60-DAY SADHANA IN THE KUMAON HILLS

A sixty-day Psycho-Spiritual Wholeness Journey entitled Sumedha Sadhana concluded today at Sumedha Centre for Psychology and Spirituality, Jeolikote, in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand.

Sumedha, a venture of the Salesian Province of New Delhi, is a centre for renewal of body, mind and spirit through the integration of insights and practices from psychology and spiritual traditions. The sixty-day Sumedha Sadhana is the flag-ship programme of the centre. It is offered three times a year.

The last of the Sumedha Sadhana for the year commenced on October 1 and brought together religious and priests from various parts of the country and abroad. There were 18 participants in all – eleven religious sisters, two religious brothers (including a Salesian from Mumabi Province) and five priests (three religious and two diocesan.)

The major module, lasting three weeks, was Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey, and was facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully SDB, PhD, the Director of the Centre.

This module helped participants to journey back into their childhood to discover the experiences that helped to fashion their sense of self, and journey into the future to discern how they wanted to live out the rest of their lives. In this backward and forward journey they explored the various dynamics related to issues of identity, intimacy, generativity and integrity.

Dr. Ajoy Fernandes SDB, PhD helped the participants discover their psychological types, their persona and shadow and integrate them for a healthier sense of self during the module Jungian Perspectives on Self Awareness.

Dr. Rosamma John ICM, PhD helped participants explore Women’s and Feminist Spiritualities.

Dr. MC Abraham CSC, PhD and Dr. Jose Parappully led the participants through the healing and transformative experience of group therapy. Five days of silent spiritual retreat directed by Dr. Jose Parappully helped participants to integrate the experiences of the two months and concluded the programme.

As they looked back at their two-month experience at Sumedha all the participants expressed great satisfaction regarding the quality of the programme. Some said it was the best they had attended. One common comment was “I received so much more than I expected.” Another was, we go back “refreshed,” “renewed,” “reenergised.”

Nazareth sister Cecily remarked. “I made a deep journey into my past, my present and my future. There was a lot of time to introspect. The beautiful surroundings really helped. I got every thing I wanted. I go back recharged and re-energized. Sumedha was such a blessing. Very satisfied with everything.”

“What Sumedha did was to help me reinvent myself. I came here disappointed, disillusioned, and disordered,” disclosed Joy, a diocesan priest from Orissa. “Sumedha helped me take control of my life.”

Mike, another diocesan priest, said: “The best experience I’ve ever had. Every thing was a new experience. I received so much more than I expected. It has a given a new direction to my life.”

“I came here broken, finding my life so meaningless,” shared Teresa, a missionary nun form the North East. I am going back with hope.”

For Tesia, a hospital worker, Sumedha was “a profound God experience. I came here confused, troubled, searching for something. And I found what it was. I go back energised, confident.”

All this happened because “every aspect of the programme was carefully selected, beautifully blended, integrated in a meaningful sequence, and effectively communicated. I got exactly what I needed. I thought the programme was organised with just me in mind. I profited from every bit of it,” observed Winie, a Holy Family nun from Sri Lanka.

Supha, a Sacred Heart nun from Thailand, remarked, “I could be like a child here. There was so much freedom.”

“I liked the atmosphere of freedom given here. I felt I was being treated like a responsible adult whether in my personal routine or community. I found the food and other services very good,” said Theo, a missionary priest - a sentiment echoed by other participants as well.

Next Sumedha Sadhana dates: Feb 25-April 25; May 20- June 30; Oct 01-Nov 29, 2011. Registration is open.

JUNGIAN PERSPECTIVES ON SELF AWARENESS

An Important module of the ongoing Sumedha Sadhana programme is entitled Jungian Perspectives on Self-Awareness. It was held from 18 to 23 October and was facilitated by Dr. Ajoy Fernandes, PhD, a Salesian priest from Mumbai.

