49th SUMEDHA SADHANA

The 49^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey commenced on February 11. There are 23 participants – 9 women religious and four priests, from 10 different religious congregations and one diocese.

Sumedha Sadhana is a programme of inner journeying together with fellow seekers 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.

A major portion of the programme is devoted to the exploration of the psychological dynamics affecting our spiritual journey.

Several modules have concluded and the feedback from partisans show these have benefited them immensely.

The programme began with the participants looking at what is happening in their lives at this juncture on their psycho-spiritual journey. They were helped to discern what God might be telling them through all that is happening in their lives. Jose Parappully helped them explore these current realities.  He also facilitated a module on Prayerfulness.

In Somatic Meditation, Jose Parappully used a combination of Qigong, Yoga, Music, Dance and the Word of God to help participants loosen up all the knotted energies in their psychosomatic system and experience rejuvenation of psyche and soul.

Jose Parappully used insights from various psychological theories, tools and techniques from Expressive Arts and Journaling, as well as movies and music to help participants explore and integrate the psychological dynamics and transformational processes of Midlife to help participants enhance their psychospiritual wellbeing and age gracefully, finding meaningfulness and fulfilment in the second half of our lives.

In Unconscious Dynamics Johny Dominic helped participants explore the dynamics behind the helplessness participants 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 participants unleash the powers of the unconscious to facilitate healing and wholeness.

Consecrated life is facing new challenges in the context of a society that is rapidly evolving with new values and of events that are shaking up traditional Church teachings and practices, as well as faith of people. Philip Pinto helped participants look at these challenges and provided insights and experiences to live their consecrated life in ways that are more radical and relevant to changed social and Church realities.

In "Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing" KC Thomas (Kurianthanam) introduced the participants to a series of holistic exercises using breath, music and movement for the integration of body, mind and spirit.  This module integrated Eastern meditative techniques with Western therapeutic methods leading to stress release, emotional healing and contemplative silence. 

 Among the modules still to come are: Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy, group therapy and a spiritual and integration retreat which concludes this psychospiritual wholeness journey.

Two Important Events.

There were two noteworthy events during the past 6 weeks of the programme.

The first was the “Extraordinary Visitation” (an assessment of the way Sumedha Centre is carrying out its Mission) by the Salesian Regional for South Asia, Dr. (Fr.) Biju Michael, who is a member of the General Council of the Salesians of Don Bosco at its headquarters in Rome. This took place on March 7-10.

Fr. Biju Michael met the two Salesians who are members of the Community, and went through all documents and reports, to assess the state of affairs at the Centre. He also met with all the participants of the current Sumedha programme.

The other was the celebration of the Foundation Day of Sumedha Centre, and the feast of its Patron, St. Joseph, on the 19^th March. 

Most Rev. Ignatius Mascarenhas, the Bishop of Shimla-Chandigarh diocese presided at the Eucharist at 6.00 pm. He was warmly welcomed by the participants and staff. In his homily, Bishop Mascarenhas spoke of the import service that the Centre is often to people who are seeking enhancement of their psychospiritual journey. He told the participants that the programme can truly be a means for healing and transformation. He described their time at the Centre as a “privileged moment of grace.”

 

 

FIRST SUMEDHA SADHANA OF 2023 AT JHARMARI, PUNJAB, CONCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY

The first Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey— of 2023 at Jharmari, Punjab, concluded on May 02.  This 80-day programme had commenced on February 12.

There were 17 participants (8 religious women from 7 congregations and 9 priests from 3 congregations).

Sumedha Sadhana is designed as an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their psychospiritual journey.

They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their well-being, get in touch with their emotional and spiritual blocks and brokenness and seek healing and transformation so that they can live and minister in more joyful, satisfying and fruitful ways. and integrate the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality.

Insights from Christian faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Bioenergetics, NLP, Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts, Breathwork, Yoga, Qigong, Multi-media, Prayer & Meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey.

There were seven different modules in this Sadhana: Psychological Dynamics on the spiritual journey which included topics such as somatic meditations, self-awareness, prayerfulness, midlife dynamics, psychosexual and celibate integration which included Celibate Friendships, Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Healing. There were facilitated by Jose Parappully, the Director of the programmes.

Other modules were Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey (facilitated by Johny Dominic Padinjar), Yoga and Cosmic Spirituality (by Alba Rodrigues), Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing ( by K. C. Thomas Kurianthanam), Challenge in Consecrate Life Today( by Philip Pinto), Group Therapy (by Jose Parappully and Maria Goretti Kanakaratinm). The Sadhana concluded with a Spiritual Retreat facilitated by Jose Parappully.

Methodology was very experiential using a four-fold approach of Input, Introspection, Interaction and Intercession. This was supplemented by Expressive Arts and Dance, Bioenergetics, Qigong and creative liturgies. 

