50th Sumedha Sadhana

The 50^th edition of the immensely popular Sumedha Sadhana- A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey concluded on September 14.

There were 14 participants from different parts of India and one from Sri Lanka. There were seven priests and seven religious sisters.

Sumedha Sadhana is inner journey toward greater wholeness and wellbeing. Participants begin from where they, looking at what is happening on their psychospiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics affecting their wellbeing, to recognise and break through the blocks  on the path and heal from their brokenness , so that they can live and minister in more joyful, satisfying and fruitful ways.

Insights from faith and wisdom tradition, various psychological theories as well as experiential tool and techniques are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual wellbeing.

There were several modules that facilitated this transformational journey. Among them were: Growing in Self-Awareness, Somatics, Prayerfulness and Meditation Techniques;  Midlife Dynamics and Transformational Processes; Sexuality, Intimacy and Celibacy; Breath, Sprit and Wellbeing, Emotional Hygiene, Enneagram, Challenges to Consecrated Life; Trauma & Healing; Group therapy and Spiritual Retreat.

Participants expressed immense satisfaction with the programme.

“On the whole all the sessions’ were very useful because they are related to our day to day life.”

“The whole programme was very fruitful. I have grown spiritually and emotionally.”

“The programme was incredibly useful in helping me develop a deeper understanding of myself, my values, and my passions. It provided a rare space for self-reflection, growth and transformation.”

“I came in emotionally disturbed. All the modules helped to deal with the inner disturbance, and see the truth of who I am and develop a new outlook.”

“The programme helped me to discern my relationship patterns and reconcile, and go through a body, mind, spiritual healing.”

“Sumedha was for me a transformational journey: liberation, letting go, self-discovery, spiritual growth, experiencing wholeness.”

“I befitted a lot from the programme. I came with a sad heart, with the mess I had created. The programme helped me have a joyful heart. “

 ““Group therapy was a unique, beautiful healing journey. It changed my life.”

“”I came disturbed, sad, my heart like a stone. I was helped to come out. I was able to get rid of the garbage and unburden myself.”

“Sumedha Sadhana was just what I needed at this juncture of my life. Living together was a unqiue experience.”

“All the facilitators were Excellent!”

 “I “I really appreciate the welcome, hospitality, accommodation, food, campus, building, services and facilities – all the things given to the participants. “

“I really enjoyed my stay here at Sumedha.”

“Sumedha was a wonderful journey of healing and transformation. I return with a joyful and grateful heart.”

 The 2025 programme schedule with in formation about the various modules and module facilitators is given below. Registrations are open. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com. See also our webpage: sumedhacentre.org. 

49th SUMEDHA SADHANA

The 49^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey commenced on February 11. There are 23 participants – 9 women religious and four priests, from 10 different religious congregations and one diocese.

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

A major portion of the programme is devoted to the exploration of the psychological dynamics affecting our spiritual journey.

Several modules have concluded and the feedback from partisans show these have benefited them immensely.

The programme began with the participants looking at what is happening in their lives at this juncture on their psycho-spiritual journey. They were helped to discern what God might be telling them through all that is happening in their lives. Jose Parappully helped them explore these current realities.  He also facilitated a module on Prayerfulness.

In Somatic Meditation, Jose Parappully used a combination of Qigong, Yoga, Music, Dance and the Word of God to help participants loosen up all the knotted energies in their psychosomatic system and experience rejuvenation of psyche and soul.

Jose Parappully used insights from various psychological theories, tools and techniques from Expressive Arts and Journaling, as well as movies and music to help participants explore and integrate the psychological dynamics and transformational processes of Midlife to help participants enhance their psychospiritual wellbeing and age gracefully, finding meaningfulness and fulfilment in the second half of our lives.

In Unconscious Dynamics Johny Dominic helped participants explore the dynamics behind the helplessness participants 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 he helped participants unleash the powers of the unconscious to facilitate healing and wholeness.

Consecrated life is facing new challenges in the context of a society that is rapidly evolving with new values and of events that are shaking up traditional Church teachings and practices, as well as faith of people. Philip Pinto helped participants look at these challenges and provided insights and experiences to live their consecrated life in ways that are more radical and relevant to changed social and Church realities.

