Plato’s Cave and the Shadows We Still See
From the values we inherit to the freedom we can find, and the legacy we can leave In Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, prisoners have spent their entire lives chained inside a dark
Flying Alongside the Buck Moon
Two days ago, life gave me the gift of this moon. It was one night before the Buck Moon. For a few precious minutes, I disappeared into it. As I stared at the moon, I found myself
Our Cup Must Be Empty to Receive
A Zen lesson on the courage to slow down, look inward, and embrace the magic of life There is a famous Zen parable, usually known as “A Cup of Tea,” about Nan-in, a Japanese ma
Thales of Miletus: The First Philosopher, and The First Financier
We often think of economics as beginning with Xenophon (c. 430–354 BCE) and Aristotle (384–322 BCE), with their reflections on oikonomike—the art of managing a household or c
Rethinking Finance Through da Vinci’s Lens
“Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses, especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” — Leonardo da Vin
Contemplation in the Age of Dopamine
Where Ancient Wisdom and Modern Neuroscience Converge Never in history have we been surrounded by so much comfort, stimulation, and possibility, and never have we felt so persisten
A rainy weekend in Bilbao with Einstein’s Theory of Relativity
December 22, 2025 | Bilbao I spent the weekend in my dearest city, Bilbao. Or better, rainy Bilbao. The grey sky did not invite long walks, which turned out to be perfect, as I had
Beyond the Streetlight: Finding the Key to a Better World
There is an old Sufi parable. Nasrudin has lost his key in the darkness of night. He kneels beneath a streetlight, searching carefully on the ground. Another passerby approaches an
Ancient Spiritual Exercises for Modern Times
Part 1: Prosoche – The Art of Attentive Presence Greco-Roman Philosophy was far more than a theoretical pursuit—it was a way of life. A path to inner transformation. A lifelong
Philosophy and Finance: A Love Story
A Love Story. A Story of Agápē. Once, Philosophy and Economics (oikonomikḗ) walked side by side. They questioned the meaning of life, the essence of justice, the nature of the
The Madness We Need: Don Quixote de la Mancha, WeGlad, and the Fight for a Better World
Alonso Quixano may have died, but Don Quixote de la Mancha never will. He rides through the ages, undaunted, reminding us that the true madness is not in dreaming of a better world
Capitalism, Inner Work, and Socratic Wisdom
The starting point for re-imagining capitalism The world stands at a crossroads. As we face unprecedented global challenges — environmental crises, economic inequality, and the f
The Eagle and the Wolf
Once upon a time, a Navajo sage sat down with his grandson to teach him about life. The conversation went as follows: “My soul is a battlefield. On the one hand there is a maje
Inspiring tomorrow’s heroes – to move on the sustainability path from the forked road
Opinions expressed in this article are solely my own. Humanity is at a fork in the road, with supporters of the status quo and sustainability advocates pushing in different directi
Diogenes, Alexander the Great, and the Value of Values
Diogenes and Alexander the Great, the encounter Once upon a time, there was a Cynic Greek philosopher called Diogenes. He was known for his wisdom and unconventional lifestyle. He
Ancient Philosophy and Virtue Ethics. A recipe for personal, social and economic thriving.
Life is a wonderful learning and growing opportunity. When we realize that true inner peace is achieved through introspection and contemplation, instead of consumption and distract
Paule Ansoleaga Abascal
pauleansoleagaabascal@gmail.com
