A VERY FRUITFUL “PSYCHOSIRITUAL WELLBEING IN THE POST-MIDLIFE YEARS” PROGRAMME AT SUMEDHA CENTRE

 The 2^nd “Psychospiritual Wellbeing in the post Midlife years” Programme at Sumedha Centre, Jharmari, concluded on the 5^th June. This four-week residential programme commenced on the 9^th May, 2026

There were 7 participants – 6 men and 1 woman (from Brazil).

The programme was based on the book “Psychospiritual Dynamics at Midlife and Beyond: Pathways to Health and Happiness in the Second Half of Life” authored by Dr Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre. 

The programme content included:

·         An Assessment of the current state of one’s psychospiritual journey

• Self-Awareness and Self-Transformation
• Somatic Meditation
• Holistic and Process Spiritualties
• Awakening to Post-Midlife
• Psychospiritual Dynamics During Post-Midlife years.
• Post-Midlife Journeying  Inward and Outward
• Emotional Awareness of Mortality
• Awareness of Time Limitation
• Assessment of Life and Priorities
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• Post-Midlife Transformational Processes
• De-Illusioning
• Mourning Losses
• Atonement
• A Re-Look at  Sexuality, Intimacy and Celibacy
• Enhancing Interiority
• Attaining Integrity/Wholeness
• Spiritualties for the Post-Midlife Years.

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

Course requirement included reading assigned material and writing Journals and time spent in introspection and integration and active participation in group work and sharing of responsibilities.

Life at Sumedha included celebrations and visits to tourist spots and famous town nearby and a full-day group picnic to Chandigarh.

The participants found the programme immensely beneficial and life at Sumedha very satisfying. Some feedback observations:

·         “It was truly a journey inward and journey outward. It helped me get in touch with myself and plan for the future. I feel more connected with myself now and more energetic. I got help to improve my relationships. It was a wonderful programme. Well thought-out and well executed. I received more than I expected.” R. 53 years

·         “It was helpful to integrate my psychological, emotional, spiritual and relational life. It was helpful to develop appropriate intimacy, empathy, listening skills and healthy boundaries. It helped me look honestly at my life journey. It assisted me to accept my past without regrets, live in the present with gratitude, and face the future with hope” J. 56 years

·         “Sumedha is a powerhouse for body, mind and spirit. The programme led me into the core of my being. It touched me deeply. It has opened up some of the dormant or stagnant areas of my life. It has helped me to get rid of some resentment, doubt, fear, rather helped how to deal with these. It has helped me to turn “crisis” into “Kairos.” It has helped me to deal with declining health and strength and stress.” G. 62 Years

·         “I was really surprised that the programme offered me what I was genuinely longing for. It led to an overhauling of my rigid values and convictions, particularly my perfectionism which were destructive to my happiness and my relationships.” J. 65 years.

·         “Sumedha caused a thorough churning within me – backward and forward. I was amazed at the selection of topics. Just at appropriate depth each topic was covered. The process was just right. It was engaging. The facilitator was awesome. Kindness, acceptance, availability was the hallmark of the Centre. What I carry with me as a result is real joy.” J. 68 years

·         “The programme has brought me healing and wellbeing. It really helped me to look into myself and make an evaluation of my life and prepare myself to grow old gracefully. It helped me let go of my rigid values and expectations and accept people as they are. The input sessions were deep.” A. 69 years.

·         “It was providential I came to Sumedha. The programme helped me to reflect on the emotional awareness of mortality and the brevity of time available. It opened my eyes to a broader and deeper understanding of realities and paradoxes of life and their implications for future life. It helped me understand the nuances of various psychological dynamics of and the scope for gaining gracefully.” J. 73 years.

55TH SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

 The 55^th Sumedha Sadhana, the 12-week Psychospiritual Wellbeing Journey programme at the Sumedha Centre, Jharmari, Punjab, concluded on the 1st of May, 2026. It had commenced on February 07, 2026.

