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Post by gevers1 on Oct 20, 2005 8:24:06 GMT
Ok, I admit: I have double standards! I have taken the plunge and want to find out more about the esoteric side of FM. I got this book by Jack Bright a while back; is this a good introduction to esoteria and FM? Is there perhaps another place to start - one for a slightly sceptical but inquisitive reader?
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giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
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Post by giovanni on Oct 20, 2005 8:57:32 GMT
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giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
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Post by giovanni on Oct 20, 2005 9:02:22 GMT
If you want to seriously deepen esotericism, you should read, by René Guénon, "Perspectives on initiation" which treats the matter in general, and then "Symbols of the sacred science", wherein are analyzed all the traditional symbols.
Not an easy reading, but a very worthy one.
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Post by a on Oct 20, 2005 10:12:31 GMT
Ok, I admit: I have double standards! I have taken the plunge and want to find out more about the esoteric side of FM. I got this book by Jack Bright a while back; is this a good introduction to esoteria and FM? Is there perhaps another place to start - one for a slightly sceptical but inquisitive reader? There is an excellent place to start for everyone - themselves. What you are seeking here, is already with you, just just need to unlock the doors to access it. The keys to the doors are also to be found all around you, including in your ritual. You could start by doing what I suggested to you recently re opening your heart. But and I cannot overemphasis this do it with the support of others. It is a lonely and painful journey. But with rewards that you may find difficult to currently imagine or understand. There are Masonic orders that can help you with this, and arguably the support and understanding should be available in every lodge that is more than a mere club. I am sure that there are manny of this forum who will hapily act an a shoulder and ear when you feel the need. Which you will, for if you do the work properly and honestly, you will come across all sorts of barriers - this can't be true, I don't believe this, I must be going mad, and such. As with Lodge initiations which everyone in the Lodge has been through, everyone who has walked this path has been through these barriers. There may come a time when once you have the knowledge, that you can then see it in your Craft ritual, and you may then wonder why no one in your lodge could see it. But be warned - there is immense responsibility attached to this path. Which is why Masonic fraternities filter. If you have not been filtered in then you must ask yourself why. It may be that you are not ready. It may be that your heart is too dark and your learning would destabilise. Or it may be that no one is aware. That said, you do have to take the steps yourself - no one can take them for you. And it is difficult - very difficult - to travel this journey. But it will smooth your ashlar if your heart is good. If you must use books, go to a bookshop or library and flick a few and see what just feels right for you. You may find that books start falling at your feet. But books are just tools. You have to do this in your heart. There is no other way (that I know of anyway). You will know that you are making progress when it hurts. I wish you well.
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Post by a on Oct 20, 2005 10:54:56 GMT
And to illustrate this point, there is a specific question on esoterics that I have been mulling on for some time. A few moments ago I sat down with a drink and picked up a book that I have had for a while but never opened. It is a book about juggling. And wo and behold within the first few pages is the answer to my quest.
It is in a passage about throwing balls in patterns, and many would not see anything in the words beyond that. But for me those words offer a different set of knowledge, that I have now unlocked. All that I need to do is learn how to apply. Which may take some time. Seb, this paragraph may baffle you just now, but it will make perfect sense to some, and some may even be able to guess the esoteric issue concerned. Hopefully one day you will also enjoy such insights into the esoteric.
You have knocked at the door now, all you have to do is walk through it.
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Post by a on Oct 20, 2005 11:16:08 GMT
You have knocked at the door now, all you have to do is walk through it. Assuming of course, that you are not simply encouraging thought into the issue.
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Post by gevers1 on Oct 20, 2005 13:41:08 GMT
thanks for the advice. I will start with the links and ideas suggested here and see where it takes me.
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Post by maat on Oct 21, 2005 0:22:18 GMT
Gevers1 - good for you.... your vision is now about to become Vistavision!
You will really start seeing things that you have never seen before. For a second time you have walked between the Pillars, in humility, seeking that which is good. Just remember that Masonry demonstrates that ever at your side there is an invisible helper who will guide your steps. Maintain your healthy scepticism, this is good but keep your eyes and ears 'open' for your esoteric education will come from many different sources - not just books.
The way is rough and stony as Stewart warns, but the view is spectacular.
There are some excellent resources on this Forum. Check out the Links and Articles sections for a start. One clue for your search - 'tyle your lodge' (withdraw your thoughts from everyday stuff) and 'ask' for what you want. Then start your search here on this Forum with what is already posted.... you will be amazed and delighted.
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Post by maat on Oct 21, 2005 0:32:55 GMT
P.S. - You might like to check out Manley Halls - Secret Teachings of All Ages..... pretty good overview of lots of things.. and what the Rosicrucian Cosmo-conception has to say also.
BUT - if you start any book and it does not grab your interest - PUT IT DOWN. It is not right for you at this particular time.
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Post by a on Oct 21, 2005 8:25:26 GMT
Now that Seb has knocked at a new door and is hopefully going to walk through it, to find a whole new aspect of Freemasonry, is anyone else thinking of doing the same?
It is better to do this with support and with people who understand. You should get this in Lodge, but failing that there is this forum, the people here will I am sure be pleased to listen and offer a few words of wisdom, and then there is Seb. Doing it together for mutual support and guidance is I am sure much better than doing it on your own. But you do have to do the work yourself.
What have you got to loose? Your ego. What have you got to gain? The inner beauty of Freemasonry and of yourself.
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Post by mrmason on Oct 21, 2005 10:07:01 GMT
I myself should be joining the SRIS next year. This is my first initial step into those unknown waters, or maybe not. Who knows what I will discover!
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