PEACE AT CHRISTMAS

 

At Christmas we celebrate the embodiment in human flesh and blood of the eternal, primordial Spirit that is Pure Energy of Love.

The purpose of that embodiment is expressed in the Angels' announcement: Peace on Earth.

What is this peace? In my view, it is a state of affairs in which every human being can enjoy "the abundance of life" that the adult Jesus promised. "I have come that you may have life, life in its abundance" (John 10, 10)

This abundance of life becomes reality, when each of  us makes space in our hearts for everyone  and everything, for all created reality, excluding no one and nothing. We are able to do this when we fill our hearts with with love that will break down every barrier that keeps humanity and nature fragmented. This is the "Kingdom of God" for the establishment of which Jesus lived and for which he was killed by the domination powers of the day- religious and political.

We join Jesus to "make everything new" (Revelation, 21, 5) (ourselves first!) and contribute to the coming of God's Kingdom, by filling our hearts with love, excluding hatred and discrimination and becoming instruments of peace. to do this, we first make space in our heart for the Pure Energy of Love, whose embodiment we celebrate today, allowing it to flood it and transform it, making us new..

I have remembered all you who read this message and your families during the Midnight Mass.

Happy Christmas to you all from Sumedha Centre. Blessings!

2022 SUMEDHA SADHANA DELIVERS ON ITS PROMISE !

 

There were 3 elven- week-long “Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey” Programmes held this first year at Sumedha Centre’s new facilities at Jharmari, Punjab.

Sumedha Sadhana is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their psychospiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their well-being, get in touch with their emotional and spiritual blocks and brokenness and seek healing and transformation so that they can live and minister in more joyful, satisfying and fruitful ways. and integrate the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality.

Insights from Christian faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Bioenergetics, NLP, Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts and Dance, Breathwork, Yoga, Qigong, Multi-media, Prayer & Meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture were used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey. The programme concluded with a spiritual retreat.

The rich academic programme was supplemented with weekly recollection days and recreation, picnics and outings and movies.

The first Sadhana this year (SS-43) was from March 17 to May 31. There were 18 participants (12 women and 6 men).

The second (SS-44) was from June 12 to August 27. There were 15 participants (6 women and 9 men).

The third (SS-45) was from September 11 to November 26. There were 20 participants (10 women and 10 men), including one from Australia and another from Kenya.

There were 8 different resource persons offering modules on Prayerfulness and Meditation Practices; Somatics and Qigong; Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey, Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy, Trauma and Healing (by Dr. Jose Parappully), Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey (by Dr. Johny Dominic), Feminist and Women’s Spirituality (by Dr. Shalini Mulackal), Yoga and Cosmic spirituality (by Alba Rodrigues) Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing (KC Thomas Kurianthanam and Mathew Cobb), Challenges of Consecrated Life Today (Philip Pinto), Group Therapy (Dr. Edison Fernandes, Dr. Johny Dominic, Dr. Jose Parappully), Spiritual Retreat (Dr. Jose Parappully)

Feedback from participants show that they were immensely satisfied with the programme. They said what  the programme promised had been achieved and they had gained much more than they had expected. They were also very happy with the campus, the renovated building and facilities’ offered.

Some comments:

SS-43

“The programme offers a sort of complete BODY, MIND and SPIRIT wholeness journey. It offers enough and more tools for self-discovery and for reorienting one’s priestly/religious life. I found the modules/presentation and the facilitators relevant, attractive and up-to-date.”

“I am healed of my sadness and various emotional wounds. Also I got clear picture of who I am. These were the goals I had set.”

“I loved the campus very much—the vast area within and outside the campus for a walk, to spend quiet moments alone with the nature or for reflection, to relax and enjoy in small group, to play and so on. According to me it is an ideal place for a programme of this kind.”

“It was a wonderful blessing time for me. Really helped me to be a new person—in thoughts, attitudes, life patterns.”

“Welcome, Hospitality, were highly remarkable.”

“Excellent in general.”

SS-44

 “The whole experience at Sumedha Sadhana has been enriching and life giving for me. It has helped me change my outlook and attitude in life.”

“The programme helped me to go deep within and become aware of myself. It helped to get in touch with my physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual self.”

Sumedha challenged me to take a new look at my values, It widene3d my world to new horizons. Feel very blessed.”

“Sumedha Sadhana was a landmark, watershed moment. Served as a catalyst to rekindle my original love.”

Sumedha rejuvenated my body, spirit and soul. I have grown in compassion and love, become more free and joyful.”

“I came with lot of baggage. Learned to let go. I experience great freedom.”

