NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
The external strife and separation we witness in the world today, are perhaps a reflection of a disharmony within ourselves. In our modern era, the mind often takes precedence over the heart, yet it is the heart that can guide us. Sadly, contemporary pursuits often lack and even impede this essential balance.
Philosophy helps us see things as they are, and to come closer to what lies beyond just the visible. It is a quest to find out who we are, to understand the meaning of life.
When we look through this lens, we find that we have been bequeathed with a treasure trove of wisdom: The oral tradition of folklore carries ageless insights preserved in myths. Sacred groves symbolize the deep, symbiotic relationship between humanity and nature, bridging cultures and environments. Ancient Egyptian temples stand as monuments to humanity's enduring quest for spiritual connection and transcendence. Traditional martial arts such as Kalaripayattu embody values of discipline, respect, and inner strength, guiding practitioners towards self-mastery. Artistic expression goes beyond mere representation of human experiences, reflecting our innate pursuit of beauty and truth. It invites us to explore the visible world as a gateway to understanding the invisible realms, guiding us in our search for profound truths and wisdom.
By embracing these diverse perspectives, we can find common ground and recognize the underlying unity that connects all humanity.
What we need is a sincere search. We need to Discover, Awaken, Transform.
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE
Amid the ongoing international Mother Earth day celebrations this week, the New Acropolis Cultural Organisation of India on Sunday organised a panel on theme of ‘Learning From the Sacred Groves of India’, which saw the attendance of historians and environmentalists including author Dr. Nanditha Krishna and the director of New Acropolis India, Yaron Barzilay.
You may not know it, but as a child, plant allegories may have left a bigger impact on you than first imagined. Vivid and captivating fables, like conceptual seeds that were sown in your mind through fairy tale and superstition.
In 2010, Shri Lakshmanan Gurukkal founded Kalarigram, near Auroville, as a traditional Kalaripayattu training center, that conducts classes and workshops in the intersecting disciplines of Kalaripayattu, Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation.
New Acropolis, a school of practical philosophy 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, entitled Many Traditions, One Essence: Seeking Beauty through a Diversity of Expressions.
We seem to live in a world of dichotomies, a world where sharply contrasting ideas exist. For example, we can say that with all the modern technological breakthroughs, humanity is advancing and yet, we can also say that there is regression of human values as evident in the strife,
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.