51st SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

 The 51^st Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wellbeing Journey --, the last of the year, concluded at Sumedha Centre, Jharmari (Punjab) on 14^th December. This 12-week  programme had begun on 22^nd September. There were 9 participants – 6 women and 3 men.

Sumedha Sadhana is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wellbeing. This programme is offered three times a year.

The topics in this 51^st edition included: Self-Awareness and Self-Transformation, Holistic and Process Spiritualties, Psychological and Spiritual Dynamics at Midlife and Beyond, Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual journey, Psychosexual and Celibate Integration, Breath Spirit and Wellbeing, Emotional Hygiene, Challenges to Consecrated Life, Prayer and Mediation Practices, Intensive Group Therapy. The programme concluded with an Integration Retreat.

Moments of deep reflection and introspection were interspersed with  qigong, yoga,  recreation, dance, expressive arts, movies, birthday celebrations and picnics – fun and laughter.

Participants found the programme immensely useful for their psychospiritual journey. Four of the participants gave a 10 on 10 on a Scale of Usefulness, and three gave a 9.

Some illustrative comments:

·         “The programme is indeed great. Hats off to Sumedha! I am renewed, revived, rejuvenated. I came with anxiety. I go back bubbling with joy. I enjoyed every moment here.”

·         “I came disgruntled with life. I felt I was in bondage, struggling with lots of negativity. Here I learned to love myself and celebrate my life.”

·         “I have overcome those inner struggles that I was going though. I could let out grief and sadness and experience mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.”

·         “I came here with lots of fear and sorrow. I return with courage and confidence. I experienced healing. Good atmosphere and environment.”

·         “Topics are well covered, modules are well chosen, we were happy with the facilitators, process followed were also good.”

·         “I came with fear and anxiety, restlessness. Here I gained lots of awareness which enriched me. I feel liberated. I am physically and emotionally healed. I am going back renewed, energised, with hope, with a desire to share my life.”

“    "The psychospiritual wholeness journey helped me to journey within myself through the various modules. Sumedha gave me an opportunity to understand myself better. I feel revived, experienced healing and wholeness. The module facilitators were good and experienced persons, well-informed and knowledgeable.”  

·         “I was very much welcomed here. I experienced homely atmosphere. Food was good. I will miss it in my community. Very good accommodation. Nice place to live in. Friendly atmosphere. I liked the community spirit. All the services were provided.”

·         “I have not experienced anywhere else sessions of this sort. I am very happy.”

 

The module facilitators were: Johny Dominic Padinjar PhD, Joe Kokandathil PhD, Jose Parappully PhD, Philip Pinto MA. B.Ed, Thomas KC Kurianthanam MPh.

2025 Sumedha Sadhana Schedule:

SS-52: February 9 – May 3

SS. 53: May 11 – August 02

SS. 54: September 25 - December 17

Registrations for the 2025 programmes are open: Contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com

See also our webpage: https://sumedhacentre.org

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.”

 

 

THE LAST SUMEDHA SADHANA OF 2023 CONCLUDES

The last Sumedha Sadhana- A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey of 2023 concluded yesterday, with the participants expressing immense satisfaction with the entire programme.

This 11-week programme commenced on the 27^th September. There were eleven participants, six men and five women, including one from Sri Lanka and another from Thailand.

The Sumedha Sadhana is designed as a personality enhancement, healing and transformation programme for all those who are interested in enhancing their psychospiritual wellbeing and professional effectiveness.

Self-Awareness and self-Transformation, Holistic and  Process Spiritualties; religious Life; Prayer & Meditation; Midlife and Post-Midlife Dynamics; Sexuality, Celibacy & Intimacy; Trauma & Healing; Breath, Spirit & Wellbeing -- are some of the major topics that were explored. Special importance was given to group therapy where participants had the opportunity to face their woundedness and brokenness and move on to greater healing and wholeness. The programme concluded with a spiritual retreat and integration.

Insights from faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Bioenergetics, NLP, Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts, Qigong, Multi-media were used to explore and enhance participants’ psychospiritual journey.

Sumedha Sadhana continues to be a very well-appreciated programme for its usefulness. Comments from participants certify to this:

·         “I am rejuvenated, restored, renewed. Sumedha helped to beautify, bring colours into my life. I am celebrating a new beginning. Sumedha has ignited in me a new sense of purpose.” M.

