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.
