Many
within the Craft have heard the term "Irreligious Libertine" and they
seem to know immediately what that implies. But, when faced with a
change in direction, they are confronted with something that challenges
their preconceived notions as to possibilities. Such is what is
presented by changing the word "Irreligious" to "religious" in the term.
YOUR CHALLENGE (should you agree to accept it):
Explain
separately what "IRRELIGIOUS LIBERTINE" and "RELIGIOUS LIBERTINE" mean
to you while making every earnest and sincere effort to keep sex out of
your explanation!
Let the discourse begin!
-------------- PERFECTING --------------
To
do the Initial Masonic Work, one must first Work upon one's Heart and
then one's Head, in this Order. For this purpose, the Working Tools of
the first Degree are assumed to be two in the American Rite. Each
require specific Actions to take place to Perfect (Mature) the Ashlar
before its Raising. Establishment of Virtues, Circumscription and
Subduing of Passions and Desires, Divestment of Vices &
Superfluities, and Establishment of Time Management, are among the many
Activities Designed and Intended to Perfect the Ashlar and ready it for
Raising (Second Degree Work). In addition to these Perfecting
activities, the Fellow Craft Working Tools are Developed during the
First Degree Work. Sure, one may eventually possess them, but one shall
not know how to use the Second Degree Working Tools unless one Develops
them through the Work of the First Degree.
-------------- FAKES --------------
-------------- EGO --------------
“How to get rid of ego as dictator and turn it into messenger and servant and scout, to be in your service, is the trick.”
― Joseph Campbell
I'm
with Joe on this.Ego is the mediator between the ID and the Super Ego.
It has purpose and one would be foolish to rid oneself of it. Can you
imagine a world ruled by IDs and Super Egos? But wait! Are we not there
already? Perhaps maturing the Egos of the world should be our collective
new direction.
1) To Learn (Head Work), 2) To Subdue One's Passions (Heart Work), and 3) To Improve One's Self in Masonry (Bettering One's Building by Improving One's Heart and Mind -- a.k.a. "Soul!")
Freemasonry
only opens doors toward Betterment for men who wish to Travel the
Realms of Masonry. Freemasonry is not intended to be offered as a
Program of Rehabilitation for any soul, although there are some souls
who could benefit tremendously toward this end by Masonic Practice.
The
Betterment however is the sole Responsibility of each Traveler should
the door be opened up to him. Freemasonry makes no efforts toward
Betterment other than keeping the door of Betterment open to those who
are worthy.
<sigh> yup... sometimes more than one... and we all get our fair share...
-------------- SEEK THE LIGHT! --------------
-------------- MYTH --------------
"The
mistake of mistakes is the apparently plausible notion that to say
something one has to say something. But what the artist has to present
is wordless. Art brings out and presents to the mind the living
structure—lines of the cosmos: this presentation reveals to us the
proportions of our being: this revelation sets our minds in harmony for a
moment: and this harmony is the bath of life."
— (Joseph Campbell, The Ecstasy of Being. New World Library. pp 12-13)
-------------- REALITY --------------
You May Deny Reality At Any Time. However, Keep Aware When you Do for Reality Shall Never Deny You.
-------------- CIVILITY --------------
Civility does not require giving up one's rights; it only requires one
doesn't violate another's rights while maintaining one's own.
Have you ever wondered the exact "specified"reason for Adam's creation? It's not what most believe! Once you truly know the answer, it may reshape your life's mission.
The Light in the Garden - Finally! Hope for the Outcasts
A Brother Asks: How does one "master" something that is (by definition) potentially different for each person?
Coach: It might be considered different if you do not truly understand what that thing is. However, we are not talking about something that is by definition potentially different for each person. We are talking about something that is the same for everyone.
Let me expand upon this.
The end that each of us is directed toward is to Erect a Spiritual Building and to do so agreeably to God's Rules & Designs. THAT special and sacred task REQUIRES mastering a very specific skill set that is pointed toward by the first two degree Rituals.
You cannot accomplish this end without mastering that skill set that enables the ability to accomplish it.
Brother: So, what makes a man, a "better" man?
Coach: What makes a GOOD man better is cultivating that aforementioned skill set and then applying that skill set to Erect a Spiritual Building and to do so agreeably to God's Rules & Designs. Once you start that process, you cannot avoid becoming better.
Brother: Because we say so?
Coach: No. Because the path that Ritual provides us says that we must do whatever it takes to erect that spiritual building agreeably to God's Rules & Designs. And by default, since God's Rules & Designs are moral, implementing them into our erected spiritual building makes us better
Brother: But everyone's path to being "better" is going to be different.
Coach: Yes. However, the skill set required to better oneself is standardized for Masons by way of God's Rules & Designs. How we go about that task will be uniquely our own.
So, is mastery different for everyone? Yes, because Beauty is put forth as a fingerprint of the master who creates it. However, That mastery was arrived at by implementing God's Rules & Designs, which can only be understood and applied by those who took the time to cultivate specific skills.
Effective and Long-lasting Leadership Training is an inside out job.
Without a solid core of self-knowledge and self-control, all development
is built upon shifting sand that will utterly bury your efforts in
time.
-------------- FAKE/REAL --------------
It's
utterly amazing how many members get their panties in a wad over who's
real and who's fake. If they only realized the truth perhaps they would
not be so dogmatic.
When did you first Know that Light was there to Seek?
-------------- FAILURE --------------
When
a Brother makes Effort to Personally Attack another when opinions
differ, it is not a Failure of the Craft. It is a Failure on the part
of the Attacking Brother.
One of the Toughest Challenges a Mason Must Figure Out is Who his Brothers are and Who are Ring-Wearers.
BTW...
We know our Brothers by certain signs...
1) Right Angles (Squared and Properly Completed Work , Virtues, Morals)
2) Horizontals (Level, Fair, & Equitable Dealings)
3) Perpendiculars (Uprightness in ALL our Activities)
You will NOT see these signs in those who are just Ring-Wearers!
-------------- MASONIC EDUCATION --------------
-------------- HUMOR --------------
(Hat Tip to Brother Kevin Schneider!)
-------------- INVEST! --------------
Betterment cannot be Bestowed upon anyone who doesn't Invest in
themselves. Lead by example; Be what you Profess; Instruct the Worthy.
Attract those who want what you have and who are earnestly willing to
go to any moral length to have the same for themselves. Make your
Intentions clear so those Detracted shall remain so. Your Investments
shall always show Returns, long after your current physical state and in
ways you cannot begin to imagine.
-------------- COACH'S CHALLENGE --------------
The candidates want to know more about this Masonic Goat they
continually hear about through the other members and internet memes.
You find that you are at a loss for
words. You honestly believe it is just something with which members kid
candidates (pun intended). However, you want to give a serious
response to them so you take upon yourself some tasks in preparation of
your talk with them.
YOUR TASKS:
1) Research and find the first mention of riding a goat as applied
toward a fraternity (see "The anonymous Odd Fellowship Exposed" (Exeter
New Hampshire, 1845).
2) Research the lodge's cornucopia, where they can be found and the lore and etymology behind them.
3) Research the word "tragedy", its etymology, its connection to the
3rd degree drama and how candidates are metaphorically carried through
it by their Brothers.
-------------- SHARING LIGHT --------------
Your best thoughts left unshared are social seed stone sown.
