It Doesn't Have to Be Like This

[Zack]

What better way to implant the lessons of Masonry firmly in the mind than through repetition and memorization?

Imo, they have to be learned and understood before they can be acted upon.

 

[Warrior1256]

Imo, they have to be learned and understood before they can be acted upon.

Exactly. Just memorizing the material and repeating it back without understanding it is meaningless.

 

[dfreybur]

What better way to implant the lessons of Masonry firmly in the mind than through repetition and memorization?

I have met brothers who could recite the ritual and lectures word perfect, even the stage directions. Yet they could not discuss its meaning to save their lives.

Imo, they have to be learned and understood before they can be acted upon.

Understanding is key. Even at the level of discussing the exact words to understand the content of the ritual at more than an outline level. Once I puzzled out what each line meant, the ritual went from morality plays to rich sources of meaning and vocabulary. And from there started the Masonic education that's about other than ritual. Masonic training is about what the ritual is. Masonic education is about that which is outside the ritual.

 

[Warrior1256]

I have met brothers who could recite the ritual and lectures word perfect, even the stage directions. Yet they could not discuss its meaning to save their lives.

Exactly. Luckily I have access to a number of people that can explain things and I do my own research. I love Masonry and want to learn everything that I am capable of learning.