HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

The original Christmas was the trigger that set in motion a revolution aimed at transforming a broken world and ruptured society through love - a revolution that has to be continued by men and women of good will.

Unfortunately that message of Christmas has been mostly forgotten, and Christmas has been reduced to four small c's: "crib, carol, card and cake." And the one that Christmas is named after, the big C - Christ - has been sidelined. Much effort is made these days by various forces to remove Christ from Christmas.

It is time to restore Christmas to its initial significance and focus on the revolution that has been set in motion so many years ago - transformation of society through love. That is the challenge that  faces especially Christians, and all people of good will.

Sumedha Centre wishes all its Friends and supporters  a very Happy Christmas.

May there be more peace and joy in the world this Christmas season through the love and compassion manifest by people of good will and the governments of the world.

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.

Deep Explorations & Fun at Sumedha

The participants of Sumedha Sadhana (SS-36) celebrated one month of their psychospiritual wholeness journey with a tea outing along the stream that runs not too far from Sumedha Centre.

Having made tea outdoors and munched on homemade sandwiches, momos and samosas, they had fun playing in the water and a round of Housie, led by the director Jose Parappully.

Earlier in the day they had concluded the two week module on "Unconscious Dynamics' facilitated by Johny Dominic, the Assistant Director at Sumedha.

This week they conclude the  module on "Midlife Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey" led by Jose Parappully

Another Sumedha Sadhana Commences

The 36th Sumedha Sadhana - A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey -- commenced at Sumedha Centre on October 1st evening.

There are 15 participants - 9 women and 6 men, from 10 different religious congregations and three dioceses.

This 9-week programme, the last  of 2017, will conclude on December 2.

The next Sumedha a Sadhana begins on March 15, 2018. Registration is open. contact: sumedhacentre@gmail.com 

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

SUMEDHA SADHANA MINI COMMENCES

Another Sumedha Sadhana - the newly introduced Mini (4 weeks) - began on August 6. It will conclude on September 03.

There are 10 participants (4 religious women, 3 diocesan priests, 2 religious priests among whom is one Salesian from North-East, and a Salesian brother from New Delhi province.)

The introductory module of this Mini Sadhana is "Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey" facilitated by Dr. John Dominic Padinjar, the Asst. Director of the Centre.

Johny Dominic helps 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 (Romans 7, 15).  Using concepts from Freudian, Jungian, NLP and Transactional Analysis theories he helps them unleash the powers of the unconscious to facilitate the journey from Ego to Self necessary for healing and psychospiritual wholeness.

The next Sumedha Sadhana (9 weeks) begins on October 1. A few seats are available. Contact sumedhacentre@gmail.com 

SUMEDHA SADHANA: “A Life Changing Experience.”

The 9-week (June 1- August 2) Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey – concluded yesterday at Sumedha Centre.

All the participants were immensely satisfied with the programme, some describing it as “life changing experience.” 

On a Usefulness Scale of 1-10, one meaning “very little useful” and 10 “Immensely Useful,” one participant gave a score of 9, while all the others gave a perfect 10.

There were five different modules in this Sadhana. Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey (by Dr. Jose Parappuly PhD), Psychosexual and Celibate Integration (Dr. Joe Mannath PhD), Women’s and Feminist Spiritualities (Dr. Shalini Mulackal PhD), Group Therapy (Dr. Alex Clement Joseph, PhD), and Spiritual Retreat (Dr. Jose Parappully PhD).

What the participants found most useful were the group therapy and the spiritual retreat.

Some participants’ comments:

“Sumedha Sadhana was a gift of God for me. An opportunity to expand my heart. Plenty to chew on. The retreat helped me to change my life.”

“The spiritual retreat as a desert experience was too good!... I go back with the feeling life can be good again. “

“I came to Sumedha very sad, very lost. The programme helped me a lot. Gained greater self-awareness through group therapy. I feel free from my burdens. See future as bright.”

“It helped me understand my life. The calm and peaceful atmosphere was very helpful for reflection and prayer. All the programme, modules, process, facilitators were all extremely effective and helpful.”

“Being at Sumedha was a privileged time. I got what I wanted. Able to let go and be healed. I feel very free and very happy.”

“I came here with a bundle of worry and sadness. Sumedha helped me get rid of them. I feel happy.  The facilitators were experts in exploring their topics. The food, services, and facilities were all very good. I felt very much at home and free here”

“The programme touched my heart. It made me alive again. I felt very free and happy here. I regained the love I had for my vocation."

The programme was very experiential. Besides the rich input provided the participants, there was ample time to reflect on life experiences, share them with one another, and integrate them into the daily creative liturgies. Music, movies and dance enriched the process. Outings, picnic and the weekly fun-times helped to create a relaxing atmosphere.

The next 9-week programme begins on October 1. Before that a shorter (4-week) Sumedha Mini begins on August 6. Registrations are open.