TEA IN THE STREAM! FUN MIDWAY THROUGH SUMEDHA SADHANA

14th April marked the midway point in the currently running 9-week-long Sumedha Sadhana - A Psychospritual Wholeness Journey -- programme at Sumedha Centre.

Sumedha participants marked the occasion with  a tea outing the afternoon. (In the morning they concluded the module on Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully).

They walked up the stream flowing below the Centre for about 45 minutes and settled down in a dry spot in the midst of the stream. 

They prepared tea there and enjoyed some delicious snacks. 

They had a good time playing the pools of water around and playing bingo. 

They spent about two hours there before returning to the Centre, quite rejuvenated by the experience.

PSYCHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS ON THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

The first and foundational module of Sumedha Sadhana - a Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey - is "Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey."

This module, facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre concluded on April 14th, which marks the midway point of the programme. 

Parappully began the module helping participants explore what is happening in their lives at this juncture on their psycho-spiritual journey and to discern what God might be telling them through all that is happening in the "bits and pieces" of  their everyday lives. 

He then presented the evolution in spirituality in the context of changing paradigms and presented 17 characteristics of a mature spirituality and helped participants assess how much of these were present in their lives. He distinguished between prayer and prayerfulness and helped them learn some contemplative approaches to cultivate prayerfulness.

A major portion of the module was devoted to exploration of the dynamics of midlife and post-midlife years. Parappully used insights from various psychological theories, as well as tools and techniques from Expressive Arts and Bioenergetics, as well as movies and music, to help participants explore and integrate these dynamics in order to enhance their spiritual journey.

Other topics covered in this module included sexuality and intimacy needs and their integration into a celibate lifestyle. 

Participants found the module "inspiring, informative and insightful... The process followed was excellent."

FEMINIST & WOMEN'S SPIRITUALITIES.

The module on "Feminist & Women's Spiritualities," part of the 9-week-long Sumedha Sadhana programme, concluded on Friday 13th April at Sumedha Centre.

This module was facilitated by Dr. Shalini Mulackal PhD, Professor of Theology at Vidyajyoti College of Theology, New Delhi and President of the Indian Theological Association.

Dr. Mulackal explored the meaning and salient characteristics of spirituality from women’s perspective. She helped participants look critically at some of the popular images of traditional Christian spirituality, the process of masculinisation of women’s spirituality, and religion’s subjugation of women through theoretical inputs and examples from everyday life.

NEWNESS OF LIFE

EASTER  is all about newness of life.

Easter occurs at the end of winter when, apparently, nature is asleep and the beginning of spring when nature bursts forth in a riot of colour with new blossoms and new leaves adorning the hitherto dead-looking trees. Newness of life!

The symbols of the Easter Vigil indicate newness. There is a new fire, a new (Paschal/Easter) candle made from pure wax (supposed to!), newly blessed water, new Christians through baptism, new oils (now blessed at the Chrism Mass), renewal of baptismal promises.

All the readings chosen for the nigh vigil speak of newness of life.

And the cultural symbol of Easter - the Egg -- represents new life in a powerful way.

No question, Easter points to and invites us to newness of life, to renewal and regeneration - to a new birth.

What is the newness we are experiencing/need to experience at this Easter. Celebrating Easter without an experience of some newness/renewal in our lives, is to be stuck at Good Friday, to remain in the tomb, not  to experience resurrection.

The Sumedhans celebrated the Easter  Vigil and the Easter in grant style in a moving and meaningful liturgy and celebratory dinner. Almost the whole of Holy Saturday was spent in preparing the Liturgy. Participants showed great initiative, creativity and enthusiasm. The resulting joy was palpable!