JUNGIAN PERSPECTIVES ON SELF AWARENESS

An Important module of the ongoing Sumedha Sadhana programme is entitled Jungian Perspectives on Self-Awareness. It was held from 18 to 23 October and was facilitated by Dr. Ajoy Fernandes, PhD, a Salesian priest from Mumbai.

Dr. Fernandes first helped the participants to identify their Jungian Type using the Myers Briggs Type Inventory. He then focused on the Dominant and Inferior Functions and their impact on one’s spirituality. The exploration of dominant and inferior functions also served as introduction to the Persona and the Shadow. Participants were helped to identify their persona and shadow through fantasy and guided imagery exercises. He then moved on to an examination of the Animus and the Anima” and provided insights and strategies for their integration using two films, Spiderman II and Earthsea.

A final integration of the week’s explorations and experiences were accomplished through creation of Mandalas. Participants offered these Mandalas at the concluding Eucharist, integrating psychological exploration and spiritual practice.

Participants found this module immensely useful for growing in self-awareness and expressed great satisfaction with the way the module was handled. On a scaled of 1 to 10, one representing “Very Little Useful” and 10 “Immensely Useful,” nine of the 18 participants gave a perfect 10 on the scale to represent their assessment of the Degree of Usefulness of this module. Two participants gave a score of 9 and seven a score of 8. Two participant comments from several that illustrate satisfaction:

“The process helped me to go step by step in the journey of self-discovery till I got in touch with the real issue that bothered me for months…. Expressive art and imaginary exercises were very helpful to me, especially art.” Sr. Winie.

“I had done this workshop earlier about 10 years ago. But the way Ajoy did it was different. He had a unique style which I found useful. It was not a lecture but a non-threatening self-discovery in my own inner journey. Fr. Philip

News from Sumedha

We began the last programme for 2010 - Sumedha Sadhana - on October 1. It goes up to November 29. We have 18 participants (11 women religious, five priests and two religious brothers.). It's houseful!! We also had houseful for the June-August Sadhana.

We were anxious whether the participants would be able to reach Sumedha Sadhana as the road between Jeolikote and Kathgodam had been closed to traffic because of landslides. However all the participants turned up on time. They had to go all the way to Nainital via Bhimtal and then come down to Jeolikote! No one complained!!

Some sad news. Br John's father passed away on Oct 14. He was seventy five. We got the news that night at 9.30. The funeral was to be the next day. John didn't go as he would not be able to reach home for funeral. He will be going home in December. He lost his young sister (during child birth) on October 21st last year. So two big losses for him. Please remember him in your prayers.

Last month we had torrential rains for several days. On18th the rains continued non-stop and they caused lots of damage. Roads in several parts of the State were washed away and landslides killed several people. Part of the road in front of Sumedha Centre (near the BSNL tower) was washed away. It has been repaired. A long stretch of the road between Jeolikote and Kathgodam was washed away and the traffic on that road was suspended for some weeks. The road has just been opened (on the 15th), because of Dussera. The condition of the road is still bad. Authorities might still close it. Marketing has become very difficult and time consuming. We have to go to Nainital, come down via Bhowali and Bhimtal (3 hours to go and 3 to come!). Please pray the conditions of the roads improve. The road to Almora is still cut off.

Winter is slowly setting in. The evening are beginning to be chilly, but the days are glorious with brilliant sunshine and blue skies.

Our 2011 Schedule is given in the previous blog.

Blessings!

Sumedha Centre 2011 programmes

2011 Programmes

1. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (60 days).

February 25 – April 25

2. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (42 days)

May 20-June 30

3. Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey- (15 days).

July 17 – 31

4. Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey- (15 days).

August 17 – 31.

5. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (60 days).

October 01 – November 29, 2010.

Sumedha Sadhana

Course Description: This is an inner journey in quest of greater healing and wholeness. Participants begin from where they are, looking at what is happening on their spiritual journey. They then move on to explore the psychological dynamics that affect their spirituality and integrate them in healthy ways to create more satisfying and more productive life patterns.

Course Content: Holistic, Process & Formative Spiritualities; Cosmic, Creation & Feminist Spiritualities; Religious & Community Life; Prayerfulness & Healthy Emotional Life; Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey; Identity & Vocational Commitment; Intimacy, Celibacy & Sexuality; Generativity, Stress & Burnout; Shadows & Subpersonalities; Trauma, Healing & Reconciliation; The Universe story, Jesus Story and Our Story -- are some of the major topics that will be explored. Special place is given to group therapy where participants have the opportunity to face their brokenness and fears, their unhelpful patterns of living and relating and move on to healing and wholeness. The programme concludes with a directed retreat.

