Mandalas, as complex symbols, originated in the cultural tradition of tantric Buddhism, but the fundamental idea of the mandala is not solely limited to the Far East. It is present in the architecture, art, and philosophy of all cultures throughout human history, making the concept of connecting the divine and human worlds into a harmonious … Read more
Looking at it purely scientifically, the Moon, an indispensable adornment of romantic moments, is merely a huge lifeless mass orbiting the Earth. However, for humans in the past, the Moon had a multiple role: it was not only a precious light for the nocturnal traveler, but the regular rhythm of the Moon’s phases formed the … Read more
The smoke from Mount Fuji swirls in the wind, scattering in the sky. Where is the tranquility of my thoughts that go with it? Poet-hermit Saigyo (1118-1190) Japanese culture is based on a deep respect for nature. Phenomena in nature were the ones that awakened the artistic sensibility of Japanese artists, and the sacred mountain … Read more
uch a widespread use of digital technologies has seemingly enabled greater connectivity among people, but at the same time, it has facilitated the emergence of the modern Narcissus, a self-centered individual who is dependent on their smartphone and the opinions of others. How can we rid ourselves of these illusions? The figure of Narcissus comes … Read more
The idea of the soul has shaped the West and its greatest minds for millennia. Today, in scientific discourse, the concept of the soul is avoided and replaced with the term “self”. However, self-optimization leads us in a different direction from the development of the soul. A self-centered individual leads to a different society than … Read more
(15th April 1452 – 2nd May 1519) Leonardo da Vinci is one of the greatest geniuses in history. In his famous notebooks, he recorded his thoughts, sketches of paintings, descriptions of experiments, anatomical, architectural, and technical drawings. Contemporary authors, studying Leonardo da Vinci’s notes and methodology, have identified seven life principles that are contained in … Read more
The Renaissance, a time of revival of all values worthy of man, a reawakening of dormant ideas about the cosmos and man, about the beauty and meaning of science, art, politics, and religion. Is the Earth round? How do planets move? How to achieve depth on a painting canvas? How to create an ideal city? … Read more
1976, at the age of seventy-nine, after a lifetime of serving in the British army, where he held high positions and mingled with presidents and kings, General John Bagot Glubb, known as Glubb Pasha, wrote a short but insightful essay about the life cycle of empires titled The Fate of Empires. In this little book, … Read more
What distinguishes a floating log from a ship made of the same wood is that the ship has oars and can sail against the current. N. Sri Ram I heard these words from Sri Ram in my distant youth. This sentence was not part of his lectures, and I do not know if it is … Read more
We often talk about stars, planets, animals, the sky, the earth, water, snow, but we forget the true meaning and significance of the word Universe. Man wonders about the overall nature to which he himself belongs, but usually loses sight of the basic idea that the question refers to. The word Universe denotes what strives … Read more
