SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT BAREILLY

Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, was invited to facilitate a workshop on “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity” for the priests of the diocese of  Bareilly, UP,  on 11^th December.

Almost all the priests of the diocese and the bishop, a total of about 70, participated. Parappully introduced the workshop observing that reflection and research on failure of catholic priests in recent years in regard to living their celibate commitment faithfully had concluded that the Catholic church had done a very poor job in preparing its priests to live a life of chaste celibacy.

The Salesians of Don Bosco have tried to address this lacuna by publishing a two volume book “Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity: A Handbook for Religious and Priestly Formation” (which got sold out in 10 months!) of which Parappully is the primary editor. He would present a section of that book at the workshop.

Parappully focused on “Sexual Boundary Violations” and presented data on Dual Relationships, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Abuse - both Child Sexual Abuse and Adult Sexual Abuse and their implications.

At the end of the Workshop, Fr. Royal Anthony, who spoke on behalf of the participants said that the workshop had come at a very opportune time, had helped them to reflect on these very important issues and realize the need to address the issues in helpful ways. The workshop, he said, had been facilitated in an excellent way.

SUMEDHA OUTREACH AT DON BOSCO UNIVERSITY AND MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Director of Sumedha Centre, Dr. Jose Parappully, was invited to conduct two workshops recently, one at Assam Don Bosco University and the other at Don Bosco Management Institute, both at Guwahati.

Both workshops were on “Personal Growth.”  The one at Don Bosco University (November 27-29) was for students of the Counselling programme and of Educational Management programme. It focused on “Growing Toward Emotional and Interpersonal Maturity.”

The one at the Don Bosco Management Institute (December 2-3) was for the second year MBA students. It focused on “Emotional and Interpersonal Management.”

Both workshops had the following topics with some variations: Self-Awareness, Emotional Maturity, Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships, Assertive Communication and Behaviour and Conflict Resolution.

A four-fold process of Input, Introspection, Interaction and Interiorization was followed to explore these topics and use the insights gained to grow in personal and interpersonal maturity.

Both groups found the workshop immensely useful for their present and future.

The following comments represent typical reaction from the participants:

“This workshop has helped me to think of aspects of my life that I never thought of before. I have learned to see myself in a new light and have started appreciating myself a lot more. I have developed a stronger self-image and a wider perspective on life in general. I really feel there was a lot of change in me and my outlook towards life”

24th SUMEDHA SADHANA

Here is an introduction to the Sumedha Sadhana programme which commenced on September 25th and will conclude on November 23.

Sumedha Sadhana is a programme of inner journeying together 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.

We begin from where we are, looking at what is happening in our lives at this point on our psycho-spiritual journey. We try to discern what God might be telling us through all that is happening in our lives. Jose Parappully will help us explore these current realities, as also spirituality in the context of changing paradigms.

Drawing from ancient wisdom traditions and evolving spiritual practises, Alba Rodrigues offers us tools ancient and new, to awaken the deep wisdom lying dormant within us and reconnect with the capacities of our body, mind and spirit and experientially deepen and expand our spirituality in alignment with the evolving cosmos.

A major portion of the programme is devoted to the exploration of the psychological dynamics operating in our lives at this current juncture of our spiritual journey. We look at the quintessential midlife dynamics of 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). Jose Parappully will use insights from various psychological theories of development, particularly Eriksonian, Attachment, and Self Psychology as well as tools and techniques from Psychosynthesis, Expressive Arts and Jungian psychology to help us explore these issues.

Working from a Jungian perspective Ajoy Fernandes will help us explore especially our identity and understand our personality type and its implications for our spiritual journey, and help us move toward greater personal integration by exploring and owning our persona, shadow and animus/anima.

Sexuality has a profound impact on personality development as well as our spiritual journey. Often our sexuality has been wounded by wrong attitudes and negative life experiences. Joe Mannath will help us explore and understand human sexuality and affectivity and their healthy integration within our celibate lifestyle, our spirituality and our ministry. Jose Parappully will explore the effects of sexual abuse and suggest healing remedies.

Healing and transformation is further deepened in group therapy. In the atmosphere of freedom, caring and trust that the group offers, we are provided an opportunity to face our brokenness and our fears, our defences and our unhelpful patterns of living and relating, and to move toward greater healing and wholeness by adopting and practising healthier attitudes and behaviours. MC Abraham and Jose Parappully will facilitate this process.

We conclude our psycho-spiritual journey by seeking further healing, renewal, reconciliation and integration within ourselves and discerning God’s designs for us as we prepare to move back into our routine lives through a Spiritual Retreat. Jose Parappully will serve as guide on this journey.

