A Brother Asks: Degree Focus and Work

 
 
A Brother Asks:  I'm in constant discussions with other Brothers about the degrees and find myself at a loss for words at times.  I would appreciated some concise language  regarding the blue lodge degrees, what they are about, their focus and the work they direct us to do.  Could  you and would you provide to me your shortest breakdowns possible of each Degree Focus and Work?
 



 Coach: Sure! And kudos to you for being engaged with your Brothers in these serious discussions and asking for this.   Here are a few triplets that you can use to convey degree focus, purpose and Work each points toward.
 
It's not about training; it's about Learning!

1. EA - Preparing to Learn
2. FC - Learning How to Learn
3. MM - Learning and Teaching

It's not a about learning the degrees; it's about Learning what the degrees Direct us to Learn!

1. EA - Learning about the Creature - The Self
2. FC - Learning about the Creation - The Universe
3. MM - Learning about the Creator - The Word

It's not about being orderly; it's about Bringing Order to Chaos!

1. EA - Bringing Order to the Chaos of the Heart
2. FC - Bringing Order to the Chaos of the Head
3. MM - Bringing Order to the Chaos of the Spirit

It's not about building; it's about Living!

1. EA - Laying the Foundation of the House
2. FC - Building the House made not by hand
3. MM - Living in the House (baking cookies, being a host and inviting guests)

It's not about Mastery; it's about Providing the World with Masterful Brothers!

1. EA - Maturing the Youth
2. FC - Mastering the Adult
3. MM - Replacing the Master

Satisdiction?
 
F&S,
 
Coach John S Nagy
 
 
 

The Summons Silenced

 

Don't expect to bring back to the lodge

those who have fled for good reasons...

 

A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, had stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was all but gone. The host Brother soon reached out and put the ember back into the flue’s draft.  He then scooped up the other embers with the ash shovel and put them in an ash bucket, closed its heavy lid down upon it, and sealed them off from the natural draft.  He sat back and enjoyed the warm glow of the remaining ember, now flared up in brilliant glow brought about by the swift flow of the flue draft.

The Worshipful Master raised his eyebrows but remained silent.  After a while he glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, removed the lid to expose the cold dead embers that were sealed away, and placed them back in the flue draft with the one remaining glowing ember. As they were exposed to its warm heat, they sprung to life and began to glow once more and with all the light and warmth of the one burning ember that had remained in the flue’s draft.

The Worshipful Master turned to leave, and as he reached the door, he turned back toward  the host Brother and said with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery response, my brother. I’ll make sure we make the necessary changes before I visit with you again.”

-- Brother John S. Nagy
(with sincere appreciation to both the original and the unknown authors*)

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* The Silent Summons (Based upon "The Lonely Ember**")

   A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, had stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
   Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.
  In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
   His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.
   Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
   As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I’ll be back in our Lodge next meeting.”

-- Author Unknown

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The Lonely Ember by Dr. John MacArthur

  A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going.
  After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
  Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.
  After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination.
  As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail."
  Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.
  Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
  As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."
 

A Brother Asks: The Winding Staircase...

A Brother Asks:  What is the "Winding Stairs" emblematic of?

My Response: It is Emblematic of "The Path" we must Take to "Raise Ourselves" through Specific Realizations and Trainings so denoted by what each step represents.

He Continues: How are our lives reminiscent of this symbol?

My Response:  Great Question!  Let’s go through them, but take it in a different direction than you might have imagined.

 

Steps 1, 2, 3…

• For Ruffians: These steps have upon them the three degree titles one obtains for just going through the motions.
• For Freemasons: The steps represent the three degree titles, the three central elected officers of the blue lodge and memorizing and/or hearing another lecture blurb that one is told is important to memorize and preserve, for reasons that shall be revealed to one over time and with further reflection.
• For Masons: The stages of two different developments through which one will progress 1) from Youth, Adulthood and Age (physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually) AND 2) from Apprentice, Fellow and Master (Skill development if one actually applies oneself!).  
• For Symbologist: Examples of differentiation and the representations that each differentiation brings forth.

