SUMEDHA CENTRE MARKS 10th ANNIVERSARY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Sumedha Centre marked its 10th Anniversary of Foundation with an International Conference.

Sumedha, a centre for renewal of body, mind and spirit through insights and practices from psychology and spiritual traditions, was set up in 2003 by the Salesians of Don Bosco in New Delhi.  In 2008 the Centre was shifted to Jeolikote in the Himalayan foothills, near Nainital, in the North Indian State of Uttarakhand. 

The Conference theme was “Psychosexual Integration, Celibate Maturity &Religious and Priestly Formation” and was held at Bosco Psychological Services, New Delhi from 14^th to 22^nd February.

Thirty seven delegates from India and abroad attended the Conference. 

The Conference was inaugurated with a concelebrated Eucharist at which Most Rev. Anil Couto, the newly installed Archbishop of Delhi, presided. He was joined at the altar by Most Rev. Thomas Mar Koorilos, Syro-Malankara Archbishop of Tiruvalla, and Fr. Michael Peedikayil, the Salesian Provincial of New Delhi.

Fr. Peedikayil introduced the two Archbishops and welcomed them and the delegates on behalf of the  the Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia, co-sponsors of the Conference.

Commenting on the theme of the Conference in his homily, Archbishop Couto emphasised the need for all priests and religious, especially those involved in formation,  to be conformed to the image of Jesus of Nazareth and to abide in him, if they are to become integrated persons and witness to the beauty of consecrated celibacy.

Eleven of the 17 authors who contributed chapters to the book  "Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity" co-edited by Jose Parappully, the Founder-Director of Sumedha Centre, made presentations based on their respective chapters.

There were also two panel discussions in which Bishop Koorilos, Sr. Inigo, former Superior General of the Sisters of St. Anne, and a number of Major Superiors and Formators shared their experiences related to the theme of the Conference and answered questions from the delegates. A third panel consisted of a number of the the presenters.

On the last day of the Conference the delegates had opportunity to relax by visiting the sprawling and artistic Akshardham Temple on the banks of the Jamuna River and the India Gate and surroundings. A visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra was also organised after the Conference for those who wished to go there . 

The delegates expressed great appreciation for the quality of the Conference both in terms of the presentations and the overall organisation.

MIDLIFE DYNAMICS AT ST FRANCIS ASHRAM

Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, facilitated a two-day workshop on “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” for 15 Capuchin Friars of the Lucknow Capuchin Province at St. Francis Asharam, Nainital, on 12-13 September.

The Workshop focused on four Journeys that midlifers are called make: Journey Inward, Journey into the Past, Journey Outward and Journey into the Future. The inputs presented various midlife dynamics and transformative processes especially the integration of the masculine and the feminine (animus/anima), the redemption of the “Shadow,” reclaiming of “Dreams” and the integration of sexuality, intimacy and celibate chastity. Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their experiences in the light of the inputs and share them in small and large groups.

The Friars found the Workshop very useful. “Very enriching”, “an eye-opener,” “gained very useful insights,” “awakened deep thoughts” and “very helpful” were some of the frequent phrases the Friars used to describe their experience of the Workshop.

SUMEDHA SADHANA: AN APPRECIATION

I got from the  Sumedha programme what I had hoped to gain, and even more. I came seeking to reconnect with myself and God and to understand my blocks in interpersonal relationships. I go back with a sense of having arrived at, with a deep hope that all I gained here will help me to live the rest of my life more meaningfully and purposefully. It also gave me lot of insights and awareness into life in general and provided a lot of meaningful rituals, tips and techniques. I appreciate deeply the Eucharistic celebrations and meditations and the many rituals we had. I have experienced the power of journaling to understand self. The somatic movement meditations helped me to relax, to come out of self-consciousness.

The topic spirituality was the central theme, I felt, which ran though the entire programme and it helped me a lot to understand as well as to live a deeper, unified life, with a sense of inner freedom and peace. Apart from the many articles provided and sessions taken on spirituality by Fr. Jose, the other resource persons too dealt with it.

I personally benefited from the topic of sexuality was handled. The theories on psychosexual development, the presentations by Fr. Joe Mannath and Fr. Jose Parappully were well appreciated and they helped to understand my personality and behaviour patterns a lot. Now I’m able to make better choices, and love being a woman with freedom and joy.

Understanding my personality and the shadows through Fr. Ajoy’s class, befriending the emotions through the sessions of Srs Maria and Agnes were also significant part of my growth process here. I particularly appreciate Sr Agnes’ contribution. She took us deeper into the emotions of fear, anger, guilt and the trauma of sexual abuse. The mandala on persona and shadow and the dance with the shadow stand out in my mind as being particularly helpful.

Br Gerard’s class too had a deep impact on me as it strengthened and challenged my religious vocation. It was also one of real HIGH LIGHTS of the entire experience at Sumedha. Sr. Shalini brought in a refreshing view through her classes and awakened in us the joy of living our lives as women, the contributions we can make to help women to live a better life.

