Origins and Philosophy

Vision Statement

To further the welfare of humanity, in particular by promoting self-understanding and understanding of the individual’s relationship to his or her total environment — spiritual, moral, mental and physical.

Mission Statement

To draw on the knowledge and wisdom of all philosophies, cultural traditions and religions from both East and West to distil principles of living relevant and necessary to the individual’s progress and that of society.

To develop health and educational methodologies and models to disseminate these principles of living and make them available to all who search for personal development, cultural enrichment, social harmony and health.

The Total Health and Education Foundation is a non-political, non profit health and education organization, established in Melbourne, Australia in 1970 and incorporated as a non-profit company in 1975. In 1980 the Foundation relocated to Queensland and established the School of Total Education in the rural environment of Warwick, on the Darling Downs 180km from Brisbane.

Since its inception The Foundation has undertaken a wide range of programs addressing the individual’s physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs.

The comprehensive nature of the Foundation’s activities rests on a framework of practical principles considered essential to human growth and development. The definition of these principles, and their effective application in the work of the Foundation was the culmination of more than 30 years study and planning by its Founder, Vijayadev Yogendra (Vijay).

A respected educationalist, philosopher and author, Vijay sought to broaden the Foundation’s resources by inviting eminent men and women from different philosophies and traditions, both Eastern and Western to share in programs as Guest Teachers.

This innovative program allowed the Foundation’s workers and trainees the opportunity to gain knowledge from a variety of approaches through close personal association with respected representatives of each tradition. This allowed each individual to mature his or her own ideas and to achieve a firm set of values as the basis for personal happiness and service to others. This intensive training program complemented the academic training they had received through school and university.

“The deficiency in modern education is that its methodology does not incorporate nor allow the emotional maturing of the individual. Nor does it define values that are appropriate for self development. The education seems to lend itself more to the need of the industrial, technological, material factors of civilization, none of which have provided lasting peace or happiness. Therefore if a new formula has to be found it must include an understanding of man at his deeper level to find for him the knowledge and wisdom that can make him a benevolent servant of mankind, while retaining his own vocation and individual lifestyle.” (Vijayadev Yogendra, 1975).

This philosophy has guided the personal growth of the Foundation workers and the programs through which the Foundation serves the community.