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Hi and welcome to the podcast for Solomon staircase.
Masonic lodge, number 357, where we talk about all things related
with Freemasonry including hermetic teachings.
Philosophy reason spirituality and much more we're located in
Buena Park. Southern California, tuned in as
we continue to update our podcast with informative talks
and articles for Mason's worldwide.
And those who would like to inquire within The following
article is from the October 2006, fraternal review.
How does Freemasonry add value to our lives by Tim Bryce, past
master? Undoubtedly, the most visible
benefit associated with Freemasonry is the Friendship,
morality and brotherly. Love.
We learn simply by attending Lodge and interacting with the
members. It is not unusual for Freemasons
to develop lifelong, friendships and bonds with other Mason's.
This should not be surprising as the fraternity represents a
society. Consisting of men with common
interests and such commonality is comforting to us all aside
from this. How does Freemasonry add value
to our lives? Frankly there are several Ways
we are affected personally and professionally by our
participation. In the fraternity, some examples
socialization skills through the structured, decorum of our
formal meetings and the informality of others, we learn
to respect, cooperate, participate in network, with
other people. In other words, it influences
our behavior in terms of how we interact with our neighbors
friends, co-workers, customers and vendors.
This tends to make us more socially adjusted and proactive
in our communities and companies.
Speaking and memorization skills are catechisms and degree work.
Although trying to times helps sharpen our brains as well as
our tongues. Although our terminology may
seem somewhat archaic. It is useful for improving one's
vocabulary. Further returning catechisms and
delivering degrees and lectures helps overcome the human fear of
audiences and materially assist in making us better public
speakers. Something that is particularly
needed in our professional lives regardless of our occupation.
Dress again because of the decorum of our meetings, we
learned the value of dressing appropriately to cultivate a
positive image. I have met several brothers who
have cleaned up their act simply by their association with the
fraternity. Thereby turning a slovenly image
into one that is more positive and Professional Organization
and Leadership for those members who become Lodge officers.
It is not uncommon to learn basic organization and
Leadership skills, such as planning and scheduling managing
records and finances. Building maintenance.
And persuasion. All of this is useful to us in
both our personal and professional lives history.
As the world's oldest fraternal organization.
We impress, the need for customs and traditions on all of our
members. But beyond this, many basins
become fascinated with our history and learn to research
and write on a variety of subjects related to the
fraternity Mason's. Therefore, appreciate the
lessons of history and develop effective writing skills which
also help us in the outside world.
Volunteerism. Our philanthropy is legendary
and it is impressed on every Mason to help others as
generously as their ability permits, aside from the monies,
we donate Mason's learn to volunteer their time to assist
others. Knowing if they help another
they may expect assistance from others in return.
This concept alone is in sharp contrast to today's dog-eat-dog
corporate culture. Basically Mason's learn a little
kindness, can go a long way. Negotiation skills, in order to
persuade people to move in a specific Direction.
Lodge officers must learn how to negotiate with others.
Such skills are vital, not only in our professional lives, but
also in our personal lives as well.
The following article is from the October 2006, fraternal
review, the nature of masonry by Jerry W.
Carter. The third, what is masonry
really? Is it simply immense eating and
drinking glove or is it something more significant?
How could 18th century masonry? Be understood by Mason's then or
now, as not much more than an innocuous men's club.
This perspective is the source of a nagging question for some
contemporary Masons, can it really be taken seriously?
It seems inconceivable that Mason's could step back from a
past of high standards, divine inspiration and intellectual
preeminence to become an inconsequential and self-serving
social organization. Masonry without doubt was once
the most productive, informative human force in the destiny of
mankind. When the Reverend dr.
James Anderson published The Constitution's of the Freemasons
in 1723, the idea began to emerge that Masonic bodies were
only men's eating and drinking clubs, rather than accept that
as We might wonder whether it was not an exaggerated criticism
intended to hide the serious work of masonry.
Whether it was a criticism or not, that appears to apply to
present-day masonry. How often have we heard great
food trumpeted as the only description of a Mist lodge
meeting there. Appears indeed to be a glaring
incongruities between masonry of the past.