Group therapy and the retreat helped me to experience the fullness of what I’ve learned in the classes. Without these two SIGNIFICANT  aspects the rest of the classes would have been incomplete. I really thank God and Frs Peter and Jose who led me into that experience of acceptance, liberation, inner freedom and deepening of my commitment to God.

It is difficult to come to just one thing that touched me most, as there are more than one. The retreat was the highlight of all – and in it I appreciated the presentation of God’s love and the portrait of Jesus of Nazareth. It helped me to believe in the personal love of God for me and confirmed me in my relationship with Jesus as a person.

As the name “Sumedha” indicates, the entire course is designed in such a manner that we understand and develop a healthy mindset – (knowledge and clarity on topics, develop awareness and attitudes) – so that we can live more responsibly and purposefully, that we take responsibility for our lives!

Welcome, hospitality, accommodation and food: All of these were taken care of very well. We (I) felt very much at home and comfortable. Both Fr Jose and Br John treated us graciously. And I thank both for the troubles they have taken.

Priya

SUMEDHA CENTRE 2013 PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

1.   (SS-22) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) (10 weeks)

     March 1- May 9

2.   (SS-23) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (7 weeks)

May 20-June 30

3.      (SD-8) Sumedha Dhyana (Retreat Exclusively for former Sumedha participants 2003-2008)

July 12- 21

4.      (SD-9) Sumedha Dhyana (Retreat Exclusively for former Sumedha participants 2009-2012)

July 25- August 3

5.      (SM-08) Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey (3 weeks)

August 11-31

6.  (SS-24) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) (10 weeks)

     September 22- November 30

Sumedha Sadhana

Course Description: This is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their spiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality and integrate them in healthy ways to create more satisfying and more productive life patterns.

Course Content: Holistic, Process & Formative Spiritualities; Cosmic, Creation & Feminist Spiritualities; Religious & Community Life; Prayerfulness & Healthy Emotional Life; Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey; Identity & Vocational Commitment; Intimacy, Celibacy & Sexuality; Generativity, Stress & Burnout; Shadows & Subpersonalities; Trauma, Healing & Reconciliation; The Universe story, Jesus Story and Our Story -- are some of the major topics that will be explored. Special place is given to group therapy where participants have the opportunity to face their brokenness and fears, their unhelpful patterns of living and relating and move on to healing and wholeness. The programme concludes with a directed retreat.

Tools & Techniques: Insights from Christian faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts, multi-media, prayer & meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey. (Age limit: 30-60 years)

Sumedha Dhyana

Sumedha Dhyana is an experiential and interactive approach to awareness, exploration, healing and transformation on the spiritual path. This spiritual retreat provides participants an opportunity to take a good look at what spirituality means to them, what their ways of living their chosen spiritual paths have done to them, examine whether their spiritual beliefs and practices are life-enhancing or life-limiting, and to take remedial action by adopting healthier beliefs and practices. It is also a time to heal their brokenness through Forgiveness and Reconciliation and experience wholeness and integration by reclaiming their Shadows and reaching out in compassion to their Inner Child. Process tools include Intensive Journal, expressive arts, guided imagery, active imagination, aerobics, Sacred Scripture, prayer and meditation. (Exclusively for former Sumedha Participants, 2003- 2008 and 2009-2012)

Midlife Dynamics & The Spiritual Journey

During midlife the meaning question looms large on our psychic horizon: What does it all mean, anyway? The quest for meaning leads to an inward journey through which we seek to embrace our self at new levels of awareness. We make a journey into the past to reconcile unresolved issues. We turn our eyes to the future, to consider how we want to live out the rest of our lives. Midlife is a time when we question our “dream”—who we wanted to be, what we wanted to accomplish. It is a time when we question our commitments and consider their impact on our past, present and future. Sexuality, which has often been repressed, rears its head and makes itself felt, often in troubling ways. Longing for a close relationship is awakened or intensifies. Our body experiences drastic hormonal changes. Emotional awareness of one’s own mortality presents life in new perspectives. These dynamics of midlife have a profound impact on our self-concept and our spiritual journey

Course Content: At this workshop we shall explore these psychological dynamics so as to deepen and enrich our spiritual journey. We will particularly explore four midlife issues identity (who we are), intimacy (the role of affectivity and sexuality in our lives) generativity (how we work and nurture future generations), and integrity (how we make sense of the whole of our life). We will explore spirituality, religious life, physical and emotional well-being, sexuality and celibacy, our hurts and our shadows in the context of shifting midlife perspectives and experiences.

