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Post by whistler on Jan 23, 2005 2:54:15 GMT
We look back and see the structures of our Masonic forebears, Churches, Cathedrals and more. For our generation nothing we do is solid and Permanent. Most of the Buildings we build are demolished before 50 years are up, we build Rockets - they go bang and are gone - we build satellites the fall out of the sky - what do you think Masons of two hundred years in the future, will be able to look back on in the 20th Century and say Freemasons did that?
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Post by hollandr on Jan 23, 2005 5:35:11 GMT
Whistler
Our generation will be remembered for the institutionalisation of practical stewardship of the planet.
But the thing that is missing is an institutionalised spirituality to provide direction for stewardship of the planet. It needs to be institutionalised so that we can handle some of the huge numbers of people who no longer BELIEVE in a Creator because they KNOW.
My hypothesis is the Masonry can survive as a widespread institution by taking this role.
Thus the ritual for the New Dispensation is based on:
- The Great Steward
- Equality in the Mysteries for male and female humans and humanoids
- Lodge officers representing (most of) the spiritual kingdoms involved in the stewardship of the planet
- Side degrees prior to taking any particular lodge position - to ensure proper acceptance by the kingdom of the officer who is to represent it in the floor work - a precondition to inner workings
- Explicit recognition of the stellar representatives responsible for oversight of the planet
- Explicit recognition of the Grand Lodge in the Solar System.
Implicit in this is not relying on Jewish history as a basis for the ritual.
If Freemasonry does not take on the above, it may be remembered as an organisation that went out of vogue in the late 20th century, and is preserved as few lodges run by antiquarians.
But I have yet to find anyone wanting to develop the new Masonry. All the would-be rescuers seem to want to produce minor variations of past forms.
Surely there must be some Masons who are sufficiently embedded in the real Mysteries that they have no fear of creating new forms able to attract and focus the inner powers.
But perhaps those brethren do not use the internet.
Cheers
Russell
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Post by Seeker on Jan 23, 2005 8:29:25 GMT
No Russell I don't agree,. Masonry will never be a wide spread institution, It has only ever been spread amongst certain parts of the world . The Guardianship of the Hidden Wisdoms in Freemasonry will most probably change - You only have to look at the postings on this and other Forum's to see how many Freemasonrs have left their interlectual roots of learning and wisdom, to make a social club that appears to meet in closed rooms flap their arms and strut around then rush out to drink and chat -
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Post by mrmason on Jan 23, 2005 9:01:01 GMT
I don't think that we will ever be seen as "The Freemasons did that". It's always IMHO an after thought, such as so and so invented this, oh, and by the way he was a freemason. A classic example is Robert Burns. I read a large article the other day in on of the major papers, and there was not one mention of him as a freemason. Yet if it wasn't for the him being a member, he wouldn't have visited Edinburgh, persuaded to publish his works by members of the lodge there and subsequently he would have emigrated to Jamaica and probably never been heard of again. The only legacy that I don't want to see left behind is the fanciful idea that we have, hidden away, all the treasures and wisdoms of past ages that have been given to us for safe keeping until the time is right to reveal them. Our history is sadly being written now with the publications of these so called historical accounts of the masons, templars and treasures, etc. Our legacy in (Scotland anyway) should be to continue to be an integral part of society, that way we can continue to do what we do best and not seek to be raised on a platform for all to see
Just my thoughts
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Post by a on Jan 23, 2005 9:40:14 GMT
Russell
I would imagine that many Freemasons today wouldn't have a clue to what you are talking about, beyond thinking of it as airy-fairy stuff that they may have heard somewhere, but which bears no relation to what they see and do in Lodge. Though I do realise that this will depend on which Fraternity you are a Freemason in, as some appear noteably more spiritual than others.
The harsh reality though is that to understand this you have to have undergone an initiation, and that type of initiation does not appear (to us profane outsiders) to be widespread within Freemasonry today.
Which begs the question should it be?
From what I can tell while Freemasons around the world share the common tenets (though some appear to me to pay simple lip service to them) there are major differences in approach, and this could well go back a very long time, which you will clearly understand much better than I currently do. Personally I think that the wisdom that is held within Freemasonry goes back to the days of Ancient Egypt, and quite possibly from other significant ancient civilisations as well.
But to bring us back up to date, what is Freemasonry today? A valuable tool to help people know themselves better and to help humanity: or a lost child wondering where its parents have gone and not knowing what to do while the siblings squable amongst themselves?
Assuming of course that I am understanding correctly, then the "Inner Powers" that you mention will no doubt find suitable candidates and instruct them. As opposed to [paraphrasing]"Freemasons needing to create new forms to attract these Inner Powers".
Wow that was heavy for a Sunday morning.
Philosophising over.
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Post by a on Jan 23, 2005 9:54:55 GMT
The Guardianship of the Hidden Wisdoms in Freemasonry will most probably change - That is possible, and is one reason why this is such a critical time for Freemasonry. The funny thing is that the wisdoms are hidden in plain sight. Now the philosophising really is over, Cluedo time.
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Post by taylorsman on Jan 23, 2005 15:09:10 GMT
Stewart, unfortunately down here in England and since WW2 we have been far too diffident about what we have done Pro Bono Publico and even those edifices associated with The Craft such as the Royal Masonic Hospital and the Masonic School for Boys have been sold off although thankfully the Girls School at Rickmansworth is still with us.
Now we have not built great cathedrals, castles, etc as the Ancient Stonemasons but I feel that the Institution itself will be what we are remembered by when all who post here are long gone.
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Post by hollandr on Jan 24, 2005 10:50:35 GMT
Stewart
You do take an interesting position: "the "Inner Powers" that you mention will no doubt find suitable candidates and instruct them. As opposed to [paraphrasing]"Freemasons needing to create new forms to attract these Inner Powers".
I wonder if I were standing in the solar system on playground duty whether I would take such an interventionist role as you suggest.
I might have an entirely different philosophy - letting the newbies get on with it and only intervening if wide scale destruction was imminent.
St Paul had a view that we should wait calmly for the last days. And many "Christians" of the time did wait.
For myself, I suggest that over the last 2 generations a new concept has entered the race - Co-creator.
I think this is not accidental and it is a hint to us - rather like the shuffling of plans in the Mark ritual.
So do we await unearned grace to save us or do we start doing what we can to improve our situation?
I think we can see the statistical trend with Masonry. There will be no saving of the institution unless we do it.
Cheers
Russell
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Post by a on Jan 24, 2005 12:25:51 GMT
only intervening if wide scale destruction was imminent. Have you looked at your weather recently? Or the growing clean water crisis in our world that some expect will soon lead to wars over clean water? Or the grass that is now taking hold in the Antarctic? And not forgetting NCB proliferation. etc etc. Just perhaps widescale destruction is imminent. There is plenty of scientific evidence out there as to this being a real possibility.
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bod
Member
UGLE - MM (London), MMM RAM(Middx), OSM (London)
Posts: 1,296
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Post by bod on Jan 24, 2005 14:14:39 GMT
I believe that what we leave behind will be less tanglible but more powerful. Masons the world over are invovled in education programs and programs connected with the hospice movement - very often (not always 'organised') we are the first to volunteer in a crisis. Less of the cathedrals made of stone, and more of the 'castles in the sky'. As a real life example from the UK is the work of the MTGB's involvment in the 'Lifelites' scheme.
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