ACROPOLIS

quarterly

VOL 5: JANUARY MARCH 2014 www.acropolis.org.in Schedule of Public Events Inside

NEW AcroPolIS CEnTrE A-O Ground Floor, Connaught Mansions, Opp. Colaba Post Ofce, Mumbai +91.22.3192.0515 | info@acropolis.org.in | www.acropolis.org.in

Introductory Address
Dear Reader, The transition from the year 2013 to 2014 marks the end of one cycle, and the start of a new one. With this new cycle comes the opportunity to renew and reafrm our dream of making our world a better place to live in. At New Acropolis, we express this dream through the three-fold approach of Philosophy Culture Volunteering. Through the study of Philosophy from various ancient civilizations, we seek to grasp fundamental principles that may give us some insight about what it truly means to be a Human Being. Cultural activities enable us to interact with the legacy that these ancient civilization have left behind, and engage with the Arts and Sciences as an opportunity to interact with Nature, as a part of a collective Society. Finally, Volunteering becomes the basis on which we are able to share the treasures of wisdom we encounter on this remarkable journey of self-discovery, with other members of our human fraternity, through service. As we prepare to make our new year resolutions, I invite you to join this journey. Enclosed you will nd some inspiring reading, as well as information about public events,and the Introductory course, called World of Wisdom. Join us to embark on a journey of a life time! Happy New Year! Sincerely, Harianto H Mehta. New Acropolis India (North), Public Relations.
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Table of Content
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articles 27 Mar 4: New Course Starts: Celebrating World of Wisdom, Colaba 2400 Years of Platos 28 Mar 8: Lecture Academy Defeating Death: 10 Why cant we communicate Understanding Immortality our feelings and thoughts? 29 Mar 29: Lecture 13 wise men of the past Living with the Gods. Living 15 The Monkey King and the Mythology Mangoes testimonials 30 public events Martial Arts Fighting your First Enemies
Publisher: New Acropolis Cultural Organization National Director: Yaron Barzilay Public Relations Manager: Harianto H Mehta Design: Art Department, New Acropolis Printed By: Zenith Printers For Advertising Opportunity Contact +91 22 3192 0515 New Acropolis Cultural Organization is an Indian Non-Prot Sec. 25 Company (Reg. No: U92412MH2010NPL200490) led with the Registrar of Companies. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form without the explicit prior permission of the publishers in writing. For feedback and suggestions, please write to us at info@acropolis.org.in

19 Jan 18: Lecture

20 Jan 21: Intro @ Bandra 21 Jan 25: Lecture Doomsday, or New Opportunities 22 Jan 28: New Course Starts: World of Wisdom, Bandra 23 Feb 1: Lecture Artist, Dreamer, Warrior A Bridge to the Invisible
24 Feb 22 & 23: 2-Day Seminar

Introduction to Tai Chi 25 Feb 25: Open House 26 Mar 1: Workshop Mysteries of Memory

ARTICLE

Celebrating 2400 Years of Platos Academy

Yaron Barzilay The year 2013 marks 2,400 years since Plato established his Academy in Athens. Founded in 387BC, the Academy has continuously inuenced humanity since inception, be it the Mediterranean Civilizations, numerous western philosophers including the renaissance men (who referred to Plato as a divine philosopher,) to our modern world of today, in which Platos teachings still echo, as a call for awakening. Just as democracy is still relevant to us today, though its origin lay in Ancient Athens, we might say the same for Platos ideas for the modern world; they have never ceased to be relevant, as these ideas investigate the fundamentals of human reality. Yet, it seems difcult to adequately appreciate Platos
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inuence. On the one hand he is very familiar to us, but on the other, his ideas often seem to originate from an ancient world of initiatic knowledge that remains inaccessible, mysterious and enigmatic.