Tools and Techniques: In this endeavour we will use the insights from various psychological theories of development, and from the medical sciences. Our inner process at this workshop will be enhanced by the exploratory and healing techniques of the Intensive Journal, Psychosynthesis, and Expressive Arts and the power of meditation and prayer. (Exclusively for former Sumedha Participants 2003-2012)

Faculty

Agnes Panikulam MA (Trauma & Healing). Ajoy Fernandes PhD (Jungian Approaches to Self-Awareness). Gerard Alvarez MA (The Universe Story, Jesus Story, Our Story – and the Word). Godfrey D’Sa MA, PGDC (Group Therapy). Joe Mannath PhD (Sexuality, Celibacy& Intimacy). Jose Kuttianimattathil PhD (Core Transformation). Jose Parappully PhD (Therapy, Psychological and Midlife Dynamics, Mature Spirituality, Religious and Community Life, Trauma & Healing, Retreat). M. Goretti Kanakarathinam MA (Group Therapy, Befriending our Emotions). MC Abraham PhD (Group Therapy). Peter Lourdes, PhD (Therapy). Shalini Mulackal PhD (Feminist & Women’s Spirituality).

For further information and application form, please contact:

Sumedha Centre. Jeolikote. P. O.  Nainital Dist. Uttarkhand 263127

Ph. 05942-224328. mob. +91-9410941799 . email: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

19th SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDED

The 19^th Sumedha Sadhana (Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) concluded on May 9^th, leaving a sense of great satisfaction among the 16 participants. Nine of the 16 gave a perfect 10 on degree of usefulness of the programme, four gave 9, two 8 and one 7.

An earlier post on this blog had given a description of the first month of the programme and the participant’s response.

The months of April-May  had six different modules. Shalini Mulackal facilitated “Feminist and Women’s Spiritualities”, Gerard Alvarez facilitated “Stories: Ours, Jesus’ and the Universe’s”; M. Goretti Kanakarathinam faciliated "Befriending Our Emotions"; Agnes Panikulam facilitated “Trauma and Healing”; M. Goretti Kankarathinam and Peter Lourdes led the therapy groups; and Jose Parappully directed the Spiritual Retreat which concluded the programme.

Comments from participants attest to the effectiveness and high quality fo the programme.

“The outcome of the programme was very good for me. I got the answers for so many questions I had been asking for years. I experienced inner healing. Therapy was most useful of all the experiences here.” (Amala)

“The programme was beautifully organised. There was seamless flow from one module to another, spiralling into greater and greater depths” (Anjali).

“Process spirituality helped me experience God in the bits and pieces of my every day life. Erickson’s theory helped me very much to explore myself from birth until today. I received encouragement, concern, care and love from my companions and resource persons. Therapy helped me very much to accept myself with all my childhood experiences. The culmination of my transformation process took place during the six days of retreat.” (Anne)

“Sumedha Sadhana gave me a second life! The retreat was extraordinarily beneficial.” (Catherine)

“My stay at Sumedha is a memorable one. The warm welcome, the hospitality, the love and care, the accommodation, the food and the facilities provided here are very fine. The beautiful nature is also very enriching and inspiring. Really enjoyed the Sumedha experience, including the sunrise I could watch from my bed. Liked the wonderful home atmosphere.” (Deepa)

“I go back as a new person, a free person. I can write a book about the 70 days.” (Eugine)

“Sumedha was a wonderful experience. I came here worn out. I go back strengthened… I received what the programme promised.” (Jacintha)

“I arrived at Sumedha sick, tensed, worried and angry… I go back feeling so free. The feeling is that of being found after being lost. The place itself is healing” (Leena)

“The retreat was very meaningful. It led me to renew my love for God and be aware of his powerful presence in my life” (Malini)

“I renewed my missionary vocation here. I go back to Africa, to Chad with renewed commitment and strength and great joy. I learned the meaningfulness of prayer here. The meaningful Eucharistic celebrations touched me.”” (Mary Rani)

“In group therapy, I worked very hard, step by step to open myself. That helped me very much. I began to feel better about myself. I have gained confidence in myself. Durng the retreat I realized how God loves me. (Nudjara)

“There was flow from module to module. Lots of time for reflection, leading to deeper and deeper awareness. Group therapy was the climax. It helped me to open up, and it brought me freedom. I learned to open my heart to love and receive love.” (Panarat)

“coming to Sumedha proved to be a gift of God to me. I came believing every thing was in control. Had also wanted to present myself as in control, that everything was fine with me. But gradually I began to uncover my masks.” (Priya)

“I go back renewed physically, emotionally and spiritually.” (Rosary).

“Sumedha Sadhana is the peak point of my life. I got strengthened in my vocation and decided to live it more meaningfully… Felt very welcome at the Centre. Experienced it more like home than institution. The resource persons were wonderful. It’s a programme unlike any I had attended earlier.” (Valsa)

“I felt so much at home- no restrictions. We could go anywhere, anytime, including the kitchen…The resource persons were really wonderful. They came down to our own level, ever ready to be helpful… I was very happy with the accommodation. I had a beautiful room with all the facilities. Everything was available for a comfortable stay.” (Vimala)