“Sumedha was a resurrection experience!”

“Every module was a jewel. A wonderful inner journey. Brought me peace of mind and heart.”

 "I came with a lot of turmoil, in despair. I leave with leave with peace of mind having experienced profound healing.”

"All the modules were very relevant to our life. The module facilitators were very clear in delivering the topic, and helped us to go deeper into ourselves.”

“The programme as a whole has made me a more integrated person spiritually, psychologically and emotionally. I was able to release most of the negative energies that were affecting my life. My outlook on the world has become more positive and wider and surely I have grown in my spiritual life. I feel more vigour and energised.”

“The modules were well planned, there was connection from one module to another. The facilitators were excellent. They knew their subject well and delivered it creatively and innovatively.”

 SS-45.

“The whole experience at Sumedha has truly been a ‘Kairos’ period for me… It has been a Healing-Renewing-Transforming experience for me.”

“The whole programme was very enriching. I gained lots from this programme. I received lot of physical and emotional healing. I experienced freedom within.”

“Sumedha was a lighthouse for me. It provided direction.”

“I came here burnt out. Received what Sumedha promised: Healing and wholeness.”

“I feel rejuvenated, recharged, and renewed by the wisdom gained from the different modules.”

“Sumedha was a life changing experience for me. It was an inner journey of exploration. Many things in me have been turned upside down. Discovered what needs to be healed, let go.”

“I came here burnt out. I go back re-energised. I found gain meaning in my life that had disappeared.”

“I witnessed miracles. Impossible things happened”.

“The facilitators did an excellent job!”

“All the module offered were well synchronised to lead to psychospiritual wholeness in a very effective way. All the facilitators were competent and experts in their area. The whole programme was well organised and executed. Every aspect of our life was well taken care of. There was very homely atmosphere. The whole campus, services and facilities are conducive for the programme of this kind. I felt very much welcomed and cared for.”

 “Sumedha Centre is very comfortable and homely. Accommodation was very spacious, good rooms, toilets, comfortable bed, and more than this could not be expected. Food was very nutritious, well prepared with balanced spices. There was good variety in Non-veg and Veg dishes. The best catering I enjoyed so far among all the many centres I have attended. The Sumedha campus and the area around is very good, clean, green, spacious, fresh air, so much enjoyable. Lot of space for walks and the nature is so beautiful around.”

 

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from February 12 to May 02, 2023.  Please contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com for application forms and brochure.

The First Sumedha Sadhana at New Location of Jharmari , Punjab, Concludes

 

The first Sumedha Sadhana to be held at the new location of Sumedha Centre at Jharmari, Punjab concluded on May 31st. It began on March 17. 

At the final evaluation, participants expressed great satisfaction with the programme and said they found the programme immensely useful for their psychospiritual journey. There were 18 participants – 12 women religious and six priests.

 

Of the16 participants who filled in an evaluation form, five gave a rating of 10, and seven of 9 on a 10-point scale of usefulness, 1 indicating “Very Little Useful”, and 10 “Immensely useful.” All said their goals for the programme had been achieved.

 

Some comments:

“The programme offers a sort of complete BODY, MIND send SPIRIT wholeness journey.” D

“I have been completely healed of fear, sadness and anxiety.” A.

“I came here with brokenness wanting to be repaired. My goal has been met to a great extent.” M.

“Sumedha Sadhana has been for me a profound journey of self-awareness and God consciousness.” R.

“Sumedha Sadhana was a perfect launching pad – into the past and into the future. To reconcile with unresolved issues of the past, and plan the journey ahead.” D.

“This programme helped me to come out of my emotional bondages. Also it energized my body and enhanced my spiritual life.” J.

“I was in the right place, at the right time. I experienced healing in my life by learning to forgive in a more practical way.” S.

“It was an encounter of God, myself, and my vulnerabilities.” J.

“The entire programme of Sumedha, all facilitators, topics, community of Sumedha, participants were a unique experience for me. Welcome, hospitality were highly remarkable.” L.

“Welcome was gracious. Hospitality was wonderful. Accommodation I enjoyed having my own space. Food was excellent. Campus had enough space to walk, pray and experience silence and solitude.” V.

 

Sumedha Sadhana is designed as an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their psychospiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their wellbeing, get in touch with their emotional and spiritual blocks and brokenness and seek healing so that they live and minister in more joyful, satisfying and fruitful ways.

 

The programme had several modules. The opening module was on Self-Awareness facilitated by Jose Parappully who also facilitated modules on Somatics; Spirituality; Prayerfulness; Midlife Dynamics; Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy; and Trauma and Healing. Johny Dominic facilitated the module on Unconscious Dynamics. 

