LIFE TIMES

(NEWS LETTER OF THE LIFE RESEARCH ACADEMY)

‘KNOWLEDGE OF THE SELF’ IS ‘LIBERATION OF THE SELF’

Dr. NEWTON KONDAVETI

Founder’s Message

My Dear Friends,

We all live in this material world where the only constant is change, and all change follows the law of cause and effect. This world is termed as 'Samsara', and is commonly associated with suffering. We all strive to end suffering and the state of freedom from suffering is termed as 'Nirvana'. Many myths and misconceptions exist regarding Samsara and Nirvana. As researchers of truth, we need to separate the myths from the reality and thereby understand the essence.

First Myth: Samsara is full of Suffering

Samsara is not full of suffering as is generally believed. It is our perception and understanding that determines whether we experience suffering or not. The reality is that understanding the universal truths surrounding the law of cause and effect changes our perception and we can thus transcend suffering.

Second Myth: Ignorance is Bliss

It is commonly held that the more we delve into causes of suffering the more we suffer. The reality is that ignorance is the root cause of all suffering and it is the lack of self-knowledge that causes suffering. The more the wisdom and enlightenment, the more the joy we experience. Nirvana is a state of continuous uninterrupted Joy that is achieved once we drop all limiting beliefs and realize that we are the masters of our own destinies.

Third Myth: To attain Nirvana we need to Escape from Samsara

Many hold the view that the pursuit of Nirvana requires an escape from the day-to-day life. The reality is that day-to-day life is the place where we need to demonstrate the higher wisdom that we gain while on our quest for Nirvana. Without practicing the wisdom, it is not possible to attain Nirvana.

Fourth Myth: After attaining Nirvana, one should renounce the world

Most people believe that a person should renounce the world after attaining Nirvana. The reality can be explained by this Zen saying - “Before enlightenment I chopped wood and carried water, after enlightenment I chop wood and carry water”. After attaining Nirvana, a person's perception and understanding change enabling him/her to enrich the world and help others to reach the same state.

There are four stages that people go through during the process of spiritual evolution. They are:

In the first stage they believe that “Samsara is Real, Nirvana is an Illusion”. This is the atheistic stage where one perceives the world only as a material place and nothing else.

In the second stage they believe that “Samsara is an Illusion, Nirvana is real”. This is the 'dvaitic' or duality stage where the there one believes that matter and spirit are separate, and that matter is an illusion.

In the third stage, they believe that “Samsara is an illusion, Nirvana is an illusion”. This is the 'Maya' stage where one feels that both are illusions.

In the fourth stage, they finally understand that “Samsara is real, Nirvana is real”. This is the 'advaitic' or non-duality stage.

The world is a Stage. Life is a Play. The truth is that in this play you are the Script Writer, Director, Actor, and Producer, all rolled into one. When you realize this truth while in Samsara, you attain Nirvana.

With all the Love, Light, and Joy,

Dr. Newton Kondaveti

RAJASHEKHAR POTLURI

EDITORIAL

Dear Readers,

Welcome to this new issue of LIFE TIMES!

Life Research Academy has been continuing its efforts to bring more and more workshops and training programs to help people on their quest for self-empowerment and spiritual growth. For quite some time, Dr. Newton has been planning to bring out a workshop that clears the many misconceptions regarding 'Kundalini Energy' and 'Chakras' and also helps people to understand and master this divine energy. The first workshop on 'Kundalini Energy' was launched on 27th & 28th March at the India Habitat Center, Delhi. 50 participants from all over the country attended this wonderful workshop and it turned out to be a huge success with all the participants experiencing profound transformation.

Bringing to people wisdom from all over the world has been another main objective of Life Research Academy. It was with this intention that we joined hands with the Pyramid Spiritual Societies movement and launched the Global Congress of Spiritual Scientists in the year 2008. The 3rd GCSS will be held at the Pyramid Valley, Bangalore from 30th September 2010 to 3rd October 2010. The 3rd GCSS promises to be even better than the first two editions with an amazing lineup of masters who have confirmed their participation. They are - Jasmuheen from Australia, Erik Berglund from USA, Jacqueline Maria Longstaff from Denmark, Barbara Hand Clow & Gerry Clow from USA, Jill Mara & Eugene from USA, and of course Brahmarshi Patriji and Dr. Newton Kondaveti from India.

There have been many 'invisible' persons who have been supporting the cause of LIFE TIMES – they are the Patrons, Sponsors, Life Members, and the Subscribers. Their loving encouragement and support has made it possible for the LIFE TIMES to stand on its own feet, and it is only a matter of time before it begins to make giant strides. Pragya TV Channel is the media partner and chief patron of LIFE TIMES. It also gives us great pleasure to inform readers that LIFE TIMES got its first patrons – Aditya Singhal, and Manish Gupta, who have contributed Rupees Fifty Thousand each. LIFE TIMES is grateful to all of you for your wonderful gesture.

