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. 

Workshop: PSYCHOSEXUAL INTEGRATION AND CELIBATE MATURITY

Director of Sumedha Centre, Jose Parappully, was invited to do a three-day renewal programme on “Psychosexual and Celibate Integration” for the members of the Helpers of Mary Congregation in Mumbai.

The programme was held at Shradha Ashram on the campus of the Generalate of the congregation at Andheri, Mumbai on September 22-24, 2015. There were 47 participants who were in the age bracket of 60-70.

Parappully explored the topic in the context of the dynamics of midlife and the post-midlife years which these Sisters were experiencing or had experienced.

The topics covered included: Dynamics of Midlife and Later Years; Sex, Sexuality and Intimacy; Celibacy and Chastity; Man-Woman Friendships within Celibate Living and God’s Second Call to a Deeper spiritual Life.

What the participants found most useful was the clarity that was provided on the various concepts and dynamics covered. The opportunity to share in groups what they had experienced and were experiencing brought relief and comfort.

One common observation was that it would have been very beneficial if the programme had been offered when they were experiencing these dynamics and confused during their midlife years.

A second common observation was that there was no one with whom they could share their experiences at the time and seek guidance and had to cope and make sense on their own.

Since most of the participants were leaders of communities or of organisations, they felt the knowledge they gained was very useful to understand and help those they were leading, besides helping make sense of their own experiences.

EDUCATING WITH THE HEART

The Director of Sumedha Centre, Dr. Jose Parappully, was invited to do three Workshops for the teachers in schools run by Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Mumbai.

The first Workshop, on September 10, 2015, was for the teachers of St. Antony’s Girls’ High School, close to Mumbai Central station, in a comparatively poor and socially backward area of Mumbai. There were 36 teachers participating.

The topic of the Workshop was “Educating with the Heart.”

Beginning with the inspirational movie “Making a Difference” which refers to the importance of being sensitive to the emotional situations of the students, Dr. Parappully focused on what it means to be an Emotionally Sensitive Teacher.

Sighting relevant psychological theory and research, he  emphasized the importance of creating an environment in which students’ basic emotional needs for relatedness, competence and autonomy are met. He highlighted the crucial role of empathetic understanding and communication.

The second and third workshops were held for the teachers of Villa Theresa School, located at Cumballa Hill, an economically and socially upscale area of Mumbai.

These workshops here were focused on “Enhancing Educational Excellence.”

The first of these workshops, on September 11, was for 36 teachers and non-teaching staff of the secondary section of the school. The second, on September 12, was for 34 teachers of the pre-primary and primary sections.

Using data from Organizational Psychological research, Dr. Parappully highlighted the ingredients that contribute to institutional excellence, and how these can be cultivated at Villa Theresa School.

Short films, songs, experiential exercises, and group discussions were used to explore current realities and future possibilities, and arrive at practical decisions and commitments.

Teachers found all three workshops very relevant and useful. The insights gained and the decisions they have arrived at, they observed, will certainly help them to be more emotionally sensitive and to be more effective both as teachers as well as an institution.

29th SUMEDHA SADHANA CONCLUDES

The 29^th Sumedha Sadhana concluded very successfully on August 2. This 9-week Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey programme had commenced on June 1.

There were 16 participants from India, Myanmar, South Africa and Thailand. All of them expressed great satisfaction at the end of the progamme 

They indicated the usefulness of the programme on a Scale of 1 (Very Little useful) and 10 (Immensely Useful) as follows: 10, 10, 10, 10, 9.5, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8).

All said they had got what they were looking for from the programme, and some even more than what they expected.

There were six different modules in the programme: Psychological Dynamics on the Spiritual Journey (by Jose Parappully), Unconscious Dynamics and Emotional Health (by Johny Padinjar), Stories: Ours, the Universe’s and Jesus’ (by Gerard Alvarez), Re-Reading of Religious Life (by Varghese Kalluvachel), Group Therapy (by Johny Padinjar, Jose Parappully and Maria Goretti Kanakarathinam) and Spiritual Retreat (by Jose Parappully). 

Movies, recreation, picnics and somatic meditations were also part of this holistic programme.

Some typical comments from participants:

“The entire programme was an excellent one.”

“A very unique kind of programme. Very different from the beaten path.”

“It was delicious in every way!”

“I am not the person who came to Sumedha – so worn out, depressed, tired, hopeless. Today I return peaceful, happy, energized, enthusiastic, focused on my goal…”

“It was time for me to stop a while – to recollect, reflect, rethink and regain my lost enthusiasm and convictions. I was enriched and enlightened by the inputs I received.”

