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!

Reflection Chamber

anthonywilson

Registered User
Brothers,

Today during our certification exam a letter, that was written by our Grand Master, was read and it appears that Lodges are turning their anteroom into a "Reflection Chamber" which is a room painted black, with mirrors, and candles; this is based off of European Lodges (or rites). If you visit, or know of, lodges that use this room (or any elements of it) please contact your D.D.G.M so he can contact Waco for an investigation.
 

JJones

Moderator
Let the witch hunt begin... -_^


Freemason Connect Mobile

When I heard him speak about the COR he simply stated that they weren't legal and lodges would need to submit the proper resolutions if they wanted to see them acceptable to use.

That's what he -said-, mind you. Because the impression I got was that he didn't like them and it does sound like he's out to get anyone that's using them.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
Brothers,

Today during our certification exam a letter, that was written by our Grand Master, was read and it appears that Lodges are turning their anteroom into a "Reflection Chamber" which is a room painted black, with mirrors, and candles; this is based off of European Lodges (or rites). If you visit, or know of, lodges that use this room (or any elements of it) please contact your D.D.G.M so he can contact Waco for an investigation.

Sounds to me like you were given some miss-information or miss-interpreted the letter. News of Lodges actually doing such a thing would have already spread like wildfire across the internet and sites like this one. Personally, I have heard nothing of the sort and I DO have several valid and dependable sources locally and in Waco. The letter from the GM is quite simply a warning as to not deviate from the ritualistic guidelines and standards set forth by the governing body of the Grand Lodge of Texas.


In addition, there is already a open for this topic. I will list it below:

http://www.masonsoftexas.com/showthread.php?17990-GM-Conference-and-Chambers-of-Reflection&highlight=chamber+reflection
 
Last edited:

Bro_Vick

Moderator
Premium Member
When I heard him speak about the COR he simply stated that they weren't legal and lodges would need to submit the proper resolutions if they wanted to see them acceptable to use.

That's what he -said-, mind you. Because the impression I got was that he didn't like them and it does sound like he's out to get anyone that's using them.

I give Texas little to no chance of ever adapting it, first it isn't part of the York Rite ritual our blue lodges come from. Second Texas is far from progressive on such matters, and don't want to cause a revolt in the rural lodges or the lodges that have a tradition of producing Certificate A holders.

Maybe we should try to use it properly in our apendent bodies and their respected degrees. I have not witnessed it being properly implemented there, where it is completely legal to use.

S&F,
-Bro Vick
 

chrmc

Registered User
Out of curiosity how many lodges has received this letter? Mine has gotten a similar one, and we almost though it was something we did wrong. Is this a standard one that has been sent out to all lodges or?
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
Out of curiosity how many lodges has received this letter? Mine has gotten a similar one, and we almost though it was something we did wrong. Is this a standard one that has been sent out to all lodges or?

What is being referred to in this thread is a single letter presented to a group of Brethren during the Forum & Certificate Exams conducted by the GLoTX Committee on Work members, and local District Instructors. It is obvious that this will be covered at all of the scheduled Forum & Exams around the State, because it pertains to ritual and performance there of. This sounds very similar to the language that is currently also being presented at the various Grand Master's conferences around the State.

There has also been a similar message that the various Lodge Secretary's have presented, per the Grand Master & Grand Secretary. This was part (I believe) of one month's "Monthly Secretary's Maintenance" that is e-mailed to subscribers.
 

Frater Cliff Porter

Premium Member
Yes, I would hate to see men reflecting. We need to make certain no thinking or reflecting goes on...the GL is in charge of thinking and reflecting....

and Vick since one of your GL elected officers is "pro" Chamber I am not certain "never" is accurate.
 
Last edited:

anthonywilson

Registered User
Sounds to me like you were given some miss-information or miss-interpreted the letter. News of Lodges actually doing such a thing would have already spread like wildfire across the internet and sites like this one. Personally, I have heard nothing of the sort and I DO have several valid and dependable sources locally and in Waco. The letter from the GM is quite simply a warning as to not deviate from the ritualistic guidelines and standards set forth by the governing body of the Grand Lodge of Texas.