There still remain unknown pages of Platos personal life with regards to the time he spent outside of

Athens after the death of his teacher, Socrates. He is known to have travelled through Italy, where he met followers of Pythagoras who strongly inuenced him with their knowledge. He might have also travelled to Egypt, where he is said to have been exposed to an ancient tradition of wisdom. In Timeos, Solon was told by an old Egyptian priest, perhaps reecting Platos own belief, that the Greeks were like children who knew nothing of their past, and were completely unfamiliar with the antiquity of humanity. At his return to Athens at the age of 40, Plato established the Academy, his school of philosophy which, together with his writing, served as an immense expression of his ideas. He remained at this school till his death 40 years later, after which the Academy remained active in various different forms through the following nine centuries. A School of Philosophy in the Classical Tradition The methodology employed at the Academy was inspired by the Pythagorean model and the life of Socrates. It was based on the method of dialogue, intend-

ed to resolve issues of daily life and philosophical investigation. Among other faculties, students were trained in Mathematics, Geometry and Music. It is said that on the very Gates of the Academy, was written Let None, But Geometers, Enter Here. The word Geometers here, refers to a deep understanding of the numerical archetypes (expressed in geometrical forms), as in the Pythagorean tradition, that goes much beyond a mechanical engineering capability. Active dialogue between teacher and disciple facilitated a profound search for truth, in light of the Socratic Method, or the Maieutics, the birth of truth, highlighting the inspirational idea that within the mind of each individual Truth already exists, and only needs to be unveiled. We do not learn, and what we call learning is only a process of recollection, says Plato. Dialogue among fellow disciples also ensured a real freedom of thought in The Academy. It is noteworthy that women too were accepted within the school
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and it is said that Plato never accepted fees for teaching, unlike many other teachers of his time. Perhaps this suggests that the Academy was not an ordinary school as understood today, but may have been a unique community of philosophers who practiced philosophy as a way of life. Plato encouraged his disciples to become active members of the community, rather than live isolated, and we nd several followers had taken on proactive roles in their cities. In order to reform society, and guide others in a just way, it is not enough to gain mere theoretical knowledge. Nor is it enough to have an experience or inuence. One also needs to mould himself and become a better human being. Plato spoke of human evolution as consisting of 4 essential steps in the transformation towards an awareness of a divine state. He shared the belief in the universal idea of reincarnation, through which human beings evolved through four stages of consciousness; these are spoken of in terms of Men of Iron, Men of Copper, Men of Silver
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and Men of Gold. Men of Gold refers to the highest state of human evolution and may reassemble the ancient Indian concept of the Brahmin, the twice born; he who gains a divine awareness of himself and of his surroundings. This state is repeatedly described as the aim of human evolution amongst various initiatic civilizations who speak of the human possibility to discover a higher form of reality. In contrast, Men of Silver, who shine in the colour of the moon, are described as having an innate need to follow the truth, but do not yet possess it; they are the warriors who must transform themselves from within, in order to become what they are seeking. They are said to have the ability to guide others, as long as they remain aligned to wisdom. Unlike gold, they need to constantly work on themselves, polish themselves, lest they get covered by shadows. These Men of Silver are the philosophers, and are the main concern of Plato at his Academy, as they play a key role in preserving Wisdom and Justice among men, and are able to transform society. Like Confucius, who lived only a short time

earlier, Plato believes that the key lies with philosophers, guiding the state in order to create a just society. The Allegory of the Cave

ers, ignorant to the fact that they are in fact slaves, mistake these shadows for truth. How horrible is the slavery of one who doesnt even know he is a slave? It may transpire that due to his true nature, one of the prisoners will feel uncomfortable with this world of Maya and will ght his way out. Slowly he will turn his attention to exiting the cave, and will have to get accustomed to the light of truth, the true light of The Sun. This describes the philosopher, whose love and yearning for wisdom, place him on the path to a reality beyond the sensible world; one who opens the door to an inner life and eternity. Understanding the gravity of the illusion of his fellow human beings still inside the cave, he may return into the cave once again, to share the knowledge of truth with the others. This act of service, according to Plato, makes him the real politician, one that brings ethics to the state, the Polis. This is described as the noblest task a man can take on himself, the seless caring for his brothers, knowing that he may suffer for
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In order to help us understand the gravity of the illusions we fall prey to, Plato shares with us an allegory to express our mistaken perception of the world of senses as a credible reality. He describes men who are chained since birth inside an underground cave, seated facing the inner walls. Behind them is another wall that conceals a re that functions like a sun. Other men, known as masters of the cave, move along this wall with objects in their hands, creating shadows on the caves inner walls. The prison-

