JOYOUS AND GRACE-FILLED CHRISTMAS TO ALL

God becoming human in Jesus was the beginning of a process of healing of a ruptured world.

That process has been carried on over the centuries by individuals and organisations committed to extending God’s designs for humanity.

Sumedha Centre is glad to be part of that process and contribute in a small way to the healing and transformation of individuals and organisations.

Christmas is an invitation to us to be or continue to be part of this healing and transformative process and be agents of peace, harmony and reconciliation in a world that continues to be ruptured and fragmented.

A JOYOUS AND GRACE-FILLED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

SUMEDHA SADHANA Sept 25- Dec 03, 2012

Sumedha Sadhana (Sept 25 – Dec 03) brought to conclusion the Sumedha programmes for the year 2012. The Centre will remain closed for winter till March 2013.

The climax of the 70-day Sumedha Sadhana were the 10-day Group Therapy and the 5-day Spiritual Retreat. Most participants observed that these were the most transformative experiences they had at Sumedha.

Participants were divided into two groups for group therapy. One group was led by Dr. MC Abraham and the other by Dr. Peter Lourdes, both highly qualified, yet very humane, professionals with years of experience as psychotherapists. Their rich inputs as well as experiential exercises and their gentle, sensitive approach to each one were found to be extremely helpful in facilitating healing and transformation. The eight weeks of inner journey (see previous blog postings for details) that preceded group therapy was also a major factor.

Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha facilitated the spiritual retreat as a “desert journey.”  Taking his cues from the late Henry Nouwen, he helped the participants to experience the retreat as “wilderness” (the “wild beasts” of St. Mark’s Gospel) and “paradise” (the “ministering angels”). Besides the insights provided by rich inputs on the theme, praying with sacred scripture, including a day of prayer and fasting alone literally out in the wilderness helped participants to experience in a very bodily-felt way Jesus’ 40-days in the desert, encountering their inner demons and experiencing the intimate presence of God.

Some typical comments from participants about their Sumedha Sadhana experience:

Sumedha Sadhana provided human, spiritual, pastoral, physical, ecological, emotional, intellectual and sociological understanding and growth… I am able to move forward with hope and trust. I came here with a negative approach to the course and self... Group therapy changed my life. Alex

I have got what I came for. The module on spirituality helped me the most. It helped to deepen my quest for a felt sense of the Divine at this point in my life… The spiritual atmosphere of Sumedha is growth promoting. Although I came to learn, the spiritual journey gripped me and led me to renewal and transformation. Celine

God brought me to Sumedha to heal me. My lamp, whose oil had nearly run out and turned dim, has been replenished and the lamp is burning bright again. Chavala

Sumedha programme helped me to accept myself, recognise and reconcile with my ‘shadows,’ change my attitude toward self and others, gain appreciation for prayer and scripture, develop more positive attitude to life and feel empowered. Christina

Psycho-Spiritual healing and wholeness journey was a well integrated course…. On the whole, it was a lovely and wonderful experience for me… Welcome and hospitality was remarkable. Accommodation, services and facilities were very good. All our needs were taken good care of. The environment and the beautiful scenery were soothing and refreshing. I got what I came for. Emy

Sumedha has brought me a new springtime. I have grown deeper and discovered a new self… I feel vibrant, alive, having touched the edge of divinity... The modules were well connected and the facilitators were excellent. Group therapy was the best part of Sumedha Sadhana—a moment of new birthing, new awareness of unhealthy ways of being and relating. I take with me a totally transformed self.  Gregory

As a whole this programme was very useful and meaningful. It has been an important journey of my life, a great time which I never thought possible. I went through a transformation… My life changed at Sumedha … Every aspect of our needs were taken care of immediately, carefully. Onila

I am grateful for the grace of coming over here. The programme was genuine and  useful for me in every way. This is the best programme…I came here stagnated and broken. My experiences here helped me to transform my life and become an integrated person. Poornima

