Post by whistler on Sept 6, 2006 4:31:10 GMT
An Article printed in
May /August 2006
CHALLENGING CONTRADICTIONS
BY THE V. ILL. BRO. RADHA BURNIER, 33', M.I.G.M.
CERTAIN schools of spiritual importance have adopted paradox as a means of stimulating the mind to penetrate deeper truths. Chief among them are the school of Zen Buddhism, and the mystic school of Taoism, derived from Laotzu and his TaoteChing. The method adopted by them is to present two contradictory ideas together. The student is faced with 'irreconcilable' opposites constituting a puzzle he cannot solve. The mind is then surprised into an unaccustomed silence, kindling deeper understanding.
We do not have such surprises sprung on us in Masonry, but all the same there are seeming contradictions incorporated into this system of teaching by allegory and symbols characteristic of Masonic tradition. A high level of holistic selfawareness is needed to plunge into them. Let us try to probe the purpose of some of the obvious 'contradictions' embodied in Masonry.
As even nonMasons know, there is a hierarchy within it, created by conferring various ranks succeeding each otherin our case from the 1st to the 33rd Degree. In other obediences it may be different. Even at the early stage of the Craft, every new entrant passes through three stagesE.A., F.C., and M.M. Then, after showing assiduity and sustained interest, he rises from Blue Masonry to Red, Black and White Masonry levels.
The hierarchical system, on first sight, seems to conflict with the basis of Equality, which is fundamental to Masonic relationships, and necessarily put into practice by diligent Masons. In Masonry all are on the same level, whatever rank they have attained, and this is dramatically depicted in one of the ceremonies. The truth underlying the appositioning of equality and hierarchy is not easy to realize and needs to be thoroughly explored and lived.
From the lower levels of a mountain the scenery looks absolutely different from what a person sees when he climbs up. So also, a Mason who has labored to earn a high degree is the one who is most clearly aware of being equal to the humblestmason or nonmason, human or nonhuman. In the Bhagavadgitt7 particularly, we find several contexts in which the teacher says that, in the eyes of the Wise, friends and enemies, kinsmen and strangers, a lump of clay and a bar of gold, are equal. This comes from knowing that the Source of all the diverse things on this marvellous earth, and throughout the universe, is One. They appear not to be so, because they are flowing with the stream of evolution; the drops of water in a river are not more or less precious according to whether they are near or far from the ocean. Such awareness does not make the Wise Ones unconscious of the responsibility that Wisdom has placed in their hearts, nor does it validate an apprentice presuming he is an expert. In a lofty realization, as from the heights of the mountain, all are beautifully blended in a harmonious whole, as are the stones, forming the foundation or raised to the pinnacle, of a Temple.
Knowing the truth of Equality, the Wise are those who feel love even for the sinner and live their lives happily and beautifully, without pride or ungraciousness. So there is an invaluable lesson to be learnt by recognizing that hierarchy and equality are not opposed to each other.
Another contradiction that comes to mind when we engage in ceremonial work is the one between withdrawing from the world outside, and simultaneously, wholeheartedly,in working for the welfare and upliftment of the world. Much importance is given, as all Masons know, to preventing intrusions into the Temple. Doors are properly closed and no person who is not appropriately qualified can approach or enter the Temple. The proceedings are said to be 'secret', although they are more a withdrawal to an area where harmony cannot be disturbed than a process of shutting 'others' out. This has its correspondence at the individual level also. The more ardently a person seeks to understand the human predicament and finds a solution to counteract the negative forces in the world, the more need has he to withdraw inward and put himself into touch with his own higher nature. Are withdrawal and altruistic action incompatible? We shall not go into too many details, for the challenge must be realized by each Mason and an appropriate response must emerge from him.
Are contradictions outside or within? The dualistic mind is in the habit of seeing the world in terms of opposites, as light and darkness, pain and pleasure. Perhaps they exist only because the mind wants to come to conclusions, therefore it invents . opposites and draws conclusions for better or worse. The truth may be that everything is what it is, and not fixed in the scale invented by the individual mind. To realize this, the mind must be free from conclusions, except in purely pragmatic contexts. Freedom from conclusions maintains the mind in a state of quietude, which is necessary to realize truths that are not normally apparent. Masonic teachings can be realized superficially or at a profound level. For example, the meaning of 'His beauty shines through the whole universe', varies depending on the quality of the listener's mind. The apparent contradictions in Masonry are not meant to bewilder, but to aid in elevating consciousness above the level of opposites to a dimension of harmony and integration.