sharing the truth with those who may wish it not, like doctors who occasionally administer unpleasant medicine. In the cave, there are also those who make sure the chained men remain ignorant the masters of the cave, who personally gaining from the slavery of men, and therefore discourage men from learning of their true potential and ght against any such liberator. In the poetic words of Plato: We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. How relevant is this allegory to us? How can we benet by following Platos advice? After 2,400 years, has the illusion of men reduced, in light of modern technology and common knowledge? Or has the veil of the senses strengthened, become thicker with the digitalization of our life, resulting in a cyber reality in which we are faced with the ever growing demands of the senses responding to a fast moving world? Do we see the cave at all today? Can we identify the modern masters of the cave who deliberately keep
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man ignorant of The Truth? Even today, the remedy seems to be the same; it starts with philosophy, the love for Truth and Wisdom. Plato himself suggests, Philosophy begins in wonder. Hence let us stop for a second while running our daily race, and ask ourselves if we live life with wonder. Or do we wait, passively, for someone else to take our hand and pull us up? The 2,400th anniversary of Platos Academy is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of philosophy for the pursuit of the liberation of mankind. Not necessarily modern philosophy as spoken of in academic circles, which seems trapped in the intellectual realm of investigation. Instead, schools of philosophy in the classical manner, offered Philosophy as an applicable way of life, a path of knowing and changing ourselves. True learning demands a change in ourselves, known as walking the path.
Published in Speaking Tree, The Times of India on 16.11.13 Yaron Barzilay is the National Director of New Acropolis Cultural Organization in India (North).

Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.

C.S. Lewis
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ARTICLE

Why cant we communicate our feelings and thoughts?

Delia Steinberg Guzman One of the many paradoxes in life is that in our age of mass and instant communication, human beings nd it increasingly difcult to communicate with each other. Today we can know in just a few hours, or sometimes even in minutes, what is happening on the other side of the world. News reaches us at full speed; radio, TV, newspapers and magazines spread the news about big and small events, giving each of them the preferred shades of colour. It is almost as if we were speaking to the TV screen or radio, conversing with a daily newspaper or the colour pages of a magazine full of famous people. However, we know little or
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nothing of what is going on in the souls of our friends and relatives, we are not very sure of what we feel and think ourselves and, what is worse, we nd it difcult to communicate with others. People think that they love and believe that they think, but they are not convinced of the genuineness of their feelings or opinions. The proof of this is to be seen in the speed with which many people change their opinions or partners Family bonds are sometimes maintained out of necessity and conventionalism, but there is a lack of real affection and the natural expression of that affection. There is a lack of spontaneous words and gestures to show the existence of emotional ties.

Leaving aside conventional greetings, prefabricated words for different situations and the occasional argument, human contact becomes reduced to emotional impulses that come and go, appear and disappear with the same instability as those impulses themselves. Our ideas about life and its many social, political, economic, cultural, religious and other aspects vary according to uctuating fashions and, as no one wants to be branded weird, we conform to the fashions, chang-

