staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Nov 7, 2004 19:32:00 GMT
In your own words and thoughts what is LIGHT to you ?? and what is your meaning of it ??
How do we know when we have found it or are we always searching ?
maybe the following helps :
Light is a symbol of knowledge. It is in fact the first of all the symbols presented to the initiate, and continues to be presented to him in various forms throughout his Masonic career. It is the ultimate desire of every Mason to be well informed on Masonry, and may every Mason strive constantly for light, and especially for light eternal! He who introduces light into the lodge, must be a worthy man, and experienced in the Craft. Freemasons are emphatically called the "sons of light" because they are, or should be, in possession of the true meaning of the symbol. In all ancient systems of religion and in all ancient mysteries, the reverence for Light, as an emblematic representation of the Eternal Principle of Good, is predominant. This was true in Hebraism and Judaism, and is true in Christianity; it is true throughout the the ritual of Freemasonry in a most predominant sense. The greater Light of Freemasonry is the Word of God; Masons are pledged to seek from this source of true light and from the tenets of the Order an ever increasing advancement in Light.
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Post by middlepillar on Nov 7, 2004 21:30:49 GMT
[quote author=staffs
Light is a symbol of knowledge.
[/quote]
There you have it Staffs, Light is indeed knowledge and as any one with real knowledge understands they still have many things to learn, you can never get enough Light.
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Post by taylorsman on Nov 7, 2004 22:53:54 GMT
Not only Knowledge but Understanding. I have knowledge of Quantum Theory but I do not understand it in the slightest!
The greatest Light of course is the Knowledge and Understanding of Oneself! That I find is what Freemasonry in its various aspects has given to me.
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Post by whistler on Nov 8, 2004 19:53:55 GMT
Knowledge = Light Ignorance = darkness
Knowledge = is about knowing good things and Bad things Ignorance = refusing to take a torch to dispel the darkness.
I am not a christian, welsh, or a church person but the words "'tis only the splendor of light hideth thee." for some reason rings my bell. When we think of a Physical G.A.O.T.U. we tend to think of a lighted object, be it the sun, a star in the heaven or something else. When we look at a light we don't really see anything - When we look at a tree, we see leaves and branches. We look at the moon, we see the shadows, we look at the sun we see the darkness around a light, we see the absense of darkness
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Post by Yoki on Nov 9, 2004 6:20:37 GMT
It is the permanent light of a Mason that helps brings light to the world and continues even after his or her death. I have to say at this point that it is not exclusively the Masonic fraternity that adds light to the world as there are many advanced individuals in all walks and areas of life. With every new light that begins to grow and shine humanity's evolution moves forward and I have read that when it reach's a critical mass the balance will be tipped towards total enlightenment, who knows if this is true it certainly is a nice sentiment. Light understood as knowledge is a symbol and as such can be used to emphasise Masonic teachings. In the physical we have light from the sun, stars and man made sources ,but there is yet an other light or lights that have escaped mention. As Co Masons we view this light as our inner being the soul if you will. This is the part that lives eternally and is in a state of flux and growth. The majority of Co Masons except that this happens through the process and in cooperation with the laws of reincarnation and karma, this is not part of a official belief nor is a belief in this process necessary to be a Co Mason. The law of karma is a tricky one, ask five believers and you will get five different explanations. But what karma is not is an eye for an eye, you will not suffer horrendous misfortune if you were a meanie in your last life what you get is just enough to teach you concern and compassion for others. Reincarnation for me is logical why would a benign higher authority dish out the fires of hell after a mistake or a sin, to sin after all means to miss the mark. Having missed the mark the first time why should we not get a second, third and maybe hundredth chance after all we have eternity to hit the bull’s eye. Light is also used as a description for God or the Goddess and is often felt and seen in mystical experiences, something I can testify to.
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Post by Hubert (N. Z.) on Nov 9, 2004 7:31:00 GMT
Hi Staffs, In response to your query:
Freemasonry is obviously riddled with aspects of light, right from the first entry of a candidate during their initiation, to the way our "temples" are illuminated at various occasions, and to the allegorical/symbolic teaching proceses we "employ".
