SEXUALITY, CELIBACY & INTIMACY

The module last week of the Sumedha Sadhana programme was “Sexuality, Celibacy & Intimacy” facilitated by Dr. Joe Mannath SDB and Dr. Jose Parappully.

Dr. Mannath took sessions from Sunday to Wednesday. He dealt with the following topics: Stages of psychosexual development; Psychosexual maturity; Healthy integration of sexuality and celibacy; Current issues in relation to sexuality and celibacy; Meaning of celibate chastity; Sexual attraction ministry; Helps for a happy celibate life; and Formation for celibacy.

The participants found the module very helpful. They found it very informative. What they appreciated most was the simple way he was able to present these topics which helped to clarify many of their doubts and confusions. The meaningful liturgies which integrated the themes of the day very meaningfully was also much appreciated.

Dr. Parappully followed up on Thursday and Friday by giving very detailed presentations on two important issues: celibate friendship and sexual abuse. He showed how friendships can contribute significantly to healthy psychosexual and celibate integration and explained the dynamics involved.

Dr. Parappully presented relevant research, as well as anecdotal evidence, to show that there is a high prevalence rate of sexual abuse in India, both of children and of adults. He described the effects of sexual abuse and outlined ways and means to heal from its effects as well as to help others to heal.

SELF-AWARENESS THROUGH JUNGIAN PERSPECTIVES

Sumedha Sadhana participants were busy last week exploring the question “Who am I?” through the module “Self-Awareness through Jungian Perspectives.”

The module was facilitated by Dr. Ajoy Fernandes, a Salesian priest psychologist from the Province of Mumbai.

Dr. Fernandes first helped the participants to identify their MBTI types and then explained how the type influences the approach to life, work, relationships and spirituality.

He then helped the participants to discover, honour and integrate their “persona” and shadow through experiential exercises, active imagination, drawings and movies.

Participants appreciated the programme very much and found it very useful to discover themselves. Even those who have had experience with the MBTI Types earlier observed that Dr. Fernandes’ presentation and approach were far more helpful and richer than their previous encounters with Types.

Participants described Dr. Fernandes’s presentation as “very clear, simple and systematic.” They said it really helped them to identify their personality characteristics, their persona and shadow and move toward greater acceptance and integration of these.

Last week also witnessed the visit of the Salesian General Councillor for South Asia, Rev. Fr. Maria Arokiam, to Sumedha Centre. He arrived on 21st and left on the 22^nd.

He met with the three Salesians at the Centre and spent time interacting with the participants of Sumedha Sadhana. The visitor planted a sapling and impressed on the participants the need for ecological sensitivity.

The Visitor described the services that Sumedha Centre offers as “very essential and much needed, something very much in keeping with what Don Bosco had done in his own time for Church and Society.”

FEMINIST AND WOMEN’S SPRITUALITIES

Last week participants of Sumedha Sadhana completed the 2^nd module of the programme — Feminist and Women’s Spiritualities — facilitated by Dr. Shalini Mulackal PBVM, professor at Vidyajyoti College, New Delhi.

Earlier to that Dr. Parappully, director of he Centre, in his module “Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey” had explored with the participants paradigms that influence spirituality; the shift from a dualistic-mechanistic to a holistic-ecological paradigm; distinguished between religion and spirituality; and presented 17 characteristics of a mature spirituality for today which paved the way for the more detailed exploration of Feminist and Women's Spiritualities.

Dr. Mulackal explored contemporary feminist movements, situation of women in the Church and society and presented an understanding of feminist and women’s spiritualities within these contexts, particularly the much needed emancipation and empowerment of women.

Some typical comments from participants:

Holy Cross Sister Onila found, like some others as well, the module “an all together new topic which was presented in a systematic way. The content and presentation were very good.”

For Sister Celine of the Congregation of Jesus, the module served as “an invitation to celebrate womanhood.”

It helped me to “change my attitude towards feminine spirituality and my understanding about myself as a woman,” observed Ursuline Sister Reena.

For Divine Word missionary and spiritual director Father Gregory, the combined explorations of Dr. Parappully and Dr. Mulackal provided “the most comprehensive and deepest understanding of spirituality that I ever received anywhere.”

The week concluded with an outing up the stream that lies below Sumedha Centre and the visit of Fr. Maria Arokiam, Regional Counsillor of the Salesians of Don Bosco for South Asia, who interacted with the participants.

