Showing 437 articles
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 [...]
Building The Future
Author: Carlos AdelantadoJune 8, 2024
The path of philosophy is long but not hard. It is a path of searching, of always learning. We like to define a philosopher as a seeker, a lover of wisdom. A philosopher is the one who asks questions about life and tries to find answers; answers that can be valid and useful to find [...]
Smart Slavery
Author: Antonin VinklerMay 2, 2024
Thanks to the benevolent faith there are over a hundred letters preserved from my favorite philosopher – Lucius Annaeus Seneca, in which he is mentoring his younger friend Lucilius. In one of those letters (No 27) Seneca mentions Calvisius Sabinus – a rich fellow, who wanted to become a memorable part of the society of [...]
Travelling Beyond: Egypt Explorations with New Acropolis India
Author: Sukesh MotwaniMay 1, 2024
Part 1 – Upper Egypt. New Acropolis India’s ‘Travelling Beyond’ initiative curated its inaugural exploration, a 10-day journey to Egypt in January 2024. Led by a senior instructor on Egyptian Symbolism and a very good local Egyptologist guide, the trip immersed its 32 participants in the culture, history, mythology, and philosophy of ancient Egypt. While [...]
Zen Gardens As A Portal To Contemplation
Author: Manjula NanavatiMay 1, 2024
“To study Zen is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be awakened by all things.” – Dogen Zenji. It is said that the founder of Buddhism in Japan, the monk Mahakashyapa, received his illumination directly from Shakyamuni t [...]
Harmony in the Orchestra of Life!
Author: Gauri DhawanMay 1, 2024
Harmonia, in Greek Mythology, is the goddess of Harmony and Concord. She is the daughter of Ares, the God of War; and Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. At first glance, this could seem strange: a force of war, and a force of love coming together to create harmony. But, let’s take a deeper look at [...]
Discovering Life’s Beauty through Poetry
Author: Dipti SanzgiriMay 1, 2024
What is beauty? How do we define it? What happens to us when we encounter beauty? It is an experience that is so profound that many poets have expressed in many beautiful ways. My Heart Leaps Up My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky: [...]
Philosophy in Action: Victory of Light over Darkness
Author: Manjula NanavatiJanuary 23, 2024
This article consist of extracts from an event hosted to celebrate World Philosophy Day at the Main Centre of New Acropolis in Mumbai India. As part of the ongoing celebrations that New Acropolis spearheaded in over 400 centres across 50 countries, in Mumbai, New acropolis India (North) hosted a panel discussion around the theme of [...]
Spiritual Exercises in the Western Philosophical Tradition
Author: Julian ScottJanuary 22, 2024
Although modern philosophy is mainly an intellectual pursuit, it has had immense impact on the shaping of our world. The philosophy of Francis Bacon (1561 – 1626) was largely responsible for the current scientific worldview and the explosion of technology; Auguste Comte (1798 – 1857) schematized the foundations of a theory of linear progress in [...]
On Marsilio Ficino’s Magic
Author: Agostino DominiciJanuary 21, 2024
Marsilio Ficino was a prominent figure in the Italian Renaissance, making significant contributions to the study and revival of Magic. His magical teachings were an amalgamation of Neoplatonism, Hermeticism, and Christian thought. Before delving into Ficino’s magical doctrines, it is essential to explore some of the key themes underlying Renaissance magic. – Religious and Cultural [...]