Category Archives: Interfaith

Interfaith Harmony 2020

Interfaith, Rituals, ,

This week the UN Interfaith Harmony Week is observed for the 10th consecutive year. All over the world people with different religious backgrounds are invited to hold interfaith events and reach out to each other.

The Interfaith Harmony Week is supported by major interfaith organisations, like the Parliament of the World’s Religions and the United Religions Intiative (URI).

Since one of the objectives of the Gamma Tao is to build bridges and create more harmony among religions and life philosophies I fully support this initiative. Last year I proposed to exchange or offer sunflower seeds as a symbolic act during these interfaith encounters. In my enthusiasm I even submitted this idea to the platform of the World Interfaith Harmony Week. 

It was just an idea and not a real event, so it did not qualify.

I still believe it is a nice and simple symbolic idea that could help to increase the awareness of the Interfaith Harmony Week.

Also the interfaith movement needs some rituals.

Anyway, I really hope this tradition will grow.

Silent γ at the PoWR

Events, Interfaith,

The γ of the Gamma Tao is a silent consonant. The γ does not need to be pronounced, just like the silent H (or H muet). Its basic values gratitude, compassion and just proportion are not unique and can be found in most wisdom traditions. In this spirit I represented the Gamma Tao last week at the Parliament of the World’s Religions.

Only on a few occasions I gave my “non business card” to others. These were in fact the same old cards I had made especially for the Parliament of 2015. I did not personally attend the Parliament in Salt Lake City, but as a small sponsor unexpectedly I was offered some promotional opportunities there.

At that time I felt strongly about a mission to heal religions so that religions may help to heal the world. Nowadays I am much more humble and focus on my personal path.

When someone at the Parliament asked me about my affiliation, I replied that I represented a personal religion, but more than that I felt affiliated to all wisdom traditions that were present in Toronto. The Parliament itself feels very much like my spiritual home.

So many things came together in Toronto. I am very glad that this time I had the opportunity to join. I was touched by many speakers at the Parliament, regardless of their affiliation. It was great to hear some of my favourites again, like Karen Armstrong, Vandana Shiva and Tu Weiming.

I was deeply impressed by the wisdom of the indigenous traditions that were represented at the Parliament. Other speakers that made an impact on me were among others Arun Gandhi, Chidanand Saraswati, James Lawson Jr., Ebook Patel, Ingrid Mattson, David Rosen and last but not least Larry Greenfield, the executive director of the Parliament.

Several speakers were even more impressive in their deeds than in their words.

In between the speeches and especially during the Sacred Music Concert there were great music and dance performances. I am particularly glad that I learned about the “Prayer of the Mothers, sung by Yael Deckelbaum, which became an anthem for the March of Hope, lead by “Women Wage Peace”.

In preparation of Golden Rule Day 2019 there was a very cheerful session that made everyone sing and dance. The presentation of the Commitment to a Culture of Sustainability and Care for the Earth that has been added to the Global Ethic of the Parliament was an important official moment. This declaration can be signed by everyone here.

In a time that religions – often for good reasons – get a lot of bad press, the Parliament brings out the best from all these wisdom traditions. One of the speakers even called the Parliament of the World’s Religions the Parliament of the World’s Wisdom.

I could not agree more. There was no need for an aspirated γ. The spirit of the Gamma Tao seemed to be manifest in the Parliament itself.

Presentation video

Interfaith, , , ,

This is a short video that explains the basics of the gamma way.

I made it for for the Interfaith Exhibit space at the Parliament of World’s Religions that will take place in Salt Lake City later this week.

The Parliament of the World’s Religions has a history that goes back to 1893 and was created “to cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world”.

I would have loved to go to Salt Lake City, listen to inspiring talks and attend several of its interesting workshops and meetings. It seems to be the perfect occasion to meet like-minded people, learn from various religious traditions around the world and in the meantime also get some valuable feedback, inspiration and suggestions for this website.

Even though I will not be able to be in Salt Lake City, I am very grateful that unexpectedly I got the opportunity to contribute something to the Interfaith Exhibit at the Parliament of World’s Religions.

The Interfaith Exhibit is organised by four organisations working together: Charter for Compassion International, Wisdom Circle, United Religions Initiative and North American Interfaith Network.

The gamma symbol provides me with a common ground to face all religions with an open mind. I hope the Parliament of World’s Religions will be able to provide all religions with a common ground to face the challenges of our times.