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Leonardo da Vinci: 500 years after his death his genius shines as bright as ever
Old masters rarely come more venerable (and venerated) and instantly recognisable than Leonardo da Vinci. But to think of Leonardo as an Old Master – with all its connotations of being staid, traditional, somehow old-fashioned and boring – is to do this extraordinary man a grave injustice. There is nothing ...
Why the raising of one’s character is the most supreme form of faith
Christianity says that the course of our lives goes according to arrangements made by God. For non-believers, taking this at face value is tough - as it seems to mean that our struggles in life are meaningless -but we can see the higher truth in this idea if we look at ...
From martial arts to cultivation: A young Italian man’s spiritual journey
Davide, a 22-year-old sociology major from Milan, Italy said his search for a spiritual path began at a young age. His interest in martial arts and meditation finally led him to take up Falun Dafa two years ago. Davide said he has been interested in Asian culture since his early childhood. He ...
The divine proportion – the indecipherable code
“Geometry has two great treasures; one is the Pythagorean theorem; the other, the auric ratio. The first we may compare to a measure of gold; the second we may name a precious jewel.” – Johannes Kepler The newspaper pages that you are reading, the screen of your computer, your credit card, ...
What Elizabeth Bennett can teach us about laughter
Last summer a friend and I made an interesting discovery: we both have “unsocialized laughs.” At least, that’s what another friend bluntly told us. This friend went on to assure us that his observation was not intended as an insult… but we both remain unsure if it really qualifies as a ...
Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto” has seduced audiences since 1808
Beethoven’s music is undeniably profound. Its beautiful complexity inspires a passionate response in all who listen, especially if those listeners are lucky enough to enjoy a live rendition of the brilliant, classical work. Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56, more commonly known as the Triple ...
Discover Renaissance art: Destiny (video)
“Who is the happiest?” is a question that viewers must ponder while admiring the works of the Renaissance artists who painted King Croesus and the sage Solon, and destiny…
The Sistine Chapel ceiling: Renaissance “high art” at its very finest
Ancient European citizens believed that cultural heritage was a precious treasure, bestowed upon us from the heavens. Western art reached its apex during the Renaissance, when Rome – city of churches, palaces, the pope, and high culture – became the unequivocal heart of fine art. Rome houses numerous Renaissance masterpieces depicting ...
The 29-year-old entrepreneur who started a refugee rescue mission under the nose of the Nazis
Winton successfully organized the evacuation and foster care assignment of 669 Czech Jewish children. Think starting up your dream business is a daunting task? Imagine going straight from being on vacation to starting up a complex refugee rescue mission under the nose of the Nazis—with no prior experience and no preparation. That was ...
Did you know that men and women are complementary by nature?
Men and women are complementary by nature. The characteristics that are commonly associated with the feminine and masculine genders derive from the Yin and Yang concept and are said to maintain a balance. When their qualities are inverted, the recipients might feel dissatisfied and unhappy without being aware of the possible ...
A 1913 prescription for ‘Toxic Masculinity’
If recent headlines are any indication, it seems that masculinity is destined to be the word of the year. Between shaving commercials, official guidelines from the American Psychological Association, and viral videos depicting “disrespectful” teen boys, the idea of what it means to be a decent man has become rather ...
Explore the centuries-old castles termed the ‘living fossils’ of ancient Chinese architecture.
Nestled into the tropical mountain landscape of South East China's Fujian Province, lie ancient mansions of breathtaking architectural beauty. Together they cluster to create compounds of impressive and impenetrable fortresses. Built by the Hakka people from the mountain region of Fujian between the 12th to 20th centuries, these ancient dwellings served ...
How classic cartoons created a culturally literate generation
I recently picked up Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court for the first time. Finding the plot rather amusing, I began relaying it to my father over the weekend. Because he had never read the book, I was rather surprised when he began asking informed questions about ...
What did “Hollywood’s most elegant lady,” Audrey Hepburn, say about beauty and happiness?
Audrey Hepburn was one of the most influential fashion and beauty icons of the 20th century. Contrary to the overt seductiveness and sexuality of her modern-day contemporaries, Audrey Hepburn trod a harmonious line between elegant fashion, demure spirit, and lively personality. What did the Hollywood star say about beauty and ...
Long before the Covington incident, Orwell revealed the truth about hate
If the media is “creating and fomenting” anger, this is only part of a bigger story. It may be time to take a lesson from '1984', the political allegory by George Orwell. What could be a better story for a media devoid of “journalistic ethics” than a group of Catholic high ...
The deep connection between tea and spirituality (Video)
Do you know that there is a deep connection between tea and spirituality? According to the ancients, during the ‘tea ceremony’ people could find the deeper meaning within themselves. Tea can trace back its origin to China and has accompanied its ancient civilization for about 5000 years. However, the most significant aspects ...
Salmon, the sea, and the meaning of life (Video)
Every four years, in October, millions of salmon swim upstream from the Pacific Ocean to lay eggs in the Adams River. The river is the headwater of the tranquil Fraser River in Canada. The silvery salmon, upon making it all the way upstream, turn bright red, covering the entire surface ...
A sinking ship and soaring hearts: two lesser-known love stories from the tragic Titanic
When circumstances force couples to separate, we feel that their love is eternal. Just think of on-screen lovers Jack and Rose on the sinking Titanic, over 100 years ago. On this Valentine’s Day, we share two beautiful stories from the very same tragic episode that exemplify eternal love. On the night ...
The loyalty of the woman weaves an eternal love story (Video)
The tragic love story of Wang Baochuan of the Tang Dynasty has been passed down in China from generation to generation. Her perseverance and loyalty have touched the hearts of many. Near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in southern Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, there is a desolate cave with three Chinese characters ...
Love and respect your elders: the story of Cleobis and Biton
The Archaic Greek Kouros brothers Cleobis and Biton were famous for their filial piety: a virtue of respect for one’s parents. The brothers’ remarkable story and the sacrifices they made for their beloved mother have been depicted by several artists of the Renaissance. Cleobis and Biton were the sons of a ...