 There were also time for recreation and a group picnic to Chandigarh.

At the conclusion, participates expressed immense satisfaction with the programme and felt they had benefitted from it to a very large extent:

Some comments:

The whole programme has given me the way to journey through life better.”

“This journey healed me physically, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically.”

“The programme helped me to go deeper into myself and understand myself better.”

“it gave me a new understanding of God, of prayer and religious life.”

“The retreat was a unique experience and helped me grow in my spiritual life,”

"I came here with so many masks. I gave in to the constant invitation hearing within me to open myself, to give up the masks, remove the blocks, overcome anger, reconcile with self and others -- learned to relate better with others, build healthy relationships, and I return with peace and joy, energised."

"I came here like a volcano -- anger, depression, disturbed. Now I feel relaxed, gained so much, lots of healing, physically, mentally, emotionally spiritually. No I feel like a strong mountain. I enjoy great peace."

"The programme helped me to re-direct my life."

"It helped me to be a new person. I experience a new dawn."

"The programme on the whole was well planned, nothing was lacking. Hats off to the organisers.”

"I experience warm welcome. Food and accommodation very good. I felt very much at home. Plenty of time to reflect and pray. Working together enriched our journey here."

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from July 1 to September 18, 2023. A few seats are still available. For registration contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com.

Please visit also our website: https://sumedhacentre.org  

Sumedha Centre for Psychospiritual Wellbeing at Jharmari is a venture of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Province of the Good Shepherd, New Delhi

 

 

2022 SUMEDHA SADHANA DELIVERS ON ITS PROMISE !

 

There were 3 elven- week-long “Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey” Programmes held this first year at Sumedha Centre’s new facilities at Jharmari, Punjab.

Sumedha Sadhana is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their psychospiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their well-being, get in touch with their emotional and spiritual blocks and brokenness and seek healing and transformation so that they can live and minister in more joyful, satisfying and fruitful ways. and integrate the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality.

Insights from Christian faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Bioenergetics, NLP, Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts and Dance, Breathwork, Yoga, Qigong, Multi-media, Prayer & Meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture were used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey. The programme concluded with a spiritual retreat.

The rich academic programme was supplemented with weekly recollection days and recreation, picnics and outings and movies.

The first Sadhana this year (SS-43) was from March 17 to May 31. There were 18 participants (12 women and 6 men).

The second (SS-44) was from June 12 to August 27. There were 15 participants (6 women and 9 men).

The third (SS-45) was from September 11 to November 26. There were 20 participants (10 women and 10 men), including one from Australia and another from Kenya.

There were 8 different resource persons offering modules on Prayerfulness and Meditation Practices; Somatics and Qigong; Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey, Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy, Trauma and Healing (by Dr. Jose Parappully), Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey (by Dr. Johny Dominic), Feminist and Women’s Spirituality (by Dr. Shalini Mulackal), Yoga and Cosmic spirituality (by Alba Rodrigues) Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing (KC Thomas Kurianthanam and Mathew Cobb), Challenges of Consecrated Life Today (Philip Pinto), Group Therapy (Dr. Edison Fernandes, Dr. Johny Dominic, Dr. Jose Parappully), Spiritual Retreat (Dr. Jose Parappully)

Feedback from participants show that they were immensely satisfied with the programme. They said what  the programme promised had been achieved and they had gained much more than they had expected. They were also very happy with the campus, the renovated building and facilities’ offered.

Some comments:

SS-43

“The programme offers a sort of complete BODY, MIND and SPIRIT wholeness journey. It offers enough and more tools for self-discovery and for reorienting one’s priestly/religious life. I found the modules/presentation and the facilitators relevant, attractive and up-to-date.”

“I am healed of my sadness and various emotional wounds. Also I got clear picture of who I am. These were the goals I had set.”

“I loved the campus very much—the vast area within and outside the campus for a walk, to spend quiet moments alone with the nature or for reflection, to relax and enjoy in small group, to play and so on. According to me it is an ideal place for a programme of this kind.”

“It was a wonderful blessing time for me. Really helped me to be a new person—in thoughts, attitudes, life patterns.”

“Welcome, Hospitality, were highly remarkable.”

“Excellent in general.”

SS-44

 “The whole experience at Sumedha Sadhana has been enriching and life giving for me. It has helped me change my outlook and attitude in life.”

“The programme helped me to go deep within and become aware of myself. It helped to get in touch with my physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual self.”

Sumedha challenged me to take a new look at my values, It widene3d my world to new horizons. Feel very blessed.”

“Sumedha Sadhana was a landmark, watershed moment. Served as a catalyst to rekindle my original love.”

Sumedha rejuvenated my body, spirit and soul. I have grown in compassion and love, become more free and joyful.”

“I came with lot of baggage. Learned to let go. I experience great freedom.”

“Sumedha was a resurrection experience!”