And what masonry is today it appears to some to be little
more than a Social Club for Men were easy.
Charity is exercised investment in the future of humanity.
It is limited and Urgent matters of national and World Health are
either not discussed or glibly. Brushed over current practices
in most cases, do stand at odds with the spiritual values,
mindset designs, and actions of the past standing in stark
contrast to the concept of immense Social Club.
Anderson's constitutions was the most important statement masonry
had made about itself up to that time years of collection, and
Analysis of ancient secret Masonic documents were
synthesized into one volume. The Constitution's was a guide
to Masonic wisdom in history, a consolidation of wisdom of
eminent scientists Scholars and theologians, considering the
quality and the source of the information contained in the
Constitution's, it is indeed curious that such a bland men's
club picture remains for many the image of masonry.
It is also curious that Anderson's constitutions is
still unknown to most longtime Mason's and for those who have
heard about it at least in the Americas and Europe it is
regarded merely as As a historic curiosity, which few have read
or understand. Now about three, centuries after
the publication and distribution of Anderson's constitutions.
The main concern of contemporary masonry is focused on the sharp
decline of membership and large closings.
It is mystifying an alarming, too many Masons that only a few
men, enter masonry. And of those who do still fewer
remain to fill in every declining number of lodges.
The fact is, there are a growing number of men in our society who
are obviously, Unsatisfied Seekers with their interest
piqued by recent scholarly and Theatrical presentations about
masonry, they enter into our lodges with high expectations as
they work to reach their objective to become a part of
masonry that is Rich with meaning and significance.
These new members however soon learned that masonry has become
more and more bland and less relevant and increasingly
stressful contemporary conditions.
Moreover contemporary Masons are encouraged not to compare the
masonry of history with masonry now.
Some apparently fear that in this comparison, we would suffer
greatly for. The masonry of late has not been
able to attract or support the modern equivalents of disa.
Golly a DaVinci Newton or Mozart, instead of embracing our
past, we turn away from our greatest asset and in the
process discourage, the very unusual Minds that could
tremendously benefit both our society and Masonry Time Rushes
by now is the moment for American masonry to look more
closely at the totality of masonries achievements and then
to honestly evaluate our relevance today.
We should look at ourselves in masonry, not in terms of just
our current state, but in light of the foundation, our
predecessors laid out for us half shrouded in secrets and
code for us to discover again. So we may rebuild the Temple.
To assess of our own relevance. We must first realize that are
spectacular. Present-day, technological and
materialistic progress has mesmerised us and has obscured
the Glorious and profound achievements of man's mind.
Over past Millennia, our now, which consumes our attention is
actually, but a small segment of a time.
Continuum comparable to the fulcrum of a limitless timeline
balanced upon the Apex of a pyramid in this Continuum, our
past Masonic accomplishments of the mind, which were translated
into A concrete reality that has indelibly shaped the world in
which we exist today. Consider for instance, the
important construction of Mason's in the centuries past
such as the perfectly aligned and symmetrical pyramids.
The Magnificent Cathedral soaring to have in with stone
spires the numerous and widespread magnificent castles
and great Mansions. Consider the system of
constitutional democracy, which Masons had such a strong hand in
creating and maintaining within the Ageless Masonic presence,
there exists to support. In commitment for genius, to
convey a Divine expansion of consciousness to mankind.
The light referred to in masonry is the inexplicable inspiration
and transmission of the Divine into artist who received light
and translated it into concrete experiences, which could be
shared of with attuned audiences in the conventional world.
This perception that there is a Divine force acting in all of us
though, more strongly in some is unbelievable, too many.
However, there is historical testimony to divine inspiration
in The Renaissance and several hundred years that followed it
during that period science art and the Divine were not
distinguishable as separate entities as they are today.
They existed in the Renaissance mind as one and Inseparable.
It is important for Mason's today to recognize the
significance of both masonry and our brethren in the quantum
jumps that were made in the past.
