Sumedhans at Work and Play

Sumedhans took time  to relax by going on a picnic to the lakes on 22nd July. They were accompanied by Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha, George Topno, Administrator at Sumedha and Most Rev. Isidore Fernandes, Bishop Emeritus of Allahabad who is spending his retirement at Jeolikote.

The weathergods were very good to the group. Although it had been raining everyday for a some days, the heavens decided to hold the downpours, and the day was beautiful with only a few drops of rain in the morning.

Sumedhans relaxed at three famous Kumaon lakes: Naukuchiatal, Bhimtal and Sattal. They also visited the famous Golu Dev (Bell) Temple and the organic tea estate at Ghorakhal.

The group  had  completed an 8-day group therapy they previous day and a day of relaxation was a rightful reward for the hard work they had put in. The group was led by Dr. Alex Clement Joseph, who has Masters and Doctoral degrees in counselling psychology from Fordham University, New York. This was Dr. Joseph's first experience at Sumedha. Participants expressed great satisfaction about their therapeutic experience.

The concluding module of the 9-week Sumedha Sadhana is a Spiritual Retreat which begins on July 24. It will be led by Jose Parappully, Director of the programme.

The next programme -  Mini Sumedha Sadhana (4 weeks) - begins on August 6th. A few seats are available.

HARD WORK AND RELAXATION

The Sumedhans completed the various modules of the Sadhana. The last was a 9-day intensive group therapy experience.

They were divided into two groups. One group was led by Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre and the other by Dr. Johny Dominic Padinjar, the Assistant Director of the Centre.

The day after the group therapy concluded, the Sumedhans went on a picnic to the Lakes. They were accompanied by the resident faculty of the Centre.

The group visited the three lakes in the neighbourhood – Naukuchiatal, Bhimtal and Sattal and also the famous “Bell” Temple dedicated to Golu Dev and the organic Tea Garden at Ghorakhal.

The Sumedhans have further two days to relax before they enter into the 6-day spiritual retreat.

PICNIC TO THE LAKES AND THE HILLS

Another Sumedha Sadhana and another picnic to the lakes! Tradition continues...

The picnic is usually held the day after group therapy concludes and before the spiritual retreat that concludes the Sumedha Sadhana experience.

So on Monday, 24th November, all the participants along with the Salesian staff went on a picnic.

Our first stop usually is what is known as the "Pilot Baba Temple/Ashram," about six km away from and very well visible from Sumedha Centre at a place called Gethia. There is also a school there besides meditation halls.

The place has a large number of statues of gods and godesses as well as of men and women in various yogic and meditative pose, including a rare statue of a female Budha or Budhini.

We then stop at what is known to us as the "Bell Temple, at Ghora Khal, a favourite of newly married couples. There are thousands (some pujari told us nearly a crore!) of brass bells tied there by devotees. We get a a wonderful view of Bhimtal from there.

Next stop: Naukuchiatal- "Nine-Cornered Lake" - a favourite spot for photographs. Participants love climbing the trees overhanging the water.

On our return from Naukuchiatal we stop at Bhimtal and then move on to Sattal (Seven lakes) where we have our lunch.

Following lunch there are lots of leisure time activities to engage in, such as boat ride in the lake, walk up to the Christian Ashram, pony ride and dressing up in exotic dresses to get photographed, shopping and so on.

We get back late in the evening. The following day is rest, to get ready for  the Spiritual Retreat that begins the next day.

GROUP THERAPY, PICNIC AND RETREAT

Group Therapy, one of the most important modules of Sumedha Sadhana, was conducted for 10 consecutive days between April 22 and May 1.

Three 90-minute sessions were held each day. Participants were divided into two groups. One group was led by Peter Lourdes PhD, a psychotherapist based in Kolkata. The other was led by Jose Parappully PhD, the Programme Director at Sumedha Centre.

The day following conclusion of group therapy, participants went together on a picnic to the lakes. They visited three of the famous lakes in the neighbourhood of Sumedha Centre, namely, Naukuchiatal, Bhimtal and Sattal and had great fun.

On May 4 begins the concluding module and the integrative climax of Sumedha Sadhana, namely, the 6-day Spiritual Retreat. It will be facilitated by Jose Parappully.

The next Sumedha Sadhana begins on May 20th an concludes on June 30th.