By the time masonic philosophy was being refined into a coherent organization, europeans had already replaced determinism with a phenomenological sense of the world. Well crafted history and the wealth of our culture, allows us the time and means to understand how superstition was replaced by science.
Today, the accumulated knowledge of ancient and advanced cultures is available to us. As if the progress we have made is permanent, our children follow the lead of the adults, being indifferent to learning and understanding the values and morays of our nations. The estates of politics, religion and media mute the appetite for learning. Conspiracy theorists and the weakminded playing on the notion that uninformed, or what the academics call ignorance, are people more easily controlled than well educated conjure stories that is this a planned or deliberate outcome. Television: the opiate of the masses.
Why then, am I galled by the lack of appetite for masonic education? Why do I find it intellectually offensive that decades of freemasons have not educated themselves in the way of freemasonic thought?
Enlightenment is the singular purpose of freemasonry, but each man must alone and according to his own initiative, enter the into the world of philosophical reasoning essentially blind to the scope of the challenge at hand.
I find it useful to do the heavy lifting first. So to avoid the embarrasment of rigidity, let's look at context with what I think is the most absorbing of all ways of thinking. Buddhism. Here is something I lifted from the internet...
"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity" A widely cited, but apparently spurious quotation attributed to Albert Einstein 1
"The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the worlds ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances." Atisha.
"If you live the sacred and despise the ordinary, you are still bobbing in the ocean of delusion." Lin-Chi.
"Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals. I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.” Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh.
"When the mind begins to become still, we then begin to truly see it. When you first try to stabilize and pacify the mind, initially it will become very busy because it’s not accustomed to being still. In fact, it doesn’t even necessarily want to become still, but it is essential to get a hold of the mind to recognize its nature. This practice is extremely important. ... Eventually you will find yourself in a state where your mind is clear and open all the time. It is just like when the clouds are removed from the sky and the sun can clearly be seen, shining all the time. This is coming close to the state of liberation, liberation from all traces of suffering. ... The truth of this practice is universal. It isn’t necessary to call it a religion to practice it. Whether one is a Hindu or a Moslem or a Christian or a Buddhist simply doesn’t matter. Anyone can practice this because this is the nature of the mind, the nature of everyone’s mind. If you can get a handle on your mind, and pacify it in this way, you will definitely experience these results, and you will see them in your daily life situation. There is no need to put this into any kind of category, any kind of "ism." Venerable Gyatrul Rinpoche
Saturday, 19 April 2008
Thursday, 17 April 2008
Newspapers and Starry Nights
How did freemasonry become the repository of so much allegorical
communication? Our early ancestors left designs and symbols cut into
stone, which remain to this day for us to ponder. What story or
message did the writer intend? The imponderable question is often
asked in freemasonry and not just by the priests of the order but
continously from the moment we receive the preparation of an Entered
Apprentice. Encouraged to derive our own understanding of the
universe, we have clad our world like layers of paint, the hardened
faded surface hiding tones beneath. A symbol is a silent package of
information revealed publically yet if the message is not obvious,
surely then and paradoxically what is in constant view must contain a
message hidden for a reason. Or is it?
In the craft, symbols are used to communicate information to large
numbers of people. What is the root of the entire process whereby a
design of simple lines contains an important story? Much of our work
has reference to ancient cultures.; especially the Egyptians which
is not entirely a coincidence. During the early 18th century, when
the Grand Lodge was formed there was popular interest in Egyptology
across Britain and Europe. If we adjust our thinking to that period
the frequent use of Egyptian orientations had great appeal to our
ancient brethren.
The Egyptians , being an old culture had numerous gods drawn from the
stars that expressed a sense of origins. There is more than a few
references to this and some are quite familiar to freemasons. Let's
explore the sources of some of those items.
Symbols had been used in cultures that predated the pyramid builders,
however it was the genius of Egyptians to use symbols to communicate
information.
Imagine living in a land where it did not rain but produced high
yield crops. That was life in the lower Nile. Each year the river
flooded dangerously and swept everything in its path. When the water
receded, it left behind silt rich in nutrients that in turn produced
more grain than could be used locally. Phoenicians, who couldn't
grow enough, became trade partners buying the surplus. We find this
symbolized in many lodges. Time has slightly stretched the meaning
with a play on words: a corn (or kernel) of wheat became for us an
ear of corn, but the idea is still there.
Anubis or Sirius later became the symbol of the guide to the
underworld, but we use it for a different meaning as the glimmering
star in the East. We have to go back to the Egyptians to find the
link.
Rural works could not be resumed in Egypt until after the Nile had
receded. Of course, anything that could remind people of the seasons
flood would hurry the pace to finish taking in crops before danger
arrived. The local people began setting out a small form in the
community where people were most likely to see them, to remind one
another about the seasonal floods; a form that gave details as if it
was the front page of a newspaper. For example, to tell everyone
the flood level was dropping a public sign of husbandry was put out.
It was called Museus which meant saved by the waters.
The Egyptians developed adoration of the sun as G-d, the author of
all good and looked to the star Osiris as their symbolic founder.
Like speculative freemasons they were acquainted with the signs of
the Zodiac and from the heavens poured out a sense of purpose and
logic that explained the unexplainable. The symbolical names were
used to regulate sowing, mowing, harvest and many other works .
They found it was convenient to put out a small figurine or a single
letter to notify the exact time which certain general works were to
begin in common and when the feasts were to be celebrated. The
figures were so popular that little by little they began to be
refined,to explain even more sophisticated information. This method
of explanation introduced eastern cultures to the use of allegory.
( Pythagoras who travelled through eastern countries is thought to
have brought the custom back to Italy.)
