Related Posts
![](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-The-Crisis-of-Western-Education-and-the-Role-of-Philosophy.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
In the developed world, the standards of literacy, numeracy, general knowledge and behaviour are falling. Millions of young people have also become disaffected from school and, despite the fact that previous generations have fought hard to make what was once a privilege of the rich accessible to all, do not see much point in formal education. In the U.K. for example, the figures of truanting have been going up for years and the problem has become so bad that the government is paying the most disaffected students in order to keep them in school and away from the streets.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Jan2015-City-of-Purification.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
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 but graceful embrace, and invite the yearning explorer to re-discover a mystical tradition so vibrant in the distant past.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Jan2015-Design-of-Thought-and-Movement.jpeg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
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) and at Sophia Polytechnic (Mumbai), and has personally created and executed courses initiating children into Holistic Design, Aesthetics and Culture through the performing arts.
![The Joy of Living Philosophy by Akanksha Sanghi](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/7022480-1622557004070-3dd56eb23a297-1-scaled.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
Know Thyself. This famous axiom from the ancient Greek tradition seems so simple but in reality these words are a key to living life. As I reflect over the last 5 years, since when I began my journey as a philosopher and started to explore the meaning of these words, it is easy for me to see that I am a totally different person. While externally I may seem quite the same to many, there is a deep inner transformation, a sense of joy, inner strength, purpose and wonder; a whole new outlook to life, a spirit of discovery and adventure.
Traditionally, Philosophy is defined as the love for wisdom. It is this beautiful journey of humbly beginning to
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Jul2018-The-Art-of-Devotion.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
In the wee hours of the morning, Emperor Akbar awoke to the sweet melodious singing of Haridas, guru of the celebrated singer of his court, Tansen. Haridas had been singing a dawn raga. Overwhelmed, Akbar inquired why Tansen was not able to sing like his guru Haridas. Tansen replied that there was one big difference between him and his teacher; while he sang for his lord Akbar, The Great, Haridas sang for the Lord of the universe – God.
![](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/2024/06/July-24_EgyptTemples-Custom.png?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
Traveling Beyond: Explorations with New Acropolis India, is active travel for the aspiring philosopher; to come closer to the rich human heritage of lands and cultures across the globe. The philosophical way encourages us to come closer to what lies “beyond” – the invisible causes of what we observe, such that we may recognize the underlying unity that links humanity.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2014-Best-Career-in-the-World-To-Be-An-Idealist.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
Which might be the best career in the world? Trying to answer this might suggest ideas such as “do nothing, earn a lot”. Maybe it involves working in some exotic destination, making money while having fun, etc. But when talking about a ‘career’, rather than a ‘job’, we are referring to a process of self-improvement and personal growth, not only of earning. So which then, may be the best career for us? What can offer the best possibility of growth? Well, of course, this depends entirely on the individual asking the question; what answers the call for self development and fulfillment. Keeping this in mind, we’d like to suggest one career opportunity: To Be an Idealist.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Summer_Solstice_Sunrise_over_Stonehenge_2005.jpeg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
If you have visited Stonehenge on the Salisbury plains of England, perhaps you sensed a powerful feeling of mystery, of something hard to define. To the eye they are a series of immense standing stones set in circles. But rather, “Stonehenge is a symbol of Albion, the ancient wisdom of Britain and of different cultural values from a vanished time” writes Archaeoastronomer Robin Heath.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Apr2021-Naad-Yoga-The-Search-for-Silence.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
Many ancient traditions unequivocally describe the role of sound in the divine process of creation. The Bible declares, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God”. (1) Hindu and Buddhist traditions believe that OM is the sound of creation, of the unmanifest diversifying into all the variations of energy that make up our universe.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2017-A-Moment-to-Stop-and-Reflect.jpg?resize=256%2C169&ssl=1)
This article is a compilation of excerpts from the book A Moment to Stop and Reflect by Ilanit Adar Matoki to be published in Korean.
In times when knowledge is very accessible and there exists a flood of information, it is a challenge to acknowledge words of wisdom. The eyes quickly pass over unimportant words in the same manner as knowledge of great importance and value. My purpose here is to revive the words of wisdom uttered by philosophers, scientists, artists and leaders, and to emphasize the practical aspect of universal ideas that are independent of time and place.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2018-Solitude-of-a-Leader.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
“It’s lonely at the top,” said a school-friend in jest on the eve of a school election for which I was nominated. And although I do not know to whom this tidbit of wisdom is attributed, I have often contemplated the truth behind these words.
In aspiring for the post or role of a leader, some may seek the prestige and authority which follow. The main work therefore seems to be, to make a favorable impression on those that are considering their candidature. Since there are probably others vying for the same position, a competition ensues, a race in which each one needs to outshine the other.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Jul2019-In-the-Footsteps-of-an-Ancient-Athenian.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
This article is the result of a trip I recently made to Athens, Epidaurus, Olympia and Delphi. Walking through its stunning archaeology, pausing at monuments, and gazing spellbound at its sacred temples, I couldn’t help but ponder what might have inspired such a civilization.
Nursing at her bosom, Greece nurtured such an altitude of knowledge and amplitude of wisdom that it came to be called the cradle of Western Civilization. Herodotus, regarded as the Father of History, lived here. Solon envisioned the origins of Democracy here.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theacropolitan.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Oct2017-Are-we-Human-Beings-or-Human-Doings.jpg?resize=256%2C256&ssl=1)
This question is relevant to the times we live in. The pace of life accelerated by the need for constantly moving, rushing, or accomplishing emphasises the importance we associate with doing. Just being when the whole world seems to be caught up in a whirlwind of action, seems so passive! By doing, we feel we are active and taking charge of our lives. But are we really taking charge of our lives and giving them a fulfilling direction? Well, let’s examine this thought in our current context.