53rd SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

 The 53^rd edition of the Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wellbeing Journey at Sumedha Centre, Jeolikote, concluded successfully on August 02. This 12-week residential programme had begun on May 11.

There were 9 participants from five religious congregations and 2 dioceses.

The programme consisted of several modules, all related to psychospiritual wellbeing. Among these were: Self-Awareness, Midlife Dynamics, Unconscious Dynamics, Emotional Hygiene, Breathwork, Somatics, Trauma and Healing, Psychosexual and Celibate Integration, Holistic Spirituality, Prayerfulness and Meditation Practices. The final concluding modules integrating all the previous ones were group therapy and a psychospiritual retreat.

The process followed during the Sadhana was very experiential, using dance, expressive drawing and movement, time for introspection and journaling and weekly day of Recollection and Integration, as well as creative liturgies and sharing circles.

There were also moments for relaxation through recreation and picnics. The trip to Chandigarh included a visit with the newly appointed Bishop Sahaya Thatheus, The Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady of Miracles, beside the tourist places such the Sukhna Lake and the Rock Garden.

Participants stated in their feedback that they were immensely satisfied with the programme.

Some typical comments:

 “Every module brought me more and more healing. I came alive again.” A.

“Sumedha Sadhana was a sacred pilgrimage for me. Every module helped me to transform myself into a better and more loving and compassionate human being.” A

“I came very angry, with myself and others. My heart was broken into bits through hurt and pain. Life had become meaningless. Sumedha has helped to put back the bits and make me more whole.” A.

“I came broken and bruised, weeping. I go back joyfully. I’m able to let go all the hurts and woundings. I journey forward with hope. I have bounced back.” C.

“Sumedha Sadhana was a time of grace. I cherish my time at Sumedha” D.

“The best programme I have attended so far.” D.

“At Sumedha I experienced god in a profound way. Sumedha is a healing powerhouse.” L.

“Lot of suppressed emotions and negative energy released. Confusion has disappeared. Wonderful insights. Brought me freedom.” M.

“Here I got what I needed. A palace where I felt loved.  Where I could be myself, express myself the way I wanted. My life as priest is going to be different. Sumedha was more useful to me than the many programmes I have attended abroad” Y.

We were fortunate to have had Archbishop Emeritus of Raipur, Most Rev. Joseph Augustine, with us on the last two days of the programme. He attended the final session of the presentation by the participants of the fruits of their labour though expressive arts. The archbishop was very appreciative of the work Sumedha Centre does and the way each of the participants had benefitted. He observed Centres like Sumedha is the need of the Indian Church today to help priests and religious.

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from 25^th September to December 17, 2025. Registration is open. A few seats re available. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

PSYCHOSPIRITUAL DYNAMICS AT MIDLIFE AND BEYOND - Guideposts for a Healthy and Happy Second Half of Life.

 I am very happy to introduce  a  new book I have authored and  published by St. Paul's on Psychospiritual Dynamics at Midlife and Beyond. 

Brief Description of Content

Psychospiritual Dynamics at Midlife and Beyond presents pathways to health and happiness in the second half of life. After presenting the experiences that indicate awakening to psychological midlife, the author goes on to describe some of the major dynamics of midlife and the transformational processes that we have to engage in during midlife in order to make the second half of our life meaningful, satisfying and fruitful. In the last few chapters of the book he describes the dynamics of the post-midlife years, particularly those related to aging gracefully, and the types of spiritualties relevant to that period of our lives. Each chapter has real life stories to illustrate its contents and introspective questions for readers to stay with in order to make the reading itself a personal transformative process.

 

Appreciation for and endorsement of the book

No work on mid-life that I have come across contains such a thorough, detailed and panoramic treatment of such a vast range of topics in such a practical manner. I am so grateful to Jose Parappully for giving us this work, and I recommend it whole-heartedly to the seeker of life.

Br. Philip Pinto CFC

Former Superior General of the Christian Brothers

 

The unique merit of this book is that it combines admirably both psychology and spirituality. In order to find the water that will quench the thirst of our minds and hearts, Fr. (Dr) Parappully draws from two wells – psychology and spirituality.

This book is a treasure. You will do well to buy copies to gift to your friends who are at midlife or have gone beyond it. They are sure to thank you for such a gift. Bishops and Major Superiors can achieve what they have failed to achieve over the years simply by getting their priests or religious to read and discuss the contents of this book.

M.A. Joe Antony, SJ

Editor, JIVAN and former Editor, The New Leader

 

In Psychological Dynamics and Midlife and Beyond, Dr Parappully invites us to take a long, lingering look at ‘mid-life,’ in the context of our adolescent dreams, as he sets to work ‘on the shattering of illusions, our false and idealized notions about self, others and the world,’ with a view to making the life that remains ‘satisfying and generative in meaningful ways.’

 

This book invites candid introspection; it helps expose the illusions we live by; it pulls the plug from under the carefully cultivated self-images and storylines that we create, project and maintain, showing in the process how fragile is our hold on balanced living.