“I had so many questions when I came here. They all got answered. I learned how to be free and happy and grow as a mature human being.”

“It has touched all the areas of my psychospiritual journey… All the modules were useful and they have helped to integrate myself.”

“Every activity helped me to understand myself and become more free.”

“The two months went so fast… This programme is the greatest gift I was given. I came with a heavy heart and scattered mind…. I go back with a rich experience. I was at the right place at the right time. Gained lots of self-awareness and increased self-worth… Deepened my spirituality.”

It is a well-planned, well-organized and substantial programme. I got exactly what I needed.”

“I got more than what I hoped for.”

“I felt at home the moment I stepped in to the place…We were provided with everything that we needed. It was a home away from home. Great environment and community spirit.”

“Food, accommodation, facilities and services were excellent.”

The next Sumedha Sadhana (SS-30) is from October 2 to December 3, 2015. Registration is open.

RE-READING CONSECRATED LIFE

The penultimate module of the 29^th Sumedha Sadhana was “Re-Reading Consecrated Life” in the 7^th and 8^th weeks of the programme.

It was facilitated by Dr. Varghese Kalluvachel SDB. Dr. Kalluvachel, a Salesian of Don Bosco from the Province of Kolkatas,  has a doctoral degree in Religious Life from the Claretian Institute of Consecrated Life at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and another in Philosophy from the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. He is currently  professor of Consecrated Life at the Salesian University. 

Dr. Kalluvachel is also an alumnus of the Sumedha Sadhana programme.

This module on “Re-Reading Consecrated life” was introduced for the first time this year as part of Sumedha Sadhana to honour the Year of Consecrated Life - 2015.

Kalluvachel’s presentation of the history of the evangelical vows and of community life was found especiaslly useful by the participants. They found it a very relevant contribution towards deepening their psychospiritual integration. It led to a deeper understanding of religious life and provided inspiration and motivation to live it more meaningfully.

The last module of the Sumedha Sadhana programme – Spiritual Retreat- commenced on 25th July. This Sumedha Sadhana programme concludes on August 2. It is facilitated by Dr. Jose Parappully, the Director of Sumedha Centre.

The next Sumedha Sadhana (SS-30), the last for this year, commences on October 2 and concludes on December 3.

HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION THROUGH GROUP THERAPY

Weeks 6 and 7 of Sumedha Sadhana were devoted to Group Therapy. There were three 90- minutes sessions each day for nine days.

In Group therapy participants had the opportunity for further healing and transformation, building on the experiences of the previous five weeks.

In the atmosphere of freedom, caring and trust that the group provided, participants were helped to face their emotional brokenness and their fears, their dysfunctional 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.

Dr. Jose Parappully SDB, Dr. Johny Padinjar and Sr. Maria Goretti Kanakarathinam FMM facilitated the group process.

Participants found the therapeutic processes followed very helpful. Some comments:

“Group therapy helped me to walk bravely into the unknown and discover my dysfunctional behaviour and realise my own strength too.”

“Group therapy helped me to reflect and find out the dark areas of my life. It helped me especially to understand and deal more effectively with my feelings.”

“It has brought me out of shame and has given me respect, dignity. I no longer feel I am a victim, but a survivor”

“It was useful to understand my life and how to improve it. It gave me clear insight as to what I have to do to live life joyfully.”

The day following the conclusion of the Group Therapy, the participants had a day to relax together as they went on picnic to three of the major lake areas around Nainital – Naukuchiatal, Bhimtal and Sattal.

SEXUALITY, CELIBACY AND INTIMACY AT MIDLIFE

The 5^th week of Sumedha Sadhana was devoted to an exploration of Midlife Dynamics and Psycho-Sexual and Celibate Integration. It was facilitated by Jose Parappully.

The Dynamics explored included: Emotional Awareness of One’s Mortality, Reassessment of Life and its Priorities; Re-Visioning of Dreams, De-Illusioning, Reclaiming Shadows; Integration of the Animus and the Anima, Sexuality, Celibacy and Intimacy, and the Midlife Call.

Jose Parappully used insights from various psychological theories, as well as tools and techniques from the Intensive Journal, Psychosynthesis, Bioenergetics and the Expressive Arts to help participants explore these issues.

Sumedhan celebrated the the Solemnity of St. Thomas the Apostle of India with a syro-Malabar Liturgy presided over by Fr. tony from the Thuckaly Syro-Malabar dioceses. He was assisted in the singing by Fr. Antony of the same diocese

During the week we also celebrated the Baptism of the newborn baby girl of our cook Punita. We also celebrated the birthday of Punita’s son Arpit who turned seven on July 3.