A Brother Asks: Reading Order?

A Brother Asks: Now that I have all your books, what would be your recommendation as far as reading order?

Coach: Are you asking about 16 books? 

Brother: Yes, sir! I believe so.

Coach: Have you read all of them yet?

Brother: I've only read "A Brother Asks." This is why I am asking.  I want to know what you would recommend next.

Coach:  AH! That's a fun starter book. Are you a MM then?

Brother: Yes, sir! (or should I say, "I am"...)

Coach: Here are the focuses of the books.  You'll have to determine what focus you want to better make your choice.

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Catechisms: The first four books focus upon the Blue lodge ritual at different levels and are designed to train the mind to ask questions and to seek answers.  There are presented as catechisms. This rewiring is exactly what a mind needs to do to accomplish what needs to be done through Blue Lodge Work.

•     Building Hiram - Volume 1 - MM level
•     Building  Boaz - Volume 2 - EA Level
•     Building Athens - Volume 3 - FC Level 
•     Building Janus - Volume 4 - MM Level

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Aphorisms: This next book focuses upon the organization, contrasting the organization of Freemasonry with the actual Work that the organization espouses. It then offers opportunity to think differently about the actual Work focus of each degree and the Work to be done. It does this in the form of offering over 1000 aphorisms to think about that use generalizations that require you to think figuratively rather than literally, thus training the mind to thing outside the literal box and out into the figurative world.

•    Building Perpends - Volume 5 - MM Level - Rewires the mind to think outside the box / metaphoric and figurative training

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Investigation: The next volume focuses upon aspects of Craft Lore having to do with Craft Ruffians and Cowans.  It is designed to identify what holds us back and how to identify what we can improve through observation of others. It's main focus is augmented by learning through observation of others.

•     Building Ruffish - Volume 6 - MM Level

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Investigation: This volume is all about cultivating Cement, otherwise known within the Craft as "Brotherly Love & Affection."  It reviews the operative manner of making cement (the elements and process), identifies the elements within the first degree that could be used to do the same Speculatively and shows the symbolism and process one would use to cultivate this speculatively for yourself and others.  The book cultivates a deep understanding of the process and shows various directions one may apply this should one desire to pursue them.

•     Building Cement - Volume 7 - MM Level

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Investigation (Understanding Semantic Drift): This book takes a different direct that the previous seven books in the series.  It focuses on the word "free" as it applies to the Craft, what it meant when first applied, how its meaning changed over the years, how this information applies to "freestone", "freeborn", and the term "free & accepted" and the implications of this Light on the Craft today. This book inspired the writings of "The Craft Unmasked", "The Craft Perfected!", and  "The Craft Mastered!"

•     Building Free Men - Volume 8 - Anyone in or outside the Craft

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Investigation: The next book is a continuation of the research efforts and discoveries illuminated by Building Free Men.  It is a business analyst/coach type effort to evaluate the organization, comparing what it says it does with what it actually does, what its lore claims compared with actually history and drawing comparisons between what it practices with other professions.  It re-frames the Craft in a different light that allows members and potential candidates to better understand what they are actually or maybe  involved in.

•     The Craft Unmasked - Anyone inside or outside the Craft

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Investigation: This book explores the origins of the Perfect Ashlar, its origins, its innovative entry into Craft Ritual, and the ashlar it replaced.  It also explores the changing meaning of the word "perfect", how it was used early on in the 1500s, during the 1800s and today, and how this Light impacts our understanding of the word used within Ritual.

•      The Craft Perfected! - Anyone inside or outside the Craft
  

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Investigation: This book explores & explains what it takes to Complete the Temple that Hiram Abiff mentioned to the Ruffians in the third degree drama. It discloses what the ultimate goal of our Work is that is pointed toward by Ritual, how to lay a strong foundation, complete the Temple, and to read God's Designs & Rules as laid out in the Greatest books of nature & revelation. Included in this book are the 10 working tools that Apprentices need to use and develop to lay that foundation. It also dispels many of the myths the Craft harbors about completing our Work as masons.

