We Need More Activism and Philosophy
Author: Sabine LeitnerFebruary 26, 2016
It is often said that by changing ourselves, we can change the world, and I believe that is true. However, is individual change sufficient? Is it enough to try to behave in a responsible and conscious way in order to bring about the collective change that is so urgently needed? Let’s look at some examples: does my paying my taxes stop big corporations from evading theirs? Does my sacrifice [...]
The Reed Flute in Sufism
Author: Pinar AkhanFebruary 24, 2016
The flute as an instrument is perhaps as old as any civilization. It has been used in music both for ritualistic and entertainment purposes in ancient Egypt, Greece, the Hindu culture and in Sufism. The reed flute (called ney) is one of the main instruments in Sufism. It has been played for 4500-5000 years and is now popular in the Middle East. Although there are different types of ney, in [...]
Tuning to Nature
Author: Natalia LemaFebruary 8, 2016
In the ancient civilizations there was an approach to nature in which all beings were considered to be connected in a harmonious way. Stones, plants, animals, humans and divine beings were all part of Creation and the awareness of the thread that united them was more present in the minds of those who lived in those times. The acknowledgement of certain hidden properties in plants, the use of [...]
Culture Creatives and the Wisdom Culture
Author: Agostino DominiciFebruary 7, 2016
Many recent thinkers have spoken of the troubled times our world is going through and the picture that is emerging resembles more and more the central piece of Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych The Last Judgment. In it we see in vibrant colors the chaotic scenes of anarchy and depravation while society dances and sings to the beat of the drums of limbo (hell). We are in the midst of epochal changes, [...]
Mandala: Voyage to the Center
Author: Sivan BarzilayFebruary 6, 2016
INTRODUCTION A traditional Japanese story speaks of a disciple who once asked his master how one could achieve enlightenment. The master suggested in a matter of fact manner, that he must do exactly the same thing he did every morning for the sun to rise. After much pondering, the confused disciple went back to his master to confess that in reality he did not do anything to help the sun [...]
The Eternal Sun
Author: Janki ShahJanuary 31, 2016
"All that exists was born from Surya, the God of Gods. Of what is and has been and is to be, and what moves or remains still – Surya alone is the source and the end.” -Rig Veda Almost every ancient culture thought it important to somehow preserve, communicate and transmit mythology related to this supreme God from generation to generation. Amon in Egypt, Apollo in Greece, Surya in India, [...]
The Wisdom of Geese
Author: Istvan OrbanJanuary 29, 2016
There is an old saying that goes: “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander”, meaning that what is good for one person is good for another. If we look a little closer at the behaviour of geese, we can find many more things we can learn from them. Particularly their amazing spirit of cooperation and teamwork. Have you noticed, for example, that when a flock of geese flies across [...]
In Search of Excalibur
Author: Harianto MehtaJanuary 26, 2016
Like all mythology, that of illustrious King Arthur has endured the test of time, transmitting essential eternal values that serve to inspire human civilizations of all ages. From its tale, it is not always easy to demarcate between elements of documented history and magical folklore, but perhaps in this very enigmatic characteristic lies the motivation to investigate and extract its essence to [...]
Philosophy in the Boardroom
Author: Kurush DordiJanuary 26, 2016
When we look around our world today we see an evident change in the last 50 years. Since the post-war reconstruction era that drove mass industrialisation and development of the economies of Western Europe and America, the focus has gradually shifted to developing economies and the flow of wealth has started reaching the shores of lesser developed nations who have started making rapid economic [...]
The Mandate of Heaven
Author: Miha KosirJanuary 24, 2016
The world is changing fast and countries are like other living beings: being born, growing, and even dying. A good illustration of this could be seen at a well-prepared exhibition at the British Museum called Ming Dynasty: 50 years that changed China. The Ming Dynasty (1386 – 1644) was an interval of native Chinese rule following the Mongol Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), which was so named by its [...]
Eostre and Easter
Author: Pinar AkhanJanuary 24, 2016
As we approach Easter, the representations of this festivity are increasingly appearing all around us; bunnies, painted eggs and rabbit icons which are all the traces of an ancient celebration dedicated to the Goddess Eostre. St. Bede – a lifelong monk who studied history, theology, chronology and poetry and dedicated himself to understanding the Anglo Saxons and the Christianisation of [...]
Reflection on Life and Death
Author: Natalia LemaJanuary 23, 2016
Life and death are two sides of the same coin. However, we spend most of our time dealing with life and rejecting or denying somehow the natural aspect of death, perhaps because we might see it as a final end. Death is commonly related to pain, suffering, loss and uncertainty. Ancient civilizations like that of Tibet had a different approach and were able to accept death naturally, almost [...]