The best example I have personally had that simply illustrates "LIGHT" is the system Known as "A Course in Miracles". This was a method by which a group of enquirers got together weekly, read the liturature contained in the course and spent the following week experiencing its' proceedure. Suffice to say it changed ones' outlook to familiar situations, by observing from a different standpoint.
I did this in my early years in Freemasonry, but it has helped greatly in my discovery of what the Craft has to offer.
To me "LIGHT" is simply seeing differently. Thus if you can do it yourself, obviously there must be acceptance that our fellow Brn. do so in their own fashion.
Light therefore creates tollerance and understanding of the enormity of the Universe T.G.A.O.T.U. created for us to discover.
To have ones' eyes opened is a truely wonderful blessing, and can only be experienced by the individual themselves. It's like meditation, if you can explain it you need to explore more. For all insights are particular to the sum total of ones understaning at any present moment in time.
This leads me to suggest that light is an ongoing journey and is best represented by Geoffrey Hodsons' comment preceeding his lectures, ( An English Theosophist who lived many years here in NZ) - " What I am about to relate to you this evening is the extent of my present knowledge and does not preclude my changing my views with further understanding"
Thus for me Freemasonry is a search for ones' own inner light which if we are lucky may shine to assist others on the path.
Cheers, Hubert.
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Post by offramp on Nov 10, 2004 15:39:38 GMT
J S M Ward says that Freemasonry is essentially solar in concept...
I was hoping you would give me your opinions on these lines from the Secret Instruction of the Seventh Degree of the OTO?
Admittedly these rituals devolved from Crowley, but I think they were based heavily on Freemasonry - all the OTO rituals are.
Since reading this I have begun to look on Masonic ritual in a distinctly different light.
Here is the section:
From the Beginning of Years the Initiates of all peoples have held one central secret as a sure Bond of Brotherhood, as a unity whose truth is able to harmonize all men upon the Earth. No fabrications of knavish priests, no vain dreams of mystics, can hide from the sane this one fact: Not only is the Earth but a chilled spark of the Sun, a dropt petal of the Rose of Heaven, but the source of all Light and Life upon the planet is that same Sun. Not only is he creator, but sustainer, and it is He also that destroyeth in due season, and redeemeth when the time is come. Therefore in the Macrocosm is one sole God, the Sun.TEXT
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ruffashlar
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Lodge Milncroft No. 1515 (GLoS), Govanhill Royal Arch Chapter 523 (S.G.R.A.C.S.)
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Post by ruffashlar on Nov 11, 2004 6:21:29 GMT
Here's Light on the OTO.
It was all an attempt to establish a solar phallic religion like the cult of Heliogabalus at Rome. The comparison is apt, for the the inner wisdom of their Order is that it was entirely a pretext for men to meet each other for rather more than just the usual Five Points of Fellowship. They would stay on for the old Princeton Rub, too.
All rather old hat these days: the Chaos current has taken the 93rd and run it up the flagpole like its auntie's studded vinyl G-string. Sex between blokes just doesn't shock us any more, nor should it. You can mix-'n'-match gay-positive religion like c***rings and cowboy hats these days. Leave the O-T-O well o-u-t.
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Post by atarnaris on Nov 14, 2004 16:32:45 GMT
Here's Light on the OTO. It was all an attempt to establish a solar phallic religion like the cult of Heliogabalus at Rome. The comparison is apt, for the the inner wisdom of their Order is that it was entirely a pretext for men to meet each other for rather more than just the usual Five Points of Fellowship. They would stay on for the old Princeton Rub, too. All rather old hat these days: the Chaos current has taken the 93rd and run it up the flagpole like its auntie's studded vinyl G-string. Sex between blokes just doesn't shock us any more, nor should it. You can mix-'n'-match gay-positive religion like c***rings and cowboy hats these days. Leave the O-T-O well o-u-t. Bro Ruff. How do you know these things? Where is the evidence?
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Nov 14, 2004 16:50:05 GMT
How does Ruff know these things ?? Why do you think Andrew. Pretty obvious to me and i can assure you it certainly doesnt shock us here in Brighton (nor should It ) and before you ask NO im not. Am i being thick but what does OTO stand for. Am i missing something
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Post by atarnaris on Nov 14, 2004 17:30:08 GMT
Staffs OTO=Oto Templi Orientis=The Order of the Eastern Temple... BTW remember that the antis say the same about us... So where lies the truth?
