A Past Master's Thoughts

  I woke up this morning and was thinking about St. John of The Crosses poem. It was called The Dark Night of the Soul. It is something we all go through and it is normally never pleasant. A time when we question dang near everything and wonder where we really stand with ourselves and the rest of the World. As per the quote below this is a required thing for growth. A time when the GAOTU "breaks us down" to build us back up. “There can be no rebirth without a dark night of the soul, a total annihilation of all that you believed in and thought that you were.”― Hazrat Inayat Khan I will be honest I hate this time of the year. Its dark when I wake up and dark again by about 5:00pm. The light and the sun seem to be in hiding. The warmth is gone and replaced by winters chill and freezing cold. The Dark Night of the soul is really a requirement as it is a time of testing. Is your foundation strong and secure for what you are trying to build? It is a time of "shaking" to ...

  Life can be an interesting thing. We have our up’s and downs. Things that try to keep us down and things that inspire us. I have always had a thing for Batman. When Bruce Wayne’s life was ripped out from under him as a child. When he could have just thrown it all away and stayed in the depths of fear. He fought back. Overcoming his fear, and anger. He looked beyond himself to see injustices not only in himself but the world around him. That’s what we are to do. Overcome who we are and we’re to become better for ourselves and those around us. No it’s not easy. It was a daily struggle. But something he committed to. As Masons do we not do the same? Face our old selves to make our lives and views better? In our views of ourselves and the world around us strive to make things better? It all starts within us. How we see and strive to overcome our current situation for something better? I sure think so. So with that if we can be anything..be “Batmason” I love you and may we...

      Last night at Lodge I was asked to give some Masonic Ed. Not really having much prepared I just talked off the top of my head. I asked the question “Why are we here?” It’s always fair question and should be asked ever time we enter Temple. As Masons we are and should be selfish. I know some will question that. But we are Masons to better ourselves. Or in my opinion should be. We are here to work on who we are, not who we were. The person we were yesterday is gone. Today is all that matters. Living in the moment. Tending our wick so we can be a light to ourselves. But I also said that is Masonry is left in the Temple is will burn out and die. We are the light in a darkened world. By living what we believe we can and do change the World. How that is done is up to the Mason. So go to Temple. Learn the lessons taught there, embrace them, share them. This is the way. I love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly

    If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace. John Lennon No I’m not calling for another “bed in”. But there are days it would sure be nice. We spend so much time trying to get “stuff”. Another car, the next top of the line phone. More gadgets for a a Harley. The next highest title or “honor”. Nothing really wrong with having nice things. We have worked hard and earned them. But are they the focus? The other day we cleared out some stuff we just don’t use anymore. Made room for some things we might. The same goes for our inner man. Do we take the time to clear out things we don’t use anymore to make room for what we might? Misunderstandings, self doubt, self criticism, fear? Maybe these things are not directed at ourselves but at our neighbor? Maybe when we learn these things are an anchor holding us down, we will be able to cut it lose. It may not always be easy. It means we will have to look at things we may not like. See som...

  Lately, there has been a fair bit of talk about The Masonic Experience. But what is that experience exactly?   While I understand what is being said I also think that is a very small portion of The Masonic Experience. When most talk about the Masonic Experience they are talking about the experience in the Lodge room. I think what happens in the Lodge is important. We are trained in the Lodge. It is where we share knowledge, swore oaths, made promises, and turned friends into Brothers. It is so important that in the Master's Charge at the end of some Lodge meeting this is said from the East. “Brethren: You are now to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and employments forget not the duties you have heard so frequently inculcated and forcibly recommended in this Lodge.” So it is obvious that the things we learn and discuss within our Tyled Lodges are of great importance. Again I also understand the focus b...

      “Masonry recognizes the right of every man to worship God freely and according to the dictates of his own conscience and in his own way and according to the forms and ceremonies of his choice.” Arthur S. Tomkins This has to be one (of many) reasons I love my Craft. While we are not and should not promote a singular faith. We should honor and respect all. Why? The answer is simple. Look at our apron. It is the color of all light united. Wait a sec, united, where have I heard that before? We are all at our core being a physical representation of our view of Deity. That’s a blessed thing. Our thoughts and actions should reflect that. But, just as there are many facets of our Brothers so to many aspects of the GAOTU. Who in our personal relationships shows himself to us ways we can understand. It is for this reason and the inclusion of Brothers of many faiths I feel at home here. Your God may not be my God. But, I bet they are Brothers..and so are we. I lov...

      Today I was served a plate of "Humble Pie”. I work in the IT field, Data Security to be a bit more specific. So I have to be spot on and focused. Errors, can be very bad things. I don’t have a lot of pet peeves. But, I have a big one. Do not call me after 10:00 pm or while I am at work. The only exception is if your life’s blood is running on the ground, or you are giving birth. I sleep for crap and have to be focused at work. Today I got a call while at work. I saw who it was. Shook my head and thought. Dude, we have talked about this. I’m at work, stop. Was a bit annoyed and pissed really. He does talk to text so sometimes it’s hard to read. But this one was clear. Now, I feel like an ass. This was his voicemail. “ I just wanted to call and let you know. Dude, I love you. Some days. I'm thankful that you're in my life. Other days, you annoy annoying me, but you annoy I do the same to you. So I'm really thankful that you're in my laugh. Love ...

      A number of years ago people stood in awe of Hindu Mysticism. I will admit it was a sight to see. A Hindu man would take a rope and spin it. Meditate on it and in time it was stiff as a board. The man would climb the rope and disappear. The rope would then fall to the ground. I have seen this happen in the Masonic world. Maybe not exactly like that but.. A friend is made a Brother. Welcomed into our Mystic Order. Works the degrees, takes chairs, climbs the rungs of our staircase. Becomes a Fellow of our Craft. Then is made a Master Mason. In time the Master of his Lodge. Then at the top of the rope it goes limp and falls to the ground. The Craft left in amazement, and not in a good way. Worshipful, you are a “Forman” of the Craft. With skills and knowledge to impart. You above all know that the Lodge is not finished until the Crafts last breath. Craftsman, your Master is only human. Respect and honor his work. He is really just a Craftsman too. He has ...