Today the faculty of philosophy is thought to be academic, intellectual, and theoretical, and is often considered boring and irrelevant to daily life. However, a deeper understanding of the word ‘philosophy’ dispels this notion; it loosely translates to a love for wisdom. How can love be theoretical or intellectual? How can wisdom be irrelevant to our lives?

The force of love is a force of attraction, a natural yearning, that binds the lover to an object. It is the same force that drives the dancer to express aesthetic form in her every posture. It is the same force that impels great author-poets like Shakespeare to explore human nature through the wizardry of words. And maybe, it is the same force that caused ancient sculptors to express divine archetypes through their craft.
Perhaps this love for wisdom is the highest form of love that human beings are capable of. Perhaps it is the only true path to wisdom; the only true way to improve our world. This issue traces through a variety of experiments – investigations into the true nature of Philosophy – to discover, awaken, and transform our lives.

In Ancient Greece, the Acropolis referred to the sacred centre, that lay higher than the rest of the city. It was a place of inspiration; a bridge that enabled citizens yo connect to the divine, evoking the expression of the higher human virtues. Deriving inspiration from its purpose, The Acropolitan Magazine serves as a tribute to every citizen yearning for these higher principles in all aspects of Life: truth, Beauty, justice, Goodness.

In Ancient Greece, the Acropolis referred to the sacred centre, that lay higher than the rest of the city. It was a place of inspiration; a bridge that enabled citizens yo connect to the divine, evoking the expression of the higher human virtues. Deriving inspiration from its purpose, The Acropolitan Magazine serves as a tribute to every citizen yearning for these higher principles in all aspects of Life: Truth, Beauty, Justice, Goodness.

In Ancient Greece, the Acropolis referred to the sacred centre, that lay higher than the rest of the city. It was a place of inspiration; a bridge that enabled citizens yo connect to the divine, evoking the expression of the higher human virtues. Deriving inspiration from its purpose, The Acropolitan Magazine serves as a tribute to every citizen yearning for these higher principles in all aspects of Life: truth, Beauty, Justice, Goodness.

In Ancient Greece, the Acropolis referred to the sacred centre, that lay higher than the rest of the city. It was a place of inspiration; a bridge that enabled citizens to connect to the divine, evoking the expression of the higher human virtues. Deriving inspiration from its purpose, The Acropolitan Magazine serves as a tribute to every citizen yearning for these higher principles in all aspects of Life: Truth, Beauty, Justice, Goodness.

As we set off to make our New Year resolutions, perhaps this year we might resolve to change and improve ourselves by weeding out the grains of separation hidden in the crevices of our own hearts, to dare and reveal our true human identity.

As Mother Earth tirelessly sings her timeless tune of justice, let us dare to trust her laws and live her wisdom. For sages like Rabindranath Tagore insist on the same Truths, that we find inscribed on the walls of the most ancient temples.

This year let us set off to discover ourselves beyond the masks, beyond the fears, and beyond the lethargy. Let us awaken our true potentials, and transform our world. For that is the glorious opportunity that beckons.

Living philosophy is perhaps the most joyful and meaningful way to celebrate life. The heroic philosopher dares to live such a life; he discovers his own inner strength, his own Free Will, and he empowers himself to contribute in the building of a strong and sustainable foundation for a better future.

As we approach the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October 2019, let us take inspiration from Gandhi ji’s courageous pursuit of truth. Even without necessarily agreeing with all aspects of his ideology, one cannot deny his exemplary leadership, characterized by his personal example, and his audacity to dream of, and bring about, real change.

In this issue of The Acropolitan Magazine, we bring to you a glimpse of a philosophical attitude to daily life, one that is driven by seeking the inner nature of things. Such an approach makes life a wondrous adventure. We must but dare to Discover, Awaken, and Transform.