This programme provides theoretical input as well as opportunities for us to reflect on our experiences and to share them with one another and for personal and common prayer. It is hoped that through this four-fold dynamics of Input, Introspection, Interaction, and Intercession we gain a deeper feel for the psychological dynamics operating on our spiritual journey and integrate these to develop a healthier self so that we can experience greater serenity, wholeness and fruitfulness as we continue our journey into the Mystery that we know and experience as our Triune God.

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.”

2014 Programmes at Sumedha Centre

2014 Programmes

1.      (SS-25) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) - (6 weeks)

May 22- July 2

2.    (SS-26) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (9 weeks)

July 4 – September 4

3.   (SS-27) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) - (9 weeks)

September 29- November 30

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; Core Transformation -- 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 spiritual 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: 35-60 years)

Faculty

Ajoy Fernandes PhD (Personality & Spirituality). Alba Rodrigues MA (Cosmic Spirituality, Yoga). Gerard Alvarez MA (The Storied Word: Ours, Jesus’ and the Universe’s). Joe Mannath PhD (Sexuality, Celibacy & Intimacy). Jose Kuttianimattathil PhD (Core Transformation). Jose Parappully PhD (Psychological Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey, Trauma & Healing, Group Therapy, Retreat). M. Goretti Kanakarathinam MA (Group Therapy, Befriending Our Emotions). MC Abraham PhD (Group Therapy). Shalini Mulackal PhD (Feminist & Women’s Spirituality)

A LIFE-CHANGING MIDLIFE JOURNEY

The 20-day “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” programme at Sumedha Centre concluded yesterday.

The programme commenced with an assessment of the “Now Period” of life of the participants and went on to explore process spirituality, holistic-ecological spirituality and move on to the practice of Contemplative, and especially, Centering Prayer.

From a psychological perspectives, participants traced their developmental history through experiential exercises, explored and evaluated the experience of various midlife dynamics and transformative processes, especially the (re)-emergence of sexuality and intimacy needs. In the context of celibate friendships, heterosexual attachment dynamics were explored and evaluated.

The programme ended with an integrative exercise of the whole of the participants' life journeys until the present using the inspirational movie “River Mee.”

Participants observed that they had benefited immensely from the programme. For some it proved to be a “life-changing experience.”

Some typical participant comments:

“The programme was very, very good. It was very well organised and executed. It was challenging but immensely useful. It has led to a personal transformation.”

“It was an enriching and enlightening programme. Helped me to get in touch with myself.”

“My purpose in coming here has been fully satisfied. I got answers to questions I had been struggling with for years.”

“The programme was an eye-opener. It has equipped me to journey forward with greater passion and enthusiasm.”

“It helped me to change my perspectives, values and beliefs.”

“Hospitality was excellent.”

The programme was facilitated by Jose Parappully, Director of the Centre.

Our next programme:  60-day “Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey” from 25^th September to 23^rd November

WORKSHOPS IN BANGALORE

Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity

The Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, did two workshops in Bangalore at the beginning of the month.

The first was at the Don Bosco Provincial House, Bangalore, on Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity. The participants were Rectors of Communities and Leaders of various Provincial Commissions. There were around 45 participants for this two-day workshop on August 3 and 4.

Themes explored during the workshop included: Psychosexual Integration and Emotional Maturity, Sexual Orientation and Sexual Behaviours, Sexual Boundary Violations, Psychosexual Integration at Midlife and Beyond, and Celibate Friendship.

Participants found the workshop “very, very useful.”  They “gained very practical information and insights.”

One said this was the “most useful of the workshops I have attended.” Another who had two other workshops on the theme said “this was the best. This helped me to understand these important issues better and given me ways and means to explore them with my trainees in more effective ways.”

Basic Counselling Skills Training

The second workshop was a six day affair, from 5^th to 10^th August. This Basic Counselling Skills Training workshop was held at National Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), Bangalore.

There were 43 participants from different parts of the country. Most of them were leaders of communities or involved in formation work.

Participants found the training extremely useful. There was “an excellent blend of theory and practice.” The training, the participants said, had given them “both confidence and competence” by helping them develop required attitudes and skills.

August Highlight at Sumedha Centre: MIDLIFE DYNAMICS AND THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey is the select programme at Sumedha Centre in August. It will be held from August 12 to 31 and will be facilitated by the Director of the Centre, Jose Parappully.