•      The Craft Mastered! - Completing the Temple - The Fellow Craft Dream - Anyone inside or outside the Craft but intended for MM Level members
  

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Insight Training: A Brother Asks - Volume 1 -  is about the Hiramic Legion and therefore is strictly for Master Masons.  It explores the third degree in general and the specifics of its drama. When you want to test your awareness of this degree's Light, this book will take you down rabbit holes you might not have considered.

•     A Brother Asks - Volume 1 - MM Level

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Insight Training: This book provides you with the basics of emotions (a.k.a."Passions & Desires), the facts you need to know and the fallacies you might buy into that get you into trouble. It an informational guide to help you better understand those passions and desires you need to circumscribe and subdue.

•     Emotional Awareness - EA Level - also useful to those inside & outside the Craft as well!

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Traveling: Although not specifically an overtly Masonic book, this book takes Masonry on the road by presenting an allegorical story woven with a rich mix of symbolism at multiple levels, all designed to test your ability to uncover patterns of truth as one moves from youth, to adulthood and finally to age.

•     The Journeyman Papers - Anyone inside & outside the Craft- Training the mind to evaluate information for symbolic clues and application to life success!
  

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Life & Business: This book is designed to get you to think outside the box.  It targets business and life topics, providing 52 examples of situation where you can think differently about the choices and decisions you make.

•     Provoking Success - Anyone in & outside the Craft - Training the mind to think outside the box.

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Critical Thinking, The Trivium, and Socratic Method applied to Theology: This book applied Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric coupled with the Socratic Method to analyze and reveal aspects of the Garden in Eden story that many have never realized.  It presents a critical analysis as a journey of discovery with many allegorical characters discussing what went on inside and outside the garden and how relevant the story is to our lives today.  This is NOT your typical analysis and what it reveals to the reader is NOT what most are told through the usual channels.

•     The Light in the Garden - Anyone in or outside the Craft who desires to better understand how to evaluate scripture using the Trivium as tools for better comprehension.
  

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Brother: So, what would your recommendations be?

Coach: As a Master Mason, you could start anywhere.  

However, if you're focused upon understanding Ritual, the first four catechism books are a great start.  

If you're wanting to get heavily into understanding symbolism, Building Ruffish, Building Cement and A Brother Asks will deliver and then some.

If you're looking to better Understand the Craft in general, Building Free Men, The Craft Unmasked, The Craft Perfected and Building Perpends are great starting points.

If you're wanting to explore your ability to apply what you've learned, The Journeyman Papers, Provoking Success and The Light in the Garden are excellent to test and improve your skills.

Brother: Thanks Coach!

Coach: You're most welcome!  ENJOY!

A Brother Asks... Best Things about Being a Freemason

A Brother Asks: Okay, thanks Bro.! Now that you have shared the worse things about being a Freemason, what in your opinion are the best things?

My Response: I am SOOOO glad that you asked!

Let’s do another Top Ten List!

#1) There are never a shortfall of opportunities to be involved in something beneficial to someone, including yourself.

#2) You’ll find many Brothers that you will find something in common with and who truly and willingly want to share.

#3) You can practice in your own way, in your own time and as you want with others who are of like mind, like heart and like spirit.

#4) You are never at a loss for things to learn about the Organization, yourself and your Brothers and what you learn can and shall change your life for the Better as you apply what you learn.

#5) You can show up nearly anywhere in the world and attend a Lodge meeting, get suitable help or just hang out with Brothers.

#6) You can pursue Freemasonic Rabbits (interests), in darn near any direction you want, and do so until you drop from delightful exhaustion.

#7) You’ll be contacted by people you don’t know just because they know that you’re a Brother.

#8) You can play the part you want, when you work at it.  Heck, you can play parts you don't want, even when you don't work at it!

#9) Teamwork, encouragement and support from those who care.

And the biggie!...

#10) You’re always welcome.

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy

Cracking Ritual

“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.” 
– Obadiah 1:3-4 (AKJV)

How subtle Ritual truly is.  Its soft embrace cleverly disguises many nuances unseen by those who seek them not.  Returning its embrace often brings forth Light hidden by the Shadows of Ignorance.  Seek it and you shall Find wonders.

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Sometimes it’s the little things that go unnoticed, until they begin to irritate you.  This occurred recently when I was tickled in a most annoying way by the phrase, “cleft of the rocks”.  I didn’t know why it kept fluttering under my nose, but it was clear that it was not going away on its own. 

