Random Building Thoughts - 2020-11-09

 

 

------------ COACH'S CHALLENGE -----------------

You are tasked with explaining to Candidates how the word "Free" was an anglicanized version of the french word "Franche/Franc".

1) Show how the word "Free" transitioned from meaning "excellent, superior, pure" to "unrestrained".
2) Show at least 7 medieval guilds that used the word "Free", or used the French versions of the word, in front of their occupation to communicate they were to top professionals in their field.
3) Explain to the candidates how using the original meaning of the word "free" changes one's view of "Free Masonry" and "Free & Accepted"?
Bonus: Show at least four (4) other words that mean the same thing as the word "Accepted" as it is used in "Free & Accepted".

-- Coach John S Nagy

Source:  http://www.coach.net/BuildingFreeMen.htm

------------- CONTINUED THEME ----------------

Here's one of my youtube channel's videos on this "free" theme: 

(Please "Subscribe!")

------------- PROVOKING THOUGHTS ----------------

 

Wisdom is not a Blessing Received Without Struggle.

 

 

------------- PROVOKING THOUGHTS ----------------

 

 

Those who earnestly and sincerely desire to recognize God's Patterned Creations in many realms must study the 7 Liberal Arts & Sciences. Such study transforms understandings and fills hearts with ample appreciation of His Work. One would think that this and this alone would be enough to inspire men to invest in such activities.  

 

 

 ------------- PROVOKING THOUGHTS ----------------

Thomas Gospel 3 - Jesus said, “If your leaders say to you, ‘Look, the Father’s kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the Father’s kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty.”

Thomas Gospel 51 - His disciples said to him, “When will the rest for the dead take place, and when will the new world come?” He said to them, “What you are looking forward to has come, but you don’t know it.”

Thomas Gospel 113 - His disciples said to him, “When will the kingdom come?” “It will not come by watching for it. It will not be said, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Rather, the Father’s kingdom is spread out upon the earth, and people don’t see it.”

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

Luke 17:20-21 - And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

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

“Know Yourself” was the central enlightening concept related to the religion of Apollo at Delphi, Greece. 

-------------- RUFFIAN THOUGHTS ---------------

 

 

 You may be a Ruffian if...

...you purposefully make self-centered decisions that cause loss to others.

  -------------- FOUNDATIONAL THOUGHTS ---------------

 

 

 

 

The Moral of Freemasonry's Story can be summarized in one word:  Morality
 

 

 

 

 

 

  -------------- FOUNDATION ---------------

 

Once you come to Understand the Workings of any Religious Organization, you also see how Blatantly Obvious this Pattern is in all Others. More Importantly, you Realize how Utterly Responsible you are for Creating and then Following Mythologies that Best Exemplify your Truest Callings.

http://www.coach.net/TCU.htm

 

-------------- HUMOR ---------------

 

 

 

ARE YOU ONE OF THE GATEKEEPERS

 

-------------- HUMOR ---------------

 

  

 

FILED UNDER: The Grumpy Past Master's Daughter

 

 

 

 -------------- DAILY TEASE ---------------

 

 

 

It's all explained in Chapter XIII - The First Freemason

(Supportive Comments Welcomed!)


http://www.coach.net/TCU.htm

 

 

 -------------- END ---------------

 Be Well and Travel Light!

-- Coach Nagy ;-)

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A Brother Asks: The Backward Claim

 

THE CLAIM

A Brother Asks: I’ve heard it said that every man in the lodge room is a fellow craft and an apprentice.  I want to agree with this since our obligations to both of these remain with us after we ascend to the next degree.  While I am a Master Mason, I am still an Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft.  What are your thoughts?

Coach: Do you want to re-examine that notion?

Brother: Sure!

Coach: Actually, you are no longer either an Entered Apprentice or a Fellow Craft, if you have rightfully earned the title. Care to hear the logic?

Brother: Absolutely! But first, an example.

Coach: Great!  I love examples!

Brother: Good. You can always work a job that you are over qualified for. If there is no master work, is a master able to do the job of a fellow craft or an Apprentice? My short answer is, “yes.” In my humble opinion, it is better to be a Master with a low paying job, than a master whose family is starving because he has no work.

Also in my opinion, a master who does the work of an Entered Apprentice or a Fellow Craft is reminded of what it is to be a Master, what it took to get to where he is. Call it righteous labor.

