Staff Reporter –
The importance of introspection as the means of achieving self-development will come to the fore at a series of speeches scheduled to commence this weekend.
Dr Mike Godfrey, a Tauranga based General Practitioner with a deep understanding of Hinduism and a follower of the Satya Sai Baba Organisation and Srinivasa Arka a globally renowned philosopher and author will be main speakers at the first meeting due to be held on Sunday, May 17, 2015.
Ryley Webster, Community Education Manager at ‘Sustainable Coastlines,’ an NGO that champions the cause of oceans and coastlines conservation and Mr Arka will be the speakers at the second meeting on Sunday, May 24, 2015.
Positive Thinking
Both meetings will be held on the central theme of ‘Positive thinking’ from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Jubilee Building, 545 Parnell Road, Auckland.
Mr Arka will conduct a Retreat under the theme, ‘Self-Awareness’ at Huka Falls Resort from Friday, May 29 to June 1, 2015. The Resort is located at 56 Huka Falls Road, Rangatira Prak, Taupo.
The Centre for Conscious Awareness New Zealand (CCANZ) a charitable global organisation (founded by Mr Arka) dedicated to studying and researching the structure and nature of human consciousness and its contribution to the world is organising the events.
Earthly subjects
CCANZ Chief Executive Sanjay Kumarasingham said that the programmes are free and open to public.
“The subjects discussed would include Environmental Custodianship, Holistic medicine, Respectful Care of the Elderly,” he said.
For Registration and further details, please contact Mr Kumarasingham on (09) 2980621 or 021-08470290. Email: retreat@centreforconsciousawarenessnz.org
Mr Arka will speak on ‘Conscious Health’ to the members and guests at the Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust (14 Spring Street, Onehunga, Auckland) at 1130 am on Wednesday, May 27. Further details can be obtained from Nilima Venkat on (09) 6221010.
Discovering Self
In his book, ‘Becoming Inspired,’ Mr Arka said, “Each of us is bound to grow and evolve at some point. The discovery of the true Self does not happen overnight. It requires consistent effort, determination and dedication. This is a graceful and fulfilling quest, an adventure of self-discovery.”
‘Matter does not Matter’ is the core concept of the speech by Dr Godfrey.
Extracted from his book, ‘What is the Matter?’ a ten-year project that won the Ashton Wylie Annual Award in 2013, it is about body, mind and genre.
Transient body
Mr Kumarasingham said that it is a play on word in that whilst doctors may direct this question to the patient, the physical body is just matter that follows us around to eventually be recycled like everything else on earth.
“What do we do with it and what happens after we let it go is the important question. Dr Godfrey may provide some answers,” he said.
Conservation process
Mr Webster has always been concerned about the preservation of our oceans and coastlines since his formative years. With a degree in Tourism from Otago University, he has studied the impact of development of tourism on indigenous communities.
He has combined his passion for the ocean and love for people in his current role.
Mr Webster conducts workshops with presentations on the subject and has, since 2011, reached more than 45,000 people.
He has helped in the development of community-led capacity development projects in Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
