Chamber of Reflection

[Blake Bowden]

Until I began my journey within the appendant bodies, my experience with anti-rooms or chambers were nothing more than sitting in a dusty closet full of worn out sandals and dry cleaned costumes.

As Texas Masons, why do we downplay the symbolism of the chamber of reflection?

http://www.masonsoftexas.com/content.php/196-The-Chamber-of-Reflection

 

[JTM]

sure. there are some really cool chambers of reflection out there.

 

[JTM]

V.I.T.R.I.O.L.(U.M.)

my favorite line there.

 

[Wingnut]

My understanding is its a SR ritual and not approved for use in Blue Lodges, but I may have been told incorrectly.

 

[JTM]

because we use the YR tradition? (most states?)

 

[owls84]

We don't have the "Chamber of Reflection" as stated here but we have a closet that we are looking at changing a little to make it a little more solemn. Currently we have a candidate come about 30 - 45 min early and we explain a deeper meaning of the initiatic experience and how his mind should be clear, we really get him ready. Way more than the monitor has us. We all dress in costume to give the candidate a TOTAL image of what we are trying to portray. Usually we have candidates that have been so moved by this that afterwards they are really shocked and I have seen many be overcome with emotions. These are the guys that are here for life.

 

[cambridgemason]

here in Massachusetts we only use the Chamber in the Commandery Orders. I have been told that the Chamber is used in other Blue Lodge jurisdictions around the world. At our GL building in Boston, the Commanderies Chamber fell into desrepair for many years. They refurbished it and it has become one of the buildings jewels. I think that if you go to our Grand Lodge site, Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, they may have a picture of the restored Chamber. We at Cambridge have an ante-room or Candidate changing/prep room.

 

[tomasball]

Until I began my journey within the appendant bodies, my experience with anti-rooms or chambers were nothing more than sitting in a dusty closet full of worn out sandals and dry cleaned costumes.

As Texas Masons, why do we downplay the symbolism of the chamber of reflection?

http://www.masonsoftexas.com/content.php/196-The-Chamber-of-Reflection

Because our work descends from the British Isles, and the Chamber of Reflection is a French innovation.

 

[tom268]

Well, the innovation dates back to the earliest times of masonry, but is indeed of french tradition. CoR are known to most grand lodges in Europe and South America.

 

[Nate Riley]

We don't have the "Chamber of Reflection" as stated here but we have a closet that we are looking at changing a little to make it a little more solemn. Currently we have a candidate come about 30 - 45 min early and we explain a deeper meaning of the initiatic experience and how his mind should be clear, we really get him ready. Way more than the monitor has us. We all dress in costume to give the candidate a TOTAL image of what we are trying to portray. Usually we have candidates that have been so moved by this that afterwards they are really shocked and I have seen many be overcome with emotions. These are the guys that are here for life.

What type of costume?

 

[owls84]

We wear all black. Black suits, black shirt, black ties, white gloves, and funeral aprons (typical aprons but with black border). This is all in accordanance with Article 273 (In conferring degrees, officers may wear appropriate robes or costumes; and appropriate scenery may be used) of coarse. We have had so much success doing this.

Since doing this, and other things such as an effective mentor program, we have a 100% retention rate. Not one of our EA's have gone over the 1 year and infact I have 21 EAs 7 FCs and 4 newly raised MMs. We also have a leadership program as well as currently launching various EFFECTIVE committees. We have a "Fellowship" session at someones house at least once a month where we really get into Masonry (getting to know each other). So far it has been amazing. All it took was for a few of us to raise the bar. If GL said we need to do this, we make it tougher.

For example, even though GL has said it is up to the Lodge to make the Officers proficent we have a standard that they senior officers have a certification or have a DDGM and DI certify them proficient. Now thats not law of coarse but it is now tradition and our officers are expected to do this.

 

[Nate Riley]

That is cool. I was just curious, because one of our brothers who works a lot in the degrees, wants us to do a degree in "period' costume. I think it would be in the period of King Solomon. I think it would be cool

I would like for our lodge to do something similar to what your's is. Suits probably wouldn't fly (given the rural nature), but at least some kinda of uniform.

 

[owls84]

Yeah it makes a huge impact on the candidate if every member is dressed the same that is working in the degree regardless of the outfit. My advice is make it your own and take pride in it. If just the team does it then others will begin to take pride in something at the Lodge as well.

 

[Artificer]

There are many Blue Lodges in the United States that use a Chamber of Reflection. I have seen it done. It need not be a part of the degree ritual itself and many Grand Lodges have wisely decided to officially authorize the practice or simply leave it to the domain of individual Lodge tradition. In most cases, it begins well before the Lodge is even opened anyway. Of course, I would not personally advocate its use on a candidate who was not looking for a genuine initiatic experience to begin with, but that is another discussion altogether. I have seen candidates reduced to tears by the impact it had on their experience of the degree.

 

[ddreader]

The chamber of reflection. is a great idea. i going to see what i can do with this at my lodge. when i went through the order of the temple, i was deeply moved by it. and i has left an impression on me that i Will not ever forget. i also like the idea of a monthly fellowship at someones house i am going to pursue this also.

 

[Bigmel]

There was a chamber in our old lodge. When we built our new lodge in 1988 there was a chamber place in it. It was primarily used in YR I have not seen it used in a long time. It is in one of the ante rooms it is 5 by 5 concrete room and 10 feet under the Lodge In the ground with a door that closes after candidate goes in.

 

[JEbeling]

Thats what my grandfather called the "outhouse"...?

 

[JTM]

We wear all black. Black suits, black shirt, black ties, white gloves, and funeral aprons (typical aprons but with black border). This is all in accordanance with Article 273 (In conferring degrees, officers may wear appropriate robes or costumes; and appropriate scenery may be used) of coarse. We have had so much success doing this.

Since doing this, and other things such as an effective mentor program, we have a 100% retention rate. Not one of our EA's have gone over the 1 year and infact I have 21 EAs 7 FCs and 4 newly raised MMs. We also have a leadership program as well as currently launching various EFFECTIVE committees. We have a "Fellowship" session at someones house at least once a month where we really get into Masonry (getting to know each other). So far it has been amazing. All it took was for a few of us to raise the bar. If GL said we need to do this, we make it tougher.

For example, even though GL has said it is up to the Lodge to make the Officers proficent we have a standard that they senior officers have a certification or have a DDGM and DI certify them proficient. Now thats not law of coarse but it is now tradition and our officers are expected to do this.

lol, epic. do you consult?

 

[owls84]

We have tried before and most lodges we have been to love for us to come and do a presentation but don't want to do what it takes to make the changes to make it happen. Many times we find out that it takes a total overhaul and vision change. We have one we are working with right now and they are seeing the exact results we are.

 

[JTM]

i'm gonna be buying 2 suits here shortly... was going to get one charcoal and one navy.. but i guess i'll make the navy one black.