I often hear Masons say that there really aren't any secrets in Masonry anymore. I understand why they say this, I just disagree with them. The reason is that the word secret, like all words, has more than one meaning.
Let me give you an example. Because I have a calculator on my desk I am able to quickly calculate how many minutes there are in a year. But I am not going to tell you. I promise you that I am going to keep the number of minutes in a year secret. Does this mean that you can not find out the answer? No, of course not. If you find out the number of minutes in a year does this mean that I have not kept my promise? Again, the answer is no.
Masonic secrets are exactly like that. In my obligation I did not promise to prevent everyone from finding out the secrets of Masonry. I only promised that I would not reveal them. My Masonic obligation is not about what the other guy does, it is about what I do. And for me, the ability to control my own behavior is an essential first step in living a spiritual life.
Let me give you an example. Because I have a calculator on my desk I am able to quickly calculate how many minutes there are in a year. But I am not going to tell you. I promise you that I am going to keep the number of minutes in a year secret. Does this mean that you can not find out the answer? No, of course not. If you find out the number of minutes in a year does this mean that I have not kept my promise? Again, the answer is no.
Masonic secrets are exactly like that. In my obligation I did not promise to prevent everyone from finding out the secrets of Masonry. I only promised that I would not reveal them. My Masonic obligation is not about what the other guy does, it is about what I do. And for me, the ability to control my own behavior is an essential first step in living a spiritual life.