2022 SUMEDHA SADHANA DELIVERS ON ITS PROMISE !

 

There were 3 elven- week-long “Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey” Programmes held this first year at Sumedha Centre’s new facilities at Jharmari, Punjab.

Sumedha Sadhana is 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 and Dance, Breathwork, Yoga, Qigong, Multi-media, Prayer & Meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture were used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey. The programme concluded with a spiritual retreat.

The rich academic programme was supplemented with weekly recollection days and recreation, picnics and outings and movies.

The first Sadhana this year (SS-43) was from March 17 to May 31. There were 18 participants (12 women and 6 men).

The second (SS-44) was from June 12 to August 27. There were 15 participants (6 women and 9 men).

The third (SS-45) was from September 11 to November 26. There were 20 participants (10 women and 10 men), including one from Australia and another from Kenya.

There were 8 different resource persons offering modules on Prayerfulness and Meditation Practices; Somatics and Qigong; Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey, Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy, Trauma and Healing (by Dr. Jose Parappully), Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey (by Dr. Johny Dominic), Feminist and Women’s Spirituality (by Dr. Shalini Mulackal), Yoga and Cosmic spirituality (by Alba Rodrigues) Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing (KC Thomas Kurianthanam and Mathew Cobb), Challenges of Consecrated Life Today (Philip Pinto), Group Therapy (Dr. Edison Fernandes, Dr. Johny Dominic, Dr. Jose Parappully), Spiritual Retreat (Dr. Jose Parappully)

Feedback from participants show that they were immensely satisfied with the programme. They said what  the programme promised had been achieved and they had gained much more than they had expected. They were also very happy with the campus, the renovated building and facilities’ offered.

Some comments:

SS-43

“The programme offers a sort of complete BODY, MIND and SPIRIT wholeness journey. It offers enough and more tools for self-discovery and for reorienting one’s priestly/religious life. I found the modules/presentation and the facilitators relevant, attractive and up-to-date.”

“I am healed of my sadness and various emotional wounds. Also I got clear picture of who I am. These were the goals I had set.”

“I loved the campus very much—the vast area within and outside the campus for a walk, to spend quiet moments alone with the nature or for reflection, to relax and enjoy in small group, to play and so on. According to me it is an ideal place for a programme of this kind.”

“It was a wonderful blessing time for me. Really helped me to be a new person—in thoughts, attitudes, life patterns.”

“Welcome, Hospitality, were highly remarkable.”

“Excellent in general.”

SS-44

 “The whole experience at Sumedha Sadhana has been enriching and life giving for me. It has helped me change my outlook and attitude in life.”

“The programme helped me to go deep within and become aware of myself. It helped to get in touch with my physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual self.”

Sumedha challenged me to take a new look at my values, It widene3d my world to new horizons. Feel very blessed.”

“Sumedha Sadhana was a landmark, watershed moment. Served as a catalyst to rekindle my original love.”

Sumedha rejuvenated my body, spirit and soul. I have grown in compassion and love, become more free and joyful.”

“I came with lot of baggage. Learned to let go. I experience great freedom.”

“Sumedha was a resurrection experience!”

“Every module was a jewel. A wonderful inner journey. Brought me peace of mind and heart.”

 "I came with a lot of turmoil, in despair. I leave with leave with peace of mind having experienced profound healing.”

"All the modules were very relevant to our life. The module facilitators were very clear in delivering the topic, and helped us to go deeper into ourselves.”

“The programme as a whole has made me a more integrated person spiritually, psychologically and emotionally. I was able to release most of the negative energies that were affecting my life. My outlook on the world has become more positive and wider and surely I have grown in my spiritual life. I feel more vigour and energised.”

“The modules were well planned, there was connection from one module to another. The facilitators were excellent. They knew their subject well and delivered it creatively and innovatively.”

 SS-45.

“The whole experience at Sumedha has truly been a ‘Kairos’ period for me… It has been a Healing-Renewing-Transforming experience for me.”

“The whole programme was very enriching. I gained lots from this programme. I received lot of physical and emotional healing. I experienced freedom within.”

“Sumedha was a lighthouse for me. It provided direction.”

“I came here burnt out. Received what Sumedha promised: Healing and wholeness.”

“I feel rejuvenated, recharged, and renewed by the wisdom gained from the different modules.”

“Sumedha was a life changing experience for me. It was an inner journey of exploration. Many things in me have been turned upside down. Discovered what needs to be healed, let go.”

“I came here burnt out. I go back re-energised. I found gain meaning in my life that had disappeared.”

“I witnessed miracles. Impossible things happened”.

“The facilitators did an excellent job!”

“All the module offered were well synchronised to lead to psychospiritual wholeness in a very effective way. All the facilitators were competent and experts in their area. The whole programme was well organised and executed. Every aspect of our life was well taken care of. There was very homely atmosphere. The whole campus, services and facilities are conducive for the programme of this kind. I felt very much welcomed and cared for.”

