A Brother Asks: ...how the hell would you actually use a pair of compasses to keep yourself in check?
My Response: For them to do any good, you must first internalize them.
What is the Compasses' Purposes? The Compasses is used for two purposes.
1) The first use is stepping distances. Those distances are determined by Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love.
2) The second is to inscribe based upon specific distances once they are determined. Those inscribed lines represent the limits, "standards" and "boundaries", to which we must not go beyond and operate within. Once again, they are direct reflections of Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love.
In a very real sense, it is your leash, but should not be confused with a cable tow: Those responsibilities you must take care of first before you engage in Freemasonic activities.
In a very real sense, it is your leash, but should not be confused with a cable tow: Those responsibilities you must take care of first before you engage in Freemasonic activities.
What are the steps to use them? To use the Compasses as it is prescribed, you must first determine what your passions and desires are. These are those emotional states that motivate you to exceed standards and boundaries when you don't have your leash connected.
What are Standards and Boundaries? Standards are personal operating limits. Boundaries are social operating limits. Each guide us in windows of operation when it comes to ourselves and others.
What are Desires and Passions? They are references to two distinct groups of emotions.
How do you know what they are? Desires are things that you want. Passions are what you are willing to suffer to get what you want. Passions should never ever be acted upon if they are going to make others suffer or force upon them situations that they do not want.'
And please forgive me for not saying this up front: In a real sense, you do not really use the compasses; when you internalize them and it uses you. I hope you "get" this.
See Chapter II - The Stone Builder's Tools out of "Building Hiram - Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 1" for more information on Speculative use for Operative Working Tools.
See Chapter II - The Stone Builder's Tools out of "Building Hiram - Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education - Volume 1" for more information on Speculative use for Operative Working Tools.
F&S,
Brother John S. Nagy
2 comments:
Brother John, your comment about internalizing the compasses is so true. I like to point out that we all should develop a "Masonic Lens." This would come from the study and internalizing of all the tools and lessons of Masonry. Our actions are then filtered by this lens and thus "automatic" and within the boundaries of the compass points.
Thanks Brother Mike. I sure wish Grand Lodges would make this part of their programs.
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