The Gamma Tao is a basic and positive philosophy of life. The aim of the Gamma Tao is to develop a wisdom mindset. Such a Gamma mindset is like a sunflower always facing upwards towards the sun in order to make the best of all possible circumstances. The Gamma Tao is rooted in common sense and open(-minded) towards all wisdom traditions of humanity, whether it is science, philosophy or religion.
Even though the Gamma Tao is a lower path laying at the foot of the greater and higher wisdom traditions, it is a challenging path. For most of us (and that includes me) it is difficult to develop a wisdom mindset. One thing is to stay focused on the positive side of life, but if we really want to become wise, we also need to confront our shadows.
Lambda (λ) Shadows
A human personality can have many shadow sides. We are probably not even fully aware of all of them. The Gamma Tao concentrates on three basic shadows:
the Lambda (λ) Shadows.
These shadows are part of the “Lambda Path“, a symbolic shadow beneath the Gamma Tao.
The λ-Shadows are:
- Greed: Greed arises when we are attracted to something and we desire more than our fair share.
- Hate: Hate arises when we are repulsed by something and we develop a negative obsession towards it.
- Ignorance: Ignorance arises when we close our mind for new insights and perspectives.
The Three Poisons
The λ-Shadows correspond more or less with the Three Poisons (or “kleshas”) in Buddhism. These kleshas are considered to be the roots of all mental afflictions. In Buddhist iconography they are often depicted as a rooster (greed), a snake (hate) and a pig (ignorance).
In order to attain enlightenment these three poisons need to be eradicated completely.
Nothing in Excess
Since the Gamma Tao is only a basic beginner’s path the stakes are not so high. Attractions and repulsions are natural and necessary fluctuations of our minds. These emotions make us move. In fact we need these emotions to determine what is valuable in our lives. On the Gamma Tao we should only avoid to fall into shadows of excessive behaviour. Greed is excessive attraction and Hate is excessive repulsion.
(Just) Proportion is one of the three basic values of the Gamma Tao, as it was in Ancient Greece. Meden Agan (μηδὲν ἄγαν) or “Nothing in Excess” was a famous maxim written on the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.
Ignorance can be both a virtue and a shadow. The Oracle of Delphi considered Socrates the wisest man of his age, because he was the only man in Ancient Greece aware that fundamentally he did not know anything. Ignorance becomes excessive when we believe that we already know and close our minds for new insights and perspectives.
Metaphysics
Our shadows have their origins in our subconscious mind. They are mostly based on Fear, a deep existential fear rooted in our biology. Our subconscious mind is mysterious territory, formed by collective and personal traits and experiences.
If our shadows are rooted in our subconscious mind, our virtues may be part of it as well. Studies of animal behaviour by Frans de Waal show signs of compassion in animals. Our virtues are often necessary for survival.
Our deeper motivations may also be inspired by a mysterious supra-conscious mind, formed by universal principles that go beyond human comprehension.
Metaphysical ideas like these go beyond the Gamma Tao, but it can be useful to speculate about these things. In order to develop a wisdom mindset we do need to learn as much as we possibly can about the nature of the human mind.
Also here we can quote a famous Delphic maxim: Know Thyself (γνῶθι σεαυτόν or gnōthi seauton).
Neuroscience is making much progress nowadays, but how impressive pictures of brain scans may look, these coloured psychographics do not yet make us much wiser. The so-called “hard problem” of consciousness is still unresolved. In fact, we are no way near any explanation of how consciousness arises, let alone our subconscious (and, for that matter, any form of supra-consciousness).
There is still much to learn about the nature of our mind and how we can use that knowledge to build a wisdom mindset. As they always have, the great wisdom traditions can help us here. Their insights, techniques and practices are based on hundreds and sometimes even thousands years of human experience.
Symbolism
The Gamma Tao is inspired by all these wisdom traditions. Just like these traditions the Gamma Tao uses symbolism. The symbolic picture above this post can be used as a simple model that encourages and reminds us to conquer the λ-Shadows ignorance, hatred and greed and to practice the γ-values of gratitude and compassion in a just proportion.
The Gamma Tao is an alternative way to present perennial values that everybody already knows inside. It does not replace any wisdom tradition. On the contrary, it reinforces their foundations. The Gamma Tao is only basic and therefore ultimately even stimulates the practice of these higher paths. On the road to wisdom we need all good signs and directions that are available to guide us.
Merit
From a Gamma perspective the three λ-Shadows are no cardinal sins or part of negative karma. Principles of cosmic justice may exist and they may even be helpful to encourage ethical behaviour, but they are beyond the Gamma Tao.
Hope for rewards or fear for punishment are not part of the Gamma Tao. A Gamma wisdom mindset is compassionate and grateful by its own merit and with a just proportion of detachment.
“Sun seeding”
If we want to acquire a wisdom mindset we cannot allow λ-shadows to be present in our minds. We need to work on our shadow sides. We can enlighten them by “sun seeding” practice.
The practice of “sun seeding” is part of the sun flower symbolism of the Gamma Tao. The sun flower is to the Gamma Tao, what the lotus flower is to Buddhism.
The sunflower seed stands for the present moment: the Now.
The light and dark spots on the shell of the sunflower seed indicate the good and bad conditions we face in the present moment.
An “entangled” sunflower seed is also visible on the Lambda Path. This indicates that in many moments of our life we have a choice to enter either the Gamma Tao or the Lambda Path.
The sunflower seed inside the shell is our actual potential. If we want to make good use of this potential, we need to go for the Gamma Tao. Only on the Gamma Tao our potential can symbolically grow into a sunflower and catch the light.
“Sun seeding” consists of all the practices that help us in that right direction. They can come from established wisdom traditions, but also from self-help books or other unexpected sources. They can also be invented on the spot. “Sun seeding” cannot be a fixed set of practices, because we are all different. The main criteria is that they actually work. Meditation is certainly an important part of it, but in the end action in real life is the main practice.
Faith
Continuous “sun seeding” practice can transform our mind in such a way that we conquer our inner fears and develop some kind of faith.
In the first place this will be the faith to face the next step in our lives.
Ultimately “sun seeding” practice may reinforce the Faith required for higher paths beyond the Gamma horizon.
