Showing 254 articles

The Best Changes Start With Ourselves

Author: Delia Steinberg Guzmán

June 13, 2015

There is no point in compiling yet again a list of the situations afflicting everyone all over the world, because the media have already taken it upon themselves to broadcast them, and because, by repeating them, we only make the evils bigger without finding solutions. What is most striking is the general way of approaching [...]

Biomimicry: Human Creation Inspired By Nature

Author: Flora Bittencourt Detanico

May 18, 2015

“Those who side with any flag other than nature – the master of all masters – labour in vain.”                – Da Vinci “The genius of man may make various inventions, encompassing with various instruments one and the same end; but it will never discover a more beautiful, more economical, [...]

Thebes – Book Review

Author: Manjula Nanavati

May 2, 2015

THEBES, BY Prof. Jorge (giorgio) Angel Livraga Rizzi Perhaps no other civilization captures the imagination of intellectuals and dilettantes alike, as does Ancient Egypt. Arguably one of the earliest, longest lasting and most influential civilizations of history, it is recognized for its stupendous artistic, scientific, social, and spiritual achievements. In this slim volume Livraga gives [...]

Education and Technology

Author: Gurpreet Virdee

April 30, 2015

Whether you think it’s good, bad or ugly, education has become irrevocably entwined with technology. No classroom is complete without the ubiquitous digital projector and every self-respecting educationalist has a trusty laser-pointer. Arguably, PowerPoint is the application of choice used to spread enthrallment and tedium in equal measure. Online maps, interactive videos, “gamification” [...]

The Way of the Warrior

Author: Kurush Dordi

April 26, 2015

“Chivalry is itself the poetry of life.” – Schlegel, Philosophy of History. Amidst the vibrant mythological tradition of Japan emerges an interesting story of creation that speaks of deities Izanami and Isanagi, who were instructed by the primordial gods to dip a spear into the celestial ocean. As they withdrew the spear, the drops that [...]

Images of Enlightenment – The Buddhist Mandala

Author: Agostino Dominici

February 1, 2015

Because many colourful collections of mandalas are easily accessible nowadays in public art museums as well as in digital art galleries, it is easy to fall into common misconceptions. These peculiar ‘objects’, which can easily be mistaken for some kind of ‘art- form’, are actually among the finest remnants of the practical occultism found in [...]

Tolerance and Fundamentalism

Author: Julian Scott

February 1, 2015

It seems strange that fundamentalism and fanaticism should be growing stronger in the 21st century when, according to past predictions, we should be entering an age of enlightened progress and rational understanding. But the rise of fundamentalism is due in part to the failure of rationalism to cater for humanity’s deeper spiritual needs. Fundamentalists have always existed. In [...]

Rumi: The Mystic

Author: Bhavna Roy

January 30, 2015

Eight centuries ago a culture of mystical Islam suffused the lands extending from modern day Turkey (Anatolia) to modern day Afghanistan and Iran (Khorasan); it was called Sufi Islam. Etymologically, the word ‘Sufi’ is derived from the Arabic word safa, meaning purity. Mystics of the order created a path towards attaining self-knowledge and god-realisation in [...]

City of Purification – Elephanta

Author: Harianto Mehta

January 29, 2015

Just a few kilometers off the Mumbai Harbor, nestled on an island, amidst basalt rock mounds, lay a mysterious complex of exquisite cave temples that whisper a silent homage to the region’s spiritual past. It’s tune inaudible to the nearby metropolis teeming with ambitious commerce, and ceaseless traffic, here the temple walls echo a stark [...]

Design of Thought & Movement

Author: Manjula Nanavati

January 29, 2015

An interview with Miti Desai. First publish in THE ACROPOLITAN Magazine (TA) Miti Desai is the founder and creative head of Miti Design Lab. A designer and classical dancer, Miti teaches as a visiting faculty at the Srishti School of Art, Design & Technology (Bengaluru, India) and at Sophia Polytechnic (Mumbai), and has personally created [...]

Ankor, the last prince of Atlantis – Book Review

Author: Manjula Nanavati

January 29, 2015

ANKOR, THE LAST PRINCE OF ATLANTIS BY Prof. Jorge Angel Livraga Rizzi Many ancient traditions tell a story of an immense flood that destroyed a civilization that existed thousands of years ago; one that was perhaps far more technologically and spiritually advanced than we are today. Amongst them, Plato speaks of a vast continent called [...]

Shakespeare: heaven and hell within us

Author: Zahi Glick

January 28, 2015

When we speak about Shakespeare we can refer to him as the Philosopher-Artist. An artist who succeeds, in his work, in investigating the depth of the human existence and his relationship with the gods and the universe. Shakespeare, a wizard of words, is a symbol of an artist whose work lives forever because it touches [...]