There were 14 participant – 9 women, including 2 from Thailand and 5 men.

Sumedha Sadhana is a programme of inner journeying, using insights and practices from psychology, spiritual traditions and social sciences, in search of greater self-awareness, healing and wellbeing.. The following were the major modules of this programme.

The programme has several Modules: Self-Awareness and Self-Transformation; Holistic & Process Spiritualties; Religious & Community Life; Prayer & Meditation; Yoga & Cosmic Spirituality; Personality and Healthy Emotional Life; Unconscious Dynamics, and the Spiritual Journey; Psychological & spiritual Dynamics at Midlife and Beyond; Sexuality, Intimacy and Celibate Chastity ; Trauma, Healing & Reconciliation; Breath, Spirit & Wellbeing; Emotional Hygiene; Intensive Group therapy and Spiritual Retreat.

Methodology was very experiential using a four-fold approach of Input, Introspection, Interaction an Interaction.

These processes were enhanced by Bioenergetics, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts, Breathwork, Yoga, Qigong, Multi-media, Prayer & Meditation practices, Dance, and Sacred Scripture.

There were a celebrations and picnics and weekly recreations to relax the mind and body.

One special event during this programme was the celebration of the Feast of St. Joseph, the Patron of Sumedha Centre on 19^th March. This day is also the Foundation day of Sumedha Centre. This year, the 2td. Rt. Rev. Sahaya Thatheus was the Chief Guest at the occasion.  He presided at the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration.

Another special even was the celebration of the Easter Triduum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil. These were marked by specially created rituals and creative liturgies.

Still another special event ws the visit of the Salesian Provincial of the Province of New Delhi, Rev. Fr. Davis Maniparamben, on April 2nd, which happened to be also the Birthday of Rev. Br. Cyriac Kurias, a staff member at Sumedha Centre.

All the participants found the programme immensely useful. Seven participants gave a 10 on scale of 1-10 for Usefulness (1 meaning Very Little Useful and 10 Immensely Useful); three gave a 9 and three 8. One did not provide a numerical indicator.

Some typical feedback comments are given below.

“My journey at Sumedha was a beautiful, amazing and remarkable one.”

“Sumedha has left an indelible mark on my life journey.”

“Sumedha is the best place for a psychospiritual renewal.”

“I came confused and broken-hearted. One by one the Modules brought clarity and healing. I go back with joy and enthusiasm.”

“I came with no clarity about who I was and what was happening to me. I was able to recognise my brokenness and woundedness and experience healing.”

“The programme helped me grow out of every problem I came with.”

“The programme helped me grow in self-awareness, emotional healing, inner peace and a deeper relationship with God. It also helped me understand myself and others.”

“During my Sumedha Journey I experienced significant inner growth, healing, and clarity of my behaviour patterns, and learned to balance prayer, mission and rest. I feel more integrated and peaceful.”

“What I wanted, I have received. I came sick. I go back healthy.”

“I go back with real joy in my heart.”

“The whole programme was holistic, meaningful and very enriching. All the Modules were relevant and well-organized.”

 “The programme was well-structured and holistic, integrating psychological and spiritual dimensions beautifully.”

“I received more than I expected.’

 “The whole atmosphere was conducive for the inner

 journey.”

“I felt safe, warm, welcomed.”

“The food was nourishing, and the environment very peaceful.”

“The service was excellent. I was very impressed.”

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from June 13 to September 04, 2026. For information and registration contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

SUMEDHA OUTREACH: WORKSHOP FOR HYDERABAD SALESIANS

Dr Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, Jharmari, Punjab, was invited to do a Workshop on Growing Toward Psychosexual and Celibate Integration.

The works are in three batches. The first Workshop was from 6 to 8 August 2025.  There were 26 participants.

The second was held on 1-3 December 2025. There were 28 participants. The third workshop is scheduled for 3-5 February 2026.

