Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Masonic Education and the Mystic Spirituality of Freemasonry
Worshipful Master, Distinguished East, Brethren
I’d like to talk with you tonight about Masonic Education and the Mystic Spirituality of Freemasonry.
The Grand Master’s Levee on the 24th of March was, by all accounts, a great success. For those who missed it, you missed a wonderful day of meaningful Masonic Education.
The guest speaker for the event was celebrated Masonic author and educator WBro. Cliff Porter, a renowned homicide detective from Colorado Springs.
Bro. Porter spoke with great enthusiasm about the Secret Psychology of Freemasonry which is covered in his book of the same title. The things he spoke about are increasingly relevant and valuable for the Craft as we are experiencing somewhat of resurgence in Light Seekers and seem to be on the cusp of another age of Masonic Enlightenment.
In my opinion there are two things about our Ancient Craft which seem to ebb and flow in an endless cycle; membership and Masonic Education. There are many factors both within and without the Craft which contribute to this, but what is important is that as we experience a swelling of our ranks by Good Men seeking Enlightenment it becomes ever more important for us to be best able and prepared to impart our knowledge to them. They hunger for knowledge and we must feed them. They thirst and we must share our cup and bid them drink the waters of Truth and Light. However with this resurgence, comes the time for us to guard well the West Gate and ensure that we weigh petitioners cautiously upon the scale of quality not quantity.
Bro. Porter spoke about the mystical, spiritual and psychological aspects of our Ancient Order. It pains me to say, but I’m sure you’ll agree that these are areas in which we often lack understanding and participation. These are the elements of Freemasonry that have become almost taboo as we strive to ensure humankind that we are not a religion. No, brethren, we are not. But the very foundations of our Craft are to be found in the diverse multitude of religions, belief systems and schools of thought of throughout the ages; particularly the initiatic Mystery Religions.
In the degree that we just worked here this evening, the initiates were told that our fraternity is based upon three great principles Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. We find it easy to understand the first two but what do we really know of the third, Truth?
Some aspects of our Craft we are not apt to explore, past what is written of them in our ritual. Truth is one of them. Things that are exoteric and in plain sight we are adept at understanding. But the hidden meanings behind our symbols and rites are not explored. The exoteric is easy to impart to our brethren. But it’s the inner mystic messages that we sometimes don’t communicate. The tutelage of our initiates cannot stop at the Chart Lecture, when there is so much more to ponder and explore.
Freemasonry is so much more than dressing up in our fancy dress, eloquently presenting motions and reports, memorizing ritual and saluting sharply at the altar. Every move we make, every word we speak, every symbol we present and every one of the 5 senses that we stimulate is meant to have a subconscious spiritual and psychological effect. We have all likely felt it whilst kneeling at the Sacred Altar of Freemasonry. But how many of us can honestly say that we have felt it at every meeting? It is that experience which makes good men better; not a business meeting and an egg sandwich. Some Masons may never feel that sacred, spiritual and psychological euphoria. But it is our duty to facilitate them through setting the right atmosphere and setting for sub-conscious personal enlightenment.
Unfortunately my brethren, Masonry is oft times presented in a very mechanical manner; with emphasis on business, bills, protocol, memorization, and floor work. These things are all essential but there is so much more that we need to share with each other. Many young masons are discouraged to find that if they wish to Seek More Light past what is inculcated in the ritual, they must do so on their own and keep it to themselves. Many wait patiently expecting to hear profound and enlightening lectures from wise brethren and are disheartened to find that it never comes.
That is where the importance of bona fide Masonic Education is paramount. And Masonic Education is more than having the same tiresome lectures on protocol, floor work or history. All essential subjects I agree, but certainly lacking in substantive enlightenment. I believe it is also essential for a lodge to have a structured Mentorship Program with appointed dedicated Brethren to impart the knowledge that we sometimes wrongfully assume is being passed on to our initiates. At each advancement, the particulars of each degree should be discussed with the initiates in an informal brief-back setting where questions can be freely asked and answered. This would also be the time to talk about Masonic Etiquette, floorwork, customs and protocol relevant to the degree so that the new brother does not need to figure it out off-the cuff by merely mimicking others without understanding why. Perhaps we assume that we cover all the bases or that someone is tending to these needs. But more often than not, I’m afraid, we assume wrong. There are brethren who are willing to take on this role. All we have to do is ask them. There is a fully functional Mentorship Program in use in our jurisdiction and perhaps we misunderstand the benefits of using it.
And of course, it is oft said, “There is no better Masonic Education than degree work”. Although that statement is used veritably in most contexts, I often disagree with how easily it is said. To me it is often rhetoric-a catch-phrase- sometimes merely an excuse to justify why the symbolisms of those degrees are not expounded upon discussed or revisited for the Good of The Craft and its initiates. Memorising ritual does not imply that the presenter truly understands it. Flawless floor work does not imply a true understanding of why each step, sign, token and grip has had significance to Masons throughout the ages, past the plain-sight moral lessons that they represent. It is the deeper meanings of our symbolism and allegory that make us truly better men. It is that Mystic Tie that sets us apart from mere service organizations and clubs.
For those who may desire seek more Light in the higher Degrees I strongly encourage you to so. In both the York and Scottish Rites there are many more lessons to be learned and symbolism to explore. But before doing so, I challenge you to take the time to truly explore the Craft Degrees which we work here in this lodge. These are the most important degrees as they are the most Ancient and are the building blocks upon which the entire Masonic system built. Read a book on the symbols of our craft, talk to wise brethren over coffee, take the time to contemplate the degrees, write a paper or poem to present to your lodge, put it to music and bring along your guitar. There are so many things about the Craft Degrees that can be explored and expounded upon.
Masonry is not about holding offices, being in charge, wearing fancy regalia and badges of office. Those are necessities for the Rule and Governance of the Craft-but none of which make a man anymore enlightened than if he sat in the back row and truly experienced Masonry year after year. In fact, some of the most amazing and enlightened brethren the Craft has ever seen have not held one single office.
. In closing I would like to quote a well used Masonic maxim for your consideration
“You will only get out of Masonry what you put into it”
And while that is true, I challenge us all to look at it from a slightly different perspective:
“You will only get out of Masonry what you put of it, into yourself”
You will only get out of Masonry what you put of it, into yourself- truly, brethren that’s the great secret of Truth in our Craft; to know and be true to thyself.
For that, individually, is what makes us all better men and thereby, collectively, the greatest fraternity that the world has ever seen.
So mote it be .'.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)