The module on Yoga and Cosmic Spirituality was facilitated by Alba Rodrigues. KC Thomas Kurianthanam facilitated “Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing.” Philip Pinto explored with the participants the “Challenges of Consecrate Life today.” Johny Dominic and Jose Parappully facilitated nine days of intense Group Therapy. The programme concluded with an eight-day Spiritual Retreat, facilitated by Jose Parappully.

 

The intense psychos-spiritual work was accompanied by moments of relaxation and recreation culminating in a group picnic to Chandigarh, during which the participants were able to spend some time with Bishop Ignatius Mascarenhas of Simla-Chandigarh diocese wherein Sumedha Centre is located and enjoy the hospitality of the Don Bosco Navjeevan community. 

Saturday afternoon and all of Sunday being free the participants were also able to organize trips to other tourist spots such as Simla and Amritsar.

 

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from June 12 to August 27,2022.

 

Inauguration of Sumedha Centre at Jharmari, Punjab

March 19, 2022  was a another Red Letter day in the annals of Sumedha Centre. 

The renovated hostel building at Don Bosco Jharmari is the new home of Sumedha Centre. 

The building was blessed and inaugurated today by Rev. Fr. Davis Maniparamben, the Salesian Provincial of New Delhi, in the presence of Fr. Ambrose, the Procurator of the Simla-Chandigarh diocese, a good number of Salesians and the participants 43rd Sumedha Sadhana (17 March-May 31, 2022).

The blessing ceremony began at the entrance lobby, where a statue of St. Joseph, patron saint of Sumedha was placed. This statue was blessed and carried by Fr. Jose Parappully, Director of the Centre,  into the Chapel while Fr. Provincial, Fr. Ambrose and Fr. Thomas Anjilikuzhyil, Assistant Administrator at Sumedha,  went around the building blessing it. All moved then into the new chapel.

Fr. Parappully welcomed all and gave an introduction in which he thanked all those involved in renovating the hostel building and getting it ready for the inauguration, He especially mentioned the Don Bosco Jharmari community who have been very cooperative and generous. 

Br. Cyriac Kurias, of Don Bosco Technical institute, New Delhi,  who volunteered to plan and execute the renovation works, and provide for the various facilities and utilities and who had made several trips from Delhi to Jharmari to supervise the works was thanked in a special way. Sumedha Centre is deeply appreciative of his generosity and practical compassion.

The participants of the Sumedha programme who worked hard to get the place ready from the time they arrived., the workers especially Mr Joseph, the DBTI  electrician and plumber, and Mr Abir, the electrician of the New Delhi Salesian Provincial House whom the Provincial Economer Fr. Biju Abraham had made available, both of who had been here for several weeks working day and night, were also thanked..

Then the Holy Eucharist  began, presided over by the Provincial. The homily on St, Joseph was preached  by Fr. Ambrose. At the end of the Mass, Fr. Joseph Kezakkekkara, the first Salesian Provincial of New Delhi and who had encouraged the setting up of the Bosco Psychological Services and later the Sumedha Centre, expressed his appreciation for the services that Sumedha Centre is offering.

Mass was followed by a festive lunch. It was partly catered by Mr. Johnson of New Delhi, arranged by Br. Cyriac Kurias, and partly by local caterers arranged by Fr. Bhushan Barla, the Principal Don Bosco Jharmari,.and Fr. Yesudas Karakkattu,  the Administrator of Sumedha Centre.

Bishop Ignatius  of Simla-Chandigarh presided at the Holy Eucharist at 11.00 am the next morning. Fr. Davis Maniparamben, the Salesian  Provincial of New Delhi, welcomed the Bishop and thanked him for allowing the Sumedha Centre to operate from the diocese. Bishop Ignatius expressed his happiness that Sumedha Centre is now in his diocese and welcomed the Centre and its staff and programme pariticipants to the diocese. He gave a very instructive and moving homily on how the Sumedha Centre can be of great help to priests and religious. Bishop stayed for lunch and left afterwards.

The same evening the fist Sumedha Sadhana at the renovated hostel building commenced with an introduction from Fr. Parappully. There are 18 participants (6 men of whom 2 are Salesians, one from the Panchim province and the other from the Dimapur province; three are three diocesan priests and one religious priest) and 12 religious women from 10 different congregations.

The paintings in the new Chapel of the Emmaus  journey (Luke 24, 13 ff) were done by Br. Mathew John of Don Bosco Technical Institute, New Delhi. Sumedha Centre is deeply appreciative of his work.