Wabi sabi (侘寂) is a world view rooted in Zen Buddhism that believes that life is made of three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect. Thus, this philosophy proposes that everything that exists – including humans, nature and objects – is authentic in nature and its beauty cannot be replicated. …
Music is an essential component of life for many of us. Depending on the tune, music can make us feel joyful, melancholy, playful or bold. Yet scientists have discovered that music not only affects our mood, but also our abilities. Several experiments have shown that classical music, particularly the music of Mozart, enhances everything from…
“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference” Epictetus Born a slave in about A.D. 55 in Heirapolis, Phrygia (present day Pamukkale, Turkey) Epictetus was a Greek philosopher who favored simple language and practical lessons over clever…
The Shang Dynasty (1556 – 1046 BC) was the first dynasty in traditional Chinese history to be supported by archeological findings. It replaced the Xia Dynasty, a semi-legendary regime, when its last king, Jie, was said to have become immoral, tyrannical, and lascivious. It was Cheng Tang who overthrew Jie, becoming the first king of…
It is common to hear the phrase Nán zūn nǚ bēi (男尊女卑), which in modern times has been interpreted as “male superior, female inferior.” However, this idiom dates back thousands of years to ancient China, a time when traditional Chinese characters harbored different and deeper meanings. When the traditional Chinese language was replaced by Simplified…
