A Brother Asks: Is Divestiture a Life-Long Process?

 

 

A Brother Ask: Figuring out Vices and Superfluities and rising above them is the first wave of activities that Apprentices take in their journeys as Masons.  Isn't this a life-long endeavor though?

Coach: Yes. It IS a lifelong endeavor!  However, there's a huge difference between that life-long endeavor and the initial PROCESS that all Apprentices must engage in to internalize specific disciplines that ultimately lead to strengthening each of them.

That process MUST be ingrained into their very being for them to prepare to do their FC Work.

Although that process will be engaged in throughout a lifetime, it is the Apprentice Work that installs that process so that it can be engaged in when necessary.

So, when you hear that Divestiture of Vices & Superfluities is a lifelong endeavor, keep in mind that The Process of Divestiture is INTERNALIZED during the Apprentice period of one's Masonic career. 

In other words, it is DURING Apprenticeship that the PROCESS of Divestiture is Learned, Perfected, & Internalized for future APPLICATION.

This means a great many Vices & Superfluities are effectively dealt with INITIALLY, when the Apprentice does the Work that the Degree asks them to do.

Additionally, it is the internalizing of this process that literally CREATES and INTERNALIZES your Square of Virtue!

Brother: What?!?!?

Coach:  Yes!  You cannot Divest any one of these Vices or Superfluities without the Investment of at least one or more Virtues.  The more you Divest your Vices and Superfluities, the more Virtue you Internalize.  And THAT is the process that you will ultimately rely upon throughout your lifetime when new Vices or Superfluities come into your life.

Brother: Wait?!?! New?!?!

Coach: Yes New!  Living any life will bring forth new Vices and Superfluities and it is your Apprentice training that enables you to identify each of them and put them to rest quickly.  

Brother: You mean I can expect more Vices and Superfluities into my future?

Coach: Absolutely!  And when you internalized the Divestiture Process, literally Investing yourself with Virtues, you're less likely to develop any Vice or Superfluity; that's one of the very reasons for Investing yourself with Virtues!  

However, when Vices and Superfluities do occur, which is simply part of life, you're a Master of the Divestment Process! And when you know this process, you'll also be compelled to Divest these Vices and Superfluities by engaging this process without a second thought!