36th Sumedha Sadhana Concludes

The 36^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey – concluded at Sumedha Centre on December 2. It began nine-weeks earlier on October 1.

There were 15 participants from India, Singapore and Thailand.

There were six different modules in this Sadhana. Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual journey (facilitated by Johny Dominic, PhD), Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey (by Jose Parappully PhD), Stories: Ours, the Universe’s and Jesus’ (by Gerard Alvarez MA), Core Transformation (by Jose Mathew Kuttianimattathil PhD), Group Therapy (by Johny Dominic PhD and Jose Parappully PhD), and Integrative Spiritual Retreat (by Jose Parappully PhD).

Ample time for personal reflection and prayer in a very beautiful and serene natural environment and creative and experiential liturgies helped to interiorise the insights gained in the sessions. There was also time for weekly recreation, movies, and picnics, including one to Delhi and Agra. 

Participants found the programme immensely useful. Comments below indicate the different ways they found the programme beneficial, even unique.

“Sumedha has changed my life. I was at the right place, at the right time.”

“It was a fascinating experience – a long inward journey.”

“It has helped me become a more integrated person.”

“Sumedha was a re-birth. I came with feeling of dryness in my spiritual life. Now God means everything.”

“Each module opened up to me avenues totally unexplored by me before.”

“Every session helped me to go deeper into myself… I go back much happier than when I came.”

“I learned to look at life experiences with new perspectives…. Retreat as desert experience brought profound healing.”

“Helped to gain a deeper experience of God.”

“Helped to find meaning for my religious life. Really experienced God touching me.”

“Experienced a sense of healing.”

“Sumedha is a turning point in my life. Every session was enriching,  an eye opener.”

Sumedha is not a Centre, but a home. I was very happy here.”

“At Sumedha I found a very supportive community.”

“Welcome, hospitality, accommodation, food and services were excellent.”

 The next Sumedha Sadhana is from March 15 to May 16, 2018. Registration is open.

30th SUMEDHA SADHANA

The 30^th Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospritual Wholeness Journey – commenced on October 2 with 20 participants – the highest number ever. The previous highest number was 19. Of these 14 are women and 6 are men (four priests and two religious brothers, including a Salesian brother).

The foundational module, facilitated by Jose Parappully, the Director of the Centre was “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey.” This module used insights from psychology, especially developmental theories, to help participants to examine their understanding of and way of living their spiritual journey.

Gerard Alvarez, a Christian Brother and Trainer, currently residing at St. Joseph’s College, Nainital, used stories of Jesus (especially as narrated in the Gospel of Mark) and the emerging Universe Story to help participants to look at their own stories.

This week the participants explore “Feminist and Women’s Spirituality” This module is facilitated by Presentation Sister Shalini, Professor at Vidyajyoti College of Theology, New Delhi.

Recreation common, birthday celebrations and picnics are also part of the Sumedha journey along with the serious work of self-exploration and self-transformation.

Remaining Modules: Core Spirituality by Jose Mathew Kuttianimatathil PhD; Unconscious Dynamics & Psycho-Spiritual Maturity by Johny Dominic PhD; Group Therapy by Johny Dominic PhD, Jose Parappully PhD and MC Abraham PhD; and Spiritual Retreat by Jose Parappully PhD.

This 9-week programme concludes on December 3. 

STORIES – The Universe’s, Jesus’ and Ours

“Stories – The Universe’s, Jesus’ and Ours"  - was the Sumedha Sadhana module last week.

Gerard Alvarez, former General Council Member and Province Leader of the  Christian Brothers, used stories, movies and rituals to integrate the previous modules of Sumedha Sadhana, especially to experientially bring together psychology (the explorations of the self)  and spirituality (explorations our relationship with God, others and the Universe).

The outcome of the module was to awaken and deepen in the participants the sense of interconnectedness between themselves and the universe and to arouse in them a deep respect for all created reality and the presence of God in all these --holy ground--, and greater appreciation for the Word of God expressed in both Sacred Scripture, the Universe and our human relationships.

It also helped to bring together and integrate more deeply a number of themes touched upon earlier.

The exploration various themes through stories was embedded in the participants’ consciousness of their identity as priests and religious.

The participants found the module especially useful to deepen their spiritual journey.

Some typical comments:

“This module was very experiential. The stories and the way they were presented touched me very deeply and provided new insights for my life.” Poornima.

“Brother Gerard brought alive the Scriptures for me. I am able to see the stories in a new light; they are speaking to me in a new way.” Reena

“The rituals and exercises after the inputs were very meaningful and helped to interiorise.” Emy.

“Brother took great pains to create very meaningful liturgies.” Alex

“The movie Of Gods and Men helped to create a better understanding and appreciation for religious community life” Gregory.