A Brother Asks: What's Preventing what was Intended?

 

 

A Brother Asks: What's missing that prevents freemasonry from being what it was intended to be?

Coach: Its value behind the membership.

 

Brother: Value?  You mean, membership in the fraternity doesn't have the value it could?

Coach: Yes. Think about the focus of most all the activities my Brother, and do so as if it were a theatrical troop.

Brother: Okay, that's tough.

Coach: Yes, it can be, but try anyway.

Brother:  Okay, I can see immediately that the whole of its membership is too focused on putting on the play...

 

Coach: And?

Brother: And also maintaining the theater...

Coach: And?

Brother: And supporting the prop departments...

Coach: What is there not enough focus upon?

Brother: Well, for one, there's not enough building of each actor's heart...

Coach: And?

Brother: Or building their minds...

Coach: And?

Brother: Or building their skills toward living better lives outside the theater. 

Coach:  So, what occurs when members realize all this?

Brother: Members won't invest in any façade very long after they realize there's nothing backing it.

Coach: Why?

 

Brother: Because there's no value in it for them.

 

Coach: So, back to the original question...

Brother: What's missing that prevents Freemasonry from being what it was intended to be?

Coach: Yes.  What do you see missing that prevents Freemasonry from being what it was intended to be?

Brother: Well, looking back at the conversation and the metaphors being used, I'd have to say that there's nothing behind the curtain.

 

Coach: So, no substance?

 

Brother: Yes.  No substance!

 

Coach: If substance was added, and done so in a way to bring value to those playing along, would that contribute well to what Freemasonry was intended to be?

Brother: I'd have to say, "yes" to that.

Coach: At first glance, I would as well.

 

Brother: Okay, you've set me up.

 

Coach: How so?

 

Brother: You said, "at first glance...". That means you have a second glance and hence another consideration.

 

Coach: Indeed!

 

Brother: Well?

 

Coach: Well what?

Brother: I know well enough you're wanting me to ask what that second glance is.

 

Coach: Nice catch!

 

Brother: You're stalling.  Spit it out Coach.

 

Coach: Well, okay.  If you insist.

 

Brother: I do!

 

Coach: What do you think Freemasonry was intended to be?

 

Brother: Boom!  There it is!

 

Coach: Okay, who's stalling now?

 

Brother: Sure, I'll bite...

 

Coach: Good, go for it.

 

Brother: From what I see, it was intended to introduce men to opportunities to improve.

 

Coach: And?

 

Brother: And show them a path they can take to bring about those improvements.

 

Coach: And?

 

Brother: And give them opportunity to examine their morality, values, and choices.

 

Coach: What if members don't want to take advantage of these opportunities?

 

Brother: Then there would not be value in these opportunities for the members.

 

Coach: So, what you are saying is that the value the organization offers to its members is opportunities?

 

Brother: Yes.  I guess I am.

 

Coach: What do you think is the best way for an organization to offer opportunities to people who may or many not want to improve?

 

Brother: Ummm... perhaps get them involved in acting out activities that point them toward improvement opportunities coupled with shining spotlights on those who can improve?

 

Coach: You mean, like putting on morality plays where the focus is upon individuals who are coached through these plays with prompts and props making sure they are saying all the right things, doing all the right things and committing to do all the right things into the future?

 

Brother: You have a long way of going about saying the obvious.

 

Coach: Sometimes you have to walk through it before you can see it Bro.

 

Brother: Yep.  Thanks for the tour. 

 

Coach: You're most welcome.

 

Brother: So, the value is already there. 

 

Coach: Yes.

 

Brother: But it's the member's responsibility to take advantage of the opportunities and to make the best of them.

 

Coach: That's what I've concluded. 

 

Brother: So, your telling me that Freemasonry was intended to be a play ground?

 

Coach: Yes.  One that offers opportunities for improvement, pointing continuously toward what needs to be improved and directs its plays toward how a masterful player manifests when these opportunities are engaged in.

 

Brother: I see a lot of value in that.

 

Coach: Me too.

 

Brother: So, this elusive "substance" missing behind the curtain is not missing at all and has been there all along?

 

Coach: Yes, and?

 

Brother: And it can only be found in taking advantage of the opportunities?

 

Coach: Not found...

 

Brother: Not found?

 

Coach: Yes.  Not found!

Brother: Then how does it occur?

Coach: Great question!

 

Brother: Is this for dramatic affect?

Coach: But of course!

 

Brother:  Okay, I'll upstage you on this one.

 

Coach: Good!  Tell me then.

 

Brother: It's not found, it's created!

 

Coach: How?

 

Brother: Through masterful performance!

 

Coach: Bravo!  It's manifested only when the performers take time to perfect their Craft, acting better each time they engage in life, not just the plays put on within lodge rooms.

 

Brother: So, your telling me lodge rooms are staging areas that help prepare those who engage in its activities to better engage in life?

 

Coach: It can be.  But one must engage in these activities with that in mind.

 

Brother: Okay, that makes so much sense.

 

Coach: I had hopes it would.

 

Brother: So, the only thing that is preventing Freemasonry from being what it is intended to be is engaging in its activities without any intent to improve?

 

Coach: I'd say that is a fair assessment.