In addition, there is already a open for this topic. I will list it below:

http://www.masonsoftexas.com/showth...rs-of-Reflection&highlight=chamber+reflection

I may misinterpreted it and I'll get a second opinion tonight at Lodge but I do remember hearing that two Lodges under the GLoT have been using these rooms and Most Worshipful Rogers isn't happy with additions to the Work or breaking of the by-laws; and Right Worshipful Brown didn't sound happy either because he stressed the importance of this being stopped now. I tried the link but something was up. Also if you could, please contact your sources and let me know what they say.
 

relapse98

Registered User
I give Texas little to no chance of ever adapting it,
first it isn't part of the York Rite ritual our blue lodges come from.

Not sure how to say this nicely, but I frankly don't care about that.

Does the CoR add to or subtract from what the candidate experiences in the degrees? I would argue that
we have seen that it certainly doesn't subtract and appears to add to it, building up some anticipation and
causing the candidate to do some soul searching and thinking.

Second Texas is far from progressive on such matters,

Right now. Just takes enough older past masters to pass on and enough new
past masters who believe it adds meaning to the degrees.

and don't want to cause a revolt in the rural lodges or the lodges that have a tradition of producing Certificate A holders.

That's possibly true, however I don't want CoR to be a requirement but merely something a lodge is allowed to do. Rural
lodge doesn't want to do it? That's fine with me, I feel they are only hurting themselves and their candidates.
 

Bro_Vick

Moderator
Premium Member
Not sure how to say this nicely, but I frankly don't care about that.

Yeah I know, we only invoke the name of tradition when it meets our personal views, otherwise, screw it.

You can isolate a candidate before in the anti-room to reflect, play him the tape that Grand Lodge did so many years ago and have him reflect on the journey he is about to begin. Just because it doesn't have a desk, with a skull, hour glass, etc, doesn't mean the candidate can't be mentally prepared. I sat in the anti-room for 30 minutes meditating and reflecting, I guess I missed out because it wasn't dressed up.

Do lodges fed the candidate then slap them on the back change them and get it over with? Yes, but you don't need to have a formal chamber of reflection to establish the right mindframe. Those lodges still would never adopt it, even if it were allowed.

Right now. Just takes enough older past masters to pass on and enough new
past masters who believe it adds meaning to the degrees.

Unless some of the new past masters agree with the old, don't assume that because someone isn't 65, they suddenly agree with your POV.

That's possibly true, however I don't want CoR to be a requirement but merely something a lodge is allowed to do. Rural
lodge doesn't want to do it? That's fine with me, I feel they are only hurting themselves and their candidates.

Realize that I am playing devil's advocate. The Chamber of Reflection is an addition, but you can put the candidate in the right mind set without the props.
 

relapse98

Registered User
Yeah I know, we only invoke the name of tradition when it meets our personal views, otherwise, screw it.

Its not like the ritual has not changed over the years.

Unless some of the new past masters agree with the old, don't assume that because someone isn't 65, they suddenly agree with your POV.

I know. It just takes some changing of the guard for new ideas to be allowed.
 

anthonywilson

Registered User
Yeah I know, we only invoke the name of tradition when it meets our personal views, otherwise, screw it.

You can isolate a candidate before in the anti-room to reflect, play him the tape that Grand Lodge did so many years ago and have him reflect on the journey he is about to begin. Just because it doesn't have a desk, with a skull, hour glass, etc, doesn't mean the candidate can't be mentally prepared. I sat in the anti-room for 30 minutes meditating and reflecting, I guess I missed out because it wasn't dressed up.

Do lodges fed the candidate then slap them on the back change them and get it over with? Yes, but you don't need to have a formal chamber of reflection to establish the right mindframe. Those lodges still would never adopt it, even if it were allowed.



Unless some of the new past masters agree with the old, don't assume that because someone isn't 65, they suddenly agree with your POV.



Realize that I am playing devil's advocate. The Chamber of Reflection is an addition, but you can put the candidate in the right mind set without the props.