This issue of The Acropolitan Magazine is aninvitation for the idealist-philosopher, who takes real responsibility, and seeks to empower real change in the world, leading by his own personal example. Such a person dares to transcend the boundaries of his comforts, to dig deep within, and encounter the “wellspring of good”. And the health of his soul expresses itself in the manner in which he conducts his life, choosing a measured response to each circumstance, each moment an opportunity to serve!

Our world today needs heroes who, despite the array of personal, professional, and financial obligations, dare to encounter the mystical dimension of life, by honoring a human being’s ethical duty. The articles that follow investigate WHY this is so necessary, and HOW we might set off on such a philosophical adventure. Let us together, Discover, Awaken, and Transform!

The philosophical tradition proposes that it is by decoding our past, that we might discover vital keys to forge a better future. As if to be baked in an alchemical oven, mythology suggests that it will require the kneading of ourselves, through difficult challenges, to rise in consciousness, and express the best of our human potential. Ancient civilizations emphasized the need to emerge
from the darkness of materialism and ignorance, to the light of wisdom and Truth; the Ancient Greeks spoke of it as the need to tune into the music of Orpheus, the natural harmony of life.
Let us dare to imagine a new model of human civilization; one that is rooted in such a harmony,
and the pursuit of Truth, in which we each Discover, Awaken, and Transform ourselves.

Wise personages and great leaders of all times have endeavored to illuminate earthly life with heavenly values. They led by selfless example, and demonstrated courage to act altruistically, conscious of the fact that individual fulfillment is intricately woven into collective well-being. As we enter into 2019, how might we use this inspiration to manifest our dreams, and empower ourselves, to give shape to our aspirations? 

In order to empower real change and improve the quality of our lives, we must learn to guard our own physical, psychological, and spiritual health. It is necessary to go beyond symptoms, superficial and impermanent by nature, and investigate the root cause of our present challenges, so that like an archer, we might, with grace, Will, and concentration, conquer the goal of a new and better world, for new and better human beings.

Join us as we set off on this glorious adventure! Discover – Awaken – Transform.

In our times today, we know how to do many many things. We have accomplished extraordinary technological feats, medical advancements, and lightening speed communication. And we expect, that our civilization is destined for unending progress. 

The question we must ask, however, is: What among all these many things that we know to do, is really worth doing? Is it not the answer to this question that will ultimately make our lives more meaningful? To be able to discern what is really right, in light of the Truth, is perhaps the vital element that might give us the direction we seek. 

Let us therefore, lead by example, and dare to discover the ethical dimension of our human potential. Let us face our fears, and dare to toil, with the altruistic dream of a new and better world in our hearts. Let us become little heroes, fueling the flame of hope, as we give shape to our audacious dream. Let us Discover, Awaken, and Transform...ourselves, and our world.

As all of nature comes to full bloom in the peak of the summer, we witness the magic of life in all its glorious expression! It’s as if the world around eagerly invites us to explore the presence of an all-permeating metaphysical intelligence; we must but learn to see and listen.

In our investigation, we might stumble upon the imprint of this intelligence at sacred locations around the globe. Or perhaps an inward journey might lead us to an inner sacredness – expressed as devotion in the yearning of ancient Indian artists, as objective simplicity in the words of Haiku poetry, or the fraternal spirit fostered among fellow athletes. How beautiful that Life leaves bread crumbs for us, to mark the path to encounter her mysteries!

In this issue of The Acropolitan Magazine we invite you to explore the pathways for change, as we aspire to raise our consciousness, individually and collectively, to manifest our fullest potentials. Let us together Discover, Awaken, and Transform!

As life blooms all around, singing the arrival of the Spring, the philosopher can’t help but be mesmerized by the beauty with which Nature adorns herself. It is as if She is celebrating the departure of the old, by rejuvenating, and colorfully extending her invitation to a renewed order. How delightful that around the globe, human civilizations were able to find ways to be able to participate in this moment of transition, through festivals such as holi or purim. Although different in the way they are celebrated, each of these holidays symbolize the chaotic scattering of
the old, clearing the way for the arrival of the new.