After numerous unwanted assaults, I finally took a mindful notice of it and grabbed hold.  As I did, I was reminded that I was a Mason and I Work on Rocks.  This hard reminder compelled me to look up the word, “cleft[1]” to obtain a more solid understanding. I’m glad I did!

Upon its examination, I connected further to subtle Allusions within Ritual. There was the obvious connection to the Ruffians that were found hiding in the cleft of the rocks.  There was another one to the hollows where our heels find solace as we progress from candidate to Master but no more once there!  There was also the not so common connection to the now obsolete meaning of the word, “cowan”, that meant at one time “hollow, gap, crevice, indent or hole”.

The matter continued to roll around within my mind as I found more associated Allusions and connections.    When I laid each of them out upon my working slab, I had a profound insight.  These Allusions point to Unfinished Work! 

Masons are told that specific Work must be Completed to Achieve Mastery.  That Work is clearly pointed toward by Ritual (but is not the Ritual itself.)  Even the Third Degree Allegory directs us back to Completing that Work.  This Allegory also warns us about making any effort to dismiss any of Work.  Ritual also tells us through Allusion that, when our Work remains unfinished, our Word’s Value is ripped from us, our Desires become fodder for beasts and fowl and our very Being is Torn in Two differing Directions; Allusions and Warnings that few Brothers glean initially.   

But do all Brothers heed such warnings?  Many don’t.  Ritual tells us how to recognize them though. Their very looks betray them!  How?  Let’s review this!

It tells us that we can Recognize Cowanistic Brothers[2] by their unfinished Work. 

1) The cowans of their feet are only used as resting places for heals that have yet to walk the path. 

2) You’ll always see gaps in their Work. 

It is not their concern though.  They remain complacent to Progress no further and to receive less for unfinished Work.

It also tells us that Ruffian Brothers are quite a different matter. 

1) They desperately want what they have yet to earn. 

2) They feel entitled to more and attempt to dishonestly receive it but are unwilling to legitimately Work for it. 

3) Their Ashlars are wholly divided.  Their entire being is “Severed in Twain!”  Recognize them by their arrogance but more so by the cleft in their Ashlars, where you shall find their true selves hiding.

It’s truly amazing the insights you can glean when you take a crack at probing what irritates you.  Sometimes you get to view new holes.  Every time though, you get whole new views!

Points to Perpend:

1. What have you yet to Pursue?
2. How does this Affect you and others?
3. What can you Do about this?

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[1] Cleft (noun) – a fissure, rift, break or split; a deep division between two parts of the body.

[2] Brothers who remain complacent with their unsquared Ashlars and untempered Cement.

A Brother Ask... Society Inconsistencies!

A Brother Asks:  If a Master Mason stands firm against bigotry, tyranny, corruption and political correctness and therefore, is disparaged, ostracized and shunned by his fellow Brothers for being steadfast in that conviction; why would he remain a Master Mason?

My Response: The bluntest answer is, "Because it's not about them."  But let me say further that the Character of Hiram Abiff was put forth to you with sincere and calculated purpose to help emphasize that you will continually find yourself alone in life and surrounded by Ruffians at times.  Try as you might, you shall not escape these rogues, ever.  All you can do is deal with them to your best abilities and do what you can to evade them until you can no longer delay the obvious.  Furthermore, the closer you come to completing your Temple, the more aggressive they shall become.

Part of your challenge is to keep your head about you, being a role model for those who can follow your lead.  Be the best role model you can and enjoy the benefits of the role and the challenges such a role demands.

He Continues: If we are a fraternity of Brothers, Men of Reason, what exactly do we stand for?

 

My Response: The Fraternity shall always espouse principles that the membership can't possible live up to, especially when the organization itself doesn't support what it espouses.   Once again, it's not about them; it's about you and what you can do to better yourself. 

I highly recommend that you turn the question around so you don't drive yourself to despair!  What exactly do YOU stand for?! and once you answer this fully, live it and without reservation from yourself or any expectations of others! 

He Continues: If it is Hope, is not hope reflected in our Faith that reason will prevail through our Charity of preserving Liberty, which would then provide Hope to others?