It was the unique and imaginative minds of Mason's who
are allowed to nurture, and practice their special craft who
led civilization forward in great Leaps and Bounds.
It was masonry that provided the opportunity for the blossoming
of this tremendous potential. It is easy to forget the Masons
of bygone time, who invented the foundational information vision,
and tools required for the development of modern society
that we enjoy without the contributions of Mason's of the
past. Many of the conveniences of
Modern Life would not be available without the work of
masons. In the past, we might not have
the educational system. We have benefited from feudal
States might still battle one another and democracy might it
only be a footnote in history, the success of masonry and his
contributions to humanity are so great that it is nearly
impossible for the human mind to step back far enough to see the
entirety of its significance. Masonry has had long periods.
When significant material wealth fed the greatest intellectual
and aesthetic achievements. With the backing and partnering
of masonry small groups of individual Brothers, working in
obscure, areas of research, created unimaginably,
successful, physical manifestations of masonic
presence and provided the basis of much, that we know and rely
on in our modern lives. Now is the right time to
re-establish Masonic relevance, it is time to open up those
books, discussions and ideas that so much concerned.
Our Masonic predecessors today masonry can move from Easy
charity to the more meaningful Of investing in the most
valuable resource Humanity has ever had.
The genius of the human mind. The choice is ours.
We can make masonry relevant. If we are determined to give
priority to the intellectual and spiritual resources of our best
minds and we'll share that, which we surely will find the
following article is from the October 2006 fraternal review.
Written by normally / the editor.
How often have we sat in Lodge during a degree and wondered
about the thoughts of a candidate?
The first thing that comes to my mind, is the wonderment that
must be going through his head, especially in the first degree.
Anyone who has ever served as a marshal or Steward.
Must have observed, the tension in the eyes and face of the
candidate. And this is only the beginning
to say that the candidate is concerned is really an
understatement of fact, then comes the degree itself lofty.
And prayerful words are delivered in a language from the
time of Shakespeare. A noble intent to be sure but
under the circumstances of the candidate one must Wonder at the
questions. Flooding the initiates mind much
is made clear to the candidate at the end of the degree, but
just about the time he is feeling comfortable, he is sat
on a chair and lectured in similar language as before now
think about what's going on in the candidates head, truly think
about it. The candidate has just had an
extraordinary experience words and Concepts have been told to
him and they fast and puzzling Manner and Pollination is given
him in an unusual manner in fashion and after about an hour,
he is seated among his new friends eating pie.
We have all gone through the same thing and as far as I know,
none have suffered the worst for it.
Our experiences are our own. And while we are pleased to
become a Mason and proud to be a member of the fraternity.
What happens next? What is the candidate obtained?
Besides good feelings that he can take with him.
It is after the pie and coffee that the lessons of Freemasonry
are taught to the candidate if these lessons are delayed if
Tact with the candidate is not maintained if a strong program
of masonic education is not implemented.
Then the chances of losing that candidate are greatly increased.
Let's face it. The initiate experience is the
Cornerstone of Freemasonry education is the superstructure.
Erected after the Cornerstone education is the time to
assimilate the new brother into the lodge and into their
fraternity, the superstructure of a Mason's Masonic edifice
must not be left to chance, it is the duty of the lodge far
greater than laying the The Cornerstone to implement the
building of that superstructure, it may even be more important
than the conferral. The words that were so profound
when spoken at conferral must be explained and discussed with the
candidate, it's time to form and shape the Mason. the following
article is from the April 2008 Southern California, research
Lodge magazine the warrior Poet by G Cliff Porter, 32nd degree,
Remember a time when a man could dance, the tango quote,
Shakespeare hold the door for a lady and hold his own in a
fight. I don't I'm a Gen X or the
generation of fatherless sons who have learned mixed ideas
about manhood being either that of a man who wears pink polo
shirts and cries at lots of movies or some hyper machismo
Blockhead who goes through life, kicking and punching.
So in Comes The Lost Art of masonry chisel and Malin hand
speculative, craft seeks to hone men from the rough Stone of
Youth uncertainty and intolerance masonry raises
warrior poets. A man that can hug his brother
pray with a widow and wield, a sword.
