Related Posts
![jul2022-Gitanjali-by-Tagore](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/jul2022-Gitanjali-by-Tagore-1-e1656342883183.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
Tagore always criticized power and materialism for its own sake. The more one accumulates treasures, and the more one amasses all the power in the world, one is actually chained.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2021-Akbar-The-Great-Enigma.png?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
During the Renaissance, while Europe was experiencing a gigantic shift of ideas in almost every aspect of knowledge, in India, was born a man who, as Emperor of Hindustan, would use his indomitable courage and a restless search for wisdom to weave a similarly audacious social, political, and spiritual vision in the Indian subcontinent. His name was Abu’l-fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/April2024_DiscoveringLifesBeautythroughPoetry-Small.png?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
What makes this poetry so popular and why do so many admire its beauty? Perhaps because the poet describes beauty in words which create such powerful imagery that you feel as if you are in a field of daffodils. It captures a range of emotions, contemplation and connection with nature as one might experience.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Jan2016-In-Search-of-Excalibur.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
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,
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Jul2021-The-Story-of-Cinderella-An-Inner-Voyage.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
I recently had the opportunity to investigate my all-time favourite fairytale, Cinderella, in a new light. I realised that we can infact extract very practical principles to apply in our daily lives. But for this, we need to look at the story that we are so familiar with, through a new lens, leaving behind our preconceived notions for a moment. I began to slowly peel off layers, to attempt to read between the lines, and to grasp the symbolism deeply embedded in the characters and plot.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Apr2019-Philosophy-of-History.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
There is an old Eastern saying which states: “The Past Time is the Present Time, as also the Future, which, though it has not come into existence, still is.” In the Eastern view of time, reality exists beyond the temporal realm and what we experience as separate stages are actually part of a simultaneous reality. This is an interesting concept, implying that the past still exists, the present is but a fleeting moment and the future already exists in the blueprint of nature. It would be one way of explaining the many instances of prophecy that have been recorded in history.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2019-New-Acropolis-India-Spearheds-Global-Celebration-of-Gandhis-150th-Birth-Anniversary-1.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
Taking inspiration from Gandhi’s relentless pursuit for Truth, Empowering Real Change: Leadership for a Better World brought together distinguished leaders who have been striving to make a better world through tireless work in their various fields. The event culminated in a Resolution to spearheaded a series of events, conferences and exhibitions across the world, exploring Gandhi’s contributions as practical solutions to address the challenges of our times.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Apr2021-Battle-of-Identity.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
It seems to me that the purpose of human life is to grow. When I look back at the moments or the phases through which I have grown, I see them as times that tested me to transcend what I felt were my limitations; be it starting my own business venture with a bagful of doubts about my capabilities, or be it a moment of extreme anger in which I consciously decided not to identify with the anger. These phases had a common factor that we call ‘challenges’. I feel that the universe has it made it so by design!
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2018-Altruism-and-the-Bottom-Line.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
Today organizations are under more pressure to perform than they have perhaps ever been before. There are pressures from all stakeholders who incessantly demand increasing profitability every year, while at the same time they grapple with challenges of limited resources, ever changing laws and regulations, open market competition, and most importantly, factors of human resources. And yet, the amendment to the Companies Act in India in 2013 requires certain businesses to spend 2% of their average three year profits on social causes.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Jan2017-Philosophy-for-Living-Unesco-World-Philosophy-Day.jpg?resize=256%2C141&ssl=1)
Today is a special day; it is the day that UNESCO marks as World Philosophy Day. It is great for us to be able to celebrate philosophy. Especially, since we shall also use the opportunity to launch a book written by Delia Steinberg Guzman (Honorary President of the International Organisation New Acropolis), entitled Philosophy for Living. She has written quite a lot of books, published and translated in many languages. This is the first one that is translated to English, and I am very happy that we have this opportunity today, to launch it together.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-21.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
The word Samurai originally meant ‘those who serve’, although individuals of this elite warrior class in medieval Japan were also referred to as Bushi, or warrior. And Bushido was the code of morality which the Samurai were meant to follow, not just in battle, but also in day-to-day activity. Speaking of this code in his book Bushido: The Soul of Japan, which is widely considered to be an authority on the subject, Nitobe says that it was not written down anywhere, but had organically formed over centuries.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/1-2-scaled.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
With a burning aspiration and courageous determination, many a youth dares to dream of a better world, driven by the need to take responsibility and participate in bringing about the clearly evident need for change, whether in the realm of ecology, literacy, socio-economic disparity, or the myriad other causes that demand attention in our times. It is fair to say that it is in vogue, almost considered admirable, to stand for a cause, and many aspiring idealists turn to activism to do their share. They ‘like’ facebook pages, sign petitions, write articles, stand their ground in vocal protests outside of parliaments…but rarely does change really manifest, prompting a sense of disillusionment at the failure of invested efforts. When asked what their “actions” accomplished, they withdraw saying, “at least it brought about some awareness,” as if the cause at hand were not already well known.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Jan2016-The-Eternal-Sun.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
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, Amaterasu in Japan, Xihe in China, Mithra in Mesopotamia,
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2016-Living-in-Interbeing_1.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
In the journey of life as we grow in consciousness, we start to become aware of a certain truth that dawns on us as gently and as lovingly as the first rays of the rising Sun – that we are all ‘One Life’, deeply connected to each other in mystic and mysterious ways.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2016-In-Search-of-Unity.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
By investigating some ancient traditions from various places and various historical periods, it appears that the suggested path of man’s development is synonymous with the principle of Unity. The search for Truth, a higher reality, has often been presented as an ability to overcome the illusion of separation which causes man to act in contradiction with his own true nature as an integral part of the universe.