Welcome to BODHINI

I am presenting an exposé of a tangible experience I went through, while participating in a six months’ programme titled ‘MCELP’ (MINDFUL CONTEMPLATIVE EXPERIENCIAL LEARNING PROGRAMME) at Bodhini – the School of Christian Meditation. We had 50-60 Scriptural Texts in detail bringing the spiritual weight of the Word of God, for today and for all times to discover the Divine within and learn to live in union with God at all times. It has also been a journey of introspection to look at the brighter side of life; a broad outlook towards myself, others, creation on the whole and the Other!

A Review of the Sabbatical at Bodhini, Vythiri, Wayanad, Kerala. My heart still overwhelms with wonder and joy as I recall my Sabbatical trip to Bodhini, Vythiri, Wayanad. The program commenced on 19 March 2022 and had participants, coming from different states and religious communities from across the country, with different spiritual traditions, charisms and histories. Though coming from diverse backgrounds and locales, the way the life and routine was organized at the center soon melded us all into one community, sharing the chores, as well as the surprises, joys and the clumsy moments every day brought in. The program is best described as intensive with strict regimen of curriculum of classes, meditative sessions, sharing, sand mutual and personal assessments. The typical day was organized on a regular rhythm of prayer, study, and creative manual labor, with an equal measure of leisure and recreation, affording an opportunity to relax with nature and appreciating God’s creation with the lullabies of the gentle rain that continued to fall without a break, cooing and cackles of the early morning birds, croaks of the frogs and the crows, the soothing breeze of the early morning fog and mist spiced by the aromas wafting from the stretches of coffee, tea and other spice plantations all around.

I, Sr. Mercy George had the opportunity to attend one-month Mindful Contemplative Retreat and six months Mindful Contemplative Experiential Learning Programme [MCELP]. The seven months learning and practice was a transformative, life changing experience for me. Fr. James Manthra OCD, the programme director conducted sessions based on various Bible passages and parables relating to our life today. Through the various texts and parables, he taught what is mindfulness meditation, stages of meditation, what are the obstacles to meditation, prerequisites for meditation, and the tools to overcome these obstacles to attain theosis, the ultimate purpose of our life. Some of the tools are CR (Cognitive Restructuring), RCA (Root cause analysis), Track -out-Serpent Exercises, practice of proactive mindfulness, observation, halting, slaughtering oxen and fat calf, disturbing the Master exercise, whip discipline, up to the brim exercise etc.

As a sister of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo, I Sr. Soni Francis was granted the privilege to partake in the spiritual renewal course on mindfulness meditation at BODHINI: The School of Christian Meditation at pirituality sanctuary in Vythiri. The location, nestled in the Wayanad District of Kerala, atop a mountain, echoes the relentless ascent of a Bhakta striving for the divine—a resplendent icon of unity and spirituality. Having undergone the one-month spiritual renewal course, I reflect on the overwhelming beauty of the centre, expressing a sense of refreshment and joy. The intertwining of Biblical passages with scientific principles and our daily existence served as a robust foundation, fortifying my faith. The use of a beaded garland, a device, facilitated the repetitive invocation of "Jesus the way, Have Mercy on me," fostering better concentration and inner peace through mindfulness.