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Post by hollandr on Dec 17, 2005 19:19:04 GMT
Divinator
You will also see the bee as a symbol of the Merovingians. Although their connection to Masonry is through the Templars
Cheers
Russell
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Post by a on Jan 31, 2006 15:40:15 GMT
To quote myself a little over three months ago So if it were available to you would you be interested in further support and guidance to help you take further steps towards personal illumination - in practical as opposed to theoretical learning, using the very tools of Freemasonry that you handle every time that you are in Lodge? A thought for those who voted yes. What have you done in the last three months to enable this? Please don't answer just think. Clearly being outside of all of the fraternities I have to do things a little differently but over the past three months I have:- 1. Been reviewing my involvement with the Masonic fraternities and forums, for reasons that you are all well aware of. 2. Working out how I can test myself safely (Leo I know that safely may seem the wrong word here) and concluded that the MdS was the (or at least one preferable) way to go. The question is what have you done over this period to take your next practical step or to get the guidance to help you in this regard? Again please dont answer, just think. You may find that you have began to take steps that you did not realise at the time you were taking.
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Post by a on Apr 2, 2006 20:04:46 GMT
It's been another couple of months - anyone struggling?
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giovanni
Member
odi profanum vulgus, et arceo
Posts: 2,627
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Post by giovanni on Apr 2, 2006 21:02:36 GMT
The journey is endless, my Bro.!
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Post by a on Apr 2, 2006 22:10:16 GMT
Oh I am not so sure, as one journey ends, another can then begin.
The trick is having the wisdom to see, and the courage to do the necessary Work to complete the cirlce that you are currently in, without getting stuck in a warp of darkness or worn out on your travels.
You travel seeking light, you eventually find it, you then travel back to where you started illuminating the way for fellow travellers, as the way was hopefully illuminated for you. When you reach your return destination you can then start a whole new journey building form your travels. Not mere mumbo jumbo, but an essential part of our existence.
This is why I am sadly tickled when I hear that PMs are a bit lost and say "what now that I have done it - what next?" If they have genuinely found the light then they have a whole road to return down, a road that is well known to them, but one where instead of stumbling their way along they can walk with pride, with knowledge, with power (for those into such things).
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Post by maat on Apr 3, 2006 1:27:46 GMT
This is why I am sadly tickled when I hear that PMs are a bit lost and say "what now that I have done it - what next?" If they have genuinely found the light then they have a whole road to return down, a road that is well known to them, but one where instead of stumbling their way along they can walk with pride, with knowledge, with power (for those into such things). What next? If they ask that they obviously can't see the way forward. Is there no more light now than when they began? Who's fault is that? All good questions to ask ourselves. In LDH - we have a more or less automatic progression up thru the various degrees which tend to keep the Brn on their toes right into the sunset of their lives. One of my favourite Brn is 84 and I drive her home after meetings. She just recently said to me (while banging her closed fists together in excitement) I can't die just yet - there is sooo much more to learn! Isn't it so exciting!!!). I think we are doing something right Maat
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Post by a on Apr 3, 2006 8:25:29 GMT
In LDH ....snip.... I think we are doing something right Maat I know you are.
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staffs
Administrator
Staffs
Posts: 3,295
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Post by staffs on Apr 3, 2006 8:42:17 GMT
"Where there is much light, the shadow is deep"
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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Post by middlepillar on Apr 5, 2006 21:04:59 GMT
One of my favourite Brn is 84 and I drive her home after meetings. She just recently said to me (while banging her closed fists together in excitement) I can't die just yet - there is sooo much more to learn! Isn't it so exciting!!!). I think we are doing something right Maat Maat I constantly have the same experience with two 82 year olds! I am hoping both will be at my next meeting. Both have done massive amounts for Freemasonry yet both get so excited about whats next!
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Post by a on Aug 16, 2006 9:54:24 GMT
Out of the 16 of you - anyone managed to take a step over the past 10/11 months?
I know that at least a couple of people who visit here have taken difficult steps, and I know the steps that I have taken. But those of you who want to, have you been able to find the inner courage and the support from your lodge, to help you do so?
I don't expect any answers. Just to remind you that taking steps to know yourself and answer the eternal questions is not only possible, but achievable. And even if your lodge is failing you here in terms of support and guidance you do have a number of people here who have walked the walk, as opposed to merely talking the talk. It is not academic mummery.
Anyhow, with a new year fast approaching, are you going to make the resolution to find the inner courage to face your fears and take a step on the difficult journey of enlightenment? So that you to can answer the "meaning of life" and hopefully illuminate the way for those who follow?
No need to answer, just think.
Remember everything starts with a thought.
A mundane example - a year ago I was thinking about getting fit enough to walk a marathon. I can now jog 18 hilly miles in 4 hours. In a couple of months I will be tackling Loch Ness. As you know I want to do the MDS as soon as physically and financially possible, and as this has been delayed (2008 already booked up and 100 on waiting list), I am working towards an Ironman in the meantime. My point of mentioning this here and now - to quote the Ironman logo - nothing is impossible. But it may take you a little longer than you would like.
Don't talk yourself out of climbing the ladder. Don't talk the talk. But walk the walk. It is not easy, which is why good lodges exist to help guide and support you as you travel - to know yourself.
The first step is the hardest.
Anyhow chew on it for the remainder of this year - and think about making the resolution to take a real tangible step, a step on your own journey, towards knowing yourself.