ing our opinions according which way the wind is blowing. We cant present our way of thinking in a clear and eloquent manner either, because we dont really think, and the little that we do think doesnt form part of ourselves. In this way, we remain cut off from others in a world of communication. The media sterilize us and our life of relationships begins and ends there. The hours we spend often articially occupied prevent us from sharing
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a few moments of calm or conver- I think it is time to revalue the sation with those around us. world of feelings and to recognise them as positive, giving We listen so often to words of each of them the role that they love uttered by screen characcan and should play in our lives. ters that we no longer feel the need to say those words to the It is up to us to control or avoid ones we love. Furthermore, the negative emotions and to develforce of ction makes our posop the positive ones, as well as sible and unmanifested expresto revalue the ability to think, to sion ctitious. analyse, to choose and to make decisions and act in accordance with them. Above all, we need So what is going on? to learn to reason on our own without allowing ourselves to be I can see two problems: a lack of inuenced by what is considered ideas and feelings (because we acceptable or unacceptable by havent been taught or trained to develop them), and an inability to mainstream opinion. express what we lack or what is To go from there to a correct undened and unclear for us. expression of our feelings is just one step. It is impossible to Failures in ideologies on a big and small scale, as well as every- truly feel and not to express it, day emotional failures, are warn- as much as it is impossible to ing signs about the instability of think and not to act in accorfeelings and ideas that have no dance with those ideas. To the world of communications must base or solid structure. be added a communication beThe lack of communication arises tween human beings who know from an insecurity about express- what to communicate about. ing or doing something that we Delia Steinberg Guzman is the are not clear about, either within International Director of the IONA ourselves or in others. (International Organization of New
Acropolis)

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WISE MEN OF THE PAST

RUMI
1207 - 1273 The lovers cause is separate from all other causes; Love is the astrolabe of Gods mysteries. Rumi He was born in Khorasan (todays Afghanistan), the hometown of his fathers family. Rumis family traveled west, rst performing the Hajj and eventually settling in the Anatolian city Konya (capital of the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, now located in Turkey). Following his death, his followers and his son Sultan Walad founded the Mawlawiyah Su Order, also known as the order of the Whirling Dervishes, famous for its Su dance known as the Sama Ceremony. His father was Baha ud-Din Walad, a theologian, jurist and a mystic from Balkh, who was also known during his lifetime as Sultan of the Scholars. On the road to Anatolia, Rumi encountered one of the most famous mystic Persian poets, Attar, in Irans city of Nishapur, located in the province of Khorasan. Attar immediately recognized Rumis spiritual eminence. He saw the father walking ahead of the son and said, Here comes a sea followed by an ocean. He gave the boy his Asrarnama, a book about the entanglement of the soul in the material world. This meeting had a deep impact on the eighteen-year-old Rumis thoughts and later on became the inspiration for his works. The Music of Love Hail to thee, then, O Love, sweet madness! Thou who healest all our inrmities! Who art the Physician of our pride and self-conceit!
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Who art our Plato and our Galen! Love exalts our earthly bodies to heaven, And makes the very hills to dance with joy! From Nishapur, Walad and his entourage set out for Baghdad, meeting many of the scholars and Sus of the city. It was his meeting with the dervish Shams-e Tabrizi on 15 November 1244 that changed his life completely. Shams had traveled throughout the Middle East searching and praying for someone who could endure my company. A voice came, What will you give in return? My head! The one you seek is Jalal ud-Din of Konya. On the night of December 5, 1248, as Rumi and Shams were talking, Shams was called to the back door. He went out, never to be seen again. Rumis love and his bereavement for the death of Shams found their expression in an outpouring of music, dance and lyric poems, Divan-e Shamse Tabrizi. He himself went out searching for Shams and journeyed again to Damascus.
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There, he realized: Why should I seek? I am the same as He. His essence speaks through me. I have been looking for myself! Rumi spent the next twelve years of his life in Anatolia dictating the six volumes of this masterwork, the Masnavi to Hussam. In December 1273, Rumi fell ill; he predicted his own death and composed the well-known ghazal, which begins with the verse: How doest thou know what sort of king I have within me as companion? Do not cast thy glance upon my golden face, for I have iron legs. He died on December 17, 1273 in Konya; Rumi was laid to rest beside his father, and a splendid shrine, the Green Tomb, was erected over his tomb. His epitaph reads: When we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth, but nd it in the hearts of men.

