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Post by whistler on Dec 17, 2004 9:19:24 GMT
I have just returned from a dinner party with Non-masonic people. The conversation move around as it does, and in refering to somebody who had died - I said in conversation to people who have know knowledge of my Masonic interests ' of course before Fred passed to the "Grand Lodge Eternal" - oops anybody else done a similar thing
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Post by taylorsman on Dec 17, 2004 9:35:27 GMT
If I took all the Masonic references out of my conversation I'd be struck dumb.
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Agent J
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On a Mission from God...
Posts: 127
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Post by Agent J on Dec 17, 2004 9:39:00 GMT
same here, some of it is unintentional, but mostly I do it on purpose.
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Post by offramp on Dec 17, 2004 9:55:46 GMT
I have become blurred now as to when I do it on purpose and when it is unintentional. I have spent so long memorizing Masonic Ritual that many phrases have embedded themselves in my verbal matrix and reappear randomly.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 18, 2004 11:45:00 GMT
In my short time in the craft i am getting a bit obsessed to learn ritual.I love it and it helps me understand more. Maybe after my third ill understand even more.but my thoughts are constabtly filled with ritual ,words, phrases,and masonic thoughts.
Has it got to me too much and is this normal ?
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bod
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UGLE - MM (London), MMM RAM(Middx), OSM (London)
Posts: 1,296
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Post by bod on Dec 18, 2004 15:13:42 GMT
It is inherent in human nature that our interest in a subject burns brightest at the dawn, in other words - newbies are keenies. The trick is in mastering our passions and obsessions so that they burn like a slow match, not fizzle and pop like a firecracker. In a good lodge the senior members will take a lead in this and try to ensure that a new boy doesn't take on too much, and they'll also let him know it is ok to say 'no' and not feel guilty for it.
I'm glad it took 2 years from my initiation to my raising, it gave me time to study and observe and get past the first feelings of wanting to know it all. I still want to know it all, but I'm not in such a hurry - it is a lifetimes work, being a freemason.
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Dec 19, 2004 1:02:29 GMT
Generally I try to be as normal as possible when interacting with the profane world. I make no secret about my association with the Craft, but neither do I emphasize the fact. If Masonic wording occurs it is because this is the best way of putting mr views across.
One aspect I have found interesting is that I seldom use the handshake outside of Lodge, weather this is self presevation Or the reverence I hold for all things masonic I have still to discover.
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Post by taylorsman on Dec 19, 2004 9:54:47 GMT
Lee, as you know I agree with Bod, wait a year after your Third, visit other Craft Lodges, observe both how they do things and the differences from your own Lodge, and how the IG and the JD work as you will be learning the JD'S work for next year. After a year of observation and reading about the various other Degrees of course and perhaps talking to members of them , then I would advise join MARK first and THEN Royal Arch. Don't let anyone railroad you into joining Chapter first if that is NOT what you wish to do, but I doin't think you are easily led anyway but will, like me, do your own thing. I take the exact opposite stance to Hubert. I use the Masonic Handshake all the time, indeed I doubt if I could shake hands any other way now, and my conversation does contain many words and phrases with a Masonic connection.
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 23, 2004 7:34:15 GMT
Steve you say dont let anyone railroad you anf#d that i agree.however i was at a meeting on Monday and was introducedto the APGM of Mark in Susssex who had obviously been told i was interested and i was questioned accordingly ipresume as a potential candidate for after my third.
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Post by taylorsman on Dec 23, 2004 9:26:37 GMT
Which APGM? I don't think he would do so for one minute, but don't let HIM railroad you against your own inclinations either, remember that without his Chain and fancy Dark-blue Apron he is another Freemason just like you and me and anyone on this Forum or who you meet at Lodge. If you want to wait a while after your Third, if you want to join Mark first, then do so, it's YOUR choice alone.
I wouldn't read too much into being introduced to the "Man with the Chain" Lee. In Sussex , and in some other Provinces, at an Installation it is the usual custom to bring up every Brother Initiated in that Lodge during that year and the PGM, Deputy or Assistant will shake his hand and welcome him to the Province, a nice gesture. So even if he spoke the Party Line about joining RA after being Raised, I woudn't read too much into that. I suppose once the changes to RA come into effect all the talk about "Completing your Third" will cease.
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Dec 24, 2004 13:57:33 GMT
As i look back over the year since my initiation in February i wonder in amazement at how i managed without it .What did i do before ?
It really has been a special yeart for me and i have met many new friends that i can truly trust and rely on.
My life has definitely changed and my awareness of life in general and of life around me has completely opened up. My mind is alive and my brain is so active due to FM and amazingly my ability to retain information has expanded to a level that i never thought possible.
YES masonry has definitely got to me
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