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Post by whistler on Nov 14, 2004 18:54:24 GMT
Help I have lost the Plot, After Hubert's Post I began to flounder What are we talking about
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Nov 14, 2004 18:59:08 GMT
Was it not Ruff who wrote :
“Light - that which comes on when you open the fridge or car door.”<br>
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Post by Yoki on Nov 14, 2004 19:03:01 GMT
OTO was originally formed by Crowley who was a much maligned individual well ahead of his time, should any one indulge in drugs, practice free sex and play around with the occult today most would just shrug their shoulders and get on with their lives. Doing this at the turn of the century meant he was labelled the evilest man alive with rumours circulating of satanic practice which may or may not be true ( it seemed like straight forward occult practice to me) and he played up to this. He did seem to have a disastrous effect on those around him and after reading his biography I saw similarities between him and an individual here in Christchurch, both I would say suffer from narcissism which means other didn't and don’t matter. After his death there were the usual power struggles, divisions etc in the organization resulting in several bodies claiming to be the original OTO.I have only ever come across them the once at a new age fair and after looking through what was on show, they seemed one of those pay ever step of the way groups. No doubt there are those who find value in what the OTO have to offer, but most of it can be learnt from other sources.
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Post by adder on Nov 14, 2004 19:54:51 GMT
How does Ruff know these things ?? Why do you think Andrew. Pretty obvious to me and i can assure you it certainly doesnt shock us here in Brighton (nor should It ) and before you ask NO im not. Am i being thick but what does OTO stand for. Am i missing something Maybe not so obvious.Ruff knows things.I know things.We are all ignorant but on different subjects. Besides,you don't have to be a donkey to be an authority on hay.
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Post by leonardo on Nov 15, 2004 18:12:47 GMT
The only light of any real importance is, in my opinion, the light that shines from within. As within, so with-out.
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Post by atarnaris on Nov 28, 2004 15:17:36 GMT
OTO was originally formed by Crowley ... From what documents I have read OTO was started by Reuss who made A.C head of the English OTO later on. After Reuss death in 1922 A.C inherited the whole lot...
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Post by Yoki on Nov 30, 2004 3:05:54 GMT
Yes I think you are right atamaris its been a while since I read Crowley's biograph .
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Post by offramp on Dec 3, 2004 9:18:41 GMT
I read this on another forum and I thought I would copy it here:
The whole point of an initiation is to proclaim your intention to follow this path, to introduce you to the current and to imprint this upon your aura.
I don't fully agree with it, it is not quite my bag. But I thought some people here might like it.
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Post by hollandr on Jan 1, 2005 5:11:16 GMT
Here is an experiment that I find interesting.
Sit in a dark room with no lights on. Then with your eyes closed look up inside your skull. Then look down inside your skull. Where is the light coming from? What is the nature of that light?
More generally Masonry is an interesting mixture of Stellar and Solar religion.
Arguably it is best suited for those of us on the Sirius path - that is - intended to leave the solar system when achieving a certain level of initiation.
That covers the bulk of true humans and most of those stellar visitors immersed in human form. Some stellar visitors do not descend below mental levels.
Perhaps 10% of the population is more correctly seen as transitting the human form. Sometimes the originating sources provide systems for spiritual education but generally these beings have to fit in to whatever educational processes are at hand.
The first Sirian initiation is taken (if it is taken) after the initiate has learned to control his or her mental structure. This corresponds symbolically to the post raising situation. I say symbolically because I have never observed it coinciding with a lodge working.
If however this generation is able to reform Masonry then the possibilty will become reality given some preconditions. Who is there who is willing and able to prepare the new wine for the new bottle of this new dispensation?
On occasion I have seen a genuine initiation occur in the EA degree - not always a first earth initiation either. But this requires conscious brethren who work the inner ritual along with the outer.
Paths other than Sirian are described in the Alice Bailey writings. For example a small number of humanoids will pursue the path that leads to becoming a planetary logos (spirit of a planet) but their training is secretive and individually managed. The other paths escape my memory.
Some of the above statements are not absolutely true but are generally fit for purpose.
Sorry for this bit of thought association but it is New Years day and I am free of household duties.
Cheers
Russell
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