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Post by ariel on Nov 7, 2006 4:03:03 GMT
From Differences Of Opinions I Shall Gain Wisdom Valuing Differences implies that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Synnergistic Communication begins with the assumption that cooperating individuals will share insights and open their their minds and hearts. Then, if the opinion of all parties are valued, momentum will build and new alternatives will emerge where there were only roadblocks before. We can , therefore, synergize in order to seek enlightenment and from this I am confident that I personally will gain a glimmer of light from the misty veil of mysticism.
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imakegarb
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One wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie
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Post by imakegarb on Nov 7, 2006 5:17:28 GMT
Ariel wrote:
Forgive me, please but this is not at all what I said. Greater scholars than I ever will be have taught scores far greater than myself upon these topics without being Freemasons.
I know it's a bit difficult to plow thru Jratcliff's posts but, peppered in those posts directed squarely (or unso) at you, are a number of references that I only barely understand (I'm an EA). These are unfair (and, I think, wholely irrelevant) points to bring up and it's unfair to expect you to sort thru them (as it would be to expect it from me; again, I'm only slightly more experienced in the Craft than are you). I'm not aware of a true master who would consider doing such a thing. It may be that he knows his points to be weak, so he feels he needs to find some irrelevant weakness to exploit.
But I don't know that. So my question was why he was doing it.
That is no reflection upon you.
Peace.
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Post by wayseer on Nov 7, 2006 9:52:59 GMT
Ariel - I did not read any criticism of you. Perhaps a bit of rescuing might have been read into that particular post but the way I read the post - it was more directed at Bro. Radcliffe who seemingly expects everyone to enter the debate on his terms. I accept that corresponding on a forum is difficult at times - sometimes our words are easily misunderstood. The unfortunate aspect is that when responding to posts like those of Bro. Radcliffe it is difficult to cut throught the hyperbole - which is exactly what he wishes thereby causing dissention among everyone else. Don't fall for it - you're doing just fine and your contributions and insights are valuable.
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Post by ariel on Nov 7, 2006 13:47:14 GMT
Dear imakegarb, I am terribly sorry for using your expression of "inexperienced" when my remarks were aimed at Bro.Radcliffe. What you said was truely appreciated and I thank you for that. It was my mistake for not making it clear enough when expressing the meaning out of term. Your remarks were very apt and I took great comfort from them. Kind regards, Ariel
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Post by ariel on Nov 7, 2006 14:06:57 GMT
Dear John, Thank you for putting the record straight. I am aware of what imakegarb meant and it is my fault entirely when I used "inexperienced" in quotation marks thus suggesting that my reply was to her comments when infact it was meant as a generalization of the term and aimed specifically at Bro.Radcliffe. I most certaintly have no intention to fall "for it" ! In this case, I thought it best to leave the subject alone as a Profane since the questions raised seemed to be answered much more ably by those who are true Masons. However, I did make it clear that on certain subjects raised by Bro. Radcliffe I am quite capable of answering as one who has some academic knowledge of subjects that were raised by him in his very lengthy questions and answers . Kind regards, Ariel
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Post by thedixiemason on Aug 15, 2007 4:51:01 GMT
Ariel, I whole heartedly agree with JMD. Your thoughts are very valuable. Please continue to share them.
However, if you join a "clandestine" lodge, then you will forego the benefits of what is called "Regular Masonry."
My wife and I have chosen to remain within the guidelines of the Grand Lodge of Georgia. I am recognized by such, and because she is in the Eastern Star, she is too.
However, I have known several good people that work outside the "recognized" bodies... We choose to submit to the authority of the lodge in which I was raised.
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jmd
Member
fourhares.com
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Post by jmd on Aug 15, 2007 5:12:14 GMT
...except that the Order of the Eastern Star is not itself Freemasonry. Instead of joining either a clandestine Lodge or the Eastern Star, International Co-Freemasonry (or yet others), being regular (even if not considered as such by most US-based GLs), may be in order
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Post by thedixiemason on Aug 15, 2007 5:18:15 GMT
My Brother, you are right.
The OES is not Masonry. I would not submit my wife to the initiation....
Her breasts are beautiful, but they're for my eyes only...
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Post by penfold on Aug 15, 2007 6:41:25 GMT
My Brother, you are right. The OES is not Masonry. I would not submit my wife to the initiation.... Her breasts are beautiful, but they're for my eyes only... Erm, you do know that the women only and co-masonic obediences have a way of dealing with that issue so that modesty is preserved, don't you?
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Post by thedixiemason on Aug 15, 2007 6:54:01 GMT
Erm, .... I had no idea... I am not a Co-Mason.. Sorry.
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Post by whistler on Aug 15, 2007 7:13:14 GMT
Erm, .... I had no idea... I am not a Co-Mason.. Sorry. Dixie, It really is not a big deal- imagine a white gown with a neck that can be adjusted according to degree to show no more and probably less flesh than I am sure your beautiful wife shows your friends on a summer day.
