55th SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES HAPPILY AND FRUITFULLY

The 55^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychological and Spiritual Wellbeing Programme at Sumedha Centre, Jharmari, Punjab, concluded happily and fruitfully, with immense satisfaction to the participants onSeptember 4^th, 2026.

This 12-week residential programme ahd commenced on June 13^th, 2026. There were 15 particpant , 9 women and 6 men, from different parts of the country.

Sumedha Sadhana is a programme of inner journeying together with fellow seekers in quest of greater healing and wellbeing, so that participants can live their lives in more fulfilling and satisfying ways and be more effective in their 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.

The various Modules in the programme included: Self-Awareness, Holistic and Process Spiritualties, Prayerfulness, Midlife Dynamics, Psychosexual Integration and Celibate Maturity, Trauma & Healing, Unconscious Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey, Breath, Spirit & Wellbeing, Emotional Hygiene, Group Therapy, Challenges of Consecrated Life today, Integration Retreat.

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 Reflective Papers and time spent in introspection and active participation in group work and sharing of responsibilities.

At the end of the programme participants reported that the programme had been very beneficial and will be enriching their journey forward.

Some illustrative participants’ comments:

·         It was a journey of coming home to myself, and more deeply to God and others. I am today not the woman I was when I arrived. Sumedha has helped me to get in touch with places within me I was afraid to look at. I have come to accept myself and others with greater love and compassion. (D)

Sumedha was a wellspring, a sacred space. A transformational journey through which I could let go many things that has led to great inner freedom and joy. Feel blessed to have had the opportunity to be here.” (L)

·         I have reached spiritual heights. I have enjoyed life at Sumedha, especially the community togetherness (P.)

I came feeling helpless, in the dark, burdened with pain, feeling unaccepted, and crushed by negative thoughts. I have experienced an emotional and spiritual renewal. I learned to forgive and I can now breathe more freely. (M)

·         I came feeling helpless. I gained strength from the experience of love and togetherness at Sumedha. I learned the importance of love and trust – in self and others. (S)

I felt I was in sacred space. And God brought me here. Right place at the right time. I came here discontented with myself, alienated from God. I experienced deep spiritual and psychological enrichment, and was able to embrace my midlife gratefully. (R.) 

It was truly an Emmaus experience. It has created hope for someone who felt the world had nothing good for him. It gave me time to pause, to look at life and create space for better relationships, creating new goals for the future.  (I).

·         The insights I gained encourage me to journey through life more consciously, courageously and with confidence. (A).

·         A valuable experience. The programme helped me to look within with greater honesty and compassion. I have grown in humility, forgiveness, collaborative spirit and openness. (C)

·         Sumedha Sadhana was a rare opportunity in my life to take a break and peep into my life. I could see where I was, where I am, and where I have to be. I could address many of my personal issues and make amendments and adjustments. I came with confusion. I return with great clarity. (V)

 I have achieved fully my goal of healing from my grief and guilt, and to know my inner self. I came with a painful personal story. I go back with a greater understanding of that story. (S.)

  I came feeling very alone, with anxiety. I have changed a lot. I was able to address my concerns. Now I can understand myself better, I am able to relate to others better, accepting myself and accepting others. (M)

It was a journey of healing, growth and renewal. It has helped me to accept my past with gratitude, live the present with hope, look to the future with confidence, and evoked in me the desire to live the rest of my life with a purpose, gratitude and a generous heart. (L)

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You can watch glimpses of life during Sumedha Sadhana on the YouTube link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFQqgmtQrCk

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The next Sumedha Sadhana is from September 24 to December 16, 2026. A few seats are available. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

 

 

50th Sumedha Sadhana

The 50^th edition of the immensely popular Sumedha Sadhana- A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey concluded on September 14.

There were 14 participants from different parts of India and one from Sri Lanka. There were seven priests and seven religious sisters.

Sumedha Sadhana is inner journey toward greater wholeness and wellbeing. Participants begin from where they, looking at what is happening on their psychospiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics affecting their wellbeing, to recognise and break through the blocks  on the path and heal from their brokenness , so that they can live and minister in more joyful, satisfying and fruitful ways.

Insights from faith and wisdom tradition, various psychological theories as well as experiential tool and techniques are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual wellbeing.

There were several modules that facilitated this transformational journey. Among them were: Growing in Self-Awareness, Somatics, Prayerfulness and Meditation Techniques;  Midlife Dynamics and Transformational Processes; Sexuality, Intimacy and Celibacy; Breath, Sprit and Wellbeing, Emotional Hygiene, Enneagram, Challenges to Consecrated Life; Trauma & Healing; Group therapy and Spiritual Retreat.

Participants expressed immense satisfaction with the programme.

“On the whole all the sessions’ were very useful because they are related to our day to day life.”

“The whole programme was very fruitful. I have grown spiritually and emotionally.”