It is an opportunity for us to deepen our investigation of life! Whether by traveling across continents to explore enchanting corners of the Amazon Rainforest, or even just the simple run to the convenience store around the corner, to pick up your favorite snack – each can be enriching, insightful, and transformative – if only we dare to live every moment with more meaning, depth, consciousness. In doing so, perhaps we might stumble upon our own potential for generosity, for compassion, for justice – virtues that formed the very spirit of chivalry that enabled man to govern himself, rather than be enslaved by erratic emotions and thoughts.

Let us use the blossoming of life as the impulse to nurture the blossoming of human virtue. Let us empower ourselves to pave the way for the onset of a new Golden Age. Let us dare to Discover, Awaken, and Transform.

As we turn the leaf to 2018, it is a good time to reflect on the underlying goals that fuel the completion of the countless items on our ever growing list of To-dos. Are we simply running, aimlessly trapped in the busy doing of a variety of daily tasks? 

A few amongst us seek a larger purpose, by which to make life more meaningful…and dare to seek answers to our most fundamental human questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What is the role I am supposed to play?

To begin to answer these questions is to embark upon the most exciting life-long adventure, to scale our innermost summit, in order to reveal the true light of the human spirit. On this summit lies the virtue of courage that enables us to dare to dream of a new and better world despite our challenging circumstances. It is there that we find perseverance and determination, by which we empower ourselves to bring about real change. And there, perched atop that inner summit, lie compassion, generosity, and kindfulness, our most defining human attributes. 

Let us resolve to plant new seeds of hope through the upcoming year, by setting off on a voyage of a lifetime! For that is the need of the hour!

Often, perhaps, we find ourselves imprisoned by time. Caught up in the many things that we need to get done, we fail to get to the things that, in our hearts, we know we really ought to be doing. We say we don’t find the time. Or that we shall get to it one day in the unknown distant future, after all our other obligations have been met. Rarely do we take a moment to stop and reflect; to consider the essence that lies at the heart of the things that we do. What is my true goal? Who am I? What does it mean to be a human being?

To answer these most fundamental human questions, bequeathed to us is the treasure trove of our collective human heritage comprising the arts, sciences and religions. Let us dare to awaken our own idealist spirit – with the courage to investigate these modes of human expressions, seeking to illuminate the enigmas of life, motivated by a yearning for Truth, which lies at the heart of all human endeavors. Let us dare to Discover, Awaken, and Transform. To BE.

Jubilant and rejuvenated, New Acropolis’s 60th year anniversary is a joyful re-affirmation of the glorious dream to build a new and better world. To manifest this dream, idealists through history have embarked upon inner journeys that unfold from the deep yearning for change, a change that might unleash our true individual and collective potentials, fuel our inner flame, and empower each aspirant of this joyous path to serve by taking decisive steps up the stairway towards our eternal
spiritual identities.

We take this momentous opportunity to break free from our fears and anxieties, to dare to encounter the frontiers of our minds, so that we may once again seize our own humanity. To live philosophy, is to Discover, Awaken, and Transform!

As we look out to the horizon, and drink the gentle beams of the tropical spring sun, a mysterious thirst remains unquenched; the parched throat yearns for nectar, unsatiated by the material comforts that emerge from the industrialized advancements made through humanity’s recent past. It’s as if an inner voice whispers that there must be something more - beyond the race for comforts, fame, financial gain, and successful careers.

Perhaps this whispering voice functions like an inner ethical compass, directing the path to our true home, our true state of being, characterized by beauty, harmony, fraternity, and collective wellbeing. Individuals since the beginning of time have dared to embark on this voyage; some by unraveling clues that lay waiting to be revealed in the natural world of symbols, some in their attempt to grasp and express beauty as in the way of an artist, and some who are compelled to engage with society, to empower individuals to effect real sustainable change in the way we choose to live our lives.