A Description of the Programme Content and Process

Midlife is a time of profound shifts and changes – in body, mind, perspectives, priorities, values, goals, relationships, spirituality… It is a time when we re-think and re-evaluate our commitments and life choices.

The heart of the programme is built around the midlife dynamics of 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 begin our midlife explorations from where we are, looking at what is happening in our lives at this point on our psycho-spiritual journey. We try to discern what God might be telling us through all that is happening in our lives. We will explore these current realities in the context of changing paradigms. We explore and assess our spirituality and our religious life in the context of shifting midlife perspectives.

At midlife, 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. All these affect our self-concept and our spiritual journey. Our attitude toward sexuality is sometimes profoundly affected by negative sexual experiences, including abuse. We shall address these issues by exploring sexuality and affectivity and their healthy integration in our celibate lifestyle and ministry. We will explore particularly the nature and challenge of celibate friendship as also the effect of sexual abuse and ways to heal from its effects. Spirituality of the body will be explored in the context both of sexuality and of generativity.

We conclude our midlife journey by evaluating and integrating our Life Story through reminiscence and planning to live out the rest of our Life Story informed by the new perspectives and intimations generated during this workshop.

Insights from various psychological theories of development, as well as tools and techniques from the Intensive Journal, Psychosynthesis and Expressive Arts, prayer and meditation are used to explore these midlife dynamics.

This workshop provides theoretical input as well as opportunities for us to reflect on our experiences and to share them with one another and for personal and common prayer. It is hoped that through this four-fold dynamics of Input, Introspection, Interaction, and Prayer we gain a deeper feel for the psychological dynamics operating on our spiritual journey and integrate these to develop a healthier self so that we can experience greater serenity and wholeness as we continue our journey into the Mystery that is our Triune God. 

JULY WAS A MONTH FOR RETREATS AT SUMEDHA CENTRE

Two retreats were held at Sumedha Centre in July. The first from July 11- 20 and the other from July 4 to August 2.

The retreats were based on the theme of “Desert as Wilderness and Paradise” – a theme inspired by Henry Nouwen.

The focal text was Mk. 1. 13. “He was with the wild beasts and the angels ministered to him.”

This retreat was a time to confront one’s inner demons (“wild beasts”) and experience intimacy with God (“ministering angels”).

Meditation on chosen scriptural texts was the basic tool for the encounter with self and God, with the Director of the Retreat, Jose Parappully, presenting the theme for each day, which included Desert as Utter Helplessness (Elijah) and Renewal of Love (Hosea).

Participants expressed great satisfaction about their Retreat experience at Sumedha.

UPCOMING PROGRAMMES AT SUMEDHA CENTRE

Midlife Dynamics

& the Spiritual Journey

August 12- 31, 2013

Midlife is a period of profound shifts and changes – in body, mind, & spirit; in perspectives, priorities, values, goals, relationships, sexuality, spirituality etc. This workshop explores these psychological dynamics of midlife so as to deepen and enrich one’s spiritual journey. It explores particularly the four basic midlife issues: identity, intimacy, generativity and integrity. Other topics include spirituality, religious life, aging and emotional well-being, sexuality and celibacy, persona and shadow. 

Insights from psychology, medical science and sacred scripture, and the exploratory and healing techniques of the intensive journal, psychosynthesis, expressive arts, meditation and prayer are used in this exploration. (Open to all. Participant Age Limit: 35-62 years)

SUMEDHA SADHANA

A Psycho-Spiritual Wholeness Journey

September 25 – November 23 2013

Sumedha Sadhana is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness, designed to help participants live more fulfilling, satisfying and productive lives.

Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their psycho-spiritual journey. They explore their current spirituality in the light of emerging holistic-ecological, feminist, cosmic paradigms. They explore and assess their Midlife and Post-Midlife experiences They seek to better understand the impact of human sexuality and affectivity on their celibate commitment, especially in the context of celibate friendships. They move toward greater psycho-spiritual integration through discovering their personality types, redeeming their ‘shadows,’ healing their hurts and reconciling unresolved issues. They seek to discover their unhelpful patterns of living and relating and work at attitudinal and behavioural changes through group therapy. Their integrative process culminates in and concludes with a semi-directed spiritual retreat. (Participant age limit: 35 to 62 years)

Faculty & Modules

Ajoy Fernandes PhD (Personality & Spirituality). Alba Rodrigues MA (Cosmic Spirituality). Gerard Alvarez MA (Universe Story)). Joe Mannath PhD (Psychosexual Integration) Jose Parappully PhD (Midlife Dynamics, Spirituality, Trauma & Healing, Therapy, Retreat). MC Abraham PhD (Therapy).

