Your personal Zen?

 


 The Warrior is not ready for battle until they have come to know Peace. All wars that have ever been fought have started in the heart. These are the first words (OK first chapter) in a book that was recommended I read. The book is The Way of the Warrior by Erwin Raphael McManus. This really hit home and in a very real way.
We as Freemasons say “Take good men and make them better”. You have no idea, and if you have read my post on my Facebook page maybe you do, how much I hate this comment. We cannot make men better, but we are there to present the tool for them to make themselves better.
While many think that Masonry is a social and a service group. Yesterday one of our Past Grand Masters made it very clear that was NOT the case. If that is what you are looking for, and there is nothing wrong with it. Maybe the Eagles, Elks, Moose, or any other zoological group would better suit you. Again, if that is what you need, well wishes to you and your search. Invite me to your event, I would love to support you.
But Masonry is about building the inner man. Finding that inner Zen and peace. The wars of the world (and within our Craft) come from a heart that is not at rest. A man that is dealing with their own inner struggles. It is interesting to note that Carl Jung said, “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves”. In other words, the issue you have with another human being you have with yourself first. Come to terms with it.
BTW, this means me too. I am 51 years old and to say I have not had an issue with someone else would be a joke. Of course, I have. I have allowed these issues to vex my personal Zen. But, why did I do this? Why did I allow it? That is a good question. The only thing that comes to mind as I write this is a simple word with a very complex meaning. That would be controlled.
Not taking a moment to subdue my passions and control myself, is the first step to being a “better man”. Thus, allowing others to control me, emotionally, physically, and in the end spiritually.
Could it be that we struggle within ourselves with feelings of insignificance? If we were to put our egos in check we would have to say, yes. If not, we are only lying to ourselves. That in my opinion is a sin. Facing a lesson and not learning anything from it.
Are we perfect? Good Lord, no we are not. We all error and make mistakes. I have done so and will again. But are we willing to “man up” and be honest with ourselves, and others? Take ownership of our mistakes and learn from it. If we do not, we have placed our “Hineys” on our shoulders and in time will lose it all. By, all I mean is the respect of others and worse yet, ourselves.
No, I am not going to say it will be easy. But the key to being a better man is honestly…admitting or error, accepting the actions of those errors, and learning from them.
I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly

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