Some might insist that we must allow life to play itself out. And sometimes, this is true. But there are also times that need us to interfere and take responsibility for initiating change. What an adventure it might be to find this balance – and to return home! To truly Discover ourselves. To Awaken our potential. And to Transform our world.

As we march forward towards the peak of human accomplishment, let us, even if for only a fleeting moment, assess the true drive that motivates our progress. Technology has brought comfort and efficiency to every aspect of our lives. Medicine is able to remarkably manage physical suffering. The internet has brought the unprecedented speed with which to make informed choices. And yet, as if scrambling in the dark, happiness and fulfillment continue to elude many of us. 

An inner voice whisperingly insists, as if yearning, that there must be more; a larger purpose, a more meaningful role for which each of us has arrived to this world. Some look for answers at museums, where glimpses of past civilizations are preserved as part of the human heritage; others investigate the arts – classical music or cinema. And many look to revive education as the means to help our youth discover life’s meaning. 

Exploring these faculties through the lens of philosophy, a love for wisdom, kindles a spark of wonder and joy – so essential to persist on the path to Discover, Awaken, and Transform into what lies in our potential. We invite you to join us as we embark on this voyage of hope, at the start of the new year!

Dear Reader,

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).

The Editorial Team

It is evident that ancient wisdom recognized the power of philosophy as a practical means by which to nurture meaning and fulfillment in life. In countless traditions, it was the axis around which education was imparted, so as to foster the tools that might enable citizens to give expression to the best of their potential, and help each individual to develop an attitude of wonder at the magical unity that permeates all realms of Life.

For an aspiring philosopher therefore, philosophy was not a hobby, nor intellectual stimulation. It was never intended to be a theoretical or academic faculty, lacking relevance or application in life. Instead, it was the art of living – integrated into every aspect of life, all the time, everywhere – a state of being. Through it, a businessman, treading the thin line of balance between his personal and professional obligations might find lasting solutions. It might motivate corporate leaders to re-consider their social responsibilities. And in its practice, an athlete might find the will to develop discipline, perseverance and excellence.

Might we dare to take responsibility, and improve the human condition through a philosophical revolution...to seize our freedom, our immortality, and break the materialistic shackles of illusion? Lets each, do his/her own little bit.

Advancements in science and technology over the last century, demonstrate our innate motivation to push the boundaries in the quest of the material unknown. However, we are perhaps yet to make equal strides in the meta-physical plane, to give expression to the true potential of Man, beyond the material realm. Ancient traditions have unraveled these secrets and left their unearthed treasures in the nuances of language, in their ceremonious interactions with nature, and the ancient sciences.

There is a need, therefore, to dispel the obsessive desire for the new; for we may not need to invent anything new. Maybe our glory lies in re-illuminating ancient wisdom and discover their relevance and application to our own times. Because ultimately, Man has not fundamentally changed. And although fashions have evolved, language has transformed, and social media has enabled unprecedented real-time connectivity, we continue to ask the same fundamental questions: Who am I? What is my purpose? What does it truly mean to live?

Let us dare to investigate these existential questions, and reinstate the glory of the voyage of philosophy as a truly practical means by which to explore life. In this issue, we invite you to discover, awaken, and transform!

The start of a new year is a good time to introspect and re-consider the direction our lives have taken. For many, the dreams and aspirations of our youth become but obscure distant memories, that fade away with each passing year.

But there exist among us a few unsung heroes, who muster up the courage to truly live the adventure of life, and embark upon an ethical voyage in search of an inner Excalibur, yearning to express the noblest of virtues in every realm of life – not by escaping into isolation, but by emerging victorious from the battles of daily life.

Classical traditions have suggested that this nobility is in fact the true nature of Man. It was revived during the European Renaissance. And perhaps we can once again revive it today! We invite you this year, to Discover it, Awaken it’s principles that lie eternally within us, and participate in Transforming our world.