The content of these interactive Workshops included: Requisites for Psychosexual and Celibate Integration; Sexual Re-Awakening at Midlife; Understanding Sex, Sexuality and intimacy; Problematic Sexual Behaviours (Sexual Boundary Violations, Online Pornography); Celibacy and Chastity; Friendship as a Pathway Toward rowing in Psychosexual and Celibate Maturity. The process included Input, Introspection and Interaction in micro and macro groups. The presentations were enriched with the use of Media (Music and Videos.)

Participants in both the completed Workshops were immensely satisfied with the Workshop, finding the contents extremely relevant and useful at this perio0d in their lives. Most parti9icipants were he 40’s.

First Workshop

In the first Workshop five participants gave a 10 out of 10 on usefulness of the workshop, seven gave and six gave an 8.

Some typical feedback comments from the First Workshop participants:

·         “These three days’ workshop helped me to be aware of my life and relationships and to make the necessary changes in my life.”

·         “It gave me a comprehensive idea of sexuality. Topics on Intimacy, Pornography, and the Purpose of Celibate Chastity were most useful for me.”

·         “It was a good opportunity to look back at my sexuality and the vow of chastity and come to terms with myself, my past and see the beautiful possibilities ahead that can emerge from now.”

·         “It has shaken and broadened my understanding of sex, sexuality and intimacy.”

·         “The topics on “Online Pornography” and “Celibate Friendships” were very enriching and beneficial.”

·         “The topics covered in this Workshop were all very useful and important to me. It has given me lot of knowledge about my psycho-sexual life and how to integrate it into my celibate life. The sessions and group discussions have given me lot of clarity about my boundaries.”

 

Second Workshop

Four of the participants of the second Workshop gave 10 out of 10 on Usefulness. Ten gave a 9; Nine gave an 8.

 

Some typical feedback observations:

·         “The workshop was refreshing, challenging. “

·         “I greatly appreciate the clear and thought provoking presentation.”

·         “The workshop has had a tremendous on my life.”

·         “The content was very good and informative. The process was comfortable, helpful for reflections and self-analysis.”

·         “The content on Online Pornography especially was very useful for me. The process or methodology was very useful to learn, to remember, to focus.”

·         “It gave me clarity about concepts like Intimacy, Celibacy, Chastity. It explained how one need to handle himself as a Celibate.”

·         The programme was well planned, made maximum use of available time. Most useful was Requisites and Helps for Mature Celibate Friendship.” The content offered in this 3-day workshop will be explored in greater details during the 12-Week Sumedha Sadhana Fe 07-May 01, 2026 at Sumedha Centre Jharmari. Registration is open. contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com 

 

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS IN THE POST-MIDLIFE YEARS

 The first “Health & Happiness in the Post Midlife Years – Aging gracefully” programme at Sumedha Centre Jharmari concluded on the 13^th September. This 4-week-long residential programme had commenced on the 17^th August, 2025.

The programme was based on the book “Psychospiritual Dynamics at Midlife and Beyond: Guide Posts for a Healthy and Happy Second Half of Life, “authored by Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre.

The content of the programme included: Self-Awareness; Awakening to Post-Midlife; Psychospiritual Dynamics at Post-Midlife; Transformational Processes, and Spirituality for the Post-Midlife years.

The process was experiential. Besides input there were much time devoted to introspection, journaling and Expressive Arts, Sharing Circles and somatic meditations. Relevant movies, videos and songs helped to better understand the dynamics as they played out in the lives of people. There was also time for fun, to relax together.

All participants expressed great appreciation for the programme. They all observed that they had benefitted immensely from the programme. It had truly helped them, providing insights and practices to make their post-midlife years healthy and happy.

Some comments from the participants.