 

My Response:< chuckle> I hope that you do realize that what you are involved in here is a Theatrical-Based Role-playing society filled with amateur actors, many of which have no clue as to what the scripts actually mean to convey.  Truly my Brother, step out of it, look back at it with fresh eyes, and ask yourself if you want to get upset about something that was intended to entertain and provoke thought toward betterment. What the society espouses is Grand. What it provides is opportunity alone. Make the most of it, but don't expect the society to be more than what it actually is.

He Continues: Is not becoming a better man not our end goal as Master Masons?

My Response: Not if you look at what the society supports. Once again, what the scripts espouse is not what the society supports.  This does not negate what it offers.  It's truly important to separate out what is espoused and what is supported so that you can focus not on what is lacking in the organization, but what is lacking in you!

 

He Continues: Why is it that 'better men' are those that blindly comply to the complacent and bad Masons are those willing to shed light into the shadows that has infested our lodges?

 

My Response: Because labels are not reality. Once again, these Freemasonic Organizations have a vested interest in continuing to provide what they provide.  What you see them labeling as "better men" are merely "better members" who support these organizations toward their intended ends. 

Keep in mind that the end goal of what is espouses is to birth men.  If you are such a birthed man, you need not shed light back into the womb.  Males within the womb are neither mature enough to see the Light within their darkness nor able to use the offered Light to climb out of it.

It is most important to keep in mind that these Lodges have one purpose:  To continue the process of bringing males into them and submerging them in a culture of morality plays all designed to shed Light upon what they can do to improve themselves. 

It is not designed to help them do this improving.  That is left to the individuals to do on their own. 

I challenge you to shed your Light where it will do the most good. And do so brilliantly!

 

He Continues: I have met few men of reason within our beloved fraternity.

My Response: Me too, AND I have met a lot more of these quality men than I would have had I not been a member. Doesn't that tell you something?

He Continues: Those I have met have suffered greatly by the hand of their Brothers.

My Response: Me too and I’m included in this! These are the Ruffian experiences I mentioned before.  The bad news is that you're NOT going to avoid this outside the Society.  The good news is that you've gotten to the point where you now have the awareness of such creatures and their ways and the language and skills to communicate what you're going to face for a lifetime.  You are a lot better off for being exposed to all this than had you never had the opportunity to perpend this in your life.

He Continues: Many no longer attend Lodge; many no longer tolerate the ruffians within our walls. How is it that reason has been chained and political correctness been unleashed?

My Response: The simple blunt response is because Ruffians Rule the Roost, Cowans occupy Support Positions and the Society isn’t what it Pretends to be (a Speculative version of Stonecraft). 

But this response doesn't do service to the real intent of your statement my Brother.  The truth is that you are expecting far more from the organization that it could possibly deliver.  It simply is not designed to do what you expect it to.

If you wish to remain sane in your participation though, go back to the metaphor I shared before: The Lodge is a Womb!  Nothing more.  You cannot expect males within it to be mature; that's the very reason they came through the door; they wanted to mature, even if they didn't know this when they walked through it. 

Sadly, far too many are not mature even after they have walked through the door and stuck around for any length of time, despite their appearance of age.  

 

On the other hand, too few are mature and you can tell them by what these few say and do and how they focus their time.  They stick around and help guide those who have shallow intent and those who have deep intent, according to the desire of each, helping bettering those who wish to invest in themselves as they can.

 

If you wish to stick around also, regardless of the Organizations limitations, there are things you can do to further improve yourself by engaging in what could be a maddening endeavor.  If you try to change anything other than yourself, you're going to become frustrated, bitter and disgruntled. 

However, if you use the roughness of what these experiences offer, you can polish yourself in ways you could not begin to imagine.

Most of all!  If you choose to participate, do so in loving folly and don't let anyone get your goat.

 

F&S,

 

Brother John S. Nagy

 

PS - Keep the friendships of those who don't participate, especially if they are men of quality whom which would enrich your life, as you would enrich theirs.  THE LODGE IS  NOT A BUILDING YOU GO TO; IT IS A GATHERING OF MEN WITH GOOD PURPOSE!

 

PSS - Should you want further support that you can't get inside the Society, I am available, but not for free.