Dr. Fernandes first helped the participants to identify their Jungian Type using the Myers Briggs Type Inventory. He then focused on the Dominant and Inferior Functions and their impact on one’s spirituality. The exploration of dominant and inferior functions also served as introduction to the Persona and the Shadow. Participants were helped to identify their persona and shadow through fantasy and guided imagery exercises. He then moved on to an examination of the Animus and the Anima” and provided insights and strategies for their integration using two films, Spiderman II and Earthsea.

A final integration of the week’s explorations and experiences were accomplished through creation of Mandalas. Participants offered these Mandalas at the concluding Eucharist, integrating psychological exploration and spiritual practice.

Participants found this module immensely useful for growing in self-awareness and expressed great satisfaction with the way the module was handled. On a scaled of 1 to 10, one representing “Very Little Useful” and 10 “Immensely Useful,” nine of the 18 participants gave a perfect 10 on the scale to represent their assessment of the Degree of Usefulness of this module. Two participants gave a score of 9 and seven a score of 8. Two participant comments from several that illustrate satisfaction:

“The process helped me to go step by step in the journey of self-discovery till I got in touch with the real issue that bothered me for months…. Expressive art and imaginary exercises were very helpful to me, especially art.” Sr. Winie.

“I had done this workshop earlier about 10 years ago. But the way Ajoy did it was different. He had a unique style which I found useful. It was not a lecture but a non-threatening self-discovery in my own inner journey. Fr. Philip

News from Sumedha

We began the last programme for 2010 - Sumedha Sadhana - on October 1. It goes up to November 29. We have 18 participants (11 women religious, five priests and two religious brothers.). It's houseful!! We also had houseful for the June-August Sadhana.

We were anxious whether the participants would be able to reach Sumedha Sadhana as the road between Jeolikote and Kathgodam had been closed to traffic because of landslides. However all the participants turned up on time. They had to go all the way to Nainital via Bhimtal and then come down to Jeolikote! No one complained!!

Some sad news. Br John's father passed away on Oct 14. He was seventy five. We got the news that night at 9.30. The funeral was to be the next day. John didn't go as he would not be able to reach home for funeral. He will be going home in December. He lost his young sister (during child birth) on October 21st last year. So two big losses for him. Please remember him in your prayers.

Last month we had torrential rains for several days. On18th the rains continued non-stop and they caused lots of damage. Roads in several parts of the State were washed away and landslides killed several people. Part of the road in front of Sumedha Centre (near the BSNL tower) was washed away. It has been repaired. A long stretch of the road between Jeolikote and Kathgodam was washed away and the traffic on that road was suspended for some weeks. The road has just been opened (on the 15th), because of Dussera. The condition of the road is still bad. Authorities might still close it. Marketing has become very difficult and time consuming. We have to go to Nainital, come down via Bhowali and Bhimtal (3 hours to go and 3 to come!). Please pray the conditions of the roads improve. The road to Almora is still cut off.

Winter is slowly setting in. The evening are beginning to be chilly, but the days are glorious with brilliant sunshine and blue skies.

Our 2011 Schedule is given in the previous blog.

Blessings!

Sumedha Centre 2011 programmes

2011 Programmes

1. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (60 days).

February 25 – April 25

2. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (42 days)

May 20-June 30

3. Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey- (15 days).

July 17 – 31

4. Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey- (15 days).

August 17 – 31.

5. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (60 days).

October 01 – November 29, 2010.

Sumedha Sadhana

Course Description: This is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their spiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality and integrate them in healthy ways to create more satisfying and more productive life patterns.

Course Content: Holistic, Process & Formative Spiritualities; Cosmic, Creation & Feminist Spiritualities; Religious & Community Life; Prayerfulness & Healthy Emotional Life; Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey; Identity & Vocational Commitment; Intimacy, Celibacy & Sexuality; Generativity, Stress & Burnout; Shadows & Subpersonalities; Trauma, Healing & Reconciliation; The Universe story, Jesus Story and Our Story -- are some of the major topics that will be explored. Special place is given to group therapy where participants have the opportunity to face their brokenness and fears, their unhelpful patterns of living and relating and move on to healing and wholeness. The programme concludes with a directed retreat.

