October 2016 - The Acropolitan Magazine

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

On 2nd November 2016, New Acropolis Cultural Organization joyously celebrates its 10th Anniversary in India. This milestone marks ten years of a special philosophical fraternity, collectively devoted to building a new and better Humanity for a new and better World.

Humanity has gathered a vast treasure through her past, embedded in the astounding diversity of languages, cultures, and religions that have emerged from her unwavered yearning to discover her role in the cosmic order of Life. The value of this treasure can only really be appreciated, however, through our ability to grasp the shared aspiration for Truth that fundamentally unites the seemingly unrelated traditions of our past.

To do so, we must learn the language of the Soul, its chief attribute: Harmony – amongst individuals in Society, with the Soil that nurtures us, and within every human being, harmonizing actions with the voice of one’s own conscience. Through education, and through the true spirit of volunteering, we might revive these principles, and experience once again the Unity of our essence. We must but start this adventure. For after all, “The journey of a thousand miles, begins with the first step.” (Lau Tzu).

ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE

Living In Interbeing

October 1, 2016

By Sangeeta Iyer

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.

Living Together in Harmony

October 1, 2016

By Delia Steinberg Guzman

It is our conviction that the human soul is essentially one, so we cannot establish distinctions based on the external appearance of people and things. It is rather a question of working for the development and expression of the soul, which often lies dormant when incarnated in bodies that are attracted to or repelled by one another according to the circumstances.

Volunteering for True Change

October 1, 2016

By Trishya Screwvala

When we speak of volunteering today, we often think of people who have “more”, an abundance of knowledge or resources, sharing with those who we consider to have “less”. However, if we look at volunteering merely from this exoteric perspective, we miss out on the very essence of what it means to volunteer. True giving has the potential to go far beyond the physical act of providing.

Do Animals Have Souls?

October 1, 2016

By Julian Scott

Different people may have different reasons for asking this question: some may want to know if they will meet up with their pet in the next world; others may be interested in the psychic powers of animals; others may be concerned at the inhumane way we treat animals nowadays; and others may wonder whether or not we should eat animals or become vegetarians.

Oct2016-Soil, Soul, Society - Rendezvous wth Satish Kumar

Soil, Soul, Society – Rendezvous with Satish Kumar

October 1, 2016

By Manjula Nanavati

Activist, Author, Academic. Environmentalist, Humanist, Visionary. Satish Kumar believes that the spiritual aspect of our ecosystem has been lost in modern environmental debates, and has been replaced by systemic violence; towards the land, animals, mankind, and even towards ourselves. He maintains that reverence for nature is the only thread that can mend and weave together the fabric of humanity.

Education, To What End?

October 1, 2016

By Archana Samarth

Imagine a child. Does your face light up with a smile and your mind with images of carefree laughter, innocence and abundant energy? Now, look at a child, look into his eyes. Do you not see life waiting to express itself? A child embodies human potential waiting to burst through and manifest itself in its uniqueness.

In Search of Unity

October 1, 2016

By Yaron Barzilay

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.