 “Sumedha Centre is very comfortable and homely. Accommodation was very spacious, good rooms, toilets, comfortable bed, and more than this could not be expected. Food was very nutritious, well prepared with balanced spices. There was good variety in Non-veg and Veg dishes. The best catering I enjoyed so far among all the many centres I have attended. The Sumedha campus and the area around is very good, clean, green, spacious, fresh air, so much enjoyable. Lot of space for walks and the nature is so beautiful around.”

 

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from February 12 to May 02, 2023.  Please contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com for application forms and brochure.

PERSONA, SHADOW, THE UNCONSCIOUS AND SPIRITUALITY

Two important and closely-related modules facilitated during April 2018 as part of the 9-week-long (March 15-May 16) Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey" were: 1) the  "Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” facilitated by Dr. Johny Dominic Padinjar, the Assistant Director of Sumedha Centre and 2) “Jungian Perspectives on the Spiritual Journey” facilitated by Dr. Ajoy Fernandes, Director of Prafulta Mental health Services in Matunga, Mumbai.

Johny Dominic 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 them unleash the powers of the unconscious to facilitate healing and wholeness.

Working from a Jungian perspective Ajoy Fernandes helped participants explore especially their identity and understand their personality type and its implications for their spiritual journey, and helped them move toward greater personal integration by exploring and owning their persona and shadow and integrating their animus/anima.

Both these modules and the module facilitators were very much appreciated by the participants. The modules provided participant’s much awareness about themselves, particularly regarding their defense mechanisms and their shadows.

During this period the the General Councilor of the Salesians of Don Bosco for South Asia, Rev. Fr. Maria Aroka Kanaga SDB visited Sumedha Centre. He interacted with the Sumedha Participants and along with them planted a sapling to encourage ecological sensitivity and care – something that is part and parcel of the spirituality explored and practices at Sumedha Centre.

FEMINIST & WOMEN'S SPIRITUALITIES.

The module on "Feminist & Women's Spiritualities," part of the 9-week-long Sumedha Sadhana programme, concluded on Friday 13th April at Sumedha Centre.

This module was facilitated by Dr. Shalini Mulackal PhD, Professor of Theology at Vidyajyoti College of Theology, New Delhi and President of the Indian Theological Association.

Dr. Mulackal explored the meaning and salient characteristics of spirituality from women’s perspective. She helped participants look critically at some of the popular images of traditional Christian spirituality, the process of masculinisation of women’s spirituality, and religion’s subjugation of women through theoretical inputs and examples from everyday life.

31ST SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

The 9-week-long Sumedha Sadhana – A Pychospiritual Wholeness Journey – concluded on May 16. It began on March 15. There were 18 participants, including three from Thailand and 2 Salesians from the Province of New Delhi.

There were nine different modules in this programme. The first was “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” facilitated by Dr Jose Parappully, the Director of the Centre. This was followed by “Feminist and Women’s Spirituality” by Dr Shalini Mulackal; “ Unconscious Dynamics” by Dr Johny Dominic, the Asst. Director of the Centre; “Jungian Perspectives on Personality” by Dr Ajoy Fernandes; “Word & Stories” by Gerard Alvarez; “Midlife Dynamics and the spiritual Journey” and “Psychosexual and Celibate Integration” by Dr Jose Parappully.

The two culminating Modules were “Group Therapy” facilitated by Dr Jose Parappully and Dr Johny Dominic and the Spiritual Retreat, directed by Dr Jose Parappully.

The last two days of the programme were devoted to integration of the soul-work of the 9-weeks and the presentation of the same.

Besides all the serious inner work, there was time to relax with weekly recreation, outings and picnics to the lakes. The open spaces around the Centre provided lots of opportunities for long walks, bird and butterfly- watching and exploring the hills, and even encountering wild animals!

All the participants found the entire programme immensely useful.

Some comments from the participants:

“Sumedha experience was the best thing that has ever happened in my life. It helped me go through the process of healing and transformation in such a gentle and peaceful way….It was simply amazing to see how everything was functioning so smoothly and well.”

“It was thrilling to be at Sumedha. A unique, precious, wonderful experience.”

"From beginning till end it was an “Emmaus Journey.”  Sumedha provided a holding environment for some deep soul work.”

“I discovered more of myself, became aware of my behavioural patterns and able to change myself… My spiritual activities became more meaningful”.

“The programme on the whole was very good. The modules were arranged systematically… and the module facilitators were too good. I really enjoyed each and every bit of the programme. I really relished and cherish the two months’ programme”

“I was really grateful to God for the welcome that I received. Super hospitality, good accommodation and delicious and tasty food that I enjoyed, good services and facilities provided at the Centre.”

“Helped to reflect on my life journey – past, present and future. Blend of practical, spiritual, intellectual, psychological learning.”

“The retreat as a desert journey was truly touching – an experience of deep intimacy with God.”

“Here I experienced family atmosphere, peace, love and freedom. The staff were very welcoming persons, very simple and hospitable.”

“I feel that each and everything was well organized with welcoming spirit, great hospitality, comfortable accommodation, delicious food facilities, and excellent services.”

The next Sumedha Sadhana begins on June 1^st and concludes on August 2. The last one for the year begins on September 28 and concludes on November 29.

For further information, contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com