Steps 4, 5, 6, 7 8…

• For Ruffians: Pretty upright things with explanations that are far too long and useless and a lot of nonsense about the senses.
• For Freemasons: Five steps that mean memorizing or hearing another lecture blurb that one is told is important to memorize and preserve, for reasons that shall be revealed to one over time and with further reflection.
• For Masons: What we must use to further travel our Path AND a road map of the Path. [From One (T) to Three (DOC) to One (C)].
• For Symbologist: Representations of what one must use to explore and examine things symbolically and a hidden map of the path required to become Masterful.

Steps 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15…

• For Ruffians: Seven steps one must avoiding talking about or studying; they’re boring topics one will never use.
• For Freemasons: Seven steps that mean memorizing or hearing another lecture blurb that one is told is important to memorize and preserve, for some reason that shall be revealed to use over time and with further reflection.
• For Masons: Seven steps point to subjects of study that cultivate one’s mind toward pattern recognition of symbols as they appear in number and word form.
• For Symbologist: Seven steps alluding to the preparation required for serious study of Theology and Philosophy.

As a Recap:

 

The “Winding Staircase” is…

…Emblematic of "The Path" we must Take

and

...Symbolic of "The Work" we must Do along that Path...

...to "Raise Ourselves" through Specific Realizations and Trainings so denoted by what each step represents.

 Here's a COACH'S CHALLENGE for you: Please define "emblem" and differentiate it from "symbol".

F&S,

Brother “Coach” John S. Nagy

 

A Brother Asks... Why no Females?

 

 

A Brother Asks: Why aren't females permitted in mainstream's open lodge activities?

 

My Response: Because the members of the male-craft version of Freemasonry, by way of a written proscription, decided about 300 years ago to create and support a "no female" environment. It can't get any plainer or simpler than this.

 

He Continues: Do you believe that it's because the Craft is keeping a stonemason tradition that didn't permit women masons?

 

My Response: No. That is not a stonecraft tradition and it never was one. Like so many other stories in Freemasonry, this lore was made up to support and justify what we have today.

 
The fact is, we are not a continuation of those guilds. We never were. That is fabricated lore that supports a fabricated fantasy; it is not fact.

Moreover, if we are to be considered a continuation of anything it would be the theatrical societies of medieval times when most all guilds put on "mystery plays" (The word "mystery" at that time meant "occupation" when applied to this term). Such theatrical groups did not permit women not because they didn't want them to participate but due to society norms and more especially the laws of the time proscribing woman from participating as actors in theatrical productions.

In other words, it was illegal to have them involved.

If you think about it, if the Craft are to continue doing the theater that we do, focusing our patrons upon their morality, and remain true to the theater norms of that time, no woman would be allowed in what we do, ever.

That being said, the tradition is outdated. Times and attitudes have changed.
 
But men's mentalities and needs to be in all men groups are not governed by the laws of man. They are governed by a strong psychological need to be away from female influences when communing with other men, even if all that they are participating in is mind-numbing business meetings.

I believe if you examine the evidence, the organization more than fills that need for some.

He Continues: Modern freemasonry has enacted many amendments to its rules, but none related to gender. Why?

My Response: We have a men's society and we like it that way for a multitude of reasons; all personal to the men folk who engage in it. 

He Continues:  Is this rule related something deeper, perhaps related to cabala, alchemy, etc.?

My Response: Nah. You can tunnel down a thousand rabbit holes of fantasy and rationalized woowoo but the central fact is simple: The membership wants a place to hang out with only their male homies. 

 

Here's a question thrown back at you: Why must this basic desire be explained and justified further?

 

He Continues:  Maybe esoteric masons can explain?

 

My Response: They could, but it would not help to clarify and bring into focus the male only picture by throwing rubbish upon it. 