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Post by taylorsman on Aug 16, 2006 16:02:51 GMT
I have started on a journey but will not arrive at my chosen destination for a little while yet.
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Post by corab on Aug 17, 2006 18:36:51 GMT
Sure did, Stewart -- I defeated my Nemesis, Maths ;D Passed my exam with 92% score, which I am totally over the moon with, of course. Now for those of you who wonder what that's got to do with Enlightenment -- my decision to prove to myself once and for all that I could do Maths was inspired by my search for Light. After all, if I want to understand the Universe I might as well make a start by understanding its language . On the more spiritual side of things I'm having one of my spiritual growth spurts -- things are beginning to make sense BIG TIME in many ways, and there simply are no words to describe that. Well, okay, I'll try ... It's like at initiation all this knowledge is poured into your head, your being, and bit-by-bit it reveals itself to you -- when you're ready -- and it's just so cool, if you'll pardon the phrase... Well done you for your fitness-feat; that's one heck of an achievement! Cora
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Post by a on Aug 17, 2006 22:50:11 GMT
Excellent
You see the esoteric is not some mad, freaky, mumbo jumbo. It is part of the fabric of our very existence. And when you face your fears, and Work sufficiently hard to conquor them, then you do take steps up the ladder. Your lodge must be very proud of you Cora.
Each and every one of us has within our personal life - our job - our family - our acquaintences - everything that we need to take steps forward. And to take the steps well as Cora has demonstrated - facing yiour fears is an excellent place to start. It has worked for me and it has worked for her. And if you want it to work for you, you can, but be cautious, it is important that you travel safely. Which again is where a good lodge can assist as the past masters who have all done this before, can illuminate the way as they guide and assist.
Cora, take you time for a while. You will no dout have other fears to face and/or things to do. Some will be easier to achieve than others. Where you are now is a launchpad where you could move quickly forward, or get drowned in the flast flow. Take you time. Savour it. You have one huge advantage over me - you have a lodge and a fraternity full of people who have been there, done that, got the t shirt. They can guide and assist you in ways that I could only have drempt off when I was at the stage you are now at.
But most importantly, don't forget, the further you travel the harder it gets - almost as if darkness does not want to loose its grip - but it also gets much more fun, as you come to realise the pure magic of it all.
Oh and don't be suprised if some try to divert you from your path. Especially now that you are making real tangible progress. Which is why it is ever so important that you continue enhancing your skills of inner listening and differentiating. Or as some may say - listening to your gut feelings, and learning to read them correctly. The differentiation can get finer as you progress.
I guess it won't be all that long before you understand what illuminati really means.
But I know that you are in good hands.
Well done.
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Post by maat on Aug 17, 2006 23:57:29 GMT
and bit-by-bit it reveals itself to you -- when you're ready You might like to visit the "numbers" thread CoraB (in the esoteric section) and see what is said about the "G". A closed circle no more - if approached from the right angle ;D Maat
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Post by corab on Aug 18, 2006 19:30:14 GMT
Hi Stewart, Cora, take you time for a while. You will no dout have other fears to face and/or things to do. Some will be easier to achieve than others. Where you are now is a launchpad where you could move quickly forward, or get drowned in the flast flow. Take you time. Savour it. Trust me, I have learnt that lesson well. The one thing that told me more clearly than anything else (until that time) that Masonry was working for me was telling my RWM, upon her asking when I was going to apply for an increase in wages, "When I am ready". You know why? Because before joining Masonry, I was totally driven by one thing: approval, and in that mindset I would've taken that question as approval and would've resolved to prove myself to her. Not so anymore -- I said I would not build my Temple on a flawed foundation, and I won't. There is so much to learn, more to understand and even more to come to grips with that there is simply no way I will be rushed through my degrees. Yes, that is an enormous advantage. The safety, warmth and uncondional love of my Lodge are instrumental to my progress. Maybe you'll be able to join us for our St John's Ceremony next year, and experience it first hand:-) I'm having one of those 'spiritual growth spurts' at the moment, and I have come to understand just that ;D You look back over your shoulder and you know you could never go back to the way things were, and so there is only onward and upward left -- and it is right, that way. Mine was a conscious choice, fully aware that once done, I would never be able to go back, and I haven't regretted it yet. Funny that you should mention that -- I think I'm seeing some of that already. It does -- I am very grateful now for my previous training in meditation and visualisation! I have an inkling, but it is yet too soon to voice. I'll keep you posted! ;D The best:-) Cheers, Cora
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Post by a on Aug 26, 2006 12:35:31 GMT
Cora Sorry for the delay in replying but I have been away from the old computer. Maybe you'll be able to join us for our St John's Ceremony next year, and experience it first hand:-) It is possible. Such is the way of things. After a while you begin to see them and smile. At other times you get temporarily distracted, which reminds you of how easy it is for darkness to penetrate. And why it is important keep a constant watch. If you ever find yourself doing something, however insignificant that it may appear, that just does not feel right, then take a moment to think - pierce behind the veils if you can. You can probably imagine how difficult it must be for those who hold the reigns of power - imagine the diversions and influences that they face. Which is why I take my hat off to anyone who takes the reigns of power - for the responsibilities that go with it are awsome - much more so than many may imagine. Of course you do. You are a shining example, already illuminating the way, inspiring others (yes you really do). I look forward to sharing a chuckle with you about this one day. It is an interesting time to be here on this planet as darkness struggles to maintain its grip as illumination returns and the natural balance is restored - for the benefit of all.
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