Philosophical Story

The Monkey King and the Mangoes

Once upon a time, the Buddha came into the world as a Monkey King and ruled over 80,000 monkeys. He was very tall and strong and had wisdom like the sun. In his kingdom on the banks of the Ganges River, there was a mango tree as big as the moon. The 80,000 monkeys jumped from branch to branch chattering and eating the lovely fruit that was big and sweet and delicious. Sometimes a ripe mango fell into the river. One day, the Monkey King strolled downstream and came upon a river palace where a human king lived. Soon danger will come if the mangoes oat downstream, he told the monkeys. Pick all the mangoes and owers on the trees and take them deep into the forest. But one mango, hidden by a birds nest, was left unseen by the 80,000 monkeys. When it was large and ripe, it fell into the river and oated downstream where the human king was bathing. The human king, who was very curious, tasted the beautiful mango. This is delicious! he exclaimed. I must have more. Servants, nd all the mangoes and bring them to me at once! Deep in the forest, the servants found hundreds of mango trees. In the trees were the 80,000 monkeys. When the human king heard about the monkeys, he was very angry, The monkeys are eating my mangoes. Kill them all! he ordered his archers. Very well, said the archers and chased the monkeys to the edge of the forest where they came to
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a deep cliff. There was no way for the monkeys to escape. Shivering with fright, they ran to the Monkey King asked, What shall we do? Dont be afraid. I will save you, said their king. Quickly, he stretched his huge body as far as possible and made a bridge over the cliff to a bamboo grove on the other side. Come monkeys, run across my back to the bamboo grove, he called. And so the 80,000 monkeys escaped.
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The human king watched all that happened. He was amazed, This Monkey King has risked his life to save his whole troop! And all Im doing is being selsh. I have learned a great lesson. Then he called to his archers, Put down your bows. It isnt right to kill this King of Monkeys. Forgetting about the mangoes, the human king went back to his palace by the river and ruled kindly and wisely for the rest of his life.

Image courtesy: Collection of Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
Lao Tzu

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Schedule of Public Events Jan, Feb, Mar 2014

Photos from World Philosophy Day - 21st Nov 2013

Jan 18: Saturday 6:00 pm [2 hrs], FREE ADMISSION Lecture New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

Martial Arts Fighting your First Enemies

The origin of some of the main Martial Arts traditions is traced to Boddhidharma, a Buddhist Monk who is thought to have brought both Buddhism as well as Martial Arts to Central Asia from Southern India. At rst it may seem paradoxical that a Buddhist Monk would engage in Martial Arts. However, this special practice is primarily a means to developing ones own character. In essence, the First Enemies are the inner vices such as anger and revenge, that handicap a persons ability to truly perceive reality in an objective manner. Of course, physical strength, overall tness, and the capacity for self-defence are signicant additional benets. This presentation will shed light on the function of Martial Arts as an Inner Art for Life, so relevant and valuable in our modern context.
http://www.ickr.com/photos/41189411@N08/3808676204/sizes/o/in/photostream/

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Jan 21: Tuesday 8:00 pm [2 hrs], FREE ADMISSION Lecture BombayConnect. 26 Saint John Baptist Rd, Mt Mary, Bandra (W)

First Time in Bandra at Bombay Connect

Introduction to World of Wisdom Course

Be happier! Live a more meaningful life! Live up to your true potential, and make a real difference in the world around you! At New Acropolis we foster an active and practical approach to Living Philosophy with an acute awareness of the World around us. This Open House gives you the opportunity to learn about the introductory course (beginning 28th Jan 2014, Every Tuesday, 15 Sessions) World of Wisdom where you will learn what it takes to become a true philosopher through a comparative study of the Teachings of the Great Masters of the past.

