MINI SUMEDHA SADHANA RECEIVES ACCOLADES!

The four week (August 6-September 3) Mini Sumedha Sadhana concluded yesterday. All participants expressed immense satisfaction with the entire programme – planning, organization, content, and execution.

All participants observed that the programme had met all their expectations, and even more. Seven of the 10 participants gave a perfect 10 on the Usefulness scale. One gave 9, two others gave 8 and 7.

The modules were facilitated by Dr. Johny Dominic Padinjar SDB, PhD (Psychological Dynamics), Dr. Jose Parappully SDB, PhD (Spirituality; Meditation; Sexuality, Intimacy & Celibacy), Dr. Varghese Kalluvachel SDB, PhD (Consecrated Life).

Some common observations from participants were these: 

The programme is of excellent quality; it has brought about some real changes in the participants; the module facilitators were all excellent; it was an experience of real community living; liturgies were creative and meaningful; the environment and ambiance wonderful and conducive; there was great freedom – no restricting do’s and don’ts; the food was excellent.

Some quotes from participants:

“I have attended many renewal programmes. This was the best of all.” BM

“I gained lots of new insights. Wonderful ambient. Community spirit was fantastic. I had a good time.” RK

“I came with so much emptiness in me. Those spaces have been filled. So many new perspectives and so much self-awareness gained. I feel I have been healed in many areas of my life. A new self is being born.” SR

“I gained in awareness of self and of God. I felt very much at home. I feel renewed.” VM

“I came to Sumedha full of darkness within.  I have found light. Been able to let go of lots of things burdening me. I enjoyed my stay here. Enjoyed the food and the surroundings. Great family spirit.” N

“I came very distracted, anxious. Very soon I became relaxed. Each class gave me realization of who I am, how I am doing, especially of my dysfunctional behaviours and the need to change.” BE

“Programme helped to let go off many things. It was an experience of liberation.”  TB

“The programme helped me take a good look at myself. Lots of personal time for reflection and prayer. Discovered what I need to change. I go back with a rich experience. Food was excellent.” KM

“I really enjoyed the homely atmosphere. Every one very open minded. Well-conducted sessions.” ED.

“The programme was for me an audit of my life – how I am, how I need to be. Every topic was interesting, relevant and useful. Wonderful ambient and atmosphere. Enjoyed every bit of the programme.  Food was delicious.” LR

The next Sumedha Sadhana (9 weeks) is from October 1 to December 2. A couple of seats available. Contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com

HALFWAY THROUGH 27TH SUMEDHA SADHANA

The half-way mark through the 27^th Sumedha Sadhana was celebrated with an afternoon picnic to the River Bola, near Jeolikote,  on 25^th October.

The river currently does not have much water. So, the participants could wade through the water, jump over the rocks  and prepare tea on the dry river bed famous for its  dark sand.

The 27^th Sumedha Sadhana commenced on September 25. The first two weeks were facilitated by Jose Parappully, the Programme Director.

Parappully helped participants to look at the current realities on the psychospiritual journey, discern what God might be telling them through all that is happening and make choices as response to those invitations.

He traced the rise and fall of dominant cultural paradigms, especially the Dualistic-Mechanistic and the Holistic-Ecological and presented the impact of these paradigms on spirituality. He presented 17 characteristics of a “Mature Spirituality for Today” and helped participants to assess themselves on these characteristics and redesign their priorities.

He also helped them trace their developmental experiences through infancy to adolescence. He will be addressing Midlife dynamics later in the programme.

The films “Siddhartha,” and “Chocalat” supplemented class explorations.

The third week focused on “Personality and Spirituality.” Ajoy Fernandes, a counselling psychologist an currently Vice Provincial of the Mumbai Don Bosco Society, helped participants discover their personality types through the MBTI, and explored the implications of each personality type for spirituality. 

Fernandes presented the Jungian concepts of Persona and Shadow, Animus and Anima and their impact on personality and spirituality. He explored these concepts using structured exercises and the films “Spider Man” and “EarthSea.” The entire module was integrated through creation of Mandalas.

The theme for last week was “Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy.” This module was facilitated by Joe Mannath, currently Secretary of the Conference of Religious of India. Topics explored include Stages of Psychosexual Development, Celibate Maturity, Sexual Attraction in Ministry, integration of Sexual Feelings in Celibate Life, Helps to Happy Celibate Life, and Celibate Friendship. 

Class explorations were supplemented by films such as “Love Comes softly,” “Dead Man Walking,” and “Joshua” as well as Video Meditations.

“Somatic Meditations” – consisting of Music, Songs, Yoga, Dance, Sacred Scripture, Centering Prayer and other forms of Meditations -- to begin the day are regular part of the Sumedha Sadhana. These are facilitated by Jose Parappully.

The  day concludes with creative Liturgies that integrate the day's experiences through Scripture, Songs and the Eucharist. 

Participants whose birthdays fall during the period of the Sadhana are felicitated with some level of festivities.

The 27^th Sumedha Sadhana, the last for the year 2014, concludes on November 30.

CONFERENCE ON PSYCHOSEXUAL INTEGRATION AND CELIBATE MATURITY AT BANGALORE

A conference on Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity, the theme of the book recently published by the Salesian Psychological Association and the South Asia Formation Commission of the Salesians, was held at the Don Bosco Renewal Centre in Bangalore from April 12-14.

