A Brother Asks: Top 3 Masonic Books

 

 THE TOP THREE MASONIC BOOKS!

A Brother Asks: What are the top 3 books every Mason should have in his library?

Coach: That truly depends upon how you define your terms. 

 

Brother: What do you mean?

Coach: How you define the term "masonry" will determine your focus.

Brother: Would you explain this to me?

 

Coach: Certainly. Most Freemasons read the word "masonry" and think strictly along organization lines. You can spot them in the offerings below. They instantly recommend only those books that will assist in running the degree making machinery. The examples offered below are littered with these examples.

Brother: So?

 

Coach: Masons, on the other hand, read the word "masonry" and think strictly along the lines of personal development that will eventually lead to the erection of spiritual buildings. They know that organizational books will NOT do that and for good reason: These books are NOT personal development books - they are ORGANIZATION development books. 

 

Brother: So, are you saying that Masons recommend books that help build men, not organizations. 

 

Coach: Based on the above stated criteria, I am.  You can see a few of these books presented here as examples below as well.

 

Brother: But doesn't helping to build an organization help build men?

 

Coach: Great Question!  Let me put this idea forth: 

 

If you join a gym and go to it to get a work out 

and are instead put to task to run the gym 

by those who are in charge of running it, 

are you there honoring your original intent 

or the organization's?

 

The book recommendation you read below fall into three entirely different paths...

1. build men,
2.  build organizations, 
3. and things that have nothing to do with either. 

How you chose to define your term will determine what you eventually work upon and build, or not.

 

---------------

 

THREAD EXAMPLES (Which focus on personal growth, which on organizational development, and which have nothing to do with either?):

1. VOSL (Holy books), Book of constitutions, Lodge by laws
2. Law/code book of his jurisdiction, Freemasons For Dummies, Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?
   
3. The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, Morals and Dogma, The History of Freemasonry 
4. The Book of Nature (1870 edition), The Holy Bible,  The Trivium & Quadrivium
   
5. Freemason at work , Bernard Jones guide and compendium to FM
6. Robert's Rules Of Order,  Born in blood, Hiram Key
7. The History of Freemasonry & the Concordant Orders, Sir Isaac Newton's Freemasonry, Templars in America
   
8. The Four Agreements,The Secret, The Celestine Prophecy
   
9. Rituals, Constitution, and Esoteric Books. (Not any of those Holy books)
10. Bible, Morals and Dogma, Pilgrim’s Path
11. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, First Things First, Personal Journal
12. Holy book of your faith, Robert's rules of order, How to win friends and influence people
13. An Encyclopedia, Dictionary, Holy Book 
14. The Craft and Its Symbols,The secret science of masonic initiation, The Royal masonic cyclopedia of history, rites, symbolism and Biography.
15. The holy bible, The exemplar,The craft and its symbols. (There is also a book titled "earning freemasonry" that is very good for those looking into becoming an officer.)

     

     
    
     

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.

----------------------

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

----------------------

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

----------------------

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

----------------------

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

----------------------

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

----------------------

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

----------------------

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
  

----------------------

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
  

----------------------

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

----------------------

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!

----------------------

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!
  

----------------------

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.

----------------------

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.
  

----------------------

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!

What Kind of Library do you Have?

Many Brothers have no clue as to what kind of "Craft" library they actually have in their home or office.  Most of these Brothers don’t care that they don't know.

Category One

Take a good look at the typical Brother’s library. 

On his shelves will likely be found code books that “letter out”, in some fashion or form, the Rituals of his Jurisdiction.  He will probably also have a book that is called a “monitor” that includes the non-esoteric portions of his Jurisdiction’s Rituals.  This book would include prayers, portions of lectures, and some aspects of his rituals that are not esoteric.  He may have more of the same from other jurisdictions.

When the Brother was properly mentored and instructed, his shelf may include booklets prepared by his Grand Lodge.  They usually include an introduction to his Fraternity, Glossaries of the words and symbols used within each Degree along with explanations that support the Ritual he went through.  It might include what to say to non-members when asked about the society and perhaps even something about how to join when interested.

If the Brother is a bit more involved in the organization, next to them may be the Digest of Law that is used to guide his membership. 

If he is a hard-core practicing member, included on his shelf may be handbooks categorized as “Masonic Etiquette”, “Masonic Law”, “Masonic Lore”, “Masonic History”, “Masonic Allegory”, “Masonic Tradition”, “Masonic Lexicon”, “Masonic Grand Lodges”, "Masonic Floor-Work (a.k.a. "Masonic Choreography")" and “Masonic Symbolism”. 

If he was interested in the Society some time before his petitioning, he will likely have other books in a section dedicated to his efforts to learn more about it.  Those books might include the many standard exposés and guides that can be found fairly easily by anyone desiring to find them.  They may also include books that describe the Society, its Rituals, and its supposed History.  Included in these may also be books about Famous or Well-Known Members of the Society and even historical events and political occurrences believed to somehow be connected with the Society and its members.