 

Stephen Mavely, SDB

Former Vice Chancellor, Assam Don Bosco University

 

the book is available from St. Paul's Book Stores in most towns and cities and online at the link below:

https://stpaulsbyb.com/.../psychospiritual-dynamics-at.../

St Pauls BYB:

Call Us On: 099694 03426

Email Us At:

Mumbai: sales@stpaulsbyb.com

Bangalore: sales@betteryourselfbooks.com

On Amazon:

 https://www.amazon.in/s?k=Psychospiritual+Dynamics+at+Midlife&i=stripbooks&crid=2MNV67EB6UZJ9&sprefix=psychospiritual+dynamics+at+midlife%2Cstripbooks%2C2353&ref=nb_sb_noss

52nd SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

 The 52nd Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wellbeing Journey --, the first of the year, concluded at Sumedha Centre, Jharmari (Punjab) on 3^rd May. This 12-week programme had begun on 9^th February.

There were 14 participants – 9 women and 5 men.

Sumedha Sadhana is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wellbeing. This programme is offered three times a year.

The topics in this 52d edition included: An assessment of the current state of one’s psychospiritual journey, Self-Awareness and Self-Transformation, Holistic and Process Spiritualties, Prayer and Mediation Practices, Psychological and Spiritual Dynamics at Midlife and Beyond, Psychosexual and Celibate Integration, Trauma and Healing (all facilitated by the Director of the programme Dr Jose Parappully) 

Breath work (by Thomas Kurianthanam  M.Ph) , Emotional Hygiene (by Dr Joe. Kokandathil), Challenges to Consecrated Life Today (Philip Pinto MA, BEd.), Intensive Group Therapy (Maria Goretti MA, BEd.).The programme concluded with an Integration Retreat (Dr Parappully)

Participants found the programme immensely useful for their psychospiritual journey. Ten of the 14 participants gave a 10 on 10 on a Scale of Usefulness, I gave a 9 and three gave an 8.

Some illustrative comments on the programme by the participants:

It was an enriching experience from day 1. I had come with lots of negativity. I am rejuvenated to march ahead, with clarity and purpose. A

I came to Sumedha with lot of burden and pain. Everything seemed chaotic. Emotionally I was falling apart.  Sumedha helped to put me back together, move from chaos to clarity. I feel free within. F.

Sumedha Sadhana has been more than just a programme. It has been as sacred inner pilgrimage. I am enriched emotionally and spiritually. A

My goal was self-transformation. I realized it through the various offerings and their dynamics. I became more vibrant. My horizons are expanded. L.

I came for a spiritual renewal. I achieved what I wanted. Everything helped. A bird has been released from the cage. J.

I came with lots of emotional baggage. Sumedha helped me to get rid of them. Sumedha Sadhana has been an encounter that renewed me. J.

“The whole programme – modules, facilitators, topics covered and processes followed – is excellent. Very meticulously planned and executed. I enjoyed the programme. F

If I had received what I did at Sumedha before my religious profession or priesthood, my life would have been so much more beautiful and meaningful. R.

I feel truly blesed. The programme helped me to come out of my woundedness and get healed. It has helped me to be serene, whole, and helped to increase my faith in God and to be positive in life. Sumedha will always remain a precious part of my spiritual journey.” F.

It was a journey with the heart and through the heart. Sumedha is the best place for self-exploration and self-transformation. Achieved 100% of what I wanted. Everything has been so perfectly planned. V.

I leave with enthusiasm and love in my heart. I had a God experience I never had ever in my life before. Jesus has become my Superhero! J.

Services and Facilities excellent. Food delicious. Campus very beautiful, neat and clean, eco-friendly. Building elegant. A.

Our stay was very comfortable because every detail was taken care of and meticulously planned well. Remarkable welcome and hospitality. Food was tasty. L.

 

Sumedha has given me a new perspective on life. M.

Remaining 2025 Sumedha Sadhana programmes

SS. 53: May 11 – August 02

SS. 54: September 25 - December 17

Our New Programme: Health and Happiness in the Post-Midlife Years – Aging gracefully. August 17-September 13, 2025

Registrations for all the 2025 programmes are open: Contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com

See also our webpage: https://sumedhacentre.org

EMPTINESS, HOPELESSNESS, DARKNESS -- AND THEN A BURST OF LIGHT AND LIFE!

       GOOD FRIDAY

On that fateful Good Friday, so many years ago,  the story had apparently ended. Whatever hopes Jesus of Nazareth had evoked in his disciples and those around him, are shattered. Remember the words of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24, 21): “We had hoped…..” They had hoped  that this Jesus was the one who would set them free from the tyranny of Rome, and of the priests and the Rabbis. But that afternoon they had seen him hanging there on the cross, brutally killed for his attempt to create a new society. They saw him dead and buried. Hope had turned to despair.

HOLY SATURDAY

Holy Saturday is like a dead end, a time when nothing seems to be happening, when one sees no light at the end of the tunnel. Good Friday looks like the end of the story. But not really. The story will continue, although there is nothing to indicate that. There is only an aching emptiness, a painful silence.

But all that will change.

Holy Saturday is the in-between time – between something old dying and something new emerging. Holy Saturday is the time between the seed falling to the ground and dying and then germinating new life. 

EASTER SUNDAY

Light appears at the end of the tunnel. Death is conquered. Despair turns to wonder. The silence and gloom of Holy Saturday is shattered in a blaze of glory. Out of darkness streams of colour break forth - in the dazzling brightness of  the Resurrection.

There is death. But there is also re-birth.

As a popular song says, “there is sunshine after the rain, there is laughter after the pain.”  

.........

When have we felt life to be a long, long Holy Saturday, when we felt like we have reached a dead end – with no way forward, no light at the end of the tunnel? …. And then surprised – at the happy turn of events? 

 May your Good Fridays and Holy Saturdays turn to Easter Sundays!