Tools & Techniques: Insights from Christian faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts, multi-media, prayer & meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey. (Age limit: 30-62 years)

Midlife Dynamics & The Spiritual Journey

During midlife the meaning question looms large on our psychic horizon: What does it all mean, anyway? The quest for meaning leads to an inward journey through which we seek to embrace our self at new levels of awareness. We make a journey into the past to reconcile unresolved issues. We turn our eyes to the future, to consider how we want to live out the rest of our lives. Midlife is a time when we question our “dream”—who we wanted to be, what we wanted to accomplish. It is a time when we question our commitments and consider their impact on our past, present and future. Sexuality, which has often been repressed, rears its head and makes itself felt, often in troubling ways. Longing for a close relationship is awakened or intensifies. Our body experiences drastic hormonal changes. Emotional awareness of one’s own mortality presents life in new perspectives. These dynamics of midlife have a profound impact on our self-concept and our spiritual journey

Course Content: At this workshop we shall explore these psychological dynamics so as to deepen and enrich our spiritual journey. We will particularly explore four midlife issues identity (who we are), intimacy (the role of affectivity and sexuality in our lives) generativity (how we work and nurture future generations), and integrity (how we make sense of the whole of our life). We will explore spirituality, religious life, physical and emotional well-being, sexuality and celibacy, our hurts and our shadows in the context of shifting midlife perspectives and experiences.

Tools and Techniques: In this endeavour we will use the insights from various psychological theories of development, and from the medical sciences. Our inner process at this workshop will be enhanced by the exploratory and healing techniques of the Intensive Journal, Psychosynthesis, and Expressive Arts and the power of meditation and prayer. (Participant Age Limit: 30-62)

For further information and application form, please contact:

Sumedha Centre. Jeolikote. P. O. Nainital Dist. Uttarkhand 263127

Ph.05942-224328. mob.+91-9410941799

email: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

2011 Sumedha Centre Programmes

2011 Programmes

1. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (60 days).

February 25 – April 25

2. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (42 days)

May 20-June 30

3. Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey- (15 days).

July 17 – 31

4. Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey- (15 days).

August 17 – 31.

5. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (60 days).

October 01 – November 29, 2010.

PSYCHOSPIRITUAL WHOLENESS JOURNEY IN THE HIMALYAS

An international group of 17 women and men and completed a 60-day Psycho-Spiritual Wholeness Journey at Sumedha Centre today.

Among these were 2 Salesians, 2 Jesuits including a Provincial who has just completed his term of office, 2 diocesan priests (Delhi and Chandigarh), 1 Cappuchin priest, 1 Montfort Brother and 9 religious women of whom one was from Papua New Guinea, another from Srilanka and a third from Bangladesh.

“The programme was just wonderful, just the kind I had been longing for,” remarked Sr. Leela, a social worker from Maharashtra with a huge simile on her face. “It has helped me to look at my life in a wholly new way. I go back a different person.”

Fr. John, a Salesian, said it was for him a “grace experience. It provided me the rejuvenation I so badly needed.”

Loreto Sr. Yvonne from Bangladesh said: “The programme touched almost every aspect of my life. It has helped me to experience a sense of freedom I have never felt before. I am going back fully satisfied, having relished the two months.”

“The programme gave me so much more than I had expected. I never dreamt it could be this good. It was very holistic. Every part of the programme was very meaningful and relevant. And the beautiful atmosphere of the hills made a real difference,” commented Jesuit Fr. Tom.

The Psychospiritual Wholeness programme is offered three times a year at Sumedha Centre. The next programme is from October 1 to November 29.

A MEDITATION RETREAT

Ten women and three men did a ten-day meditation retreat at Sumedha Centre for Psychology and Spirituality, from 20^th to 29^th May. The retreat was directed by Jose Parappully, SDB, PhD.

Each day began with a 90 minute Mind-Body-Spirit meditation which utilised centering, Qi gong, yoga, walking meditation, aerobics, music and dance to create a holistic sense of wellbeing. The beautiful surroundings of the Kumaon hills, with melodious bird song serving as soothing music all through the day, helped to create a prayerful, reflective and relaxing environment.

