Showing 256 articles
Jatakas: The Eternal Interplay between Virtue and Karma
Author: Malini NairFebruary 18, 2025
Jataka in Sanskrit means birth stories. The Jatakas are a collection of over 500 stories that recount the past lives of Siddhartha Gautama, the being destined to become the Buddha. These tales, preserved in the Pali Canon and dated between 300 BCE and 400 CE, are an integral part of Buddhist literature, encompassing profound moral [...]
Do You Want to Time Travel? Or the Power of Historical Fiction
Author: Gilad SommerJanuary 19, 2025
Since the early days of science fiction, man has been dreaming of building a time machine. But what if I told you time machines are accessible to everyone, and that they require even less energy than a smartphone? I am referring to books, and specifically books of historical fiction. Not only are they time machines, [...]
The Lessons of Prosperity
Author: Gilad SommerNovember 2, 2024
‘No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable.’ (Adam Smith) “The best things in life aren’t things.” (Art Buchwald) The twenty-first century has provided mankind with one of its most important experiences and lessons – material prosperity is not enough for human flourishing. Like [...]
Building Values of the Olympic Spirit
Author: Shruti ChopraOctober 1, 2024
Some of us from New Acropolis (India North), along with 17 other countries came together to take part in the 8-day long, Philosophical-Sports Pre-Season event in Greece. But what is a Pre-Season about? How does New Acropolis, a School of Philosophy connect with the School of Sports? What does it mean to be a Philosopher-Athlete [...]
Losing the Battle, but not the War: Life Lessons through Muay Thai
Author: Sheetal ShettyOctober 1, 2024
I plunged into the sport of Muay Thai as an adventure, to know and develop myself as an athlete, but little did I know that I would be learning much deeper lessons of life; in how to be an inner warrior. Muay Thai (Thai boxing) is a martial art and combat sport known as the [...]
Traveling Beyond: Egypt Explorations with New Acropolis India Part 3 – The Myth of Osiris
Author: Gauri DhawanOctober 1, 2024
Traveling Beyond: Explorations with New Acropolis India, is an opportunity to travel with a philosophical lens, to visit places, not only as a tourist, but also as a seeker of truth and beauty. To try to uncover together, the wisdom that exists in the world, and to extract from it something that we can apply [...]
Making Music from the Heart: In Conversation with Fali Pavri
Author: Manjula Nanavati (compiled by)October 1, 2024
Born in Mumbai, trained in Moscow and London, Fali Pavri is the Associate Head of Keyboard and the Professor of Piano at the Royal Conservatoire, of Scotland. He joined a New Acropolis Culture Circle audience in Mumbai through a video conference call, from Glasgow, where he both spoke and played for us, passionately, from his [...]
Traveling Beyond: Egypt Explorations with New Acropolis India Part 2 – The Egyptian Temple as a Metaphor for Life
Author: Rahil MehtaJuly 8, 2024
Traveling Beyond: Explorations with New Acropolis India, is active travel for the aspiring philosopher; to come closer to the rich human heritage of lands and cultures across the globe. The philosophical way encourages us to come closer to what lies “beyond” – the invisible causes of what we observe, such that we may recognize the [...]
Many Traditions, One Essence: Seeking Beauty through a Diversity of Expressions (Celebrating Arts Day 2024)
Author: Manjula Nanavati (compiled by)July 8, 2024
New Acropolis, a school of practical philosophy present in over 50 countries, celebrated Arts Day 2024, in recognition of the value of art and culture in all their myriad expressions, to individuals and to societies. India North, comprising the main centre Mumbai and the Pune branch, hosted an event at each location on June 9th, [...]
Many Seeds, One Garden: Learning from the Sacred Groves of India
Author: Manjula Nanavati (compiled by)July 8, 2024
This is a write-up based on an event celebrating International Mother Earth Day held at New Acropolis, Colaba, Mumbai. UNESCO has designated April 22nd as International Mother Earth Day to raise public awareness of the challenges to the well-being of our planet, and to recognize our collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature. At an [...]
The Ancient Tradition of Kalaripayattu: In conversation with Lakshmanan Gurukkal
Author: Axelle DefrasneJuly 8, 2024
Shri Lakshmanan Gurukkal hails from a traditional Kalaripayattu family. His father and guru, Shri Veerasree Sami Gurukkal who trained under Guru Govindankutty Nambiar, established the Hindustan Kalari Sangam in Calicut, in 1952, to preserve and promote this traditional martial art form. His children Shri Lakshmanan, Shri Shatrughnan and Smt Radhika are now carrying forward this [...]
Unity Through Diversity: The Universal Language of Rhythm
Author: Manjula NanavatiMay 5, 2024
Unity of all mankind may seem at first a lofty and utopian concept, but the actualization of this intention is perhaps the realization of one principle: recognition and respect for the diversity of the human race. We must understand each other, honour each other’s cultural identity, and value each other’s way of life. To attempt [...]