Sumedha Sadhana helped me to find true meaning in my life and led me to clarity and maturity. It challenged me and made me to begin de-constructing and re-constructing my life at this stage and enter into a more meaningful and purposeful life as a celibate religious….. I feel a kind of satisfaction that the purpose for which I came to this course has been fulfilled. Reena

My stay at Sumedha is a memorable one… I am able to renew myself both spiritually and psychologically. The meaningful Eucharistic celebrations touched me…. The climax of the course was the Retreat… The resource persons were wonderful with lots of experience …. Everything was available for a comfortable stay. I appreciate the warm welcome, the hospitality, the love and care I received during my stay here. Tresa

I needed to reflect on my life, discover what went wrong and why and make corrections. Found the Sumedha programme very useful for this…. It has provided a new light on my path. I feel more free and happy. Gained courage and conviction. Varghese

I came to Sumedha with lots of anxiety, fear, confusion, meaninglessness and stagnation. Sumedha experience banished all these and completely changed my attitude toward self, people, God. My life is really renewed. Vimala

I never experienced life like I did at Sumedha. It was a time to clean up my life, throw the garbage out, experience healing, gain new energy to move on… Waraporn

At the conclusion of the Sumedha Sadhana the participants organised a very fine felicitation function in which they expressed their appreciation to one another and the staff, acknowledging especially the very fine contribution of the various resource persons, all of whom they found to be “excellent.”

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from March 12 to May 10^th, 2013.

STORIES – The Universe’s, Jesus’ and Ours

“Stories – The Universe’s, Jesus’ and Ours"  - was the Sumedha Sadhana module last week.

Gerard Alvarez, former General Council Member and Province Leader of the  Christian Brothers, used stories, movies and rituals to integrate the previous modules of Sumedha Sadhana, especially to experientially bring together psychology (the explorations of the self)  and spirituality (explorations our relationship with God, others and the Universe).

The outcome of the module was to awaken and deepen in the participants the sense of interconnectedness between themselves and the universe and to arouse in them a deep respect for all created reality and the presence of God in all these --holy ground--, and greater appreciation for the Word of God expressed in both Sacred Scripture, the Universe and our human relationships.

It also helped to bring together and integrate more deeply a number of themes touched upon earlier.

The exploration various themes through stories was embedded in the participants’ consciousness of their identity as priests and religious.

The participants found the module especially useful to deepen their spiritual journey.

Some typical comments:

“This module was very experiential. The stories and the way they were presented touched me very deeply and provided new insights for my life.” Poornima.

“Brother Gerard brought alive the Scriptures for me. I am able to see the stories in a new light; they are speaking to me in a new way.” Reena

“The rituals and exercises after the inputs were very meaningful and helped to interiorise.” Emy.

“Brother took great pains to create very meaningful liturgies.” Alex

“The movie Of Gods and Men helped to create a better understanding and appreciation for religious community life” Gregory.

SEXUALITY, CELIBACY & INTIMACY

The module last week of the Sumedha Sadhana programme was “Sexuality, Celibacy & Intimacy” facilitated by Dr. Joe Mannath SDB and Dr. Jose Parappully.

Dr. Mannath took sessions from Sunday to Wednesday. He dealt with the following topics: Stages of psychosexual development; Psychosexual maturity; Healthy integration of sexuality and celibacy; Current issues in relation to sexuality and celibacy; Meaning of celibate chastity; Sexual attraction ministry; Helps for a happy celibate life; and Formation for celibacy.

The participants found the module very helpful. They found it very informative. What they appreciated most was the simple way he was able to present these topics which helped to clarify many of their doubts and confusions. The meaningful liturgies which integrated the themes of the day very meaningfully was also much appreciated.

Dr. Parappully followed up on Thursday and Friday by giving very detailed presentations on two important issues: celibate friendship and sexual abuse. He showed how friendships can contribute significantly to healthy psychosexual and celibate integration and explained the dynamics involved.

Dr. Parappully presented relevant research, as well as anecdotal evidence, to show that there is a high prevalence rate of sexual abuse in India, both of children and of adults. He described the effects of sexual abuse and outlined ways and means to heal from its effects as well as to help others to heal.