2013 (10th ANNIVERSARY) PROGRAMME SCHEDULE (REVISED)

     

1. 10^th Anniversary Special: National Seminar on Formation: “Psychosexual  Integration & Celibate Maturity.” Venue: Bosco Psychological Services. Okhla, New Delhi. February 14-22. (Participants: Major Superiors and Formators)

2    (SS-22) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) - (60 days)

March 12- May 10

3    (SS-23) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (42 days)

May 20-June 30

4       (SD-8) Sumedha Dhyana (Retreat Exclusively for former Sumedha participants 2003-2012)

July 11- 20 (10 days)

5       (SD-9) Sumedha Dhyana (Retreat Exclusively for former Sumedha participants 2003-2012 primarily)

July 24- August 2 - (10 days)

6       (SM-08) Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey - (20 days)

August 12-31 (20 days)

7.   (SS-24) Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) - (60 days)

September 25- November 23

LAST SUMEDHA SADHANA OF 2012 COMMENCES

Another Sumedha Sadhana programme commenced on Sept 25.

During this first week the participants were helped to explore what is going on in their lives at this phase of their psychospritual journey and discern what God might me telling them through all that is happening. The main tool used in the process was Ira Progoff’s Intensive Journal Meditation.

The participants are already finding the programme very meaningful. It concludes on December 3.

The following is an appreciation from a participant of an earlier Sumedha Sadhana which attests to the usefulness of the programme.

“I landed up here with a feeling of burnout: spiritually, emotionally and psychologically.

The Process Spirituality and Centering Prayer helped me look back over my life… The classes on early development, midlife transition and its dynamics, sharing and meditation helped me to enter deeper into myself, especially my broken areas, where I had gone wrong (focus on work), what was missing in me (prayer life),my woundedness (from authorities) and chocked emotions (loss of my best friend)… The classes on Mature Spirituality helped me to re-affirm myself with my convictions and values.

As the days went by God was permeating my being and each of my life experiences… I was being healed by Jesus’ gracious presence through the meaningful and moving Eucharistic celebrations.

I became more and more aware of my being and its longing for purpose and meaning.

The movement meditations gave me the awareness that my body is sacred.

In therapy, listening to the life journeys of each, I was enriched and I too could disclose myself and heal myself. I appreciate the conducive atmosphere provided; I mean that here I found myself talking about the past and expressing my feelings without fear.

It was a pervasive and holistic experience – a blend of practical, intellectual, spiritual and psychological learning in the lap of nature’s beauty.

With a deep sense of joy and gratitude I express that I have received what I was looking for.

Preetha

30/6/11

SALESIANS OF DON BOSCO EXPLORE MIDLIFE DYNAMICS

Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, facilitated a four-day work shop (September 19-22, 2012) at Don Bosco Renewal Centre, Bangalore on the theme “Midlife Dynamics and Psychosexual Maturity.”

This workshop was part of a six-week long Salesian Renewal Course (somewhat ambitiously termed “Second Novitiate”) that has been organised by the Salesian Provincial Conference of South Asia.  All Salesians in South Asia within 15-20 years after Perpetual Profession are to attend these renewal programme that will be held every year.

This inaugural programme had 26 Salesians from 11 different Salesian Provinces of India. Forty eight had been expected.

Parappully presented how men and women in the midlife years experience gradually, and sometimes dramatically, discontent with how things are and desire something more in life. He described the various midlife dynamics, especially a re-awakening of sexuality and intimacy needs and how these can be integrated into one’s celibate commitment. He presented the major challenge in the second half of life for religious committed to the celibate way of life as moving away from the pressure of personal accomplishments based on self-reliance and self-sufficiency to deepening of one’s spiritual life and cultivating a more intimate relationship with God.

The participants found the workshop immensely useful for them at this time in their life. In fact, one suggested that “every Salesian at this period of their life should attend a programme like this. It will really improve our religious and community life.”

One of the things that the participants especially appreciated is the atmosphere created during the workshop that enabled them to share freely about sexuality and intimacy. As one 43-year-old priest disclosed, “This is the first time in my life that I have ever spoken to anyone on these topics. It has been very liberating.”

Many participants remarked that the workshop has given them a lot more of knowledge and awareness about midlife dynamics, sexuality and intimacy that has helped them to understand themselves and others, and which will also help improve their inter-personal relationships and their ministerial effectiveness.

MIDLIFE DYNAMICS AT ST FRANCIS ASHRAM

Jose Parappully, Director of Sumedha Centre, facilitated a two-day workshop on “Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” for 15 Capuchin Friars of the Lucknow Capuchin Province at St. Francis Asharam, Nainital, on 12-13 September.

The Workshop focused on four Journeys that midlifers are called make: Journey Inward, Journey into the Past, Journey Outward and Journey into the Future. The inputs presented various midlife dynamics and transformative processes especially the integration of the masculine and the feminine (animus/anima), the redemption of the “Shadow,” reclaiming of “Dreams” and the integration of sexuality, intimacy and celibate chastity. Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their experiences in the light of the inputs and share them in small and large groups.

The Friars found the Workshop very useful. “Very enriching”, “an eye-opener,” “gained very useful insights,” “awakened deep thoughts” and “very helpful” were some of the frequent phrases the Friars used to describe their experience of the Workshop.