Inauguration of the Sri Narayani Holistic Centre

On Tuesday January 27th, 2009, the Sri Narayani Holistic Centre was inaugurated at the Sri Narayani Hospital & Research Centre with the Divine blessings of Sri Sakthi Amma. Doctors from various parts of the world participated in this special event.

Dr. Harshavardhan, Psychiatrist of the Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre wrote the following, "Holistic Medicine is the art and science of healing that addresses the care of the whole person (i.e. body, mind, and spirit). The practice of holistic medicine integrates conventional and complementary therapies to promote optimal health and to prevent and treat disease by addressing the contributing factors.

In practice this means that each person is seen as a unique individual, rather than an example of a particular disease. Disease is understood to be the result of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental imbalance. Healing therefore takes place naturally when these aspects of life are brought into proper balance.

The role of the practitioner is as guide, mentor and role model; the patient must do the work of changing his lifestyle, beliefs and old habits in order to facilitate healing. All appropriate methods may be used from medication to meditation.

Eminent experts in the Psychiatric field will give counseling to people with disturbed or imbalanced mental status. Sri Sakthi Amma's concern for mankind is that all of the human race should be free from all diseases both physical and spiritual and this is the reason for the initiation of the Holistic Medicine Centre.

Recognizing the importance of Holistic medicine the World Health Organization defined Health as not only the absence of infirmity and disease but also a state of physical, mental and social well-being. Holistic medicine does not ignore allopathic medicine but embraces it; as it does all forms of alternative and complementary methods of medicine".

At the start of the function, all the chief guests (Ms. Lynn Schneider, Dr. Mitchell Gaynor, Dr. Mahadeva, Dr. Badri Rickhi, Ms Peggy Dulany, Dr. Alicia Gil del Real & Dr. Jim Levin took turns in lighting the Kituvillaku lamp to inaugurate the Holistic Centre.

Each of the guest seated on stage were presented with a memento from various members of the Hospital staff. Shri N. Balaji welcomed the guests and the gathering.

The key note speaker Dr. Mitchell Gaynor in his opening speech said, "What is different about this Holistic Centre than any other Centre? The answer is; it was blessed by Amma, Divine Light". "And why do I come back to the Peedam? The answer to that is; the way to be complete is to be next to the Divine".

Dr. Gaynor also gave a presentation on Holistic Medicine called "A Quantum Science/Art".

Here is a summary of Dr. M. Gaynor's presentation:

"We are living in a world where one in three people will hear the words "you have cancer" Many people think cancer is the result of either bad genes or bad luck. While it is true that our genes cannot be changed, our genetic destiny can in fact be changed. The nutrients we eat and the environmental toxins we are exposed to determine which genes will be turned on and off-which genes in other words will be expressed.

These genes regulate: how we detoxify toxins, the strength of our immune systems, cancer suppressor gene activity, and our risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. This modification of gene expression is accomplished via the epigenome which means literally "above the genome". Endocrine disrupting pesticides, herbicides, dioxins and BpA are stored in the body for decades and can adversely affect gene expression. Nutrients like beets, broccoli, garlic and green tea are protective and have been found to counteract the toxic effects on gene expression".

Dr. Mahadeva gave a speech on Addiction from a Ayurvedic perspective. He said "Living starts with understanding. Understanding the body and its functions are very important". He said you need a body and good health to be able to do anything. Take care of the body and stay away from things and habits that can become addictive and harmful to your body.

Dr. Badri Rickhi gave a presentation on the "Role of the Community in Healing and Preventing Illnesses such as Suicide - a Scientific Review.

Dr. Alicia Gil del Real gave a presentation on Acute Crisis Resolution. Dr. Matthew Verghese gave a presentation on Managing Personal Crisis and Dr. Anna Tharyan gave one on Handling disappointments and rejection.