“The programme was very helpful to understand that there is in the post- midlife years a great opportunity to make life better. It provided me all the ingredients needed for aging gracefully.” Bhasker

 “I found this course much useful for me. It provided me new insights with regard to aging gracefully and has helped me understand and live the post-midlife spirituality. The topic “Burnout” was an eye-opener.” Deepak

“The programme helped me slow-down and reflect on my life, deepening my awareness of the connection between body-mind and spirit. It provided deep insights into the inner shifts that occur at midlife.  It offered practical tools for aging gracefully. The importance of both psychology and spirituality in this process was enlightening. The programme taught me to see post-midlife not as decline, but a time to live more meaningfully.” George

“I benefitted a lot through the insightful inputs, the introspection, the journaling and the sharing. These helped me to go back over the way I had lived so far and decide to make changes so that I will not repeat the mistakes of the past that led to burnout.” Jose

 “The programme on the whole was well designed and executed. It exceeded my expectations. The rich, relevant and well-researched inputs, the meditations and reflections helped me to see my life in perspective, accept my past journey as unique and plan my years ahead to be spent in gratitude and praise. The somatic exercises made my body flexible, and I feel healthier and more energetic.” Thomas

The next “Health and Happiness” programme is from May 09 to June 05, 2026.  Registration is open. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com.

 

 

53rd SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

 The 53^rd edition of the Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wellbeing Journey at Sumedha Centre, Jharmari concluded successfully on August 02. This 12-week residential programme had begun on May 11.

There were 9 participants from five religious congregations and 2 dioceses.

The programme consisted of several modules, all related to psychospiritual wellbeing. Among these were: Self-Awareness, Midlife Dynamics, Unconscious Dynamics, Emotional Hygiene, Breathwork, Somatics, Trauma and Healing, Psychosexual and Celibate Integration, Holistic Spirituality, Prayerfulness and Meditation Practices. The final concluding modules integrating all the previous ones were group therapy and a psychospiritual retreat.

The process followed during the Sadhana was very experiential, using dance, expressive drawing and movement, time for introspection and journaling and weekly day of Recollection and Integration, as well as creative liturgies and sharing circles.

There were also moments for relaxation through recreation and picnics. The trip to Chandigarh included a visit with the newly appointed Bishop Sahaya Thatheus, The Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady of Miracles, beside the tourist places such the Sukhna Lake and the Rock Garden.

Participants stated in their feedback that they were immensely satisfied with the programme.

Some typical comments:

 “Every module brought me more and more healing. I came alive again.” A.

“Sumedha Sadhana was a sacred pilgrimage for me. Every module helped me to transform myself into a better and more loving and compassionate human being.” A

“I came very angry, with myself and others. My heart was broken into bits through hurt and pain. Life had become meaningless. Sumedha has helped to put back the bits and make me more whole.” A.

“I came broken and bruised, weeping. I go back joyfully. I’m able to let go all the hurts and woundings. I journey forward with hope. I have bounced back.” C.

“Sumedha Sadhana was a time of grace. I cherish my time at Sumedha” D.

“The best programme I have attended so far.” D.

“At Sumedha I experienced god in a profound way. Sumedha is a healing powerhouse.” L.

“Lot of suppressed emotions and negative energy released. Confusion has disappeared. Wonderful insights. Brought me freedom.” M.

“Here I got what I needed. A palace where I felt loved.  Where I could be myself, express myself the way I wanted. My life as priest is going to be different. Sumedha was more useful to me than the many programmes I have attended abroad” Y.

We were fortunate to have had Archbishop Emeritus of Raipur, Most Rev. Joseph Augustine, with us on the last two days of the programme. He attended the final session of the presentation by the participants of the fruits of their labour though expressive arts. The archbishop was very appreciative of the work Sumedha Centre does and the way each of the participants had benefitted. He observed Centres like Sumedha is the need of the Indian Church today to help priests and religious.

The next Sumedha Sadhana is from 25^th September to December 17, 2025. Registration is open. A few seats re available. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com