This goes for life, not just Masonry. I will get out and help unload my truck sometimes, a job "beneath" me. It reminds me to be respectful and patient with the unloaders as sometimes their job is very difficult. It does me good.

 

THE REFRAME

Coach: Thanks for the examples.  There’s the problem with them though. Each is reframing and redirecting the whole question.  You are no longer talking about titles earned in your examples. You are merely talking about the work to be done. Doing the work that is below your skill and expertise level does not make you the work that you do. It merely means that you can render the work without relying upon greater skill and experience.

Brother: In Masonry, I am going back to the Entered Apprentice degree and studying once I am more comfortable, I will re-examine the Fellow Craft degree and then the Master Mason degree. I now have more tools (thanks to you) so I have to go back to the quarry and be a laborer for a while. While I carry the title of Master, I am going to do the work of an Apprentice for a while to become a better Master.

Coach: And there in lay the difference. Although you wear the title, you know that you still need to do the Work to earn it in a different way, by actually doing the Work that the Degrees point us toward.

Recognizing this is the first step toward the Masonic Mastery that the Degrees point us toward.

As you might have already come to realize, there's a HUGE difference between Freemasonic Mastery requirements and Masonic Mastery requirements. The former requires that you KNOW and repeat back three script. The later require you BE those scripts in every way.

Something to consider when you come across those wearing the Master’s title who hold to the claim that they, and all others wearing the title, are also apprentices and fellow crafts as well:

Just as students normally progress from freshman to sophomore, then from sophomore to junior, then from junior to senior, and finally from senior to graduate to never ever retain nor wear the previous titles and rightfully so, so too do members of the Craft normally progress from Entered Apprentice to Apprentice, Apprentice to Fellow, and finally from Fellow to Master, when they do the actual Work that cultivates each.

To imply or insist in any way that a previous title still applies once a higher title has been earned is likened to calling a graduate a school boy. It simply doesn't apply in the minds and hearts of anyone who has actually done the Work to earn the latest title. It also insults those who know better.

I earned the title "Master", as have countless others. To imply or claim that anyone is something less is to belittle those who have done the Work because you claim through your label that the person is still something that he has honestly and rightfully moved past.

And he shall object and for good reason.

A Master sees through the eyes of a Master. A Master hears with the ears of a Master. A Master works with the hands of a Master.  A Master learns from the vantage point of experience and skill. A Master has Wisdom, Strength and Beauty backing his Words and his Deeds, such that all or present and all are in agreement when he puts it forth. His engagements in life are Masterful. Learning and teaching are a Master's intent and he does so Masterfully.

Masters are no longer what they have passed through. They are the outcome of the sum total of what they have passed through.

When you call them otherwise, that label you make effort to put upon them says more about your views and attitudes than what they actually are.

Brother: Understood. It makes for a great lecture, for I have learned that I am all three and I am sure I'm not the only one who believes this.

Coach: Does that mean that you are still a freshman in high school?

Brother: Negative. 

Coach: Then, if you are no longer a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, because you have graduated, the same applies to apprentice and fellow craft, because, if you earned the title, you have graduated to Master and are no longer the previous because you have moved beyond them.

Brother: That makes perfect sense.  But what if you run into someone who can't rationally see this?

Coach: Then I suggest you put something more heartfelt in front of them.

Brother: Like?

Coach:  Ask them, "What man do you know who honestly believes that he's both a man and a boy just because he once went through boyhood?" Follow this with, "The entire point of Apprenticeship is maturing the Candidate so they can be embrace the demands of manhood.  A member who claims to be both a Master and Apprentice Mason he has yet to embrace this." 

Brother: Yikes!

 

For Further Light:

The Forever Apprentice

 

The Ashlar Progression

 

 

Okay, this one's for my Speculative Brothers and should be filed under: What most Speculative Masons should know that supports them in realizing what Freemasonry has to offer.

Brothers, please take note! This is the Progression that an Ashlar takes when being advanced in Operative Masonry with relevant linked information to assist you in understanding the basis for each step along the path.  

I hope that you can make the metaphorical connections as to how this should be overlaid upon your Speculative Work.

1) Aggregate -> 

    Earth Bound Stone

2) Freestone -> 

    A piece of Superior/Excellent Aggregate that has been freed from its bound condition for the purposes of being Worked upon. (This is not just an freed stone!)

