Three years ago, on the day of Summer Solstice, I started this website. It may not be perfect and it does not attract many visitors, but for me at least it is one of the most promising wisdom projects available. I often wish I could spend more time on it.
The Gamma Tao has become my playground. I feel that it gives me some “right to play”. More than ever I am actively looking for wisdom and inspiration. I want to learn from the great minds of our age, read their books, listen to their talks, whatever their backgrounds may be.
As a Gamma guy, I do not belong to a particular camp. Some people would frown if they knew all the speakers I have listened to in the past three years. These speakers themselves would probably also be “bien étonnés de se trouver ensemble”.
I like to hear many different perspectives and do not mind whether new insights come from scientists, philosophers or spiritual teachers.
One of the highlights of my wisdom journey so far was the HowTheLightGetsIn Festival in Hay-on-Wye that I attended only a few weeks ago. It advertises itself as the world’s biggest festival of philosophy and music.
I felt at home immediately. While queuing for the first event, I already spotted Antonia Macaro. Since I wrote a blogpost on her book More than happiness, I took the chance to say hello. I was also pleasantly surprised that all speakers received a sunflower.
Maybe the most inspiring thought came from the name of the festival itself. It comes from a line in the Leonard Cohen song Anthem:
“Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in”.
You can listen to this song here.
This phrase teaches you to have an open mind. Nothing is perfect.
It really reflected the atmosphere of the debates at the festival. Often debaters do not really listen to what others have to say. They are only waiting to find something they can disagree on to make their own points. The debates at the festival were not at all like that. They were mostly interesting exchanges of ideas.
Also the Gamma Tao is no perfect offering. During the past three years it has been continuously evolving, like a beta-version.
Three years ago, the gamma way started with a basic theoretical symbol. The Gamma Tao now also has an active form. Wisdom consists of reflection and action. Vita contemplativa has been complemented with vita activa.
Compared to the great traditions, the Gamma Tao remains a lower, initial path. Not a path that on its own leads to perfect wisdom, if that is even possible. The circle (or ensō) of the Gamma itself has a crack.
Spiritual enlightenment or salvation belong to the higher paths.
On the way back from the festival, I took the chance to visit Stonehenge. Each year thousands of people gather at Stonehenge to celebrate Summer Solstice at sunrise.
Archeologists suggest that in prehistoric times Stonehenge has been a place of celebration and worship at the time of Winter and Summer Solstice for thousands of years. This is based on the way the light gets into the monument on these days.
During my trip I paid the hosting costs for this website. The Gamma Tao will remain live online for at least another three years.
May the light of wisdom get in. In you, in me and the whole of humanity.
Happy Summer Solstice!