“The programme was incredibly useful in helping me develop a deeper understanding of myself, my values, and my passions. It provided a rare space for self-reflection, growth and transformation.”

“I came in emotionally disturbed. All the modules helped to deal with the inner disturbance, and see the truth of who I am and develop a new outlook.”

“The programme helped me to discern my relationship patterns and reconcile, and go through a body, mind, spiritual healing.”

“Sumedha was for me a transformational journey: liberation, letting go, self-discovery, spiritual growth, experiencing wholeness.”

“I befitted a lot from the programme. I came with a sad heart, with the mess I had created. The programme helped me have a joyful heart. “

 ““Group therapy was a unique, beautiful healing journey. It changed my life.”

“”I came disturbed, sad, my heart like a stone. I was helped to come out. I was able to get rid of the garbage and unburden myself.”

“Sumedha Sadhana was just what I needed at this juncture of my life. Living together was a unqiue experience.”

“All the facilitators were Excellent!”

 “I “I really appreciate the welcome, hospitality, accommodation, food, campus, building, services and facilities – all the things given to the participants. “

“I really enjoyed my stay here at Sumedha.”

“Sumedha was a wonderful journey of healing and transformation. I return with a joyful and grateful heart.”

 The 2025 programme schedule with in formation about the various modules and module facilitators is given below. Registrations are open. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com. See also our webpage: sumedhacentre.org. 

FIRST SUMEDHA SADHANA OF 2023

 The First Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey programme at Sumedha Centre, Jharmari, began on February 12^th. 

There are 17 participants from different parts of India and one from Indonesia. There are 8 women from seven different religious congregations (1 each from Apostolic Carmel, Holy Family, Presentation, Notre Dame, Ursuline, Ursuline Franciscan, and 2 Holy Cross of Chavonod), and 9 men from three different congregations (4 Jesuits, 3 Salesians of Don Bosco, and 3 Missionaries of St Francis Sales)

Sumedha Sadhana is a programme of inner journeying together with fellow seekers in quest of greater healing and wholeness, so that one can live one’s life in more fulfilling and satisfying ways and be more effective in one’s 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.

The programme began with a module on Self-Awareness in which participants were helped to look at all that was going on their lives at this current period of their life and discern what m might be telling them through all this.

The next module was on Cultivating Prayerfulness, in which participants were exposed to various forms of contemplative prayer and had opportunity to practice them. Both modules were facilitated by Jose Parappully PhD, the Director of the Sumedha Centre.

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

The next module was “Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” in which Johny Dominic PhD 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 participants unleash the powers of the unconscious to facilitate healing and wholeness.

The next module was “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey”. In this module 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 dynamics of midlife and engage in required transformational processes to enhance their wellbeing as they move into  the second half of their lives.

In Yoga & Cosmic Spirituality, Alba Rodrigues MA, BEd used ancient wisdom traditions and evolving spiritual insights and practices to offer participants tools, ancient and new (including Yoga and Dance and cosmic rituals), to awaken the deep wisdom lying dormant within the participants and reconnect with the capacities of their body, mind and spirit and experientially deepen and expand their spirituality in alignment with the evolving cosmos

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The remaining modules are: "Breath, Spirit and Wellbeing" by KC Thomas Kurianthanam, Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy by Jose Parappully, “Challenges of Consecrated Life Today” by Philip Pinto, Group Therapy by Johny Dominic, Jose Parappully and Maria Goretti Kanakaratinam, and Spiritual Retreat by Jose Parappully.

The programme concludes on May, 02.

The next Sumedha Sadhana begins on July1. Registrations are open. Contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

MINI SUMEDHA SADHANA

Sumedha Centre organized a shorter version of the Sumedha Sadhana. This 4-week Mini Sumedha Sadhana was held from August 6 to September 4, 2018.

There were three modules in the programme: “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” by Dr. Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre; “Current Challenges in Religious Life” by Br. Philip Pinto, Former Superior General of the Christian Brothers; and “Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” by Dr. Johny Dominic, Asst. Director at Sumedha Centre.

There were 10 participants.

Though short, the participants found the programme immensely useful.  Seven of the 10 participants gave a 10 out of 10 on the Degree of Usefulness of this programme. Two gave a 9 and one gave an 8.

Some comments:

“My goal was fulfilled. 10 out of 10.”

“As a whole, the programme, the modules and the module facilitators were very good and had a dynamic way of teaching.”

 “The classes on various topics have touched, healed and transformed me.”

“I enjoyed my stay over here. All the basic needs were provided. I felt at home and happy.”

38th Sumedha Sadhana

The 38th Sumedha Sadhana commenced on June 1, 2018. There are 13 participants including 2 from Thailand, and 1 each from Malaysia and Srilanka.

This programme will conclude on August 2.

Our next two progammes are:

Mini Sumedha Sadhana: August 6 - September 4.

39th Sumedha Sadhana. October 1 - December 2.

Seats are available for both.

37th SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

The 9-week-long 37^th 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.