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Post by jratcliff on Mar 21, 2005 3:52:49 GMT
Another thread beat this into the ground already. I figured a fresh start was in order.
I was just reading my copy of "The Hidden Life in Freemasonry" by Leadbeater and a rather divine thought struck me.
Here we have, to my knowledge, the one and only book that actually states in great detail exactly 'what' Freemasonry 'means'.
It is easy to read. Not challenging at all. It uses fairly clear language and is not difficult to understand.
So, how does it fit into the pantheon of Freemason lore?
On 'another forum' when I dared mention the 'occult' in relation to Masonry I was quickly shouted down. Shhhh....shhhh...don't dare say such a thing. Why "I have never seen anything occult in Freemasony in my life" (he says as the faces the WM in the east).
In fact, it seems odd that we are all under strict orders to not say or talk about the things which are stated quite clearly in hundreds of books available on Amazon.com and thousands of websites found with a single click of the mouse on Google.
Nevertheless, I *like* Leadbeater. I like Leaderbeater because he spoke plainly. He didn't beat around the bush. He believed what he believed; psychic past life regressions and all. In fact, no matter how my rational mind might react to his notion that 'if you feed poison to a sheet of metal it will get 'sick' and you feed it an antidote it will get better', at least he says what he believes quite clearly.
Which is a lot more than I can say for most of the other sources on this topic.
You know, if I am going to look for 'meaning' in Freemason ritual I am almost more comfortable just pretending it 'means' what Leadbeater said it means rather than, oh..let's say for example..Knight and Lomas.
What do you think? What is your favorite source of explanatory material that states, with absolute clarity, what the 'meaning' of Freemason ritual is?
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Post by whistler on Mar 21, 2005 9:45:34 GMT
Yes it is certainly an excellant book. Many people will rubbish it because it dares to talk of the unseen. You also may note that on this forum you will not be jumped upon for mentioning such subjects.. If you go into lodge with Leadbeater's words in your mind you will be surprisd what you see and feel
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giovanni
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Post by giovanni on Mar 21, 2005 10:27:29 GMT
The wprd "ritual" stems from sanscit "rta", which means "according to Order". When we work ritually, we therefore create an atmosphere, an energy, in any case something spiritual which is consistent with the plan of the GAOTU.
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jmd
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Post by jmd on Mar 26, 2005 3:59:59 GMT
I personally do not think that there can ever be a single book (or thread, site, view, etc.) that can in any way give "exactly 'what' Freemasonry 'means'".
The nature of allegory and symbols goes beyond mere description. Once described, one can rather say that one amongst other equally co-existing explanations has been suggested. The ritual, the symbols, the allegories live on, the explanation may or may not be correct.
Personally, then, I would suggest that though such books are also important, they provide a stepping stone for further reflections - and those stepping stones best suited to each of us differs as to our own temperaments, understanding of the world, and paths that which we are individually walking.
Personally, I do not find Leadbeater as inspiring as people I also personally know and hold in friendship do.
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Post by middlepillar on Mar 26, 2005 12:27:18 GMT
I personally do not think that there can ever be a single book (or thread, site, view, etc.) that can in any way give "exactly 'what' Freemasonry 'means'". The nature of allegory and symbols goes beyond mere description. Once described, one can rather say that one amongst other equally co-existing explanations has been suggested. The ritual, the symbols, the allegories live on, the explanation may or may not be correct. Personally, then, I would suggest that though such books are also important, they provide a stepping stone for further reflections - and those stepping stones best suited to each of us differs as to our own temperaments, understanding of the world, and paths that which we are individually walking.
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Mar 26, 2005 12:36:49 GMT
Chris ,and in walking those paths it reminds me of some business that was given to me but i have found that it applies not only to business but also life and in particular freemasonry and i was told the following :
You should continue as if you were walking along the streets and always try to go down the avenues and around the crescents as then if you do not like those routes there is always a way out and your journey will not come to an end .For some people they choose to go down the closes and the dead end streets and for them the journey ends there.
I suppose this is similar in some way to your stepping stones and that we must choose carefully so as not to step on one that gives way under us.
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Post by middlepillar on Mar 26, 2005 12:47:41 GMT
One of my favorite quotes;
"Be sure to smell the roses as you walk down the road"
You might not get the chance again!
And Lee a very trusted friend once told me that if you are not ready, the door will shut in your face and you will never be able to walk through it.
(my signature try's to deal with that one!)
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Mar 26, 2005 13:27:00 GMT
Chris,as i stated in my Mark/Chapter post,the individual must make sure the time and reasons are correct and that he himself is ready before he knocks on that door.
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Post by atarnaris on Mar 26, 2005 13:43:46 GMT
Middlepillar,
Are you referring to the awakening of the 5 (five) senses in your post, or is that another way of saying Carpe Diem?
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Post by atarnaris on Mar 26, 2005 13:46:43 GMT
Chris,as i stated in my Mark/Chapter post,the individual must make sure the time and reasons are correct and that he himself is ready before he knocks on that door. It is funny Lee, In the great scheme of things I think I am still an Entered Apprentice trying to master my animal nature. It's like when you qualify as a medical doctor and you think you know it all. Then you see your first patient and you realise things are not as in the textbook!!! In fact they are very, very different.
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Post by middlepillar on Mar 26, 2005 16:44:10 GMT
Middlepillar, Are you referring to the awakening of the 5 (five) senses in your post, or is that another way of saying Carpe Diem? Andrew In a way yes. (awakening of the 5 senses) Expanding on the second point, I think my friend was telling me that although I might think I am ready to go through the door, in fact I may find I was not (I think we spoke a little about this when we met?) and if I chose to carry on (Lees dead end!) The door would slam shut! I believe my friend when he says if the door slams shut, find another path, because the one you was on isnt for you!
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Mar 26, 2005 18:29:43 GMT
Isnt that what i was getting at in a very different sort of way ?
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Post by middlepillar on Mar 27, 2005 12:43:20 GMT
Isnt that what i was getting at in a very different sort of way ? Lee, Yes! But I thought you was refering more to time/money/circumstances I was refering to Being ready in a more spiritual/philisophical/esoteric sense.
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Mar 27, 2005 15:05:31 GMT
Chris,
i also meant the spirtual/pjilsophical and esoterical sense
i am not so eloquent with words as others.
"but i knows what i am meaning by it"
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Post by middlepillar on Mar 27, 2005 16:56:20 GMT
Chris, i am not so eloquent with words as others. "but i knows what i am meaning by it" Lee After reading your piece on Mark or Chapter, I cannot agree with you in the nicest sense! Know what I mean!
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