THE MORNING STAR
JOURNAL OF THE EASTERN ORDER OF
INTERNATIONAL COFREEMASONRY
JOURNAL OF THE EASTERN ORDER OF
INTERNATIONAL COFREEMASONRY
May /August 2006
CHALLENGING CONTRADICTIONS
BY THE V. ILL. BRO. RADHA BURNIER, 33', M.I.G.M.
CERTAIN schools of spiritual importance have adopted paradox as a means of stimulating the mind to penetrate deeper truths. Chief among them are the school of Zen Buddhism, and the mystic school of Taoism, derived from Laotzu and his TaoteChing. The method adopted by them is to present two contradictory ideas together. The student is faced with 'irreconcilable' opposites constituting a puzzle he cannot solve. The mind is then surprised into an unaccustomed silence, kindling deeper understanding.
We do not have such surprises sprung on us in Masonry, but all the same there are seeming contradictions incorporated into this system of teaching by allegory and symbols characteristic of Masonic tradition. A high level of holistic selfawareness is needed to plunge into them. Let us try to probe the purpose of some of the obvious 'contradictions' embodied in Masonry.
As even nonMasons know, there is a hierarchy within it, created by conferring various ranks succeeding each otherin our case from the 1st to the 33rd Degree. In other obediences it may be different. Even at the early stage of the Craft, every new entrant passes through three stagesE.A., F.C., and M.M. Then, after showing assiduity and sustained interest, he rises from Blue Masonry to Red, Black and White Masonry levels.
The hierarchical system, on first sight, seems to conflict with the basis of Equality, which is fundamental to Masonic relationships, and necessarily put into practice by diligent Masons. In Masonry all are on the same level, whatever rank they have attained, and this is dramatically depicted in one of the ceremonies. The truth underlying the appositioning of equality and hierarchy is not easy to realize and needs to be thoroughly explored and lived.
From the lower levels of a mountain the scenery looks absolutely different from what a person sees when he climbs up. So also, a Mason who has labored to earn a high degree is the one who is most clearly aware of being equal to the humblestmason or nonmason, human or nonhuman. In the Bhagavadgitt7 particularly, we find several contexts in which the teacher says that, in the eyes of the Wise, friends and enemies, kinsmen and strangers, a lump of clay and a bar of gold, are equal. This comes from knowing that the Source of all the diverse things on this marvellous earth, and throughout the universe, is One. They appear not to be so, because they are flowing with the stream of evolution; the drops of water in a river are not more or less precious according to whether they are near or far from the ocean. Such awareness does not make the Wise Ones unconscious of the responsibility that Wisdom has placed in their hearts, nor does it validate an apprentice presuming he is an expert. In a lofty realization, as from the heights of the mountain, all are beautifully blended in a harmonious whole, as are the stones, forming the foundation or raised to the pinnacle, of a Temple.
Knowing the truth of Equality, the Wise are those who feel love even for the sinner and live their lives happily and beautifully, without pride or ungraciousness. So there is an invaluable lesson to be learnt by recognizing that hierarchy and equality are not opposed to each other.
Another contradiction that comes to mind when we engage in ceremonial work is the one between withdrawing from the world outside, and simultaneously, wholeheartedly,in working for the welfare and upliftment of the world. Much importance is given, as all Masons know, to preventing intrusions into the Temple. Doors are properly closed and no person who is not appropriately qualified can approach or enter the Temple. The proceedings are said to be 'secret', although they are more a withdrawal to an area where harmony cannot be disturbed than a process of shutting 'others' out. This has its correspondence at the individual level also. The more ardently a person seeks to understand the human predicament and finds a solution to counteract the negative forces in the world, the more need has he to withdraw inward and put himself into touch with his own higher nature. Are withdrawal and altruistic action incompatible? We shall not go into too many details, for the challenge must be realized by each Mason and an appropriate response must emerge from him.
Are contradictions outside or within? The dualistic mind is in the habit of seeing the world in terms of opposites, as light and darkness, pain and pleasure. Perhaps they exist only because the mind wants to come to conclusions, therefore it invents . opposites and draws conclusions for better or worse. The truth may be that everything is what it is, and not fixed in the scale invented by the individual mind. To realize this, the mind must be free from conclusions, except in purely pragmatic contexts. Freedom from conclusions maintains the mind in a state of quietude, which is necessary to realize truths that are not normally apparent. Masonic teachings can be realized superficially or at a profound level. For example, the meaning of 'His beauty shines through the whole universe', varies depending on the quality of the listener's mind. The apparent contradictions in Masonry are not meant to bewilder, but to aid in elevating consciousness above the level of opposites to a dimension of harmony and integration.