October 2023 - The Acropolitan Magazine

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Reader,

This issue is dedicated to Delia Steinberg Guzmán, the International President of New Acropolis from 1991 till 2020, who passed away peacefully on August 15, 2023. A few years ago, she said in an interview: “The meaning and purpose of life is to be found in this question: What can I do, now that I am here? What can I improve, now that I am here? How can I help, now that I am here?” For us, Delia exemplified this approach - someone who dedicated her life to fulfil her vocation, to help others and to improve the world.

Today, as the world hurtles forward in its relentless pursuit of 'growth', have we perhaps forgotten to question the larger purpose of the human journey? The path of philosophy is the invitation to rediscover this. Delia said, "Philosophy is everything; it is everyday life, it is the meaning of life, it is the daily chores, it is the search for moral principles, it is the transformation of a society."

True to this prescript, other articles showcase that whether in the practice of a profession, pursuit of a hobby or learning of an art form, there is of course an aspect of gaining the relevant knowledge, or mastery over the techniques or the process. But perhaps there is something beyond this, that would allow us to go deeper and bring meaning, not just to certain actions to but to our life itself - developing a philosophical point of view.

Let us Discover. Awaken. Transform.

ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE

Philosophy in Action: Victory of Light over Darkness

January 1, 2024

By Manjula Nanavati

How do we utilize this human potential to overcome darkness?
Sivan: I want to tell you a secret. There is only light. There is no darkness. Because darkness is not the opposite of light, it’s just the absence of light. So, our focus needs to be on the light and how to work with the light.

Fear and Courage

October 18, 2023

By Delia Steinberg Guzman

That fear is the greatest adversary on the path of wisdom? We already knew
that. But we have to experience it. Wisdom is not about filling our heads with
ideas that are never applied (precisely because of fear or cowardice, or
comfort, which is another form of fear and cowardice); wisdom is to learn to
live, to evolve, to become more determined and confident.

The Moral Struggle

October 18, 2023

By Delia Steinberg Guzman

Ours is a moral struggle to achieve the conquest of our human values.The effort and struggle that precede any victory, whether great orsmall, are especially evident on the innermost planes of thepersonality.There is no doubt that many efforts require the active participation ofthe body and the energy. But the root of that physical effort is alwaysto be found in the things we know or the things we want; the forces ofwanting and knowing are powerful motivations.

Farewell to Delia Steinberg Guzmán

October 3, 2023

By Sabine Leitner

Delia certainly lived all her life with this vocation to do something useful, to help others and to improve the world she encountered. For all those who knew her, she was an exceptional human being, a great example of wisdom, humanity, willpower, infinite kindness and a generous love that expected nothing in return.

Book Excerpt: Moassy, The Dog

October 3, 2023

By Jorge Angel Livraga

Written from the unique and imaginative
perspective of a dog transformed into a
man, who travels the world, visiting different countries, this work is the author’s way of expressing his views on some of the world’s
sociopolitical systems, exposing their
irrationality and the duplicity of human
beings, while paradoxically continuing to
love them. However, it is not only a political
work, but a deeply philosophical one, in
which the author contmeplates his own
death and muses about the two infinities
above and below.

Life Lessons from Cyanotypes

October 3, 2023

By Janki Shah

The cyanotype process is a fascinating analogue photographic printing process that produces distinctive blue hued prints. It was one of the earliest non-silver processes used for creating photographs, and its invention marked a significant development in the history of photography.

Humanizing Medicine: In Conversation with Dr. Farokh Udwadia

October 3, 2023

By The Acropolitan Editorial Team

In March 2022, New Acropolis Culture Circle hosted renowned physician, author and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Farokh Udwadia at our Mumbai center. Dr. Udwadia has contributed to
many National and International publications, and written several books, one of which is TABIYAT: Medicine and Healing in India. He has spoken out strongly about how humanizing medicine will engender greater empathy and create a stronger bond between the doctor and patient, a vital precondition for optimal healing.