NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Lurking behind the waves of new strains of the corona virus across the globe, is another illness, more pervasive and far more severe than is noticeable at first glance. For many, apparently guaranteed career paths, and seemingly definitive life plans, have been displaced by deep fears and stressful insecurities rooted in the uncertainty that has clearly surfaced as a characteristic of our times. Although it is evident that this has prompted widespread despair, denial or apathy, a few among the masses face this disease of fear with courage and hope, emerging from the true value of living philosophy, a sincere pursuit of Wisdom, of Truth, and of Goodness.
For these brave torch bearers, it is an opportunity to depart from the false materialistic paradigms that have fed egos and ambitions for many centuries, and which, as humanity, we have blindly taken for granted. Rather than subscribing to the animalistic notion of the survival of the fittest, they show by example what it means to dare to imagine a world in which the privileged happily and generously extend themselves to support the challenged. Instead of power struggles and exploitation, they master the ability to lead themselves, to build governing systems that prioritize the welfare of the collective. Instead of competing to have their voices heard, they produce art and literature that strive to reconnect to timeless archetypes of beauty and harmony.
Traditions world-over have always emphasized this unique capacity of the human being to elevate consciousness, to be motivated by virtues, rather than run the rat race of gathering and securing possessions. It was always essential to educate and transmit how to live a happy and fulfilled life, with the strength and resilience to wrestle the obstacles that life might present; to learn to harmonize oneself with the order inherent in the design of nature.
Let us together also dare to make change; let us together forge new paths, so that those who follow in our footsteps are empowered to give rise to a new civilization. Discover. Awaken. Transform.
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE
We live in a world of lasers, particle accelerators, satellite image transmission, mainframe computers and microchips, and many other things so unique to this era.
At the same time, however, we live with our desires, passions, defects and virtues, with our universal and timeless fears, typical of every human being and of all times.
And it is quite true that each period has its exclusive fear. As the Nordics feared that the skies -when the skies were the Heavens – would fall on their head, or as medieval man feared to cross the forests at night, or sail the oceans for fear of witches, dragons and abysses, so does today’s troubled pacifist fear that some madman will press the red button.
We tend to use the term ‘grappling’, at times, to describe a certain struggle to fight, control, or deal with conflicts and challenges in life. Interestingly, this is a technical word originally used in the martial art form of wrestling, which involves grappling holds, throws, takedowns, joint locks and pins.
New Acropolis Culture Circle recently interviewed Professor Thakur S Powdyel, Bhutan’s first democratically elected Minister of Education (2008-2013). An educator by choice, conviction and passion, he is respected for moving Bhutan towards fulfilling the country’s constitutional mandate for education. As a recipient of numerous international awards such as the Gusi Peace Prize and the Global Education Award,
As we begin to step out after almost two years of being largely confined to our homes, the occasion of World Philosophy Day today offers an opportunity to reflect on the challenges we faced, and the value and need of philosophy in these unprecedented times.
The word Philosophy comes from the Greek words philo (love) and Sophos (wisdom). To be a philosopher, therefore, is to yearn for wisdom, to always aspire to follow truth.
As a student of Sri V Ganapati Sthapati, and then from her association to the School of Architecture of Madras University, for over 30 years Sashikala Ananth has been investigating the classical Indian science of architecture, known as Vaastu, combining both textual knowledge and practical field application. She has distilled her experience in her books that include The Penguin Guide to Vaastu and Pocket Book of Vaastu.