In today’s fast-paced society, the challenge of being present has become increasingly significant. Philosophy offers a pathway to navigate these challenges, enabling individuals to develop inner tools and explore their potential. New Acropolis Main centre hosted a talk on 26 October 2024, titled “The Art of Being Present : Wisdom from Haiku poetry” to explore how this Japanese form can help us cultivate presence.
Known for its brevity and depth, Haiku encourages a focus on the essential, allowing practitioners to sift through distractions and engage meaningfully with the moment. This poetic form prompts introspection, urging individuals to look beyond surface-level interpretations and explore the deeper nature of existence.
The speakers shared how the essence of Haiku lies in its present perfect tense, emphasizing the importance of the now. Much like the disciplined focus of a Samurai, the practice cultivates concentration, enabling a clearer perception of actions and their significance. This discipline can help foster a sense of unity with the world, shifting perspectives from individual separation to interconnectedness.
Through the talk the speakers proposed embracing frameworks—be it through art, meditation, or concentration exercises—allowing individuals to cultivate order and discipline across all areas of life. Life and art are intertwined; to nurture one is to nurture the other. In a short exercise, participants were invited to write a Haiku, balancing creative expression with the core principles of the form.