SELF-AWARENESS THROUGH JUNGIAN PERSPECTIVES

Sumedha Sadhana participants were busy last week exploring the question “Who am I?” through the module “Self-Awareness through Jungian Perspectives.”

The module was facilitated by Dr. Ajoy Fernandes, a Salesian priest psychologist from the Province of Mumbai.

Dr. Fernandes first helped the participants to identify their MBTI types and then explained how the type influences the approach to life, work, relationships and spirituality.

He then helped the participants to discover, honour and integrate their “persona” and shadow through experiential exercises, active imagination, drawings and movies.

Participants appreciated the programme very much and found it very useful to discover themselves. Even those who have had experience with the MBTI Types earlier observed that Dr. Fernandes’ presentation and approach were far more helpful and richer than their previous encounters with Types.

Participants described Dr. Fernandes’s presentation as “very clear, simple and systematic.” They said it really helped them to identify their personality characteristics, their persona and shadow and move toward greater acceptance and integration of these.

Last week also witnessed the visit of the Salesian General Councillor for South Asia, Rev. Fr. Maria Arokiam, to Sumedha Centre. He arrived on 21st and left on the 22^nd.

He met with the three Salesians at the Centre and spent time interacting with the participants of Sumedha Sadhana. The visitor planted a sapling and impressed on the participants the need for ecological sensitivity.

The Visitor described the services that Sumedha Centre offers as “very essential and much needed, something very much in keeping with what Don Bosco had done in his own time for Church and Society.”

FEMINIST AND WOMEN’S SPRITUALITIES

Last week participants of Sumedha Sadhana completed the 2^nd module of the programme — Feminist and Women’s Spiritualities — facilitated by Dr. Shalini Mulackal PBVM, professor at Vidyajyoti College, New Delhi.

Earlier to that Dr. Parappully, director of he Centre, in his module “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” had explored with the participants paradigms that influence spirituality; the shift from a dualistic-mechanistic to a holistic-ecological paradigm; distinguished between religion and spirituality; and presented 17 characteristics of a mature spirituality for today which paved the way for the more detailed exploration of Feminist and Women's Spiritualities.

Dr. Mulackal explored contemporary feminist movements, situation of women in the Church and society and presented an understanding of feminist and women’s spiritualities within these contexts, particularly the much needed emancipation and empowerment of women.

Some typical comments from participants:

Holy Cross Sister Onila found, like some others as well, the module “an all together new topic which was presented in a systematic way. The content and presentation were very good.”

For Sister Celine of the Congregation of Jesus, the module served as “an invitation to celebrate womanhood.”

It helped me to “change my attitude towards feminine spirituality and my understanding about myself as a woman,” observed Ursuline Sister Reena.

For Divine Word missionary and spiritual director Father Gregory, the combined explorations of Dr. Parappully and Dr. Mulackal provided “the most comprehensive and deepest understanding of spirituality that I ever received anywhere.”

The week concluded with an outing up the stream that lies below Sumedha Centre and the visit of Fr. Maria Arokiam, Regional Counsillor of the Salesians of Don Bosco for South Asia, who interacted with the participants.

2013 (10th ANNIVERSARY) PROGRAMME SCHEDULE (REVISED)

     

1. 10^th Anniversary Special: National Seminar on Formation: “Psychosexual  Integration & Celibate Maturity.” Venue: Bosco Psychological Services. Okhla, New Delhi. February 14-22. (Participants: Major Superiors and Formators)

2    (SS-22) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) - (60 days)

March 12- May 10

3    (SS-23) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (42 days)

May 20-June 30

4       (SD-8) Sumedha Dhyana (Retreat Exclusively for former Sumedha participants 2003-2012)

July 11- 20 (10 days)

5       (SD-9) Sumedha Dhyana (Retreat Exclusively for former Sumedha participants 2003-2012 primarily)

July 24- August 2 - (10 days)

6       (SM-08) Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey - (20 days)

August 12-31 (20 days)

7.   (SS-24) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) - (60 days)

September 25- November 23