As if unraveling nature’s secrets, L. Wolfe Gilbert wrote, “Those who find beauty in all of nature will find themselves at one with the secrets of life itself.” And perhaps Man has yearned to interact with these secrets since the beginning of civilization; the lawyer through his quest for Justice, the scientist through his investigations to unravel Truth, and the artist through his ability to capture Beauty on a canvas, in the notes of a raga, or in the building of magnificent sacred spaces.

Although diverse, these journeys naturally converge to a single point; the serene and peaceful happiness that results from the realization of the unifying essence that lies beyond forms.

Perhaps this ‘secret of life’ is not really a secret after all. Nature seems to open wide her embrace, singing her song, unendingly inviting us to listen. We must just tune in and align with her laws, in order to find their resonance within. The approaching winter months are an introspective opportunity to discover, awaken, and transform.

The tapestry of human civilization has been decorated with a vivid design of mythologies that have become part of our culture since antiquity, providing texture, in the form of ethical education and direction through which to investigate timeless human values. History is replete with heroes who have stood up in defense of universal truths despite persecution, by dedicating their lives and work to the service of mankind. 

These heroic individuals, whether mythological or historical, serve as inspirational examples, showcasing the potential of human ability that lies within our grasp. Investigation of mythological heroes like Arjuna, or even Neo (The Matrix) from modern mythology, can awaken a heroic sentiment so rare in our times. 

What if such individuals were able to evoke the heroic spirit amongst human communities today? Armed with this spirit, and guided by an elevated consciousness, perhaps we could once again shed light on the deep philosophical meaning behind age-old cultural practices, beyond ritual. In this issue, we invite you to investigate this possibility.

The past hundred years have seen a rapid rise in the pace at which technology has changed and affected our lives. We have discovered countless solutions to reduce suffering, increase efficiency, and cheat old age. However, has this progress led to increased happiness, or made our lives any more meaningful?

Perhaps somewhere along the way, we have confused our means with our goals. Perhaps somewhere along the way, we have surrendered our most glorious attribute, our inner freedom to express our true selves through the practice of Virtues. Virtues are the essence of our character, the natural qualities of the divine that exist within every human being. Yet they remain astonishingly unexplored. We have ingeniously learnt to imitate nature, but remain blind to the values that governs her every facet.We investigate history and archeology, but dismiss ancient civilizations as primitive, unable even to conceive, let alone express, these virtues. 

With this issue of The Acropolitan we explore the values and virtues that have remained unchanged through human history. Whether we look to nature for inspiration, or to Scientists and Artists who devote their lives to unravel the secrets of life, it is clear that the solutions transcend geographical, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

July - September 2022

April - June 2022

January - March 2022

October - December 2021

August - September 2021

April - June 2021

January- March 2021

October - December 2020

July - September 2020

April - June 2020

January - March 2020

October - December 2019

August - September 2019

April - June 2019

January - March 2019

October - December 2018

Download your favorite titles and read them offline, anytime and anywhere

Gift your loved ones with a Magzter Gift Card instantly and give them the freedom to read their favorite magazines and newspapers from thousands of best-selling titles.

Gift your loved ones with a Magzter Gift Card instantly and give them the freedom to read their favorite magazines from thousands of best-selling titles.

Gift your loved ones with a Magzter Gift Card instantly and give them the freedom to read their favorite magazines from {{magCount}} best-selling international titles.

Name

Please fill out this form if you need any help regarding publishing your content on Magzter

Since we launched, Magzter has been committed to partnering with global organizations to provide the greatest possible newsstand technology & service to our customers. Whether you are looking to offer magazine subscriptions to your customer database or just want to learn more, Magzter is committed to helping your business grow. To find out more, please fill out the questionnaire below:

The Acropolitan - January - March 2015

Get The Acropolitan along with 7,500+ other magazines & newspapers

Get The Acropolitan

Magazine Description

In this issue