3) Bastard Ashlar ->

    An unclaimed Hewn Freestone (as in: one that cannot Claim a Father) eventually used for the surface facade of buildings due to its thin nature (where one of its three dimensions is less than 2 inches in thickness.)

4) Rough Ashlar - > 

    A Claimed but unWorked Ashlar (as in: one that Claims a Father) where all of its three dimensions is greater than 2 inches in thickness.

5) Common Ashlar -> 

    A Worked Rough Ashlar that not quite Perfect

6) Perfect Ashlar -> 

    A Common Ashlar that has become Suitable for the Builder's Use (not to be confused with one of those imaginary Flawless Ashlars. It will likely have flaws chosen specifically by the Builder to add desired Characteristics to what He is Building, but shall contain no flaw that will weaken the Integrity of the overall Structure.

7) Raised Ashlar -> 

    A Perfected Ashlar that has been Raised

8) Positioned Ashlar -> 

    A Raised Ashlar Properly Placed

9) Cemented Ashlar -> 

    A Properly Placed Ashlar that helps make up a Unified Mass; a part of that House not made by Hand.

10) Perpend Ashlar -> 

    A Connecting Stone used to connect the inner and outer walls (a.k.a. Bond-Stone, Tie-Stone) 

 When you overlay this offered path upon the implied Speculative process, you get the following:

1) Aggregate -> 

    The Profane Masses

2) Freestone -> 

    A Potential Mason

3) Bastard Ashlar -> 

    A person with no potential as a legitimate member

4) Rough Ashlar - > 

    A Pre-mason or an Apprentice who has yet to begin his Work. Not to be confused with a Master Mason who claims to be an Apprentice and Rough Ashlar still.

5) Common Ashlar -> 

    An Apprentice who is Working upon his Ashlar but has yet to Perfect it.

6) Perfect Ashlar -> 

    An Apprentice that has completed his Apprentice Work and is now suitable for passing to the Fellow Craft Work.

7) Raised Ashlar -> 

    A  Fellow Craft Mason who has completed his study of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences.

8) Positioned Ashlar -> 

    A Raised Fellow Craft Masons who is Properly Placed within the House not made with hands that is the Fraternity.

9) Cemented Ashlar -> 

    A Master Mason who has become a part of the Fraternal mass and is now a full member of the Craft Lodge.

10) Perpend Ashlar -> 

    A Master Mason who has integrated into his life all the lessons he has been provided along the Masonic path and is who assists others to do the same.

-- Coach John S Nagy 

 

 

 

A Brother Asks: Orders of Architecture

A Brother Asks: Coach, Would you tell me how the columns figure into our Masonic journey?

Coach: I sure can.

Brother: Great!  Please do!

Coach: The first thing you must realize is what each column actually denotes allegorically.

Brother: Allegorically?  You mean the columns are standing in symbolically for a quality that a Brother must embrace Masonicly?

Coach: Exactly!

Brother: Wow!  I had never considered that approach before.

Coach: Many don’t.  Yet, they first are presented in a symbolic lodge and you’d think that most members would. I mean, it is a symbolic lodge.

Brother: True enough. Let’s start with the Tuscan.

Coach: No.  Let’s start with the Doric.

Brother: Why the Doric?                                                                 

Coach: Great question. What do you know about the symbolism of the Doric as it relates to the officers of the lodge?

Brother: I know that the three principle officers are denoted by the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns.

Coach: Meaning?

Brother: The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens respectively.

Coach: Great! So which officer is the Doric?

Brother: The Senior Warden.

Coach: Correct.  And what quality does the Senior Warden represent?

Brother: Strength.

Coach: Agreed. Using this understanding, what do the Ionic and Corinthian columns represent?

Brother: The remaining officers respectively, and by default, the qualities of Wisdom and Beauty too.

Coach: Yes.  So, you’re telling me that the Ionic, Doric and Corinthian columns represent Wisdom, Strength and Beauty?

Brother: No. Ritual is telling us this through our ritual lectures.

Coach: Indeed! 

Brother: How does this play into our Masonic journey?

Coach: Let’s overlay these qualities.

Brother: Okay.

Coach: The Doric column represents any Brother who demonstrates that he has worked sufficiently upon his Strength.

Brother: You mean sufficiently doing the Work pointed toward by the apprentice ritual to bring Order to the Chaos of his heart?

Coach: Precisely!

Brother: That makes perfect sense.  What about the Ionic column?

Coach: The Ionic column represents any Brother who demonstrates that he has Worked sufficiently upon his Wisdom.

