PERSONA, SHADOW, THE UNCONSCIOUS AND SPIRITUALITY

Two important and closely-related modules facilitated during April 2018 as part of the 9-week-long (March 15-May 16) Sumedha Sadhana – A Psychospiritual Wholeness Journey" were: 1) the  "Unconscious Dynamics and the Spiritual Journey” facilitated by Dr. Johny Dominic Padinjar, the Assistant Director of Sumedha Centre and 2) “Jungian Perspectives on the Spiritual Journey” facilitated by Dr. Ajoy Fernandes, Director of Prafulta Mental health Services in Matunga, Mumbai.

Johny Dominic helped 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.  Using concepts from Freudian, Jungian, NLP and Transactional Analysis theories he helped them unleash the powers of the unconscious to facilitate healing and wholeness.

Working from a Jungian perspective Ajoy Fernandes helped participants explore especially their identity and understand their personality type and its implications for their spiritual journey, and helped them move toward greater personal integration by exploring and owning their persona and shadow and integrating their animus/anima.

Both these modules and the module facilitators were very much appreciated by the participants. The modules provided participant’s much awareness about themselves, particularly regarding their defense mechanisms and their shadows.

During this period the the General Councilor of the Salesians of Don Bosco for South Asia, Rev. Fr. Maria Aroka Kanaga SDB visited Sumedha Centre. He interacted with the Sumedha Participants and along with them planted a sapling to encourage ecological sensitivity and care – something that is part and parcel of the spirituality explored and practices at Sumedha Centre.