I agree with you, I'd also add that the candidate should already be reflecting when the interviewers come to visit him, everyone does it differently. It isn't really an issue of having a CoR, the issue is adding without permission. I was talking with a former DDGM last night and he went on about how you just can't add something for the sake of adding it.
 

crono782

Premium Member
I'm starting to tilt my perspective on this issue...
I am not for tradition ONLY for tradition's sake. Being progressive isn't necessarily bad. Plenty of other issues have had to be dragged into the 21st century kicking and screaming and in the end those doing the dragging were thanked for it (thank you Tyler Durden).
My views still stand in regards to the overarching premise of this debate. Does the GL have control over things done posterior and anterior to the ritual? What level of involvement should it have? Will the GL start dictating how a bible presentation should/shouldn't be done? Can the committee on work dictate the tone of voice you do the lecture in or the expression on your face during opening and closing? Where does it stop (and start)?

After further thinking on the subject, I'm not sure that a CoR will or will not enchance or detract from the ritual. As Vick stated, I think the premise of giving the candidate time to reflect regardless of decoration would be sufficient, but how long until that is regulated? It would seem to me that the statement that a LOT of masons state "that is unmasonic" where they actually mean "that was not MY masonic experience" holds true. As well many masons hold dear THEIR masonic experience which is great. Except that those would deny a different experience to another brother based on theirs.

I'm no longer saying the CoR should be allowed. Would I like to see it? Sure. Do I think it enhances the ritual? I'm undecided. Rather, I'm saying that the stodgy attituted of villifying those who would ask for change should at least be dialed down. Both sides should present to each other their wants and reasoning and come to an accord. Tradition should not be blindly thrown to the wind, but neither should a progressive attituted be shunned, in my opinion.
 
Last edited:

JJones

Moderator
I don't think it's a secret that GL wants the ritual for each lodge to be exactly the same. Get with your district instructor sometime, they have the ritual down to when you are supposed to step, when you're supposed to drop your arm, when to stand up, etc.

I think the best way to find out if the CoR is beneficial would simply be to allow it to be used at the lodges option. If it runs candidates off or if it's more trouble than it's worth then lodges will likely drop it. If the opposite is true however, it will become more popular and more lodges will adopt it.

I like the idea of a CoR but I am willing to accept that it may not be the route to take. I don't see how GL can say for sure one way or another without allowing some experimentation though.
 

relapse98

Registered User
I don't think it's a secret that GL wants the ritual for each lodge to be exactly the same. Get with your district instructor sometime, they have the ritual down to when you are supposed to step, when you're supposed to drop your arm, when to stand up, etc.

So where do things like the bible presentation (or lack thereof) fall? Is that an undocumented (please point out if it is documented), optional item?

And if we allow the bible presentation and its various versions, and I have no problem with it, then why does the CoR cause such apparent heartache?

I like the idea of a CoR but I am willing to accept that it may not be the route to take. I don't see how GL can say for sure one way or another without allowing some experimentation though.

Yep. We are taught to think etc., can we not apply that to our own (our own being Freemasonry, not a specific lodge) rituals?
 

anthonywilson

Registered User
The point of this post to let everyone know that something is going and things are being added/changed without permission from the higher ups, the idea of reflection/contemplation isn't the issue. This was just something to share so if anyone here visits a lodge that does this in conjunction with the three degrees, the DDGM has to be contacted (I know I keep repeating this). As far the Committee on Work, we got lectured on how to stand (back straight arms and hands at our sides), how to use the gavel (set it down after each wrap), lighting (must remain on during the meetings and degrees, nothing can be turned off), the Bible (no covers on it or the pages) and so on. Anything can be regulated, provided if it meets the approval. If anyone has questions of the letter, call Grand Lodge;
 

JJones

Moderator
So where do things like the bible presentation (or lack thereof) fall? Is that an undocumented (please point out if it is documented), optional item?

The Bible presentation is on page 89 of my monitor. A quick glance doesn't reveal any alternative presentations in my book.

And if we allow the bible presentation and its various versions, and I have no problem with it, then why does the CoR cause such apparent heartache?

My opinion? Because it's -scary- and might run someone off.

lighting (must remain on during the meetings and degrees, nothing can be turned off)

This I did not know. So much for my aspirations of turning down the light level and using candles. :/
 
Top