One of the featured speakers at the Conference was Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre, whi is also one of the editors of the book. He took two sessions on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: Some Behavioural Challenges.”

Parappully’s topic covered five of the 29 chapters in the book. Based on the participant’s need he focused on the following behavioural and existential challenges: (Re) Awakening of Sexuality and Intimacy Needs at Midlife and Beyond; Celibate Loneliness, and Celibate Friendship.

A number of other contributors to the book were also featured at the Conference. These included Jose Kuttianimattathil ( Psychosexual Integration, Celibate Maturity, Formation and the Formator), Anton Paul (Canon Law and Sexual Boundary Violations), Marie Gabrielle Riopel (Spirituality, Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity), Joe Mannath (Celibacy: Meaning, Motives, and Formation), John Tharakan (Ethical Issues for Formators and Pastors), and Joe Thannickal (Accompaniment, Resilience and Formation).

The Conference was organised by Joe Thannickal, Programme Director at Don Bosco Renewal Centre,  Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore and the President of the Salesian Psychological Association.

The Conference was open to all perpetually professed religious. Forty-one participated

A similar conference will be held at Don Bosco Provincial House, Hyderabad, on June 3-4, 2013.

BOOK EDITED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SUMEDHA CENTRE RELEASED

Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: Handbook for Religious and Priestly Formation” edited by Jose Parappully SDB, PhD, the Director of Sumedha Centre, and Jose Kuttianimattathil SDB, Rector and Professor of Theology at Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore, was released simultaneously in several Indian cities, on Jan 31, the feast of St. John Bosco, the Founder of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

The book was released in New Delhi, by Msgr Romanus of the Vatican Embassy along with Syro-Malabar Archbishop of Delhi, Most Rev. Kuriakose Brahmikulangara, in Chennai by Archbishop George Antonysamy, in Pune by Bishop Thomas Dabre, in Nashik by Bishop Lourdunada Daniel, in Kolkata by Fr. Thomas Ellicherayil, Provincial, in Bangalore by Most Rev.Thomas Menamparampil, Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati, and Fr. Paul Puthenangady, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy and Religious and in Hyderabad by Rev. Suvarna Bernard, Vicar General, during large gatherings of religious and priests.

Conceived about ten years ago and intensely worked on during the past four years, the book meets the long-felt need of priests and religious to have an up to date, complete and reader friendly resource book on formation to sexual and celibate maturity. 

  

Containing 29 chapters and authored by 17 religious men and women with years of experience and expertise related to the topic, this book is a veritable mine of information coupled with very practical suggestions and exercises for growing in maturity.

The book, published by the Salesian Psychological Association and the South Asia Formation Commission of the Salesians of don Bosco,  has 29 chapters divided into two volumes.

The book has received critical acclaim from eminent personalities in the field of religious and priestly formation.

Most Rev. Bosco Penha, Former Auxiliary Bishop Archdiocese of Bombay, expressed the view that this "book should be of great help in the seminaries, presbyteries and religious houses" and that it "would certainly help to give us better integrated priests and sisters.” 

Rev. Francesco Cereda, General Councillor for Formation of the Salesians of Don Bosco, considers the book to be  "a precious help to anyone interested in the area of psychosexual maturity and celibacy, especially superiors and formation guides." 

M. C. Abraham, psychologist and former Programme Director at Sadhana Institute, Lonavla ,described it as  "a precious hand book for formees, formators, psychotherapists as well as decision makers" and recommended it "whole-heartedly to anyone who is seriously interested in the ministry of formation for mission.” 

Sr. Inigo, Former Superior General of the Sisters of St. Anne, described the book as  "a 'must read' and a brilliant guide for all those who are formators, spiritual directors, bishops, superiors, priests and religious.” 

For Brother Joseph Philip Pinto, Congregation Leader of the Christian Brothers, this is a  book that is "thorough in its research and all-encompassing in scope" and which "helps us to face our sexuality, accept it and live it with courage and freedom." 

The book can be ordered from  from: Kristu Jyoti Publications. Kristu Jyoti College. Bosco Nagar. K. R. Pura, Bangalore. 560036. India. kristujyotipub@yahoo.co.in   Phone. +91- 80- 28474139 

PSYCHO-SEXUAL AND CELIBATE INTEGRATION

Last week (March 14-19) the Sumedha Sadhana programme had the module “Psycho-Sexual and Celibate Integration.” It was facilitated by Joe Mannath SDB, PhD. Dr. Mannath has over 20 years’ experience in religious and priestly formation work and twelve years in University teaching both in India and abroad. He is a well known writer and a regular columnist with The New Leader. Currently he is the Rector of Don Bosco Renewal Centre, Bangalore.

The topics he explored included: Main Challenges in Regard to Psycho-Sexual and Celibate Integration; Stages of Psycho-Sexual Development; Psycho-Sexual Maturity; Celibacy – Meaning and Motive; Helps for Happy Celibate Living; Celibate Friendships; and Sexual Attraction in Ministry. The presentations were enriched by relevant films, jokes and meaningful liturgies.

The module provided participants much clarity on topics that are seldom discussed and as such was very useful. As one participant commented in the evaluation, “This module brought me insight and awareness of the beauty of sexuality and celibacy.” Another observed, “These classes provided a new meaning to celibacy…It can be made very precious and beautiful by my living it in the way it should be.”