After some inputs from the retreat facilitator, retreatants had the day to themselves. They were supplied with readings and scripture passages to stimulate reflection and prayer. A creative liturgy in the evening helped to integrate and deepen the day’s experiences.

“I came here all confused and troubled. This retreat brought me profound healing and transformation. It is unlike any retreat I had all these years” Sr. Rani, a hostel warden, remarked at the conclusion of the retreat.

“I had lost my way, and I had lost sight of Jesus. Through this retreat I rediscovered both. I am so happy” said Sr. Bessy, a nurse and hospital administrator.

For Sr. Floret, a university professor and theologian, the Mind-Body-Spirit meditation in the morning was the best experience. “It was a new experience for me and had a profound impact on me,” she acknowledged. “It created an inner atmosphere of stillness which helped in deepening the day’s encounter with God.”

“The atmosphere here was excellent. The talks deeply reflective. The music and songs inspirational,” observed Fr. Xavier, director of a retreat centre.

Sr. Reena who had just retired after nearly thirty years in administration voiced the feelings of many when she said, “The various experiences of this retreat—inputs, reflections, the morning exercise, meditations, dance, liturgy, prayer, the nature—everything evoked in me a deepening, a greater centering each day. Every part of my mind, body and spirit was touched and somehow came alive—I feel a greater oneness within myself.” (All names have been changed.)

MIDLIFE WANDERINGS IN THE HIMALAYAS

Eleven mid-lifers (including a Salesian from Kolkata) began explorations of their life experiences and their impact on their psycho-spiritual journey at Sumedha Centre for Psychology and Spirituality on May 7 and concluded them today.

Sumedha Centre is situated at Jeolikote in the Kumaon foothills of the Himalayas, 18km below the tourist town of Nainital in Uttarkahand.

These mid-lifers looked at what was happening in their lives at this current juncture of their life and tried to discern what God was inviting them to through all that was happening and had happened in their lives. They sought answers to the questions who they are, how rich and fulfilling their relationships are, how generative they are, and how much they are able to invest all their life experiences with meaning and coherence.

They were assisted in this process through rich input from the facilitator Dr. Jose Parappully, intensive journaling, expressive arts, meditation and sacred rituals they created. Films such as Siddhartha, About Schmidt, The Motorcycle Diaries and Tuesdays with Morrie helped to deepen their explorations.

“I have been extremely satisfied with the programme,” said Sr. Reema (all names changed), a just-retired Provincial of an international congregation. “It has helped me see the patterns in my life and grounded me more solidly on the path I have chosen. I return with new focus, new energy”

Sister Anita, from a neighbouring country, remarked: “When I saw the brochure describing the midlife programme, I felt a deep longing to attend it. I knew it will give me what I needed at this time in my life. And my longing has been one hundred percent satisfied.”

Sister Angela, just entering midlife, confessed: “I came here confused, and not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. There was so much restlessness, fear, doubt. The programme has given me so much clarity. I go back happy and at peace.”

Fr James found the liturgies very meaningful. “I have attended various programmes at a number of centres,” he observed. “Nowhere did I find the liturgies so creatively and meaningfully integrate the day’s experiences as here.”

Participants were appreciative especially of the way the programme integrated psychology and spirituality in the exploration of the midlife journey. “I would have been bored if it was all spirituality. But there was such fine balance,” observed Ms Celine, a lay woman and psychotherapist. “The programme took me to the core of me, to discover the blocks that prevented me from living life meaningfully, and to chart new pathways.”

Sumedha Centre is offering this programme entitled “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” twice next year, July 17-31, and August 17-31.

The Rains Came Finally!

The rains came at last to the Kumaon hills— three days ago.

It had been a dry winter-- no rain, no snow on the hills. Neither were there the normal early spring rains. This meant a bleak summer as far as water is concerned. Drinking water was already being rationed. The hills had turned brown, the greenery had disappeared. Occasional fires had gutted the hills.