We take this opportunity to thank all our Sponsors and Life Members so far. The sponsors so far are – Shreyans Daga (Mumbai), Mahesh Maloo (Nagpur), Neha Baid (Delhi), Geeti Bhojnagarwala (Kolkata), Bimla Dalmia (Delhi), Ajanta Saraogi (Delhi), and Ambika Khanna (Delhi). The Life Members are Dr. Jayesh Shah (Mumbai), V S Khobare (Sholapur), Dr. Souri Suresh (Hyderabad), Arpitha Gupta (Hyderabad), Prof. Jiten Bhat (Vadodara), and Anuradha Reddy (Hyderabad). Thank you one and all!

Our ultimate aim is to reach every spiritual seeker in the world!

With your Love and Support, we will make it happen!

Rajashekhar Potluri

Chief Editor

Dear Readers,

2010 promises to be a year filled with action and excitement if the activities of the last three months are any indication. We are delighted to bring to you the highlights of this action packed period.

Two-day Workshops on “Past Life Regression and Spiritual Science”

Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of 'Past Life Regression & Spiritual Science' Workshop at Delhi in Feb 2010

Dr. Newton & Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of 'Past Life Regression & Spiritual Science' Workshop at Kolkata in Feb 2010

The Two-day Workshop on “Past Life Regression and Spiritual Science” is the most important workshop offered by Life Research Academy as it provides participants with the foundation of Spiritual Science and helps them connect to the 'larger reality'. It also serves to bring about the attunement required for further therapeutic one-to-one past life exploration sessions that may be required for healing and transformation. Over the years these workshops have evolved into truly multidimensional journeys into consciousness. In February 2010, we conducted these workshops at Kolkata and Delhi. In March 2010, they were conducted in Mumbai at 'The Club', and in Pune at 'Hotel Orbett'. Mala Raja organized the Mumbai workshop and Vinieta Chandorkar organized the Pune workshop.

Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of 'Past Life Regression and Spiritual Science' Workshop at Mumbai in March 2010

Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of 'Past Life Regression and Spiritual Science' Workshop at Pune in March 2010

Two-day Workshops on “Radiant Relationships and Past Life Connections”

Understanding relationships helps us to understand ourselves better. Our relationships are the mirrors of our trueselves. The Two-day workshop on “Radiant Relationships and Past Life Connections” offered by the Life Research Academy have become the most sought after workshops that help people to understand and heal relationships. These powerful workshops were held in Mumbai and Aligarh in March 2010. The Aligarh workshop set a new record with over 70 participants! Pinky Daga organized the Mumbai workshop and Manish Gupta organized the Aligarh workshop.

Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of Radiant Relationships Workshop at Aligarh in March 2010

Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of Radiant Relationships Workshop at Mumbai in March 2010

Near Death Experiences Program on Pragya TV

Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of the NDE program in April 2010 at Pragya TV

Of late, paranormal phenomena are becoming popular with even the Television media producing programs covering them. Pragya TV commenced a series on Near Death Experiences wherein Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi provided the vision as well as took part in the program. The shooting for the episodes took place in two phases - Phase 1 from February 9th to 19th and from February 22nd to 27th ; and Phase 2 from March 29th to April 8th. Watch out for this program on Pragya TV.

Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of the NDE program in Feb 2010 at Pragya

From Right to Left - Dr. Newton, Dr. Lakshmi, Anuja Nair, Meena Radhakrishnan, and Manav (Program anchor) in the Program on NDEs

Launch of the new Two-day Workshop on 'Kundalini Energy'

Dr. Newton and Dr. Lakshmi with Participants of 'Kundalini Energy' Workshop at Delhi in March 2010

Every new workshop launched by the Life Research Academy is looked forward to with great enthusiasm by ever growing family of Life Research Academy Students. The new Two-day Workshop on 'Kundalini Energy' was launched in Delhi. A recap of this workshop is provided in this issue of LIFE TIMES.

4th Batch of 6-day Residential Training Program on “Rebirthing-Breathwork”

Dr. Newton and Sridevi with participants of Rebirthing-Breathwork Training in April 2010

In April 2010, we conducted the 6-day Residential Training Program on “Rebirthing-Breathwork” at the Celebrity Resort, Shamirpet, Hyderabad. With this batch, the total number of people who have undergone this training in India has gone up to 103! This batch was therefore the century batch of Rebirthers in India that have been trained by the Life Research Academy. A recap of this workshop is provided in this issue of LIFE TIMES.

Meditation Session followed by Satsang of Past Life Regression Therapists of Hyderabad

All Smiles - LRA Team

Lighting the Lamp

Readers may be aware that free meditation classes are held on the last Sunday of every month at the Life Research Academy. However, this could not be conducted owing to the date clashing with the last day of the Rebirthing Training Program. Therefore it was postponed to May 4th. On the same day, the Past Life Regression Therapists of Hyderabad organized a satsang. A detailed report on the same is covered in this issue of LIFE TIMES.

Dr. Newton explaining concepts

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