The man who received little in the way of training and
discourse is taught to stand up and Lodge provide a detailed
plan and make a motion for an idea that he believes could
benefit the lodge in his others, he practices rhetoric and
explaining the progression of his theory.
He practices logic and refining his theory when presented with
obstacles that proved correct and help to improve the idea.
He moves through the chairs and one day wields the gavel of
authority and in doing so he learns the necessity of humility
and discretion. The obligations are not for
those of a weak spine. They teach the necessity for a
gentle spirit and caring for widows and orphans at the same
time. Recognizing the necessity for
Action allowing that we should not strike an anger.
Providing the whispered message that the ability to strike is
one of the working tools of a Mason.
We are taught that strengthen spirit, and courage and faith.
Hope and charity are more powerfully, wielded by a man of
his word that the sort of metal by a despotic man or government.
We learn to appreciate art and recognize the downfalls and
pleasures of power. As we are faced with the dangers
of mob rule, organized Orthodoxy and misguided Desires in our
Master Mason degree. At the same time.
The road is perilous and we are confronted with the need for
real courage. In the face of physical danger,
we are taught of the need for physical consequences, for
weakness of spirit, in the penalties inflicted upon these
unjust and uncaring fellows of The Craft.
We learned that an apology is correct.
But that it does not negate the requirement for justice.
We are taught the art of the warrior poet.
My friends educate yourselves, so that we can educate others,
Arma Society with a sort of Truth and public education
against the tyranny of despotism, whether material or
spiritual, and this article was originally published in the
April March 2008, Scottish Rite Journal, The following article
is from the January 2006 fraternal review.
Happy New Year. May the year 6006, Al be the
best ever. The Masonic expression of the
year is to add four thousand to the current year.
Thus, it will be 6006 come January 1st.
This number is followed by the designation, Al meaning the year
of Light, which in turn references, the creation of the
earth, some six thousand, six years ago.
Reflecting on this led me to think of past events.
I became captivated by the thoughts of syndicated
columnist, David Brooks where the thrust of his column was
that we as a people are moving into an age of skepticism, World
War 1 destroyed. The old social order in Europe
and disillusion to generation of Americans WWII brought unity and
self-confidence to America. The greatest Generation Vietnam
triggered, a counterculture of which we are still feeling the
results. The jury is still out on the
effect. Iraq may have on Americans, but
one thing seems clear. We just don't have the same
trust in our institutions. That we older folks, are used to
pick a subject, medicine law, politics education, government
media, no matter. We accept what we have to, but
more likely than not, we aren't sure where secure with what we
see and hear in everyday matters.
I think David Brooks is right, we are getting to be a bunch of
Skeptics. And isn't the fundamental reason
for this General doubt the feeling that knowledge is right
that maybe our Is like the same ethics.
We expect of ourselves and therein lies the point.
Freemasonry has a certain moral standard.
It is a constant. Having stood the test of time
for hundreds of years, its principles are very definable
yet applicable in different ways to different Mason's.
As each individual Endeavors to emulate the lessons, he has
taught, maybe our craft, gives us a conscience to keep our
Compass heading in the right direction.
It is my belief that we are beginning to see a Revival of
Ethics in America. It is apparent in the increased
Agree work in our lodges. What is refreshing is that we
are seeing younger men applying for admission into our order.
I also believe that it is a reaction to the feeling of
skepticism American culture is far too optimistic to be pushed
down by the cynicism of the skeptic.
We are a positive people and that is what makes our culture.
So desirable to others. Freemasonry 2 is a positive
force. It is perhaps one of the few
forces available to challenge the public angst, to do battle
with a concept. So, alien to our society, That
of a secularized culture that lacks respect for the
institutions that have made America great.
Perhaps the way we as Freemasons Express the date is another
example of the symbolism of masonry, could it be that the
principles of masonry put us four thousand years ahead of the
rest of the world written by normally bird past Master
editor? Thank you for listening.
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