A Brother Asks: Which Qualifies as Masonic Education?

 

 

A Brother Asks: In your opinion, which of the following qualifies as Masonic Education?

 

Coach: Okay!  What's on your list?

Brother: The first example is this.  A lively discussion of the use of punctuation in Ritual and its implications for conferral.

 

Coach: This does not qualify as Masonic Education. This is FREEMASONIC EDUCATION as it confines its focus upon organizational activities that involve performance of ritual.

 

Brother: Okay.  The second is this. Brethren working together to repair and rebuild the benches in the local park. 

 

Coach: This does not qualify either. This is an activity that involves community affairs and socializing. It is NOT Masonic Education.

 

Brother:  Interesting!  The third one is this. An Overeaters Anonymous meeting held at Lodge open to the community. 

 

Coach: This does not qualify. This is a restorative activity outside that realm of the organization's purpose. It is NOT Masonic Education.

 

Brother:  Wow!  Okay, how about this?  Brethren calling candidates who have stalled in their progression to encourage and assist them in completing their degrees. 

 

Coach: This does not qualify. This activity focuses upon organizational functions and process control. It is NOT Masonic Education.

 

Brother:  All right, what about this?  A demonstration of a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.

 

Coach: This does not qualify. Although it might be interesting to some, it is not even an organizational activity. It is NOT Masonic Education.

 

Brother:  Let me take another shot at it.  

 

Coach: Okay! Fire away!

 

Brother: Explaining how internalizing the disciplines symbolized by the 11 apprentice Working Tools, clearly revealed by the first degree ritual, is crucial to laying the foundation of a mason's personal temple.

 

Coach: Very good!  This does qualify as Masonic Education. It is the only one on your list so far that actually is Masonic education.  That Work disciplines the heart and prepares it to learn.

 

Brother: How about coursework in the Seven Liberal Arts & Sciences?  Would that qualify?

 

Coach:Absolutely!  That qualifies as well and is the Work that disciplines the minds of those who study them and lays the foundation to them to understand The Master's Word.  

 

Brother:  Coach, h.How are you arriving at your conclusions?

 

Coach: You might want to read this... A Few Thoughts on Masonic Education

 

 

 

 (Hat tip to Bro. Alex G. Powers for his inspiring this!)