MIDLIFE DYNAMICS AND THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY AT NRC, NEW DELHI

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to facilitate a Workshop on “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” at the Jesuit run Navjivan Renewal Centre on the Campus of the St. Xavier’s School Rajnivas Marg, Delhi from 10^th to 15 June, 2019.

There were nine participants – 8 religious sisters from 6 different Congregation and one layman.

Dr. Parappully explored Awakening to Midlife, Midlife Journeys, Midlife Dynamics especially assessment of life and its priorities, dreams, (re-) awakening of sexuality and intimacy needs, de-illusioning and some transformative processes and spirituality for the post-midlife years.

Participants were very appreciative of the Workshop, finding it very useful to understand themselves and their experiences.

“A wonderful workshop…. I was able to understand the confusing experiences I was having and wondering what was happening to me. I understand the changes in me and their causes. Many of my doubts are clarified. Now I am at peace.” This was the common observation made in different participants in different words.

Participants also appreciated the relaxed atmosphere at the workshop and the methodology followed – input, time to read through relevant sections of the informative article provided, introspection, sharing in micro and macro groups, use songs and videos.

“I wish I had attended this workshop 10-15 years earlier.” This too was a common observation by participants.

TEAM BUILDING AT GOOD SHEPHERD SEMINARY, COIMBATORE

Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre was invited to facilitate a Team Building workshop at Good Shepherd College (Inter-diocesan Seminary) at Coimbatore on 4-5 June, 2019. All the staff members (14 of them) participated.

Good Shepherd College is located in a very pastoral setting some 20 km from the heart of the city on the Coimbatore – Pollachi Road. It was begun in 1984. There are some 70 students of philosophy and theology from 9 different dioceses. The staff also hail from different dioceses.

Through research-based data and theory from Organizational Psychology and experiential exercises Dr. Parappully presented the essentials of a coherent and effective team.

Through Assessment tools he helped the participants to evaluate the strengths weakness of the staff as a team and helped them discover pathways to greater cohesion and effectiveness.

All participants found the workshop very helpful. It provided them an opportunity to share freely and openly about issues that affected team performance. The two days’ processes had helped them understand one another better and become a more cohesive tam. A foundation had been laid for better team performance on which they could build further.

Participants were especially appreciative of the experiential and participatory methods used. This was quite unlike the workshops and seminars they were used to.

TEACHERS’ ORIENTATION AT SOPHIA, BANGALORE

Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, was invited to conduct a two-day
Teachers’ Orientation programme on 27 and 28 May at Sophia High School, Bangalore.

There were about 130 teachers along with the Principals of the three sections of the school.

On the first day the focus was on “Education with the Heart.” Dr. Parappully explored with the teachers two aspects of Educating with the Heart – Self-Awareness and Empathic Responsiveness.

Through psychological input and experiential exercises and personal evaluations, teachers were helped to gained greater insight into themselves and learn the impact of their personalities on their relationship with the students and their effectiveness as teachers. Dr. Parappully used especially insights from Self-Determination Theory and Self Psychology, songs and videos to do this.

The second day was a “Retreat.” The focus was on Meditative Prayer as a tool for enhancing personal and professional effectiveness. 

Dr. Parappully presented three different forms of simple meditative prayer and provided opportunities for the participants to engage in them.

The feedback indicated that the teachers profited immensely from the two days’ programme. “An amazing programme” was the way the spokesperson for the teachers described it. “It provided us profound thoughts to ponder on and exercises that we can use for ourselves and in the classroom. Above all, it helped us understand ourselves as persons.”

Teachers were especially appreciative of the “Retreat.” It was the first time they observed, they were able to spend four hours in silence and solitude and were able appreciate its value. “We also learned to pray in a very different way than we were used to,” several of the teachers said.