/week. (Average 80+ patients each month, 1000+ patients per year). 5 Have 8+ holistic therapists based from Healing Centre giving therapy. 2. Our Healers make many home visits to patients. (Average 50+ per month, 600+ per year). 3. 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. General 3 to 4 local events each year in 2005/2013.

4. We have a comprehensive informative website - www.gentletouchhealing.org.uk 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 100 visitors per day. 6.3 Architect engaged Jon Allen, Architect Dipl Arch, RIBA, AECB has recently been engaged to assist in the production of this document. 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 British 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 12 healers in the group.

7. Contacts Contact Details Ray Wilson Founder Gentle Touch Healing Wrest Park Enterprise Centre Wrest Park Silsoe Bedfordshire MK45 4HS UK Telephone number: 01525 863906 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gentletouchhealing.org.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: [email protected] 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 sixsided 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. This ratio will be used where possible. 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.

Egg of Life

Octahedron

Golden Mean Rectangle

Appendix B – Jon Allen's Architectural 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, Bishopsgate Community project opened by Prince Charles

Bix Studio – near Henley “Winner of Chilterns Building Design Award”

Art Barn, Brockwood Park