Mission and goals:

The mission of the Center for the Study of Health, Religion, and Spirituality is to promote conversation and scholarship regarding the interrelationships between religion, spirituality, values, ethics, meaning making, and physical and emotional health and well being. The Center is dedicated to a holistic, inclusive approach, valuing mutual contributions of science and religion/spirituality to understanding human health and wellness.

The Specific Goals of the Center are to:

  1. Conduct and disseminate research on health, religion, & spirituality;


  2. Provide a venue for communication between health care providers, practitioners, and consumers;


  3. Provide classroom and experiential learning opportunities for ISU students;


  4. Provide educational opportunities, consultation, and outreach to professionals, faith communities, the Wabash Valley Community, and the nation.

The Center for the Study of Health, Religion, and Spirituality was founded in 2003 at Indiana State University with support from the university, the Department of Psychology, and the Metanexus Institute, a non-sectarian foundation based in Philadelphia with the mission of supporting communication about links between religion and science. The Center’s principles are to draw on the best in psychological and behavioral science methods to understand and illuminate the universal value and meaning of religious and spiritual experience, particularly as it promotes health and well-being. The Center is respectful of all religious and spiritual traditions, recognizing that each has enriched humanity and the understanding of the highest principles of wisdom and well-being.

upcoming conferences

 

past conferences

Read about the March 2005 Addictions and Spirituality Conference »
Conference on End of Life Issues - November 9, 2006 »
Facing Loss Conference - February 1-3, 2007»
The Conference on Meditation and Spirituality - October 26 - 28, 2007»                                Healing Rhythms:  A Research Conference and Workshop on Music Movement and Meditation -November 6 - 8, 2009    Updated Conference Schedule                                     

The Center for the Study of Health, Religion, & Spirituality is supported in part by a Local Societies Initiative Grant from the Metanexus Institute, Philadelphia, PA.  Additional support has been provided by the Lilly Endowment, the ISU Department of Psychology, the ISU College of Arts & Sciences, and the ISU Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.