If he is hyper-enthusiastic about the organization and about other things, that are considered external to it by the majority of the members, he may have books that speculate upon the society’s origins and outside connecting interests.  They may include on their shelves books that show supposed connections between the society and Rosicrucianism, Cabbala, Alchemy, Mysticism, Biblical Characters, Knights Templar, Illuminati, Divinity, Religion, Underground Organizations, Secret Societies, Shadow or Off-World Governments, New World Orders, Shakespeare, Atlantis, Time-Travel, Ancient Astronauts and many others that have yet to be imagined or considered by the masses.

There are much more that could be added to this list.  Officer training manuals and guides for one.  Papers written about many of the above topics, some espousing past glories, some encouraging Brothers to reach out and reconnect and a few that delve into the minutest detail about some long forgotten organizational practice might also be added. 

Books, papers and articles proscribed by Grand Lodge as forbidden may also be there, proudly displayed but easily concealed when necessary. 

There is always something that can be added to the shelves when it comes to the Society.

Category Two

However, when the Brother takes what Ritual points toward, and directs his attentions toward what it espouses, his book shelves are filled with entirely different books.

You’ll see books on personal development and self-improvement.  He’ll have books covering finding one’s purpose and understanding what is most important in life and in business.  He’ll have books on emotional, personal and business management, and building strong relationships and creating new ones.  Time management and effective habit formation are also covered. 

Books covering Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic abound.  Dictionaries with word roots and etymologies are included.  Books covering archaic phrases, terms and obsolete words are also represented.  These books also cover understanding Symbols as they are represented in words, phrases, metaphor and allegory.  Encyclopedias covering symbolism, metaphors and slang are alongside them.  Books offering translations from one language to another are most likeley present.

Books covering Mathematics are there too, and this area includes statistics and probability theory.  Geometry, both classical and contemporary, are there too and include a strong presence of Trigonometric Studies.  Music theory, to include numbers in time and how each are represented through numbers and symbols are there as well.  Books on Physics and Astronomy are also represented.  These books cover understanding Symbols as they are represented in numbers, and numeric patterns.

On these shelves are also Classics.  These Classics cover a wide range of Philosophies, Theologies, Authors, Cultures and Histories (untethered to and untainted by “The Society of Free & Accepted Masons” literature and influences).  They are each carefully and clearly represented and they have well-worn pages showing much use. 

And personal journals and workbooks that track thoughts, frustrations, successes and overall progress are likely to be splattered among all the other books, placed carefully next to that work's focus.

Library Assessment

If you’re interested in determining what dominates this Brother's focus, count the number of books that fall into Category One and then count those that fall into Category Two.  Ask yourself: Which of the two dominates the shelves?

As you do this, keep in mind that:

1.      The first category focuses upon the organization and upon being a good organizational member.  It covers everything you need to know about the Organization, how to support it, how to share it, how to maintain it, who was and is in it, what happen within the organization when, where and to whom, what words and phrases to use and how to participate.

2.      The second category focuses upon the person.  It covers what has to be learned by that person to become Better.  This focus includes supporting that person in doing so and shows and cultivates awareness, incentives, actions and skills within that person that contribute to making that person and the world a better place.

As you might have guessed, the overall focus of these books says a lot about the person owned by them.

Suffice it to say, you'll find by your assessment that the majority of the books on the shelves that fall into the first category to be essentially Freemasonic in focus. Why Freemasonic?  Because each of them is all about some aspect of the Organization which bears its name and those who are members to it

You'll find too that the majority of the books that fall into the second category to be essentially Masonic in focus.  Why Masonic?  Because each of them is all about Building both men and what they influence in the world as a whole.


Why Draw these Distinctions? 

Great Question!  Ask yourself the following question:  What is it that actually Makes Good Men Better? 

Is it...

1. Having one title after another bestowed upon you for merely showing up? 
2. Memorizing things you'll never take the time to understand?
3. Serving a system whose main objectives are to Perform Ritual, Recruit and Retain but not actually Support what it Espouses?

Or is it...

1. Cultivating you toward Knowing and Ordering your Heart and Head?
2. Directing your Attention toward what is most Important in life?
3. Unburdening you from vice and superfluity?
4. Building you strong and doing so in virtuous ways?
5. Showing and Teaching you how to better relate to yourself and others - both known and unknown?
6. Providing you maps, legends and tools along with Instructions and Skill Development on how to Apply them effectively to navigate any territory you may encounter - both known and unknown?
7. Learning how the universe functions and ultimately commanding the very elements of God's creation - not through some superstitious non-sense, magic or mystical words - but through Wisely Applying the Laws God has laid out for you to Use? 

So, what does your assessment show you and the world?  What kind of Library do you have?  Better yet... what kind of Library has you?

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy