FIRST SUMEDHA SADHANA OF 2023 AT JHARMARI, PUNJAB, CONCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY

The first Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey— of 2023 at Jharmari, Punjab, concluded on May 02.  This 80-day programme had commenced on February 12.

There were 17 participants (8 religious women from 7 congregations and 9 priests from 3 congregations).

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 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, Breathwork, Yoga, Qigong, Multi-media, Prayer & Meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey.

There were seven different modules in this Sadhana: Psychological Dynamics on the spiritual journey which included topics such as somatic meditations, self-awareness, prayerfulness, midlife dynamics, psychosexual and celibate integration which included Celibate Friendships, Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Healing. There were facilitated by Jose Parappully, the Director of the programmes.

Other modules were Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey (facilitated by Johny Dominic Padinjar), Yoga and Cosmic Spirituality (by Alba Rodrigues), Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing ( by K. C. Thomas Kurianthanam), Challenge in Consecrate Life Today( by Philip Pinto), Group Therapy (by Jose Parappully and Maria Goretti Kanakaratinm). The Sadhana concluded with a Spiritual Retreat facilitated by Jose Parappully.

Methodology was very experiential using a four-fold approach of Input, Introspection, Interaction and Intercession. This was supplemented by Expressive Arts and Dance, Bioenergetics, Qigong and creative liturgies. 

 There were also time for recreation and a group picnic to Chandigarh.

At the conclusion, participates expressed immense satisfaction with the programme and felt they had benefitted from it to a very large extent:

Some comments:

The whole programme has given me the way to journey through life better.”

“This journey healed me physically, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically.”

“The programme helped me to go deeper into myself and understand myself better.”

“it gave me a new understanding of God, of prayer and religious life.”

“The retreat was a unique experience and helped me grow in my spiritual life,”

"I came here with so many masks. I gave in to the constant invitation hearing within me to open myself, to give up the masks, remove the blocks, overcome anger, reconcile with self and others -- learned to relate better with others, build healthy relationships, and I return with peace and joy, energised."

"I came here like a volcano -- anger, depression, disturbed. Now I feel relaxed, gained so much, lots of healing, physically, mentally, emotionally spiritually. No I feel like a strong mountain. I enjoy great peace."

"The programme helped me to re-direct my life."

"It helped me to be a new person. I experience a new dawn."

"The programme on the whole was well planned, nothing was lacking. Hats off to the organisers.”

"I experience warm welcome. Food and accommodation very good. I felt very much at home. Plenty of time to reflect and pray. Working together enriched our journey here."

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from July 1 to September 18, 2023. A few seats are still available. For registration contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com.

Please visit also our website: https://sumedhacentre.org  

Sumedha Centre for Psychospiritual Wellbeing at Jharmari is a venture of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Province of the Good Shepherd, New Delhi

 

 

39th SUMEDHA SADHANA DELIVERS MORE THAN PARTICPANTS’ EXPECTATIONS!

The 39^th Sumedha Sadhana - Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey (October 1- December 2) concluded with a high level of satisfaction on the part of the participants. Most observed that they had received much more than what they had hope for. Nine of the participants gave the programme 10 out 10 on usefulness and five gave a 9. The average rating was 9.35.

There were 18 participants from different parts of India, from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand. Among them were five priests and 13 religious women from 11 different religious congregations and one diocesan priest from the Archdiocese of Kolkata.

Fr. Uday D'Souza, the parish priest of Jeolikote, welcomed the participants and gave a short profile of the Jeolikote parish and the Diocese of Bareilly.

Sumedha Sadhana is a programme of inner journeying together with fellow seekers in quest of greater healing and wholeness, so that participants can live their lives in more fulfilling and satisfying ways and be more effective in their service to others.

There were seven modules in this edition of the Sadhana: Spirituality, Early Development, Midlife Transition, Unconscious Dynamics, Core Transformation, Group Therapy and Spiritual Retreat. Participants also had opportunity for individual therapy.

Dr. Jose Parappully SDB, Director of the Centre, facilitated the modules on spirituality, early development, midlife transition, group therapy and the retreat.

Dr. Johny Dominic Padinjar SDB facilitated the “Unconscious Dynamics.” This module explored the dynamics behind the helplessness that persons often experience in not being able to do what they want and doing what they do not want.  Using concepts from Freudian, Jungian, NLP and Transactional Analysis theories Dr. Padinjar helped participants unleash the powers of the unconscious to facilitate healing and wholeness. He also facilitated individual and group therapy.

Dr. Jose Mathew Kuttianimattathil SDB facilitated the “Core Transformation” module. In this module participants were helped to explore and examine their least liked behaviours, feelings and responses to move toward the wellspring within them (Core State) which radiates peace, love and harmony.

The academic programme was enriched by creative liturgies, integration days, weekly recreations, movies, and relaxing outing and picnic.

Participants expressed great satisfaction with and appreciation for the programme content, process, organization and the module facilitators.

Comments from the participants:

“I am immensely enriched by the programme… The facilitators were highly qualified professionals with knowledge and experience.”

“The programme on the whole was excellent. Module facilitators were competent, caring and adequately firm and gentle.”

“The programme as a whole was very excellent, systematic, well planned, well arranged.”

“I came here with certain goals. They are fully realized. I gained new enthusiasm and passion for life and ministry. I go back a happy person.”

“My goal was achieved. I give 10 on the scale.”

“I got more than I expected.”

 “Sumedha touched every aspect of my life – everything was useful. What I wanted I got.”

“I came here to deepen my spiritual life. Yes, it is realized.”