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Jan 25: Saturday 6:00 pm [2 hrs], FREE ADMISSION Lecture New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

Doomsday, or New Opportunities

With the Mayan calendar coming to an end in the year 2012, some people believed it indicated the coming of the end of the World. But the year 2012 came, and passed. And human civilization continues to thrive, as does our dear planet. Does this mean that the Mayans got it wrong? Does it mean that Doomsday was simply miscalculated? Or could the Mayans have had a far better understanding of Time, recognizing it as cyclic? Perhaps the year 2012 marked only the end of a cycle. Similar cycles of Time are suggested by Plato, as well as by Ancient Indian Scripture. This presentation will explore the challenges and opportunities that each cycle in time offers.
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Jan 28: Tuesday 8:00 pm [2 hrs], FEES APPLY 1st Lecture of New Course BombayConnect. 26 Saint John Baptist Rd, Mt Mary, Bandra (W)

world of wisdom COURSE

First Time in Bandra at Bombay Connect

This course establishes the foundation of every aspiring Philosopher. The curriculum comprises of traditional knowledge, presented as a comparative study of Classical Philosophies, and helps each student to develop a sensitive ability to internalize the fundamental Laws that govern Nature, and Humanity. The course material serves as an introduction to ancient cultures and investigates the origins of humanity a time when the Invisible World was respected, drawing a sense of wonder and esoteric mysticism. New Acropolis strives to preserve this universal heritage, by offering it as an integral part of its scholastic development. Course Duration 15 Sessions : Tuesdays 8:00pm to 10:00pm
PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED 22

Feb 1: Saturday 6:00 pm [2 hrs], FREE ADMISSION Lecture New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

Artist, Dreamer, Warrior A Bridge to the Invisible

Mr. Yaron Barzilay, Director of New Acropolis India, presents a recently launched text authored by his teacher Mr. Pierre Poulain, renowned philosopher, photographer, and Director of New Acropolis Israel. In his book, Poulain suggests that the paths of the Artist, the Dreamer, and the Warrior, when truly understood and practiced, converge to the singular natural way to unite people. Having buried its dreams, he observes that Mankind does not yearn for a proactive life of purpose, but resigns instead to mere survival. But he proposes the existence of a common destiny amongst all peoples, a unity that transcends the political and social models that can be reawakened within our human civilization by nurturing the Timeless Values of Truth, Beauty, Justice and Fraternity.
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Feb 22 & 23: Saturday & Sunday 3:30pm [3 hrs per day], FEES APPLY 2-Day Seminar, Rs2500/New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

Introduction to Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an internal martial art and health exercise based on the ancient Chinese Tao Philosophy. While maintaining overall tness, mental calm and a heightened state of awareness, it is also a unique system of self-defence. Multi-medals winner, Sensei Sandeep Desai, is the rst Indian to be ofcially authorized by Master Zhu Tian Cai to teach traditional Chen Style Tai Chi. At this seminar, he will share with students Joint Loosening Movements, Spinal Stretches, Positive and Negative Circles, and the Tai Chi form Yulu. Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice this unique art form, under guidance and supervision. Limited Seats. Register now, at +919833033239.
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Feb 25: Tuesday 7:30 pm [2 hrs], FREE ADMISSION Lecture New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

Introduction to World of Wisdom Course

Be happier! Live a more meaningful life! Live up to your true potential, and make a real difference in the world around you! At New Acropolis we foster an active and practical approach to Living Philosophy with an acute awareness of the World around us. This Open House gives you the opportunity to learn about the introductory course (beginning 4th Mar 2014, Every Tuesday, 15 Sessions) World of Wisdom where you will learn what it takes to become a true philosopher through a comparative study of the Teachings of the Great Masters of the past.

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Mar 1: Saturday 6:00 pm [2 hrs], FREE ADMISSION Workshop New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

Mysteries of Memory

Is Memory a characteristic of the Human Brain? Or is it an attribute rooted far deeper in the Soul? Is Man in deliberate control over what it commits to memory? Is it possible to remember past lives? This interactive presentation will offer exercises to help investigate how memory works, and the role of memory in the context of spiritual evolution.