_____________________________________________________

For further information and registration forms, contact:

Sumedha Centre. Jeolikote P. O., Nainital Dt. Uttarakhand 263127

Ph. +91-9410941799 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +91-9410941799      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Director), +91-9450915833 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +91-9450915833      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Administrator) email: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

Blog: http://sumedhabani.blogspot.com

"SUMEDHA SADHANA - AN EXCELLENT PROGRAMME!", SAY PARTICIPANTS.

The Six-week (May 20- June 30) Sumedha Sadhana programme that concluded yesterday  received excellent ratings from the participants. Some representative comments from the participants:

“The entire programme is excellent for personal growth. It has been very well organised. Every little bit has been taken care of.… I got so much more than I ever expected.”

“Sumedha Sadhana provided me renewal of heart and mind. It helped me work through the chaos in my mind… I feel rejuvenated.”

“ I felt very much at home right from the first day. Everything had been meticulously planned. …”

“I came experiencing a desert. I go back with a sense of awe and wonder. I was helped to reassess my life, find healing of my woundedness and move on…”

“Experiences at Sumedha have expanded my heart to give and receive love… I go back free and happy. Many burdens have been lifted. …. The spirituality offered here is so much deeper than what I have experienced at other Centres.”

“I came carrying lot of mess, loss of meaning in life… I have been able work through these. The journey here has been so beautiful. I return happy and revitalised…”

“It has been a truly sacred experience. I came here with struggles and chaos, a wounded spirit and spiritual dryness… I now experience joy and pace. My burdens have been lifted and I have decided to create a happy future.”

“Sumedha helped me to discover myself, make a paradigm shift in self-concept… I profited so much though I had not wanted to come.”

“I came with lots of struggle… I have been touched and healed and I go back with hope.  My troubled life has been calmed…. Sumedha helped me to put God back into the centre of my life.”

"I came here with a lot of bondage, discontent… The debris of the past has been cleared. A fountain of energy is flowing through me freely.”

“Sumedha has been a liberating experience… It is a well-integrated course – rich inputs, honest sharing, wonderful family atmosphere, and deep prayerfulness in beautiful and healing surroundings.”

“I felt very much at home. Sumedha is a place where I could be myself. There was no compulsion in anything..."

“Sumedha is a place where we can experience lots of love.”

“Sumedha gave me a new life. It has been a beautiful experience.”

A longer (9 weeks) Sumedha Sadhana begins on September 25. Facilitators: Ajoy Fernandes,  Alba Rodrigues, Gerard Alvarez, Joe Mannath, Jose Parappully, and MC Abraham. Registrations for the same are on. Those interested can contact the Centre at sumedhacentre@gmail.com 

See the previous blog for Sumedha Sadhana programme description.

23rd SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

The 23^rd edition of Sumedha Sadhana concluded today. This 6-week-long programme commenced on May 25^th.

Sumedha Sadhana is an intensive inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness.

Using insights and practices from spiritual traditions and psychology participants were helped to gain a deeper insight into the psychological dynamics operating on their spiritual journey and integrate these in healthy and meaningful ways to live more satisfying and fruitful lives.

The major module of the programme was “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” which focused especially on healthy spirituality, early life experiences and midlife dynamics.” This module also explored human sexuality and affectivity and their healthy integration in the context of the participants’ celibate lifestyle. It was facilitated by Jose Parappully, the Director of the Centre.

In the module “Befriending Our Emotions,” M. Goretti Kankarathinam presented the meaning of emotions and emotional maturity and helped participants to explore and understand some of their major positive, negative, hidden and dominant emotions and to process them through art, music, imagery, role play and experiential group exercises.

In the related module “Core Transformation” Jose Kuttianimattathil helped participants experience healing of painful experiences and emotions and learn to live from the core state within them which radiates peace, love and harmony.

The Sumedha Sadhana experience concluded with Group Therapy facilitated by Jose Parappully and Peter Lourdes. Group therapy provided participants opportunity to face their brokenness and woundedness, their defences and unhelpful patterns of living and relating, and to move toward greater healing and wholeness.

The programme received excellent ratings from the participants. Some representative comments from the participants will be posted in our next blog.

A longer (9 weeks) Sumedha Sadhana begins on September 25. Facilitators: Ajoy Fernandes, Alba rodrigues, Gerard Alvarez, Joe Mannath, Jose Parappully and  MC Abraham, Registrations for the same are on. Those interested can contact the Centre at sumedhacentre@gmail.com