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. 

SPIRITUAL RETREAT IN JAIPUR

Fr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, facilitated a spiritual retreat for the Priests of the Catholic diocese from 4th to 9th November 2018. It was held at the Bishop's House, Jaipur.

There were 29 priests, including the Bishop of the diocese the Most Rev. Oswald Louis. Most of the priests in the diocese are quite young.

The retreat was focused on the theme: Priest: Bearer of the Mystery of God and doctor of the Soul."

On the first day Fr. Parappully presented the retreat as a Desert Experience in which retreatants were led to experience like Jesus in the desert "Wilderness" and "Paradise" - the "wild beasts" and the "ministering angels" mentioned in Mark's Gospel.

He then further explored the theme of "wilderness" and "paradise" using the experiences of the great prophets of the Old Testament - Abraham, Moses, Hosea and of Paul in the New Testament.

Following this, Fr. Parappully presented "The Identity and Mission" of the priest - bearer of the mystery of God, doctor of the soul, and community builder.

The culminating talk was on "Jesus of Nazareth - Compassionate Son of a Compassionate Father" - the model for every priest.

The talks were help for personal prayer around the Word of God. The retreat was enriched by meaningful celebration of the Eucharist, Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, Sacramental Confession and a Healing Service.

"Very enriching and very useful" was the unsolicited feedback from the retreat participants.

(The two buildings in the blog: 1.  A beautiful little church built in 1761 with exquisite interiors in the Mughal  an Jaipurian style on the campus of the Bishop's house and 2. the newly built Bishop's House.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH TO THAILAND - 1

The Director of Sumedha Centre conducted a 7-day Spiritual Retreat for the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (SIHM) of Thailand.

The retreat was held between 3 and 9 January 2016 at the Mother House of the Congregation at Hua Hin. There were 29 participants, including the Superior General, Asst. Superior General and members of the General Council.

The theme of the Retreat was "Religious Life as a Desert Journey." Topics dealt with included: Call of the Desert: Renewal of Initial Love and Devotion; Religious Life: A Journey to God; Community: Journeying Together; Wounding and Healing: Forgiveness & Reconciliation; God: Unconditionally Loving Father; Jesus of Nazareth:Compassionate on of a Compassionate Father; and, Mary of Nazareth: Mother & Disciple.

Currently, the Director of Sumedha Centre is facilitating a one-month "Psycho-Spiritual Integration" programme for 30 Sisters at Sisters Centre, a National On-Going Formation Centre of Religious Women of Thailand and Laos, at Sam Phran, about 35 km from Bangkok.

30th SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

The 9-week long 30th Sumedha Sadhana (Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) concluded on December 3rd.

The last module of the programme was a Spiritual Retreat based on the theme "Wilderness" and "Paradise." It was facilitated by Jose Parappully.

Following the Retreat there were two days for the participants to integrate all the experiences of the 9 weeks through Expressive Arts. This process of integration was also facilitated by Jose Parappully.

The next Sumedha Sadhana commences on March 15, 2016. Registrations are open.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH IN SEPTEMBER

Sumedha Centre did two Outreach Programmes in September enabling many more to benefit from the Sumedha Centre’s expertise.

The first was a Psychospiritual Retreat for the Rectors, Parish priests and Leaders of Communities of the Salesian Province of Guwahati. Fr. VM Thomas, the Provincial who had earlier attended a spiritual retreat facilitated by the Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, wanted the leaders of his Province to have a similar experience.

The retreat was held at the Salesian Provincial House, Guwahati between 8 and 13 September. The retreat was presented and experienced as a “desert journey” – as “wilderness” and “paradise” (Mark, 1, 13). 

The last two days focused on the role of the Salesian Rector/Leader of Community as a “Centre of Unity” and as “Animator of Community.”

Ample time was provided for the retreatants to experience God through Sacred Scripture

The retreatants were very appreciative of their retreat experience. One veteran missionary observed: “In my 62 years of Salesian religious life, this was a most unique experience.” Another simply said, “After several years, I made a really good retreat,” a sentiment shared by others.

  

The second was a Seminar on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” held at Kristu Jyoti College Bangalore on 23 and 24 September for the staff and students of the philosophy and theology departments of the college and for the students and staff of Viswadeep Institute for advanced theological and catechetical studies. There were about 300 participants.

This seminar also was facilitated by Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre. Parappully is the primary editor of the best selling two volume book bearing the same title as that of the seminar.

Participants expressed great satisfaction about the way the topic was dealt with and found it very useful. 

“An extremely useful seminar,” observed one participant summing up the sentiments of others as well. “The topic was handled in a very commendable way.”