·          “The programme was superb. It gave me more than I expected. I have learned to let go, forgive, get up from where I had fallen. I can now celebrate my life and my vocation. I now feel happy in every bit of my heart.” K.

·         “I came here with a broken heart., with very low self-image, feeling so bad within me. Slowly as the sessions unfolded I began to enter the journey and began to feel better. Now there is a feeling of calm in me. I feel refilled and happy.” V.

·         “I did not come willingly. I was asked to come. But I am happy I came. I have changed so much for the better. I have made a U turn in my life. I am starting a new way of living.” N.

·         “I came here very hurt, broken, and a very negative self-image. I am now reconciled with my past and able to move into the future with confidence and courage.” M.

·          “As a whole, I am satisfied with the modules, resource persons, topics covered and the processes. All these were dealt with professionally with sensitivity to individual needs and nuances. All modules were carefully selected and orderly arranged. I had time for prayer, contemplation, meditations of various kinds that were good for my physical, mental emotional wellbeing.” P.

·         “It was truly a time of transformation. I moved from fear to trust, hate to love, guilt and shame to faith, criticism and judging to empathy. The whole journey energised me.” C.

·          “I learned more here within three months than during 10-12 years of my priestly formation. Sumedha Sadhana changed so many of my dysfunctional beliefs, attitudes, convictions and behaviours.” T.

·         Sumedha gave me more faith, wisdom, understanding about myself. Learned not to brood over the past. I have experienced a transformation.” S.

·         “The Sumedha Journey has enriched me. I am going back with a positive attitude. I can say with confidence a renewal has taken place in me.” T.

     

“Every day I learned something new. And these have made a difference to my life.” C.

 The next Sumedha Sadhana is scheduled for February 11 to May 4, 2024. Registrations are open. Contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com for registration form. See also our web page at: sumedhacentre.org

47th SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

The 47^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey – concluded on September 18. This 80-day programme had begun on July 1, 2023.

There were 16 participants from 9 religious congregations and three dioceses.

The programme comprised of seven different modules. Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey which included Somatic Meditations, Process Spirituality, Prayerfulness, Midlife Dynamics, Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy, Trauma and Healing facilitated by Jose Parappully; Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey facilitated by Johny Dominic Padinjar; Yoga and Cosmic Spirituality facilitated by Alba Rodrigues; Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing facilitated by Thomas Kurianthanam; Challenges of Consecrated Life facilitated by Philip Pinto; Group Therapy facilitated by Joe Parakkad and Jose Parappully; and an Integration Retreat facilitated by Jose Parappully.

The participants expressed immense satisfaction with the programme.

Some excerpts from the participants’ feedback on the programme:

“Sumedha Sadhana was a journey from the cocoon to a butterfly. It has given me a fresh new beginning. It was a deep experiential journey inward, of soul-searching to discover who I really am. I go back rejuvenated, reenergized, renewed. The combination of psychology and spirituality was par excellent.”

I came to Sumedha with a deep desire to renew and refresh myself. Sumedha experience has done it for me.”

“Sumedha journey was for me a pilgrimage that led to a new life, inviting me to be a happy and joyful seeker of God.”

“A very significant transformation journey. I came with a lot of chaos within me. Group therapy, module on Consecrated life and the Spiritual Retreat has transformed me.”

I came troubled. I return with peace. The Sumedha Integration Retreat was a deep God experience.”

“I came broken, wounded, and troubles and wanted healing and peace. I have found both at Sumedha.”

“All the modules blended beautifully. The me that I came and the me that is leaving is a very different person.”

“Very practical modules. Not just theory. Lots of time from reflection. Creative liturgies. Calm and quiet atmosphere.”

“I am immensely enriched by Sumedha Sadhana programme. The facilitators were highly qualified professionals with knowledge and expertise. Competency was the hall mark. Dynamic way of teaching brought home many insights for my onward journey. The programme was excellent, systematic, wholesome, synchronised well to lead to psychospiritual wholeness in a very effective way. The classes have touched, healed and transformed me into a better human being.”

 

“A very enriching experience. All modules relevant, with very competent resource persons. Comfortable stay. Excellent food.”

 “I felt very much at home Every need was taken care of. Wonderful hospitality.”

“Delicious food. Lovely atmosphere.”

“Excellent environment and hospitality.”

 “A unique experience.”