“Every module was a jewel. A wonderful inner journey. Brought me peace of mind and heart.”

 "I came with a lot of turmoil, in despair. I leave with leave with peace of mind having experienced profound healing.”

"All the modules were very relevant to our life. The module facilitators were very clear in delivering the topic, and helped us to go deeper into ourselves.”

“The programme as a whole has made me a more integrated person spiritually, psychologically and emotionally. I was able to release most of the negative energies that were affecting my life. My outlook on the world has become more positive and wider and surely I have grown in my spiritual life. I feel more vigour and energised.”

“The modules were well planned, there was connection from one module to another. The facilitators were excellent. They knew their subject well and delivered it creatively and innovatively.”

 SS-45.

“The whole experience at Sumedha has truly been a ‘Kairos’ period for me… It has been a Healing-Renewing-Transforming experience for me.”

“The whole programme was very enriching. I gained lots from this programme. I received lot of physical and emotional healing. I experienced freedom within.”

“Sumedha was a lighthouse for me. It provided direction.”

“I came here burnt out. Received what Sumedha promised: Healing and wholeness.”

“I feel rejuvenated, recharged, and renewed by the wisdom gained from the different modules.”

“Sumedha was a life changing experience for me. It was an inner journey of exploration. Many things in me have been turned upside down. Discovered what needs to be healed, let go.”

“I came here burnt out. I go back re-energised. I found gain meaning in my life that had disappeared.”

“I witnessed miracles. Impossible things happened”.

“The facilitators did an excellent job!”

“All the module offered were well synchronised to lead to psychospiritual wholeness in a very effective way. All the facilitators were competent and experts in their area. The whole programme was well organised and executed. Every aspect of our life was well taken care of. There was very homely atmosphere. The whole campus, services and facilities are conducive for the programme of this kind. I felt very much welcomed and cared for.”

 “Sumedha Centre is very comfortable and homely. Accommodation was very spacious, good rooms, toilets, comfortable bed, and more than this could not be expected. Food was very nutritious, well prepared with balanced spices. There was good variety in Non-veg and Veg dishes. The best catering I enjoyed so far among all the many centres I have attended. The Sumedha campus and the area around is very good, clean, green, spacious, fresh air, so much enjoyable. Lot of space for walks and the nature is so beautiful around.”

 

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from February 12 to May 02, 2023.  Please contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com for application forms and brochure.

MINI SUMEDHA SADHANA RECEIVES ACCOLADES!

The four week (August 6-September 3) Mini Sumedha Sadhana concluded yesterday. All participants expressed immense satisfaction with the entire programme – planning, organization, content, and execution.

All participants observed that the programme had met all their expectations, and even more. Seven of the 10 participants gave a perfect 10 on the Usefulness scale. One gave 9, two others gave 8 and 7.

The modules were facilitated by Dr. Johny Dominic Padinjar SDB, PhD (Psychological Dynamics), Dr. Jose Parappully SDB, PhD (Spirituality; Meditation; Sexuality, Intimacy & Celibacy), Dr. Varghese Kalluvachel SDB, PhD (Consecrated Life).

Some common observations from participants were these: 

The programme is of excellent quality; it has brought about some real changes in the participants; the module facilitators were all excellent; it was an experience of real community living; liturgies were creative and meaningful; the environment and ambiance wonderful and conducive; there was great freedom – no restricting do’s and don’ts; the food was excellent.

Some quotes from participants:

“I have attended many renewal programmes. This was the best of all.” BM

“I gained lots of new insights. Wonderful ambient. Community spirit was fantastic. I had a good time.” RK

“I came with so much emptiness in me. Those spaces have been filled. So many new perspectives and so much self-awareness gained. I feel I have been healed in many areas of my life. A new self is being born.” SR

“I gained in awareness of self and of God. I felt very much at home. I feel renewed.” VM

“I came to Sumedha full of darkness within.  I have found light. Been able to let go of lots of things burdening me. I enjoyed my stay here. Enjoyed the food and the surroundings. Great family spirit.” N

“I came very distracted, anxious. Very soon I became relaxed. Each class gave me realization of who I am, how I am doing, especially of my dysfunctional behaviours and the need to change.” BE

“Programme helped to let go off many things. It was an experience of liberation.”  TB

“The programme helped me take a good look at myself. Lots of personal time for reflection and prayer. Discovered what I need to change. I go back with a rich experience. Food was excellent.” KM

“I really enjoyed the homely atmosphere. Every one very open minded. Well-conducted sessions.” ED.

“The programme was for me an audit of my life – how I am, how I need to be. Every topic was interesting, relevant and useful. Wonderful ambient and atmosphere. Enjoyed every bit of the programme.  Food was delicious.” LR

The next Sumedha Sadhana (9 weeks) is from October 1 to December 2. A couple of seats available. Contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com