From A Dream To Legacy by Jacob Palaparambil examines the transformative journey of St. John Bosco, guided by a profound dream he experienced at the age of nine. Rooted in Don Bosco's Preventive System, the book frames this dream as a guiding framework for addressing contemporary challenges through love, reason, and empathetic understanding, countering violence and discord. With a rich array of perspectives - scriptural, theological, ethical, psychological, and pedagogical - the book underscores the dream's timeless significance. It explores its historical context, its contributions to virtue ethics, and its profound implications for leadership and peacebuilding. Prioritizing action over contemplation, the book inspires readers to embrace a vision of transformative love and grace. It calls for a commitment to shaping societies where compassion prevails, and human potential aligns with divine purpose.
Jacob Palaparambil, is a Salesian priest belonging to the Province of St Francis Xavier, Mumbai. He has a Master's Degree in Philosophy and Journalism. He also has an Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration (IIBM, Delhi). He completed his Doctorate in Philosophy from the Salesian Pontifical University, Rome. Currently he is the Registrar and Lecturer at Divyadaan: Salesian Institute of Philosophy, Nashik. He has written many articles and authored three books entitled: Expounding the Philosophical Argument of 'Private Language'; Real to Reel: Unwrapping the Portrayal of Women in Indian Television Mega Serials; and Person in Sankara Vedanta: The Work of Richard De Smet. These written works are fruits of his interest in Philosophy and Journalism.
The journey of St. John Bosco, illuminated by the profound dream he experienced at the tender age of nine, serves as a compelling narrative of psycho-social-spiritual integration. This dream was not an isolated incident; it was the cornerstone of his transformative vocation. A vision so extraordinary that it transcended the mundane, establishing itself as the defining moment of his life and setting him on a path as an agent of transformative change among the youth.
The year 2024 commemorates the bicentenary of this transformative dream, a momentous landmark in the annals of the Salesian mission that has sparked global reflection and celebration. In this context, Divyadaan: Salesian Institute of Philosophy convened a multidisciplinary seminar to explore the profound legacy of Don Bosco's dream. This publication emerges as the fruit of that seminar, offering both an intellectual homage and a contemplative exploration of the dream that remains a guiding beacon for the Salesian mission's ongoing journey.
At the heart of this dream lies a rich metaphorical tapestry of transformation. The wolves, emblematic of raw, untamed energy, are transfigured into gentle sheep a metaphor not for eradication but for metamorphosis. This transformation is not annihilation but an elevation: the primal potential of the wolf is integrated with the purity and gentleness of the sheep. The predator's harshness and the lamb's vulnerability are refined into a harmonious entity. It represents a process of integration, where negatives are transcended, virtues distilled, and opposites reconciled to embody the best of both natures.
This narrative of transformation resonates deeply in a fractured world marred by violence and discord. The Majestic Man's message in Don Bosco's dream, ""Not with blows, but with loving-kindness,"" reverberates as a universal call to counter violence with love and darkness with light. It challenges us to recognize the potential for goodness within every 'wolf' to believe in the possibility of redemption, and to respond to modern-day complexities with hope and a commitment to reconciliation.
The prophetic nature of Don Bosco's dream transcends his personal narrative, beckoning us to imagine a world aligned with divine aspirations. What would our families, communities, and societies look like if they mirrored God's vision for humanity? This profound question invites introspection and compels us to act with compassion and purpose, embracing a transformative vision for personal and collective growth.
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