Brother: You mean sufficiently doing the Work pointed toward by the fellow craft ritual to bring Order to the Chaos of his mind?

Coach: Yes. 

Brother: I like that! What about the Corinthian column?

Coach:  The Corinthian column represents any Brother who demonstrates that he has Worked sufficiently upon his Beauty?

Brother: Beauty?  How is that possible?  How do we work upon our appearance?

Coach: It’s symbolic my Brother.  And it means that a Brother has applied what he has learned within the first two degrees to create a recognizable masterpiece of Beauty.

Brother: You mean sufficiently doing the Work pointed toward by the master ritual to bring Order to the Chaos of his spirit?

Coach: Indeed!  You’re getting the hang of this symbolic stuff.

Brother: Thanks… your coaching helps a lot.

Coach: So does your ability to grasp the allegorical elements and apply them.

Brother:  Thanks... so, what about the Tuscan?  What does it represent?

Coach: The Tuscan is the plainest and simplest of all the columns presented to them within the staircase lecture. 

Brother: Okay…

Coach: When this is to symbolize any quality assigned to a member, it is to denote any Brother who demonstrates that he has yet to Work upon any aspect of his Wisdom, Strength or Beauty.

Brother: So, they have yet to do any of the Work pointed toward by the first three degrees?

Coach: Exactly!  They may have done the memorization work, but they have not applied anything that they have memorized toward their lives.

Brother: So, they are rough ashlars?

Coach: Yes, they have yet to even take up their Working Tools and applied them toward their Ashlars.

Brother: So, they are members, but they have yet to truly do anything other than fit in.

Coach: Sadly, I have to say "yes."

Brother: What about the Composite column?  How does that apply to our Masonic journey?

Coach: The Composite column is any Masterful Mason.

Brother: As in?

Coach: As in any Brother who demonstrates that he has Worked sufficiently upon his Wisdom, Strength and Beauty to create a masterpiece, most especially of himself.

Brother: You mean the Work that is pointed toward by the three symbolic degrees?

Coach:  Yes! Furthermore, he has integrated this Work fully and suitably into his being and everyday manner such that they all are present and they all agree.

Brother: Wow!  That’s a lot to take in?

Coach: Yes, and the sad aspect of this whole thing is that its hidden within plain sight and most members do not see it.

A Brother Asks: Time Between Degrees

Brother: Coach, I have a quick question for you.
Coach: Sure, fire away.

Brother: What’s your thought on the time spent as an Apprentice?
Coach: Why do you ask?

 Brother: I’ve noticed some (if not most) lodges allow their Apprentices to be passed and raised within a very short time (3 meetings in each degree), where some, like my own, you must spend a minimum of nine meetings (not including your communications where you are entered or passed.) and only when the Master deems you fit may you be passed or raised. Any thoughts?
Coach: I have a bunch.

Brother: Great! Please share them.
Coach:  Most of today's USA criteria for progression fitness are so inconsequential that time between Degrees is a joke. 

Brother: Why do you say this?
Coach: As long as the current lodge system policies prevent Apprentices from attending Lodge Business Meetings, and, more importantly, continuously sabotages all efforts for Apprentices to actually DO the Work that the Apprentice Degree points them toward because the are so focused upon having candidates focus strictly upon getting their next degree, the time that they spend between degrees is absolutely irrelevant. It makes no difference whatsoever to the average Brother going through.

Brother:  I believe the candidate e needs to understand what he’s memorizing and not just memorizing it.  

Coach: I agree!

Brother: It might take only 9 days for one Brother to get through his proficiencies while, in my case, it took me 4 months. So I think it all depends on the person.
Coach: True, but this is just the memorization work.  It is NOT the Work that the degrees point toward.

Brother: Don’t you think as long as a Brother gets the meaning out of his degree it’s time to move them on?
Coach:  That's the problem my Brother. Almost everyone who goes through the degrees has no clue what they actually mean. They are only filled with the Hose of Ritual, not the Wisdom of the Craft!  And that’s just for starters. Far fewer come away from the experience understanding the Work that each Degree asks them to do. Even fewer are motivated to actually do this Work and even fewer than that are willing to communicate this understanding to each successive generation.

Brother:  That is very true coach the work is getting lost.
Coach: So, in response to your original question… If a lodge continues to have progression based upon proficiencies that require memorization without understanding, the time in between degrees is inconsequential.