 

Men want a place they can get away from specific influences that take them away from what they want to be focusing upon.  Religion, Politics, Unnecessary Friction (and Drama!), and Women are but a few.  The men of the male-craft versions of Freemasonry have created these places and they call them their own. 

 

The less mature members of the organization feel that they need to explain this to those who want such influences in their own gatherings and they construct elaborate reasons and excuses when they make effort to convey this. 

 

The mature members of the organization do not need to explain or justify it. Their attitude is simple:  If you want something different, create it for yourself somewhere else, and don't try to force it upon us when you do.

 

I err toward this latter attitude, but take the time to expand upon it a bit for the benefit of our newbies.

 

F&S,

 

Brother John S. Nagy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Lodge AL Declares Open Season on Ruffians

Montgomery AL – In an effort to clear out the Rubbish from its Temple, the Grand Lodge of Alabama has declared open season on Ruffians.  The move is yet one more made by several Grand Lodges around the world and over the past few years to improve the quality of the Craft by reducing membership counts involving poor quality members.

When asked about the motives behind the move, Grand Master Art N. Cianse said, “Well, it should be obvious as to why we took this step in the right direction.  Good God!  Even our Ritual tells us how to deal with them!"  He took a deep breath and added, "But it took far too long a time for us to get around to doing it.”

When pressed further as to why this specific step was being taken and why now, Art replied, “Okay, Okay!  Let me put it kindly… we’re hearing terrible stuff from the Brothers, at least, from those not too dramatized to talk about it.  A whole lot of our members are being driven off by the Rubbish these rogues are throwing at them.” He paused and continued, “Seeing as there’s only one source of Rubbish that we know of, we’re aiming our sights quite literally on taking out the trash.  The fact that we're having some good old fashion Southern style fun at the same time is purely a way to increase the retention of who we truly want in the organization.”

You might ask: What does open season mean?

Right Worshipful Y. Dewy Bother seemed to have the skinny on the details.  “We’re real keen on having fun and most of us like hunting." He snickered and added, "We figured we'd kill two birds with one maul so to speak by allowing our Brothers to have a daily three bag limit on any Ruffians they can track down and…” he hesitated a little, looking for the politically correct words to express himself. “…well, let’s just say the rubbish will be removed from the Temple once this whole project gets underway.”

Worshipful Brother Bring M. Hoeme, a spokesman for the Grand Lodge welcoming committee said, “This will be a double boon for the fraternity.  The members we already have will no longer have to deal with the Trumpery these Ruffians pile and throw everywhere.  We will offer our newest members a discounted Grand Lodge Sanctioned Ruffian Hunting License incentive just for joining. Current members will get a two for one deal when they bring in candidates who want to participate.”

When old timer and Past Master Worshipful Brother Willy Listen was asked his thoughts on this, his only reply was, "I sure wish we had free license to do this in my day.  It would have made a world of difference for generations of men coming through."

For details on obtaining one of these Official Ruffian License, please contact your local Lodge Secretary.

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy

PS -  If you're interested in a great Field Guide to the North American Ruffian, one that will show you how to identify them in their natural habitats, how to track them efficiently and deal with them more effectively, you can find it here.

 

 

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

A Brother Asks: What in your opinion is the 'worst' thing about being a Freemason?

My Response*: YOU ASKED FOR IT SO BRACE YOURSELF!

My Top Ten List...

#1) Officious Brothers who tell you how it should be done, that you are wrong or what they expect of you, even though they were never asked.

#2) Business Meetings that provide nothing more than Meeting Minutes, Announcements and Treasurer's Reports.

#3) Ruffians who hold Offices and make decisions that detrimentally affect the harmony and welfare of the Craft, and those who put them there!

