The Chamber Of Reflection

[rebis]

Do you have it in your lodge?

It is a darkened room containing several symbols and artifacts designed to stimulate the intellect of the new initiate prior to the ceremony.

It is here where he writes his philosophical testament before being imitated into the craft.

From my travels overseas I found that most lodges seam to have such a chamber. We however here on the left coast do not.


Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

 

[Bro. Stewart P.M.]

As previously discussed in other threads within this forum... The Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M. does neither support nor allow the usage of the "chamber of reflection" in any part of the ritualistic work.

Its been a pretty touchy subject at times.

 

[JamesMichael]

We don't have one, but we have plans to build one in our facility. Our GL has an official guide.

 

[Mike Martin]

Not used by any of the three Home Grand Lodges (England, Ireland & Scotland) in the UK.

Mainly because when they started there was no such thing in Freemasonry.

 

[Brother_Steve]

Before becoming a Freemason, a man will be looking at symbols that have zero masonic meaning to them as they are not yet taught the meaning behind anything that could be in that room. It kind of goes against the "dispel any preconceived notions," portion of what a non mason is told since the prep room will without a doubt give a man false notions of what he is about to embark on.

imho of course.

 

[Brother_Steve]

Before becoming a Freemason, a man will be looking at symbols that have zero masonic meaning to them as they are not yet taught the meaning behind anything that could be in that room. It kind of goes against the "dispel any preconceived notions," portion of what a non mason is told since the prep room will without a doubt give a man false notions of what he is about to embark on.

imho of course.

"since the prep room will without a doubt" should read as "since the CoR will without a doubt..."

p.s.

Is the lack of an edit button intentional?

 

[dfreybur]

From my travels overseas I found that most lodges seam to have such a chamber. We however here on the left coast do not.

At least one left coast lodge has it. Vallee de France in Pasadena retained its Louisiana style French First Degree when they switched their charter to California. They use a Chamber of Reflection. There's another French speaking lodge in the Bay Area that might as well. If you ever have a change to attend a first degree at either, I recommend you get on that bus and take the ride!

 

[crono782]

Is the lack of an edit button intentional?

It's a link at the bottom of the posts. I edit mine that way at least.

 

[dfreybur]

Is the lack of an edit button intentional?

Lost during the recent major upgrade. I hope that feature comes back at some point. My spelling and grammar are atrocious so I used the feature frequently.

 

[crono782]

I used the edit feature just today on the forum. Both on the site and app.


Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

 

[Brother JC]

All of my US lodges use one.
Whether appointed with the "questionable" accoutrements or not, I believe candidates need a quiet space to reflect, alone, before their Initiation.

 

[Rob_Eades]

Rebis-JJones...TrySquare.........Reflect on what? Most think this is a time to bond with the candidate and to set him at ease and to prepare him for the lesson he is about to receive. The Grand Lodge of VA does not recognize the chamber of reflection and determined them to be an innovation in Freemasonry and a deviation from the ritual as taught by the Committee on Work. Quite frankly Brother if you put me in that room with skulls, etc., you would have found me in the parking lot making my escape. Just one question. What is the desired result?


Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

 

[crono782]

The desired result, I say is to begin to sow the seeds of a lesson in the candidate that finally comes to fruition in the Masters degree...

Sadly as is often the case more effort is made to devalue the experience or the degree itself by cracking jokes while inside a messy storage room.


Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

 

[Brother JC]

Reflect on what? Most think this is a time to bond with the candidate and to set him at ease and to prepare him for the lesson he is about to receive.

You answered your own question... reflect on the lesson he is about to receive.
You say "bond with the candidate." Who's doing that? In my lodge, everyone is in opening the lodge, and there's no one hanging out with the candidate.

 

[vangoedenaam]

The chamber is an integral part of ritual. The mm degree will actually explain the reasoning behind that. Its in fact a thing used in rituals by many much older groups. If done well and taken seriously it is a very profound experience for the initiate.


Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

 

[JJones]

Isn't the CoR used in many places outside the US? I don't see how it's an innovation...

 

[Rob_Eades]

Brethren lets agree to disagree on this one. We apparently do things a little different here. The candidate is never left alone, he is reassured, comfort level raised and and introduced to true Brotherhood. These Chambers were being used in a couple of Lodges not long ago. Some of those who had been through these were interviewed. Most spoke positively of the experience but not one could articulate a a single lesson that they took from this experience. Sorry guys not a supporter.


Sent From My Freemasonry Pro App

 

[Brother_Steve]

In my lodge, everyone is in opening the lodge, and there's no one hanging out with the candidate.

Unless one really digs the opening exchange between all the officers, you only need 7 to open a lodge. Someone, preferably an officer that has no lines in the opening or closing, should stay with candidates in waiting.

I was told that we actually had someone who walked out. His contact in the lodge later found out that he was really nervous and had last minute questions that could not be answered.

I know anecdotal statements have to be taken with a grain of salt. However, we all have parts to do on degree nights. Getting one brother to sit with the candidates or brothers waiting to receive their next degree should be one of them imo.

No disrespect meant, trysquare.

 

[Brother JC]

None taken. I've just never seen it, that's all. In NM, the Tiler is the only one still outside, and is available if the candidate has questions. But I think that by the time the night is set everything should have been answered already.
Each lodge to their own. I, personally, value having had the chamber to contemplate within before my Initiation.

 

[Bill Lins]

In our Lodge, after the candidate has received the reading, the Master of Ceremonies remains with him in the anteroom and prepares him for his entrance into the Lodgeroom. He is never left alone.