The Masonic Experience

 

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 being placed on them. But in my mind, they are as I have said a small part of who we are as Masons and our experience.

The Master's Charge goes on to talk about assisting a Brother who is in error. How to not put his failings and shortcomings on media blast. But whisper good and timely counsel in his ear. Not just to talk to him about it but to offer your hand in Brotherly Love and Friendship, stand beside him and help pick him up. Here is the kicker. Don’t care if you like him or not. He is your Brother and this is part of the Masonic Experience. In my spiritual tradition, there is a saying “Give your word sparingly but adhere to it like iron.” The same applies here. We do this out of love. 

I believe The Masonic Experience HAS to be taken from the Lodge room.  Let's be honest for a minute. When most people hear the words Mason, Masonic, or Freemasonry they think of the image of the “Grumpy Past Master” waving his gavel yelling “Get off my lawn kids”.  We laugh but it is true. I have talked to people and what they described was an image from the Lord of The Rings. An old man pouring over volumes of ancient and archaic dusty tomes.  I can understand why they feel this way as well.

In some cases, we have old lodge buildings (my home lodge is the original Presbyterian Church in town) with beautiful stained glass windows. With the cost of stained glass, I get why they are protected. But we are hiding the light within our Lodge rooms. It was not meant to stay there. Not in the least.

The images I am using for this article are a portion of my Masonic Experience. The focus is not on what is in the bottles but what was happening when I acquired them. Which, they will never be opened.

There is a Past Grand Master that I respect to the ends of the earth. I do not drop names but I know he reads these and we have discussed them from time to time. He was the Grand Master the year I was made a Mason and attended my first Annual Communication. His year we rededicated the cornerstone of the state capitol building. It was a joint effort with AF&AM and our Prince Hall Brothers. When we were done we returned to the meeting and he made some comments about how Kansas would always work with our Prince Hall Brothers and how we were an accepting state.  His word moved and motivated me. They helped shape my views of Masonry as I see it now. I bid and won the bottle of Old Masters in an auction to help Brother Masons in my state if they ever need a hand up.

The bottle of Jack Danial’s was bought on a ride to Tennessee to see some Masons I had never met. While there we went to Nutbush, Tennessee. Being a biker and a huge Bob Segar fan I had to. Bob covered the song “Nutbush City Limits” in the song it says there are no motorcycles or whiskey in Nutbush. Being the rebel I am..there was that day. I learned on that trip that it is true. I have Brothers around the world and if I am ever in a new place I can reach out and be treated like family.

The last bottle was again won at an auction to assist brothers in my motorcycle group that could fall on hard times. We committed to them that we would be there if ever they needed help. The men of that group have been there for me a few times and when I needed it the most.

These are a few of my Masonic Experiences. But it does not stop there.  The Master's Charge goes on to say  “These generous principles are to extend farther. Every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. “Do good unto all.” Recommend it more “especially to the household of the faithful.” By diligence to the duties of your respective callings; by liberal benevolence and diffusive charity; by constancy and fidelity in your friendships – discover the beneficial and happy effects of this ancient and honorable Institution.”

We have to take the light of Masonry out of the Lodge. Masonry is not something we do a few times a week. It is not an emblem we place on the back of our car. Nor is it a ring we wear on our finger (BTW points in or out). It is a philosophy and a way of life. It is a way of looking at yourself, your neighbors, and the world. We cannot do that stuck within four walls.

Finally, I will end this article with this as it has grown longer than I had planned.

Finally, Brethren, be ye all of one mind – live in peace, and may the God of love and peace delight and dwell with and bless you.

Now go and share that Masonic Experience. Not only for yourself, The Craft, your neighbor, but for the world.

I Love you and may we govern ourselves accordingly.