Events Gallery
Fiji Fundraiser: Unity in Diversity Festival
Sunday 20 March 2016
The event was a success and show cased artists, dancers, musicians from various ethnic backgrounds who used their artistic skills to bring awareness and support relief efforts in the Fiji Islands, which has undergone severe damage to infrastructure and lives during the recent cyclone Winston.
For those of you that missed out, you are welcome to give your support here.
Thank you all for your generosity in helping to rebuild Fiji.
CCANZ Self Awareness Retreat in Taupo New Zealand
29 May - 1 June 2015
This was an exciting time for CCANZ as our founder Srinivas Arka was conducting the first ever retreat in the South Pacific at the beautiful venue: Huka Falls Resort at Lake Taupo.
It was a three-hour drive from Auckland where most of us lived. We carpooled and therefore became better acquainted with new people travelling with us.
Programmes covered during this ”learning” retreat were: The importance of Self-awareness, looking inwards rather than outwards, giving time for oneself, being very patient with oneself, reducing the impact of Mind by connecting Mind and Heart and developing empathy through Arka Dhyana Intuitive Meditation; to be effective in communication by preparing the other person; feeling first then persevering; evaluating one's results; practising Arka Dhyana prior to interviews, phone calls and so on; experiencing different levels of communication through the physical, mental, conscious, subconscious, emotions, heart, deeper heart and intuition; and developing leadership qualities.
An Arka Dhyana session was conducted where three NZ teachers spoke about the breath, sound and touch in this meditation technique. We then all participated in a short Arka Dhyana session. Later that day we all visited the beautiful nearby Huka Falls and breathed in the wonderful, fresh, country air.
In the final session Arka advised that the name Centre for Conscious Awareness had to reflect the true purpose of what we were doing, and demonstrated it with meaningful hand gestures. This was shown step-by-step – With the word “Centre” both hands are placed on the heart centre, palms down and fingers touching; the next word ”For” hands were placed in front looking at the open palms; “Conscious”—hands outstretched in a swimming direction, and to the sides of the body with 'cupped' palms; “Awareness” hands up to the sky; at the same time repeating each word individually. This was to be performed slowly and carefully with good concentration.
In conclusion, we were asked to individually reflect to the group about our experience of the retreat. Everyone spoke very positively and with much enthusiasm. The retreat concluded on Monday 1 June at 10 am, when we returned to our homes refreshed and revived after experiencing much learning, new friendships, and happy enlightening experiences.
Write-up by: Carys Grant.
Lecture at Abacus Institute of Business Management Christchurch
Friday 12 June 2015 11am
Lecture by Srinivas Arka on ‘Becoming Self-Aware to create and live positively; staying focused, determined and motivated; managing a balance between ambition and practicality.'
Attended by many enthusiastic students of Abacus Business Management Institute
Highlights of Arka’s lecture: ‘Motivation which is important, is for the mind and not long lasting, whereas inspiration is for the heart and lasts longer. We are not merely beings with a thinking mind, but we have been brought to earth for a specific reason. Since experience was so important in our lives we should take time for deep, silent thinking to find out who we truly are by questioning — “what is mind, body, intuition and emotion(?)” Do your own research on yourself. Work out how you learn—is it through What you have heard? What you have touched? What you have seen? Or the environment? Helpful tips: Meditate to find the best way first: record doubts before you go to sleep: create excitement in your studies-even by changing the colour of your writings: be determined; breathe deeply to connect your mind and heart.’
One of the questions from the audience - “How can people see that their troubles are inside and not outside?” Arka’s answer was: “It takes courage to see that you are involved rather than blaming others. Challenge yourself from another perspective for Self-realization. It is constructive to blame yourself. You cannot change people. They have their own personalities. Always cross check, and experiment. Never assume. Verify and get to the facts.”
Light refreshments were served before conclusion of the event at 12.30 p.m.
Books authored by Srinivas Arka and signed by him were obtained by students/staff, as they experienced lasting memories of an informative, memorable and inspiring talk.
Quote from “Petals of the Heart” by Srinivas Arka: “You are more than you think. You are more than you believe. You come to know this fact only when you experience it.”
Lecture at Hagley Community College Christchurch
Friday 12 June 2015 1pm
Lecture by Srinivas Arka on ‘Learning and development of higher order thinking skills’.
On a very mild Christchurch day, Srinivas Arka was introduced to the International students at Hagley Community College by Sarah Denny, the tutor. The emphasis of the talk was on the importance of the learning process which included the key competencies that relates to thinking skills, communication, understanding language and text, managing self, participating and contributing.
The students put forward numerous interesting questions including the meaning of Arka’s name, his main ideas in his books, how it can benefit the community, and the origin and practice of ‘Yoga’.
Srinivas Arka provided meaningful answers to all the questions and elaborated in considerable depth where necessary. His explained that the ideas in his books were simply through intuitive inspiration, motivation, self belief and listening to the inner voice. He elaborated in depth the meaning of ‘Yoga’, that it is an inner spiritual journey, and the method of achieving ‘Oneness’ in silence with Arka Dhyana Intuitive Meditation. The gentle touch of the thumb and first finger forming a circle brings oneness and inner peace – yoga.
Everyone in the audience was really receptive to his talk and engaged in positive interactive conversation at the conclusion of the event.