A Brother Asks: How do "Mysteries" Shape Our Values & Philosophies?

 

A Brother Asks: How significant is the notion of "mystery" in shaping the value system and philosophical teachings of Freemasonry?


Coach: The meaning being the word "mystery," as used by Freemasonry and Masonry, one was quite a delightful surprise for me. 

Brother: How so?

Coach: I had originally taken the word "mystery" to mean:

Mystery: (1) anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown: the mysteries of nature. any affair, thing, or person that presents features or qualities so obscure as to arouse curiosity or speculation.

And I pursued Freemasonic mysteries accordingly

But while doing Masonic research a while back, I came across this definition:

Mystery: (2) Occupation; trade; office; profession; calling; art; craft.

I also found out through that research that the words "Mastery" and "Mystery" were at one time taken to be synonymous!

And when I found out that there were things called "Mystery Plays" (a.k.a. "Occupational Plays!"), what I considered a lot of discrepancies within Freemasonic practices started to make a whole lot of sense that could not have made any sense using the first definition.

Using the second definition, I came to understand Freemasonry as an occupation!  It's actually a calling that needed to be practiced as a craft.  

The teachings are unusual in that they are more like provided directions. They are not there to actually teach us anything. They are there to show us what we must learn and how to go about that learning if we are to practice the Craft. 

And to practice the Craft of Freemasonry, one must embrace and exemplify through our actions the values and philosophies both pointed out and alluded to by its Rituals.

Otherwise mastering the mystery of these masterful craft mysteries will remain a masterful mystery.

Brother: I see what you did there.

Coach: Good!

 

 

A Brother Asks... Initiation and Mysteries

A Brother Asks: Is it required to be initiated to learn the mysteries?

My Response: Let's first make effort to firmly establish a few understandings of what is involved before the answer is put forth.

1. Initiation as a "ceremony" has value only in the mind of the individual going through it.  It can be likened to a public commitment to a path, but it is not necessarily that. Initiation as a "new behavior" that indicates an individual is now fully engaged in something that is transforming him is wholly different then going through a ceremony, although engaging in that new behavior can be ceremonial.
2. Learning is only Effective when Behavior has Changed that is Supportive of the Lessons Presented.  When behavior has not changed in line with the lessons, other than repeating back what one has been told to repeat back, learning has not occurred.
3. The biggest problem with the word, "mystery" is that it initially meant "occupation", "trade" and "profession".  It did not, in this instance, mean "things that are only revealed to those initiated" or "hidden things".  Although, the word can be used in this manner, to use it to indicate the latter in this case is altogether misleading. 
4. Once you get past all the twists and turns, you may come to realize that "one must Engage in the Work to become Transformed".  This engagement can occur with or without the support of others, as has been proven so many times throughout recorded history by those who have brought forth things and ideas in our cultures that were not evident to the masses before.

Coming back to the original question, the answer is "No".  But you'll be hard-pressed to hear this from the hoards...

1. who are convinced otherwise, or
2. who have a vested interest in having you believe otherwise. 

That being said, there are plenty of initiatic societies that offer experiences that they claim to be transformative.  I refer you to Item 2 on the above list as your rule and guide to measure the success of your engagements in these matters.

F&S,

Brother John S. Nagy

PS - To read up more about this topic, please refer to the Building Series of Uncommon Masonic Education books and dvds. You can find them here: http://www.coach.net/BuildingBuilders.htm