Showing 77 articles
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: [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
The Genius of Nature
Author: Miha KosirDecember 29, 2015
“Nature does nothing in vain.” Aristotle Human beings have always observed, learned from and imitated nature. If we look at any process in nature we can see an engineering which has been developing for millions or billions of years. The more we understand its complexity the more we find an immense intelligence at work. One [...]
The Eco-Philosophy of Henryk Skolimowski
Author: Istvan OrbanDecember 27, 2015
The World is a Sanctuary – according to Henryk Skolimowski, a contemporary Polish philosopher regarded as the father of eco-philosophy – and not a Machine, as Newton proclaimed. Skolimowski studied at Oxford, where he received his PhD, then went on to teach philosophy for many years in the United States. Skolimowski’s eco-philosophy goes against the [...]
The Summer Solstice
Author: Matina KarastatiraDecember 27, 2015
The period between the 20th and the 22nd of June is the Summer Solstice. “Solstice” is Latin for “sun stands still”. In the Northern hemisphere the sun reaches its most northerly position and we experience the longest day and the shortest night. The summer solstice is often associated with change, nature and new beginnings, a [...]
The World of the Aztecs
Author: Elena LöberOctober 10, 2015
The Aztecs – or rather the “people from Aztlan”, a translation from the Nahuatl word ‘aztecatl’ – are largely still a mystery for us. Their strong and determined character, their practical sense and the value they ascribed to the strength of will enabled this people to develop a highly advanced culture and conquer vast parts [...]
The Best Changes Start With Ourselves
Author: Delia Steinberg GuzmánJune 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 DetanicoMay 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, [...]
The Wounded Swan
Author: AnonymousOctober 21, 2014
One day when Prince Siddhartha and his cousin Devadatta were walking in the woods, they saw a swan. Quickly, Devadatta drew his bow and shot the swan down. Siddhartha rushed to the wounded swan and pulled out the arrow. He held the bird in his arms and caressed it. Devadatta angrily shouted at Prince Siddhartha, [...]