“I came here feeling very dry. Today my tree is budding forth green leaves. I feel healed and renewed, ready to bloom.”

“The programme came as rain to remove my dryness and renew my spirit.”

“My life had become a mess. It is Sumedha that challenged me to be who I am. Regarding my religious/priestly life also it challenged me and put me where I was supposed to be.”

“The Sumedha journey helped me to heal my wounded soul, mend the brokenness of my life. It enabled me to journey into my innermost and find the wellspring.”

‘Sumedha Sadhana prepared me to embrace the past, own up the present and plan for the future.”

“The retreat helped me so much to come close to God, to experience his love. I feel touched by God, healed. My life is blessed.”

“Search for meaning in life and deeper spirituality brought me to Sumedha. I have found both. My broken pot is mended, my heart expanded and I feel more integrated. I return with confidence and enthusiasm.”

“Reception, hospitality, accommodation, services and facilities were excellent. I would like to appreciate specially the food served to us every day. It was indeed commendable.”

“It was very enriching to stay over here, the warmth, love we experienced from the staff, non-teaching staff and from each other. All were very hospitable. We felt free to approach and the accommodation was very good. Everything was provided, the food was abundant and excellent. I feel very privileged to be here for 9 weeks.” 

 “The friendly and homelike atmosphere created by the hosts was beyond my imagination. I enjoyed my stay over at Sumedha, felt like it is my own home.”

38th SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

The 38^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness journey - concluded on August 2^nd. This 9-week programme had begun on June 1.

Sumedha Sadhana is a programme of inner journeying together with fellow seekers in quest of greater healing and wholeness, so that one can live more fulfilling and satisfying ways and be more effective in their service to others. A variety of approaches and techniques are used to reach these objectives.

A major portion of the programme was devoted to the exploration of the psychological dynamics affecting one's spiritual journey.

Sumedha Sadhana provided theoretical input as well as opportunities for reflection on experiences and to share them with one another and for personal and common prayer. The serious work of introspection and working thorough of issues affecting one was enlivened by outings and picnics, weekly recreation together and celebrations. Creative liturgies integrating the day's experiences was a prominent feature of the programme.

There were five major modules in this programme: Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey (Jose Parappully PhD); Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey (Johny Dominic, PhD), Cosmic Spirituality (Alba Rodrigues MA, BEd), Group Therapy (Johny Dominic and Jose Parappully), Spiritual Retreat and Integration (Jose Parappully).

The programme was much appreciated by the participants and found immensely useful. Four of the 13 participants gave a perfect 10 out of 10 on the Degree of Usefulness, and five gave a 9.

Some representative comments:

“Everything was excellent!”

“The programme is very well planned and wholesome. All the facilitators are very well versed in their fields.”

“Everything had a great impact on me.”

“It really helped me to renew myself and my religious commitment.”

“I feel I have become a better human being than before.”

“I came gloomy. Go back happy.”

“I came with confusion, loss of meaning and direction in life…I go back healed, hopeful, heart filled with love.”

“I came here caught up in much darkness. Wanted to be a different person. I had doubts if the programme would help. It did. My goals are fulfilled.”

“The classes were very, very, very good.”

 “A mountain experience. Mission accomplished.”

“I had a beautiful time at Sumedha.”

“Very conducive atmosphere and very beautiful surroundings.”

 “I experienced lot of freedom here, Could go anywhere. No restrictions.”

“Food was very good and nice. Cooks very hospitable, welcoming.”

“Beautiful scenery. Healing atmosphere.”

 “I felt this was a very welcoming community. I felt very much at home.

“I enjoyed my stay here.”

The 39^th Sumedha Sadhana begins on October 1, 2018. Registration open.

32nd Sumedha Sadhana Gets Near Perfect Score!

The 32^nd edition of the nine-week-long Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey (June 1- August 2 2016, concluded yesterday to the great satisfaction of all.

Seven of the 10 participants gave the programme gave 10 out of 10 (including two 10+) in terms of usefulness of the programme and meeting their expectations. There were two 9s and one 8.

A common theme running through the feedback from participants is that they have been healed and transformed in ways they never expected. They go back very different persons than who they were when they arrived at Sumedha Centre. They got more than what they had hoped for.

A few typical comments:

“The course satisfied my desires and compassionately accompanied me to journey inward, reconcile with my past, love myself, adopt a healthy spirituality, befriend my shadows, be more open to close relationships. I came to know Jesus of Nazareth and fell in love with him once again. The personal consultations gave me courage to open myself and I experienced freedom. My desire and the goal which I set on the first day of the programme were fully realized. Very Holistic Course.”

“My goal has been realized 100 %. The course was well organized in every minute detail.”

"I came here disillusioned, shattered, wounded, frustrated, full of regrets, wanting to leave religious life. I was able to face my inner demons, experience healing. I go back renewed, recommitting my life to God and a burning desire to be the compassionate face of God to all who cross my path.”

“Every day was a profound inner journey – a mirror held up to me, to see myself more clearly. I have become a totally new person, hopeful of living my religious life meaningfully. Sumedha has been a unique experience, something I never experienced before and one I think is available nowhere else.”

“All the inputs of modules were very profound and enriching. First time I have received such a nice and spiritual course.”

“After a long time I made a very meaningful spiritual retreat.”

"Hospitality, accommodation, food, services, climate were all excellent. The supporting staff had a pleasant smile for me. I truly felt at home. The place was amazing.”

The  33rd Sumedha Sadhana is from September 28 to November 29, 2016. Registration is open. Contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com