I hope you realize that the "Landmarks" you refer to vary greatly within those few jurisdictions that actually have them and are non-existent in the rest.So, just play paper dolls with the Landmarks?
I hope you realize that the "Landmarks" you refer to vary greatly within those few jurisdictions that actually have them and are non-existent in the rest.So, just play paper dolls with the Landmarks?
The work of a Mason is to discover the essence buried beneath the form. This is not only true of Masonry but of life as well. It is a difficult journey that, in Masonry, is called the search for the lost word. It is an appropriate allegory. A word is a symbol for something. The form of a word can be a sound, combination of letters, or some other symbol. But the essence of a word is something other than the form. Form is a like a vehicle which carries the essence. Masonic Ritual, Lodges, Traditions, History, etc, are the forms, the vehicles, which carry the essence. Any attempt to discuss the essence must be carried out using the some type of forms, some symbolism which is by its very nature is less than complete......the form adapts to the time and the culture and is not the essence of Freemasonry.
Congratulations on being so pedantic that you completely missed the point.
I don't know who might encompass or be included in this "enlightened" group that you allude to and I don't think that was the point of your posted response so I shall not linger upon it any further.Okay, then, so it's the consensus of the "enlightened" that there actually are no standards in Freemasonry?
The work of a Mason is to discover the essence buried beneath the form. This is not only true of Masonry but of life as well. It is a difficult journey that, in Masonry, is called the search for the lost word. It is an appropriate allegory. A word is a symbol for something. The form of a word can be a sound, combination of letters, or some other symbol. But the essence of a word is something other than the form. Form is a like a vehicle which carries the essence. Masonic Ritual, Lodges, Traditions, History, etc, are the forms, the vehicles, which carry the essence. Any attempt to discuss the essence must be carried out using the some type of forms, some symbolism which is by its very nature is less than complete.
Wow, that's like, the best explanation of how Virtue relates to Wisdom that I have ever read. Thanks!"Wisdom might be defined as Virtue plus Knowledge multiplied by Contemplation." -- Bro. Hal Riviere
I'm unsure of which part of the York Rite you speak. As to HRA only, the current thought is summed up at Wiki (though there are errors in other parts of the article):The York Rite is Christian, It originated in Ireland, (popular speculation), and was established here in America by Thomas Smith Webb sometime in 1799
It expands upon the blue lodge basics and there is nothing that I have found which is contradictory to blue lodge, therefore I can conclude that Freemasonry and Christianity are compatible, unless the Christians want to hunt for heretics, ( just joking )
Here's another view that I posted recently upon Facebook for your consideration:Wow, that's like, the best explanation of how Virtue relates to Wisdom that I have ever read. Thanks!
Would it be more accurate to say that "some aspects of the York Rite Path are Supportive of Christians, but not necessarily Christianity as a whole"?The York Rite is Christian,
Bro.! For your consideration:It expands upon the blue lodge basics and there is nothing that I have found which is contradictory to blue lodge, ...
Heretic Hunt anyone? [snicker]...therefore I can conclude that Freemasonry and Christianity are compatible, unless the Christians want to hunt for heretics, ( just joking )
I have asked a lot of Masons about the orders of architecture and have never before received this answer. It appears that much contemplation is needed on this concept. Where would I begin?I: How do the Orders of Architecture Reveal The Word’s development and ultimate Use?
R: They show the path to Mastery for those who know how to configure them as a map of Masonic Progression.
AWESOME!!!!!I have asked a lot of Masons about the orders of architecture and have never before received this answer. It appears that much contemplation is needed on this concept. Where would I begin?
I am not YR, so I'll tread lightly on the subject. But I read a very in depth discussion on the different columns not long ago. Based on what I've been reading lately, I think it was most likely Wilmshurst, but I'll need to go back to confirm that.AWESOME!!!!!
Sure Bro.! Here are steps that you can to begin and even get you there.
Seek to Understand:
1) What each of the 5 columns actually represent symbolically.
2) Why the Greek columns are so important to Blue Lodge Work, and the Roman not so much.
3) Which column you enter as and why you have accepted this as the reality of a newbie.
4) Which column best represents a man who has ACTUALLY DONE the Blue Lodge Work, (and if you know what I mean by the Blue Lodge Work you are way ahead of the parrots that don't.)
Only after you have done the above seek to make an effort to create a map using the columns to show Masonic Progression.
What you quoted and commented upon is Blue Lodge only and not specific to the Degrees beyond the Blue Lodge, although understanding it would help your understanding of other degrees work.I am not YR, so I'll tread lightly on the subject. But I read a very in depth discussion on the different columns not long ago. Based on what I've been reading lately, I think it was most likely Wilmshurst, but I'll need to go back to confirm that.
Seek to Understand:
1) What each of the 5 columns actually represent symbolically.
2) Why the Greek columns are so important to Blue Lodge Work, and the Roman not so much.
3) Which column you enter as and why you have accepted this as the reality of a newbie.
4) Which column best represents a man who has ACTUALLY DONE the Blue Lodge Work, (and if you know what I mean by the Blue Lodge Work you are way ahead of the parrots that don't.)
Only after you have done the above seek to make an effort to create a map using the columns to show Masonic Progression.
Yes, something like what you have shared.Something like this then - Tuscan, member. Doric, JW. Ionic, SW. Corinthian, WM. Composite, PM.
Listed as such it becomes clear why the Greek ones are esteemed more in GL Freemasonry - They are the ones who must have votes at the GL level as well as representing our 3 ancient Grand Masters.
It renders the description of the Composite order hilarious to me when applied to PMs as well, being one myself! More decorative, chortle. Also it explains why I was puzzled the first time I encountered a lodge whose bylaws set chairs earlier in the progressive line to be elective. It does not explain the wide variation in GL rules about PMs voting.
Alternately it could be the basic 5 elected officers. That puts to the question - Which is TR and which is SE and thus gets called primitive? Yet another chortle.
Thanks you for suggesting to me that the orders might be organized in that way. This makes the 3, 5, 7 progression more interesting. Growth in person progressing through the degrees. Growth in service progressing through the line. Growth in society by progressing through education and its application.