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Post by thedixiemason on Aug 15, 2007 7:15:27 GMT
Well, I had a completely different mental picture. I remember how naked I felt going through. (Even though I was neither naked nor clad)
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Post by beersheva on Mar 1, 2014 20:27:08 GMT
This is really quite funny. Telekinesis, levitation, astral travel and spoon-bending are really nothing to do with true MAGIA or Masonic ritual. If you're interested in that, better to check in somewhere else. There do exist unusual powers of the mind, which some people claim to have or even be able to teach others.
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Post by Warrior1256 on Aug 19, 2014 18:52:33 GMT
Bro. John I find it interesting that you say you detest the old testament yet spend alot of time studying Masonic ritual which has old testament scripture references and characters in it. I agree the old testament does have some appalling incidents but it also contains the very beautiful "Song of Soloman" not to mention some wonderful readings in "Pslams" and Proverbs" One must shift thorugh the begats and the who slew who. I agree. I also think that you have to spend the time on any subject to get anything out of it.
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mikeg
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Post by mikeg on Nov 22, 2014 23:56:45 GMT
On the Robert Anton Wilson thing, I am not sure the man wants anyone to view him as a Guru. If I remember right, he wrote the Illuminati trilogy not as a serious work, but as in response to the various letters and articles he received from conspiracy theorists as a result of his work writing for Playboy. He was basically playing with ideas, producing a kind of "what if" the things they were talking about were true. It was highly informed and funny, but never meant to be taken too seriously - All Hail Discordia!
In the parts of the thread on the obligation, Kizzie is entirely right to emphasize the phrase "most especially excepted". Child abuse and similar criminal activity are in no respect covered by the obligations made in a regular masonic lodge, and if any of you have, as it appears, joined an organisation with an obligation that would protect such secrets, perhaps you aught to think about exactly what it is you have become involved with.
As for the original post, it seems to me that many people look to magick as a kind of short-cut to spiritual or esoteric attainment, whereas the very real spiritual growth you can get through Freemasonry comes when you take the instruction you receive in the lodge and strive honestly and assiduously to apply it within your life outside the lodge. Part of the beauty of that instruction is its simplicity, consider the description of Jacob's ladder in the first degree tracing board. Three very simple steps, at least relatively simple to state, but very difficult to actually live. The transformation that can take place if you really listen to the message in the ritual, and apply it, is indeed magickal - but at the heart of that magick is the power and wisdom of the G.A.O.T.U. Your first true recognition of his hand will generally come through the repeated trials he presents you with to bring you into due form (those being the true trials and approbations though which you will come to know yourself to be a mason) rather than through some kind of astral or visionary experience. If you just sit and wait for the light to come through the ritual, as though it will do the work for you like some kind of charged talisman bringing you hidden treasure, I suspect you will have a long wait.
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Post by peter2 on Nov 23, 2014 0:12:37 GMT
....but at the heart of that magick is the power and wisdom of the G.A.T.O.U ... It seems to me that this is key. From what I have seen, each set of spiritual practices exists within a greater energy field that is not always suspected. For example, there are spiritual practices that are natural to (exist within) the Entity that we call Pisces. Thus the use of those practices often will put the practitioner under the influence of that entity. In some cases however, the practitioner might be better under the influence of Aquarius. From this I might conclude that Chaos Magic (collecting techniques without thought of lineage) may be at best a path with pitfalls, and at worst result in capture by unknown entities. There are sponsoring entities at lesser and greater scales, some from beyond the pralaya. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pralaya The great strength of Masonry is that it claims (invokes) the patronage of the GAOTU and the GAOTU is the highest patron with which most humans can connect. The patronage of the GAOTU (where it is present) provides a path with far fewer pitfalls. Regrettably, with the loss of the genuine secrets, Masonry is no longer an efficient (rapid) path. The loss was first announced in about 1725.
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mikeg
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Post by mikeg on Nov 23, 2014 0:31:29 GMT
The loss is symbolic, it is an analogy for the current state of mankind, ensnared in a false objectification of 3 dimensional phenomenal experience, and thus cut off from recognition of the true word, not a proclamation of the inadequacy of Freemasonry.
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Post by peter2 on Nov 23, 2014 1:16:21 GMT
The loss is symbolic, it is an analogy for the current state of mankind... So there is nothing to be recovered in Masonry. Awaiting time and circumstance is a bluff. That would explain why the Grand Lodges have not sent out search parties to recover the genuine secrets.
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mikeg
New Member
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Post by mikeg on Nov 23, 2014 2:21:58 GMT
Actually, symbolically speaking, we send out a search party every time we initiate a candidate - time and circumstances being a reference to the need for the dispensations of divine providence to guide them on a safe return to their native land, should they so desire.
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Post by peter2 on Nov 23, 2014 4:07:53 GMT
So is there any Masonic secret that is "veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols"?
If not, Masonry is just a moral society.
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