#4) Cowans that have no interest in Bettering themselves or participating in masonic education other than that which is required to keep the show running smoothly and who don't support you in Bettering yourself, other than those things that specifically serve the Lodge. (I define Cowans as Freemasons who don't square their work and who don't apply Cement to the Work they do. They are not Pretenders, but then again, some members might be.)

#5) Empty Promises, Useless Explanations, Unreasonable Demands and Well-Intentioned Guilt Trips unnecessarily delivered to those who are already supportive and who are held captive to those driven to give these speeches.

#6) Lodge Business Plans that get scrapped and redone every time a new line of officers is installed.

#7) Grand Masters (and other officers) who use their office to inflict their own brand of religion and politics upon the Craft and in ways that do damage to the image of the Craft overall and the Craft as a whole, the Lodge officers who elect them and Grand Lodge Communications that accomplish nothing of significance for the Craft as a whole, other than steadfastly holding on to attitudes, traditions and rules that make the Craft look bigoted, backward and ignorant.

#8) Dealing with Brothers who should have never made it through the West gate and those who let them through.

#9) Members who are so constitutionally incapable of recognizing and understanding the differences between Masonry and Freemasonry that they criticize, condemn and attack you because you do!

and the biggie!...

#10) Never knowing what's going to be served for Lodge dinner until you get to the actual dining room when it's being served or, when the dinner menu was actually foretold, it changed last minute because someone dropped the ball.

With all that being shared, I STILL LOVE Freemasonry!

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy

* This has to do with things that I have seen overall and is not an indictment of any one specific Grand Lodge, its officers or any of its members.  It is only put forth to serve as examples to respond to your question with significance.

A Brother Asks... What does Freeborn mean?

A Brother Asks:  Does the word "freeborn" mean "not born a slave"?

My Response: No.  It most certainly does not mean that and it never did.  But there are some extremely ignorant people in the world who would like others to believe this rubbish and perhaps for immoral purposes.

Brother:  But doesn't the word "Freeborn" mean "Born Free"? 

Coach: No.  It does not and never did.

Brother: Please, explain this!

Coach: The word "Freeborn" was originally used to explain the phrase "Able of Birth" and it had nothing to do with Slavery or Bondage. That was covered by the term "bondman" and "bondsman" which only applied to the Fellow Crafts who wanted to join, since they were of the age of consent.  Pre-apprentices by their very nature were under the age of consent making them chattel to their father or guardian.  Pre-apprentices being a slave was never addressed because they were already considered bonded to someone due to their being underage.

Brother: That makes sense!  Then with what does "able of birth" have to do?

Coach: It had everything to do with being "Superior or Excellent Stock" at birth.

Brother: What does that mean?

Coach: Its true meaning? 

Brother: Yes!

Coach: The word "Freeborn", and its variations "Free-Born" and "Free Born", all originally meant "excellent or superior birth" and referred to a person being of "superior breeding" and hence great potential, from the very beginning of whatever they are to engage in!

Brother: That's it?

Coach: No, it is often thought this meant "royalty" or "nobility" only, but it is not limited to this meaning.

Brother: How so?

Coach: Context is everything! And in this case, especially when the context of the original manuscripts using the word "freeborn" as it referenced the stock it should accept into Stonecraft organizations were trying to use the term to explain "Able of Birth".

Brother: Stock?

Coach: Yes!  It is anyone born who is believed to be "superior or excellent stock" at birth (as in: from the very beginning).  This characteristic is what Fellow Crafts looked for in what they examined for they would never want to start out with an apprentice who could never reach the potential of a Fellow Craft due to training inferior stock (as in: any one who could NEVER reach the potentials required of them).

Brother: Wow!  I can see how such character is exactly what members would want in their candidates.

Coach: Exactly!  Okay, so now that you know this, how are you going to proceed with this information? Please do tell!

 

For Further Light:

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy

SOURCE: Chapter VII "Able" from "Building Free Men - Uncommonly Freeing Masonic Education - Volume 8", found here: http://www.coach.net/BuildingFreeMen.htm
Found here: