My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum
Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Masonry's Offering
- Thread starter peace out
- Start date
Ashton Lawson
Premium Member
Clarity
JohnnyFlotsam
Premium Member
Harmony.
I like this. What is that path?
Fill in the blank; our growth in... or the growth of .... in us
What are we seeing clearer now?
How is the harmony achieved?
To all. I'm a very cause / effect sort of person. I believe in the logical explanation of things whether physical or metaphysical. I've been contemplating life, religion, church, morals, self, the lodge, integrity, among others for some time now. Masonry offers something so profound to me and yet it is offered so simply, that I am starting to see it as the focal point. I imagine this idea as the cornerstone, the ultimate truth, the reason of not just Masonry but perhaps of life. Looking back at some of the great writings on Freemasonry, I see evidence of others viewing the Craft and our life on earth similarly.
I wanted / want to see if the great ideas above that everyone has posted could be reduced to an ultimate cause. I wanted to see if that cause would be singular or common to every idea above.
Let me give you an example utilizing philosophy. Classical liberalism (not the democrat kind) was a philosophy embraced by our founding fathers. It was described in the Declaration of Independence. It (the philosophy) declares that man has unalienable rights in which to pursue happiness. Happiness is neither defined nor is the path to happiness. But, Man must be free in order to pursue it. Why was pursuing happiness so important? Because that concept is the very point of man's existence. When asked what's most important to us, we might reply God or family or community. When asked why, we might unknowingly dive into metaphysical talk saying that their happiness is important to us for peace of mind etc. When asked why again, then again, then again, the ultimate answer that pops out? Our happiness.
Classical Liberalism says that the ultimate goal of mankind is to make himself happy and that man must be free to make his own decisions to bring about that happiness. Sounds selfish doesn't it? That's only because the assumption made is the vast majority of people don't understand what constitutes true happiness. In understanding my happiness is directly tied to the happiness of others around me, then the selfish tint of the idea is washed away and gives way to the paladin which is morality. I could go on and on about the resulting implications.
This exercise if not properly worded would take us to that idea of happiness. But I wanted to stop it short of that answer. I wanted the "how" question answered.
Consider the common description "a beautiful system of morals, veiled in allegories and illistrated by symbols."
I can't find nor better describe Freemasonry.
Last edited:
Ashton Lawson
Premium Member
Everything
JohnnyFlotsam
Premium Member
Harmony is pursued/achieved when we have the desire to expand our knowledge to the extent that we no longer live in fear of that which we do not understand. Fear and ignorance breed mistrust and hatred. Always. Freemasonry, in virtually all of it's lessons, admonishes us to listen, learn, and understand; to seek out and understand those things on which all can agree. "Those things..." constitute a very big list, bigger than most of us could likely master in a lifetime. Nevertheless, with each entry we check off, the harmony we create in our world becomes a bit more refined, more in tune, or to borrow a phrase from our ritual, we become "...wiser, better, and consequently happier..."
[SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1][SIZE=-1][/SIZE][/SIZE]
That's a wonderful description JohnnyFlotsam. And I think it gets at the basic tenants of Freemasonry. I would not have thought of the word harmony but it aptly does the job when describe/defined as you have.
I believe Masonry is here to provide MORALITY. Morality is the very essence of mankind's civilization. It's the catalyst that promotes the production of happiness. To break down everyone else's terms....
The first word given was LIGHT. That is our symbol for knowledge. That's why I asked what is illuminated. dhouseholder responded with SELF. And I think that is so very important if a person is desiring to really know anything. One must understand their self and their perspective. Masonry removes those blinders (if we'll allow) so that we may view the world more clearly. Once we are able to see, then we can begin building ourselves into pillars of moral strength and stability through the tenants of the Craft. I say LIGHT through MORALITY.
The second word given was FELLOWSHIP. Jamesb then described what that meant to him. Wonderful stuff there. You likened FELLOWSHIP to a net. My thought is that net is made of a fiber that Freemasonry spins. That fiber is morality. Without morality, the net could not be trusted. Trust would be broken. FELLOWSHIP is a product of Masonry. It only works as Jamesb described with extreme trust. A high sense of morality will allow for this.
Casey then submitted the word ENRICHMENT. That's a great concept. ENRICHMENT of ourselves, ENRICHMENT of our environment and community. Isn't that synonymous with HARMONY in this context? It's what happens when we apply the teachings [of morality] to ourselves.
FULFILLMENT was given by RichardRLJ. Isn't that what everyone is looking for? Isn't that one of the reasons we all come to the lodge? That's strikes at the core of each of us. A system of morals will lead to FULFILLMENT.
Coachn then gave us the word OPPORTUNITY. If there was something someone knew, and it was so profound it would benefit all who knew, then the next logical step would be to pass it on. Based on your definition, Masonry is synonymous with OPPORTUNITY. Masonry (I don't think) begat morals, but Masonry certainly is a champion of them.
Kenneth, you provided (and I'll reduce it to a phrase) COMMUNITY of common paths. This steps right in line with harmony and fellowship. I do love that you defined it as common path. That path being one laid of bricks of morals.
SEEDS, rhitland, is a good way to look at it. SEEDS of morality planted in us that we may grow them in us.
Which leads us to GROWTH. jwhoff, this concept goes hand in hand with seeds. With morality firmly planted in us, and our feet firmly planted in morality, we are able to grow. This is such a good analogy.
Ashton Lawson, you said CLARITY. This hearkens to light but is a great descriptive word. It indicates a removing of blinders, the clearing of cobwebs. It makes me think of putting the Hubble out in orbit so we can better see what else is out there. Oooh, new description, "Masonry provides a unique clarity buy being out of this world that we might better see eternity." hmmm
Guys, thank you for this. Feel free to expand, disagree, or rebut as needed.
I believe Masonry is here to provide MORALITY. Morality is the very essence of mankind's civilization. It's the catalyst that promotes the production of happiness. To break down everyone else's terms....
The first word given was LIGHT. That is our symbol for knowledge. That's why I asked what is illuminated. dhouseholder responded with SELF. And I think that is so very important if a person is desiring to really know anything. One must understand their self and their perspective. Masonry removes those blinders (if we'll allow) so that we may view the world more clearly. Once we are able to see, then we can begin building ourselves into pillars of moral strength and stability through the tenants of the Craft. I say LIGHT through MORALITY.
The second word given was FELLOWSHIP. Jamesb then described what that meant to him. Wonderful stuff there. You likened FELLOWSHIP to a net. My thought is that net is made of a fiber that Freemasonry spins. That fiber is morality. Without morality, the net could not be trusted. Trust would be broken. FELLOWSHIP is a product of Masonry. It only works as Jamesb described with extreme trust. A high sense of morality will allow for this.
Casey then submitted the word ENRICHMENT. That's a great concept. ENRICHMENT of ourselves, ENRICHMENT of our environment and community. Isn't that synonymous with HARMONY in this context? It's what happens when we apply the teachings [of morality] to ourselves.
FULFILLMENT was given by RichardRLJ. Isn't that what everyone is looking for? Isn't that one of the reasons we all come to the lodge? That's strikes at the core of each of us. A system of morals will lead to FULFILLMENT.
Coachn then gave us the word OPPORTUNITY. If there was something someone knew, and it was so profound it would benefit all who knew, then the next logical step would be to pass it on. Based on your definition, Masonry is synonymous with OPPORTUNITY. Masonry (I don't think) begat morals, but Masonry certainly is a champion of them.
Kenneth, you provided (and I'll reduce it to a phrase) COMMUNITY of common paths. This steps right in line with harmony and fellowship. I do love that you defined it as common path. That path being one laid of bricks of morals.
SEEDS, rhitland, is a good way to look at it. SEEDS of morality planted in us that we may grow them in us.
Which leads us to GROWTH. jwhoff, this concept goes hand in hand with seeds. With morality firmly planted in us, and our feet firmly planted in morality, we are able to grow. This is such a good analogy.
Ashton Lawson, you said CLARITY. This hearkens to light but is a great descriptive word. It indicates a removing of blinders, the clearing of cobwebs. It makes me think of putting the Hubble out in orbit so we can better see what else is out there. Oooh, new description, "Masonry provides a unique clarity buy being out of this world that we might better see eternity." hmmm
Guys, thank you for this. Feel free to expand, disagree, or rebut as needed.
Nate Riley
Premium Member
Trust (stolen from the Grand Orator)
However, I don't think this question can be answered with one word. Plus there are many things that different brothers get from Masonry. So I we are looking for one concept (or a short list of concepts) we need to boil it down to the few (if any) that apply to everyone. And it will likely be a simple, "unsexy" concept.
However, I don't think this question can be answered with one word. Plus there are many things that different brothers get from Masonry. So I we are looking for one concept (or a short list of concepts) we need to boil it down to the few (if any) that apply to everyone. And it will likely be a simple, "unsexy" concept.
JohnnyFlotsam
Premium Member
OK. I'll ask...
In what way, or ways, does the Craft offer redemption?
curt
Premium Member
well I can only say that it offers me a place with which to redeem myself on one certain level. I should have cleared that up. In my humble opinion, full redemption can only be recieved through faith in GOD and living as he commands. But, I believe that freemasonry offers a chance to practice alot of the things that can aid in a man trying to redeem or better himself after following the wrong path,so to speak.
reworded just a bit
JohnnyFlotsam
Premium Member
I'd say that's pretty close. If one believes that each of us is in need of redemption, then yes, Freemasonry is a fine way to find it. Freemasonry does not offer a rigidly dogmatic list of do's and don't's as it's "system of morality". It is crucial to note that that "system" is presented "veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols". While the goals are the same; square, level, and upright, the strokes taken by each Craftsmen as he refines his ashlar are uniquely his, or should be. The allegory and symbolism allow us to use our intellect as well as our heart to learn how best to use our tools. There is light for our individual paths, but not a step-by-step list of directions.