So it was such relief to see the skies turn dark, and the winds begin to howl. And soon the skies opened up and down came the rain—not in torrents, but heavy enough to bring down the temperature and quench the thirsty, parched earth.

And the villages gave a sigh of relief. Summer will not be as bad as they had feared.

And soon the hills will turn green again.

We wait eagerly for next shower – hope it will be a torrent!

Sumedha Sadhana Concludes

Another Sumedha Sadhana (Psycho-Spiritual Wholeness Journey) successfully concluded on April 29. The eighteen participants were extremely satisfied with the programme. They said they received much more than they had expected. Some participants, who had attended programmes at different places earlier, considered this a unique programme – “unlike the programmes elsewhere”— and much better than those they had attended.

Topics explored included Psychological dynamics on the spiritual journey; Process, holistic, feminist and women’s spiritualities; Midlife dynamics; Sexuality, celibacy and intimacy; Psychological types, persona and shadow; Trauma, healing and reconciliation. Tools and techniques used in the exploration included Intensive Journal meditations; Expressive drawing and writing; music, movies and dance; prayer and sacred scripture. Meaningful and creative liturgies helped to deepen and further integrate the experiences. The highlights of the programme were the ten-day group therapy and the five-day directed retreat which concluded the programme.

Participants were highly appreciative of the faculty and the way they conducted themselves and their sessions: Agnes Panikulam, MA; Ajoy Fernandes, PhD; Joe Mannath, PhD; Jose Parappully, PhD; Maria Goretti, MA; Peter Lourdes, PhD.

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from June 06 to August 04, 2010.

Another Sadhana

The first programme of 2010 is Sumedha Sadhana. It’s the 13^th time we are having this programme. The programme began on March 1^st and will go on till April 29^th. There are 18 (the maximum number we can accommodate) participants representing 16 religious congregations.

The resource persons for this Sadhana include Jose Parappully PhD, Joe Mannath PhD, Agnes Panikulam MA, Ajoy Fernandes PhD, M. Goretti Kanakarathinam MA and Peter Lourdes PhD ( appearing in the order in which their Modules are held).

Sumedha Sadhana an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their spiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality and integrate them in healthy ways to create more satisfying and more productive life patterns.

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from June 06 to August 04, 21010. Registration is in process. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

Sumedha Sadhana 2010

SUMEDHA SADHANA

A 60-DAY PSYCHOSPIRITUAL WHOLENESS JOURNEY

Offered 3 times in 2010

March 01-April 29; June 06-August 04; October 01 – November 29

Course Description: This is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their spiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality and integrate them in healthy ways to create more satisfying and more productive life patterns.

Course Content: Holistic, Process & Formative Spiritualities; Cosmic, Creation & Feminist Spiritualities; Religious & Community Life; Prayerfulness & Healthy Emotional Life; Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey; Identity & Vocational Commitment; Intimacy, Celibacy & Sexuality; Generativity, Stress & Burnout; Shadows & Subpersonalities; Trauma, Healing & Reconciliation; The Universe story, Jesus Story and Our Story -- are some of the major topics that will be explored. Special place is given to group therapy where participants have the opportunity to face their brokenness and fears, their unhelpful patterns of living and relating and move on to healing and wholeness. The programme concludes with a directed retreat.

Tools & Techniques: Insights from Christian faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts, multi-media, prayer & meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey. (Age limit: 30-62 years)

Resource Persons: Sr. Agnes Panilkulam MA, Fr. Ajoy Fernandes PhD, Br. Gerard Alvarez MA, Fr. Godfrey D’Sa MA, PGDC, Sr. Goretti Kanakarathinam MA, Fr. Joe Mannath PhD, Fr. Jose Parappully PhD, Sr. Lucy Jacob PhD, Fr. MC Abraham PhD, Fr. Peter Lourdes PhD

Book early. For further information and registration forms, contact:

Sumedha Centre. Jeolikote PO. Nainital Dt. Uttarakhand 263127

Ph. 05942-224328. email: sumedhacentre@gmail.com