The 9-week-long
37th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospritual Wholeness Journey - concluded
on May 16. The programme had begun on
March 15.
There were
15 participants from India and abroad (Thailand and Malaysia). The participants
were extremely satisfied with the programme.
There were
four main modules in this programme.
Psychological Dynamics on the
Spiritual Journey
In the
module “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” Dr. Jose Parappully
explored with the participants the following topics: Holistic and Mature
Spirituality, Cultivating Contemplative Prayerfulness, Psychosexual and
Spiritual Integration at Midlife and Post-Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual
Journey.
Women’s and Feminist Spirituality
In
“Women’s and Feminist Spirituality” Dr.
Shalini 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.
Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey
In “Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” Dr. Johny Dominic helped participants explore
the dynamics behind the helplessness that they often experience in not being
able to do what they want and doing what they do not want. Using concepts from Freudian, Jungian, NLP
and Transactional Analysis theories he helped them unleash the powers of the
unconscious to facilitate healing and wholeness.
Personality and Spirituality
In “Personality and
Spirituality” Dr. Ajoy Fernandes,
working from a Jungian perspective, helped participants explore especially their
identity and
understand their personality type
and its implications for their spiritual journey, and helped them move
toward greater personal integration by exploring and owning their persona and shadow and integrating
their
animus/anima.
Group Therapy
Participants
were provided opportunity for further healing and transformation through group
therapy. In the atmosphere of freedom, caring and trust that the
group provided, they were helped to face their brokenness and their fears,
their defences and their unhelpful patterns of living and relating, and to move
toward greater healing and wholeness by adopting and practising healthier
attitudes and behaviours. Johny Dominic
and Jose Parappully facilitated this healing
and transformational process.
Integrative Retreat
This Sumedha Sadhana concluded with an 8-day spiritual retreat in which participants
were able to bring together and integrate all their experiences up to then in
prayer and reflection around the Word of
God. Jose Parappully facilitated
this process.
The Sumedha Process
The process
followed in the Sumedha Sadhana was very experiential. It used a four-fold methodology
of Input, Introspection, Interaction, and Intercession to provide the participants a
greater awareness and understanding of the psychological dynamics operating on their
spiritual journey and integrate these to develop a healthier self.
Music,
movies, outings and picnics and celebrations made the Sumedha experience very enjoyable,
as well as meaningful and fruitful.
Feedback from Participants
Participants
in general were extremely satisfied with the programme – the module, the facilitators,
the processes followed, and the environment at the Centre. They left the Centre
feeling that their goals had been achieved. Some said they received much more
than they had expected. Some typical comments:
“The
programme was very enriching – the place, the facilitators…. I am very happy
and contended. I feel I am renewed and my goal was realized.”
“The
programme on the whole took me to my inner depths. Each module was designed to
ensure that this journey will take us inward.”
“The content and the process were very useful
because they helped me to understand myself deeply.”
“It was
helpful for me to grow spiritually, psychologically and emotionally in daily
life.”
“The Retreat was a powerful God experience and
on the whole I think it has made me a compassionate person.”
“As a whole
it was a wonderful time of personal discovery and spiritual growth and healing.”
“It was
really a rejuvenating time for me.”
“The place,
class, liturgy, movies, meditations, therapy, retreat, outings, company of
friends all helped me.”
“Excellent,
enjoyed!”
The next 9-week Sumedha Sadhana begins on June 1 and concludes on August 2. Just foujr seats left! Those interested, please apply immediately.
