Dear Reader,

The times we are living through are in many ways unprecedented. Across the globe, individuals, communities and nations are grappling with the quickly-evolving circumstances. Old forms and things we used to take for granted have ceased to be plausible to lean on, and we have had to find solutions quickly.It brings to mind the opening lines of a classic of English literature, written at a different time and alluding to different circumstances, yet not irrelevant to today:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

While we will all agree quickly that this is certainly not remotely the best of times,the scale and pace of the changing circumstances has meant that a wide range of human experiences and emotions have converged at the same time -uncertainty, confusion to varying degrees, difficulty at the physical and psychological levels, incredulity, a sense of urgency to act or paralysis due to a sense of helplessness, anxiety and hope.

Regardless of where we are, or our backgrounds until now, one thing the times are calling for from each of us is for a Response. Philosophically speaking, regardless of the exact nature of circumstances, the best response, individually and collectively, is to Build Strength. To strengthen ourselves in the best of times and in the worst of times. And as difficult as the current times are, strength is forged through the tests of time and circumstances. May we all find the strength to find the right response!

We have brought out this special single-month edition (April 2020) of ACROPOLIS magazine with the goal that its contents will inspire and strengthen you with philosophical tools and perspectives. May the keys of authentic human connection, trust, keeping the centre and connection to nature contained in the different sections of this edition help you build the strength to face these times and emerge victorious, together.

Wishing you Strength and Good Health,

Anand Baskaran

Editor -ACROPOLIS

Click Here to download a free complimentary copy.