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Post by leonardo on Nov 23, 2004 12:02:31 GMT
As a profane man I naturally know very little about about the complete workings of Freemasonry, and even less about Esoteric Freemasonry. So I was wondering if someone would be willing to do a "beginner's guide" in order to help somebody like me to have a deeper understanding that of what it's about.
I appreciated that this question may seem redundant to the more seasoned enthusiasts of the genre. But I ask you to bear in mind that is not just me you will be helping, but others like me also.
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staffs
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Staffs
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Post by staffs on Nov 23, 2004 12:28:33 GMT
good post and question Leo.I look forward to the replies and making another daily advancement in masonic knowledge
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Post by middlepillar on Nov 23, 2004 15:51:13 GMT
Leo
A lovely question and one which I am looking forward to reading some interesting replies.
It has been said enough times that esoteric means (roughly) 'only understood by a few'. In the main this is correct, but it does not mean 'of interest only to a few', or 'should only be approached by a few'. It is simply that you have to have a certain approach to life and philosophy to understand and appreciate 'Esoteric Masonry'.
I am not trying to give a test but just read the next three paragrapghs and see if you can relate to them, or 'understand' them (the'marks' are not meant to be anything other than emphasis).
"I have desired to do good but I have not desired to make noise, because I felt that noise did no good, and that good made no noise".
Louis Claude de St Martin
"Of what use are flambeaux, torches and spectacles to him who shuts his eyes so as not to see?"
H.Kunrath.
"Thou wouldst not seek me if thou hadst not already found me"
Pascal.
We have a bloody awful saying in England called 'thinking outside the box'. however I think it sums up one aspect of esoteric freemasonry for me.
IMHO think about everything, interpret what you will about anything, nothing is wrong. Just think!!
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Post by middlepillar on Nov 23, 2004 16:07:54 GMT
Maybe Modern Art could be described as esoteric?!!!
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Post by leonardo on Nov 23, 2004 18:29:58 GMT
"Of what use are flambeaux, torches and spectacles to him who shuts his eyes so as not to see?"
H.Kunrath.
This reminds me of another saying;
"You can't explain colours to a blind man."
They're a bit like the koens (sorry about the spelling) one so often comes across in Zen Buddhism. ie; What's the sound of one hand clapping? Etc. These are ment to make one think, or, in true Zen style, not to think. I know (know?) this is not where you're coming from, I just mention it to give some idea of where I'm at right now, which really is nowhere.
Middlepeler, very interesting stuff. Leave them with me for the moment.
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Post by offramp on Nov 24, 2004 5:34:59 GMT
You could also look for answers in another thread called A brief explaination on Esoteric Masonry. Also watch out for two new threads I am soon going to start: Freemasonry (Esoteric): Explanations? and Explanation: Esoteric Freemasonry?. Feel free to start others yourself!
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Post by Stash on Nov 24, 2004 6:01:22 GMT
Offramp, hilarious!!
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Post by leonardo on Nov 24, 2004 8:27:20 GMT
Offramp. My poor old head is (clearly) all over the place. I thought the other thread was lost. I knew I had started such a thread but when I went looking for it I couldn't Back to bed, I think. Even so I still welcome some deeper discussion on the subject - in whichever thread you choose. ;D ;D
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staffs
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Post by staffs on Nov 24, 2004 17:59:44 GMT
offramp ,i thimh a i might start a thread "return of explanation on esotericism in masonry"
Or The lost thread unravelled
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Post by whistler on Nov 24, 2004 18:30:02 GMT
This thread in it's own right has become Esoteric
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Post by leonardo on Nov 24, 2004 19:24:17 GMT
This thread in it's own right has become Esoteric Now it's all beginning to meke sense
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