In "Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing" KC Thomas (Kurianthanam) introduced the participants to a series of holistic exercises using breath, music and movement for the integration of body, mind and spirit.  This module integrated Eastern meditative techniques with Western therapeutic methods leading to stress release, emotional healing and contemplative silence. 

 Among the modules still to come are: Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy, group therapy and a spiritual and integration retreat which concludes this psychospiritual wholeness journey.

Two Important Events.

There were two noteworthy events during the past 6 weeks of the programme.

The first was the “Extraordinary Visitation” (an assessment of the way Sumedha Centre is carrying out its Mission) by the Salesian Regional for South Asia, Dr. (Fr.) Biju Michael, who is a member of the General Council of the Salesians of Don Bosco at its headquarters in Rome. This took place on March 7-10.

Fr. Biju Michael met the two Salesians who are members of the Community, and went through all documents and reports, to assess the state of affairs at the Centre. He also met with all the participants of the current Sumedha programme.

The other was the celebration of the Foundation Day of Sumedha Centre, and the feast of its Patron, St. Joseph, on the 19^th March. 

Most Rev. Ignatius Mascarenhas, the Bishop of Shimla-Chandigarh diocese presided at the Eucharist at 6.00 pm. He was warmly welcomed by the participants and staff. In his homily, Bishop Mascarenhas spoke of the import service that the Centre is often to people who are seeking enhancement of their psychospiritual journey. He told the participants that the programme can truly be a means for healing and transformation. He described their time at the Centre as a “privileged moment of grace.”

 

 

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

 

 

FIRST SUMEDHA SADHANA OF 2023

 The First Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey programme at Sumedha Centre, Jharmari, began on February 12^th. 

There are 17 participants from different parts of India and one from Indonesia. There are 8 women from seven different religious congregations (1 each from Apostolic Carmel, Holy Family, Presentation, Notre Dame, Ursuline, Ursuline Franciscan, and 2 Holy Cross of Chavonod), and 9 men from three different congregations (4 Jesuits, 3 Salesians of Don Bosco, and 3 Missionaries of St Francis Sales)

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

A major portion of the programme is devoted to the exploration of the psychological dynamics affecting our spiritual journey.

The programme began with a module on Self-Awareness in which participants were helped to look at all that was going on their lives at this current period of their life and discern what m might be telling them through all this.

The next module was on Cultivating Prayerfulness, in which participants were exposed to various forms of contemplative prayer and had opportunity to practice them. Both modules were facilitated by Jose Parappully PhD, the Director of the Sumedha Centre.

In Somatic Meditation, Jose Parappully used a combination of Qigong, Yoga, Music, Dance and the Word of God to help participants to loosen up all the knotted energies in their psychosomatic system and experience rejuvenation of psyche and soul.

The next module was “Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” in which Johny Dominic PhD helped participants explore the dynamics behind the helplessness that they 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 he helped participants unleash the powers of the unconscious to facilitate healing and wholeness.

The next module was “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey”. In this module Jose Parappully used insights from various psychological theories, tools and techniques from Expressive Arts and Journaling, as well as movies and music to help participants explore and integrate dynamics of midlife and engage in required transformational processes to enhance their wellbeing as they move into  the second half of their lives.

In Yoga & Cosmic Spirituality, Alba Rodrigues MA, BEd used ancient wisdom traditions and evolving spiritual insights and practices to offer participants tools, ancient and new (including Yoga and Dance and cosmic rituals), to awaken the deep wisdom lying dormant within the participants and reconnect with the capacities of their body, mind and spirit and experientially deepen and expand their spirituality in alignment with the evolving cosmos

.

The remaining modules are: "Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing" by KC Thomas Kurianthanam, Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy by Jose Parappully, “Challenges of Consecrated Life Today” by Philip Pinto, Group Therapy by Johny Dominic, Jose Parappully and Maria Goretti Kanakaratinam, and Spiritual Retreat by Jose Parappully.

The programme concludes on May, 02.

The next Sumedha Sadhana begins on July1. Registrations are open. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

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.”