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Mar 4: Tuesday 7:30 pm [2 hrs], PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED, Fees Apply 1st Lecture of New Course New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

world of wisdom COURSE 1ST LECTURE

This course establishes the foundation of every aspiring Philosopher. The curriculum comprises of traditional knowledge, presented as a comparative study of Classical Philosophies, and helps each student to develop a sensitive ability to internalize the fundamental Laws that govern Nature, and Humanity. The course material serves as an introduction to ancient cultures and investigates the origins of humanity a time when the Invisible World was respected, drawing a sense of wonder and esoteric mysticism. New Acropolis strives to preserve this universal heritage, by offering it as an integral part of its scholastic development. Course Duration 15 Sessions : Tuesdays 7:30pm to 9:30pm
PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED 27

Mar 8: Saturday 6:00 pm [2 hrs], FREE ADMISSION Lecture New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

Defeating Death: Understanding Immortality

Often taken for granted, or sometimes misunderstood, the concept of Immortality has preoccupied human beings throughout history. Illusively bound within the realm of sequential time, illustrious men and women have sought to immortalize themselves by leaving behind a legacy; sometimes in the form of monuments, sometimes by performing admirable deeds, and often by heroic victories. Yet the concept remains apparently vague due to its intangible nature. Truly understanding the concept of immortality, however, cause a major shift in understanding ourselves, as well as understanding Life and Death - and consequently our role in it.
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Mar 29: Saturday 6:00 pm [2 hrs], FREE ADMISSION Lecture New Acropolis Centre, Colaba

Living with the Gods: Living Mythology

Every civilization through history offers a vibrant collection of stories composed of symbols, mythical creatures, heroes, and personied forces of nature, called gods and goddesses. We nd that ancient peoples truly brought these stories to life, narrating them to children, performing them in mystical theatre, and referring to them in a variety of ceremonies. It is especially interesting to note that ancient civilizations seem to give far less attention to documenting their own History. Why would mythology be given so much more importance than history? What is it about mythology that spoke to the psyche of thriving civilizations of the past? Perhaps within the stories, are hidden clues to understanding more fundamental principles of Life.
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TESTIMONIALS

New Acropolis has immeasurably added to the richness of my life, of my love and gratitude to Life itself. Gratitude for utter joy I experience when certain truths are revealed to me; Truths I sensed and searched for many years. The Truth about Life and its Great Purpose. Zarina Screwvala

New Acropolis has given me a practical means by which to improve the kind of human being I am. Its not just about ideas and intentions. But it is about the ability to truly transform yourself, as the rst step to improving our World. Harianto H Mehta

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EVENT PROMOTION

Every Friday, 7:45 am-9:15 am Fees: 1500/month Venue: New Acropolis Centre, Colaba Krav Maga is an Israeli form of self-defence. It is efcient and focused on real-world situations. The name in Hebrew translates as contact combat. Krav Maga emphasizes threat neutralization and is used by the Israeli Defence Forces and several other law enforcement organizations. Today, we are often surrounded by mindless violence and general sense of lawlessness. It is not hard to imagine being confronted by a situation threatening the life of a fellow human being. This beginner level course, guided by an instructor afliated to The International Krav Maga Federation, will develop efcient self-defence skills to enable participants to protect themselves as well as fellow Mumbaikars. To register, please contact us at info@acropolis.org.in.

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World of Wisdom, From Philosophy to Mystery

r nT

odu

cTory Co urS E
Man and The Cosmos Ancient Egypt & India Mysteries of Tibet Buddhism Confucius Greek Tradition Ancient Rome Stoics Neo-Platonism Plotinus Astrology, Alchemy, Yoga History and Myth

@BombayConnect, Bandra Free Intro - 21 Jan, 8pm Course Starts - 28 Jan, 8pm Refer to pages 20 & 22

@New Acropolis, Colaba Free Intro - 25 Feb, 7.30pm Course Starts - 4 Mar, 7.30pm Refer to pages 25 & 27

+91.22.3192.0515 | info@acropolis.org.in | www.acropolis.org.in