Tools & Techniques: Insights from Christian faith and wisdom traditions, various psychological theories of development, as well as experiential tools and techniques from Psychosynthesis, Intensive Journal, Expressive Arts, multi-media, prayer & meditation practices, and Sacred Scripture are used to explore and enhance one’s psychospiritual journey. (Age limit: 30-62 years)

Midlife Dynamics & The Spiritual Journey

During midlife the meaning question looms large on our psychic horizon: What does it all mean, anyway? The quest for meaning leads to an inward journey through which we seek to embrace our self at new levels of awareness. We make a journey into the past to reconcile unresolved issues. We turn our eyes to the future, to consider how we want to live out the rest of our lives. Midlife is a time when we question our “dream”—who we wanted to be, what we wanted to accomplish. It is a time when we question our commitments and consider their impact on our past, present and future. Sexuality, which has often been repressed, rears its head and makes itself felt, often in troubling ways. Longing for a close relationship is awakened or intensifies. Our body experiences drastic hormonal changes. Emotional awareness of one’s own mortality presents life in new perspectives. These dynamics of midlife have a profound impact on our self-concept and our spiritual journey

Course Content: At this workshop we shall explore these psychological dynamics so as to deepen and enrich our spiritual journey. We will particularly explore four midlife issues identity (who we are), intimacy (the role of affectivity and sexuality in our lives) generativity (how we work and nurture future generations), and integrity (how we make sense of the whole of our life). We will explore spirituality, religious life, physical and emotional well-being, sexuality and celibacy, our hurts and our shadows in the context of shifting midlife perspectives and experiences.

Tools and Techniques: In this endeavour we will use the insights from various psychological theories of development, and from the medical sciences. Our inner process at this workshop will be enhanced by the exploratory and healing techniques of the Intensive Journal, Psychosynthesis, and Expressive Arts and the power of meditation and prayer. (Participant Age Limit: 30-62)

For further information and application form, please contact:

Sumedha Centre. Jeolikote. P. O. Nainital Dist. Uttarkhand 263127

Ph.05942-224328. mob.+91-9410941799

email: sumedhacentre@gmail.com

2011 Sumedha Centre Programmes

2011 Programmes

1. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (60 days).

February 25 – April 25

2. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (42 days)

May 20-June 30

3. Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey- (15 days).

July 17 – 31

4. Midlife Dynamics & the Spiritual Journey- (15 days).

August 17 – 31.

5. Sumedha Sadhana (A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey) – (60 days).

October 01 – November 29, 2010.

PSYCHOSPIRITUAL WHOLENESS JOURNEY IN THE HIMALYAS

An international group of 17 women and men and completed a 60-day Psycho-Spiritual Wholeness Journey at Sumedha Centre today.

Among these were 2 Salesians, 2 Jesuits including a Provincial who has just completed his term of office, 2 diocesan priests (Delhi and Chandigarh), 1 Cappuchin priest, 1 Montfort Brother and 9 religious women of whom one was from Papua New Guinea, another from Srilanka and a third from Bangladesh.

“The programme was just wonderful, just the kind I had been longing for,” remarked Sr. Leela, a social worker from Maharashtra with a huge simile on her face. “It has helped me to look at my life in a wholly new way. I go back a different person.”

Fr. John, a Salesian, said it was for him a “grace experience. It provided me the rejuvenation I so badly needed.”

Loreto Sr. Yvonne from Bangladesh said: “The programme touched almost every aspect of my life. It has helped me to experience a sense of freedom I have never felt before. I am going back fully satisfied, having relished the two months.”

“The programme gave me so much more than I had expected. I never dreamt it could be this good. It was very holistic. Every part of the programme was very meaningful and relevant. And the beautiful atmosphere of the hills made a real difference,” commented Jesuit Fr. Tom.

The Psychospiritual Wholeness programme is offered three times a year at Sumedha Centre. The next programme is from October 1 to November 29.

A MEDITATION RETREAT

Ten women and three men did a ten-day meditation retreat at Sumedha Centre for Psychology and Spirituality, from 20^th to 29^th May. The retreat was directed by Jose Parappully, SDB, PhD.

Each day began with a 90 minute Mind-Body-Spirit meditation which utilised centering, Qi gong, yoga, walking meditation, aerobics, music and dance to create a holistic sense of wellbeing. The beautiful surroundings of the Kumaon hills, with melodious bird song serving as soothing music all through the day, helped to create a prayerful, reflective and relaxing environment.

After some inputs from the retreat facilitator, retreatants had the day to themselves. They were supplied with readings and scripture passages to stimulate reflection and prayer. A creative liturgy in the evening helped to integrate and deepen the day’s experiences.

“I came here all confused and troubled. This retreat brought me profound healing and transformation. It is unlike any retreat I had all these years” Sr. Rani, a hostel warden, remarked at the conclusion of the retreat.

“I had lost my way, and I had lost sight of Jesus. Through this retreat I rediscovered both. I am so happy” said Sr. Bessy, a nurse and hospital administrator.

For Sr. Floret, a university professor and theologian, the Mind-Body-Spirit meditation in the morning was the best experience. “It was a new experience for me and had a profound impact on me,” she acknowledged. “It created an inner atmosphere of stillness which helped in deepening the day’s encounter with God.”

“The atmosphere here was excellent. The talks deeply reflective. The music and songs inspirational,” observed Fr. Xavier, director of a retreat centre.

Sr. Reena who had just retired after nearly thirty years in administration voiced the feelings of many when she said, “The various experiences of this retreat—inputs, reflections, the morning exercise, meditations, dance, liturgy, prayer, the nature—everything evoked in me a deepening, a greater centering each day. Every part of my mind, body and spirit was touched and somehow came alive—I feel a greater oneness within myself.” (All names have been changed.)