Year after year they watched the river swell right after an Etesian
(annual) wind blowing north to south, which was about the time the
sun was passing under the stars of the crab constellation, which we
call Cancer. They then began to gauge the exact time to finish the
harvest and so avoid the high water when the sun was under a
different constellation, that of the lion, Leo. Then a few weeks
after that, one of the most brilliant and almost the largest star in
the heavens came over the horizon just before sunrise. That star
became the public mark for everyone to head for the higher ground.
To the Egyptians is became a warning of danger and they gave it a
name: Thaaut or Thaaut, or in Egyptian Anubis and in Greek Sirius
The people stayed safely in their towns for two months because of a
message that was marked by the heavens.
This leading light later became the Glimmering-Star of masonry. The
shining star therefore represents prudence which should appear
conspicuous in the conduct of every mason; also celebrated as the
star which appeared in the east guiding wise men of Bethlehem,
fulfilled a prophecy through a message in the stars.
The appearance of Sirius each year was an early warning system and it
sits as a beacon for all who know it's meaning, knowledge which
ensures our safety. And of course the pillars being in Cancer and
Capricorn might just be an even more interesting allegory...
Dg
Generously referenced from:
Mysteries of Freemasonry or the Exposition of The Religious Dogmas
and Customs of The Ancient Egyptians Shewing their Identity with The
Order of Modern Masonry by John Fellows.1866
communication? Our early ancestors left designs and symbols cut into
stone, which remain to this day for us to ponder. What story or
message did the writer intend? The imponderable question is often
asked in freemasonry and not just by the priests of the order but
continously from the moment we receive the preparation of an Entered
Apprentice. Encouraged to derive our own understanding of the
universe, we have clad our world like layers of paint, the hardened
faded surface hiding tones beneath. A symbol is a silent package of
information revealed publically yet if the message is not obvious,
surely then and paradoxically what is in constant view must contain a
message hidden for a reason. Or is it?
In the craft, symbols are used to communicate information to large
numbers of people. What is the root of the entire process whereby a
design of simple lines contains an important story? Much of our work
has reference to ancient cultures.; especially the Egyptians which
is not entirely a coincidence. During the early 18th century, when
the Grand Lodge was formed there was popular interest in Egyptology
across Britain and Europe. If we adjust our thinking to that period
the frequent use of Egyptian orientations had great appeal to our
ancient brethren.
The Egyptians , being an old culture had numerous gods drawn from the
stars that expressed a sense of origins. There is more than a few
references to this and some are quite familiar to freemasons. Let's
explore the sources of some of those items.
Symbols had been used in cultures that predated the pyramid builders,
however it was the genius of Egyptians to use symbols to communicate
information.
Imagine living in a land where it did not rain but produced high
yield crops. That was life in the lower Nile. Each year the river
flooded dangerously and swept everything in its path. When the water
receded, it left behind silt rich in nutrients that in turn produced
more grain than could be used locally. Phoenicians, who couldn't
grow enough, became trade partners buying the surplus. We find this
symbolized in many lodges. Time has slightly stretched the meaning
with a play on words: a corn (or kernel) of wheat became for us an
ear of corn, but the idea is still there.
Anubis or Sirius later became the symbol of the guide to the
underworld, but we use it for a different meaning as the glimmering
star in the East. We have to go back to the Egyptians to find the
link.
Rural works could not be resumed in Egypt until after the Nile had
receded. Of course, anything that could remind people of the seasons
flood would hurry the pace to finish taking in crops before danger
arrived. The local people began setting out a small form in the
community where people were most likely to see them, to remind one
another about the seasonal floods; a form that gave details as if it
was the front page of a newspaper. For example, to tell everyone
the flood level was dropping a public sign of husbandry was put out.
It was called Museus which meant saved by the waters.
The Egyptians developed adoration of the sun as G-d, the author of
all good and looked to the star Osiris as their symbolic founder.
Like speculative freemasons they were acquainted with the signs of
the Zodiac and from the heavens poured out a sense of purpose and
logic that explained the unexplainable. The symbolical names were
used to regulate sowing, mowing, harvest and many other works .
They found it was convenient to put out a small figurine or a single
letter to notify the exact time which certain general works were to
begin in common and when the feasts were to be celebrated. The
figures were so popular that little by little they began to be
refined,to explain even more sophisticated information. This method
of explanation introduced eastern cultures to the use of allegory.
( Pythagoras who travelled through eastern countries is thought to
have brought the custom back to Italy.)
Year after year they watched the river swell right after an Etesian
(annual) wind blowing north to south, which was about the time the
sun was passing under the stars of the crab constellation, which we
call Cancer. They then began to gauge the exact time to finish the
harvest and so avoid the high water when the sun was under a
different constellation, that of the lion, Leo. Then a few weeks
after that, one of the most brilliant and almost the largest star in
the heavens came over the horizon just before sunrise. That star
became the public mark for everyone to head for the higher ground.
To the Egyptians is became a warning of danger and they gave it a
name: Thaaut or Thaaut, or in Egyptian Anubis and in Greek Sirius
The people stayed safely in their towns for two months because of a
message that was marked by the heavens.
This leading light later became the Glimmering-Star of masonry. The
shining star therefore represents prudence which should appear
conspicuous in the conduct of every mason; also celebrated as the
star which appeared in the east guiding wise men of Bethlehem,
fulfilled a prophecy through a message in the stars.
The appearance of Sirius each year was an early warning system and it
sits as a beacon for all who know it's meaning, knowledge which
ensures our safety. And of course the pillars being in Cancer and
Capricorn might just be an even more interesting allegory...
Dg
Generously referenced from:
Mysteries of Freemasonry or the Exposition of The Religious Dogmas
and Customs of The Ancient Egyptians Shewing their Identity with The
Order of Modern Masonry by John Fellows.1866
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