Guthrie SR Atrium – Photo by Matthew D. Anthony (c) 2012
Scottish Rite Reunion season is upon us. During the past few weeks there has been a flurry of back channel emails in my Scottish Rite Valley discussing the programs and sessions that will take place, degree team sound offs, etc. I am supremely fortunate to be a member of the Guthrie Valley, which not only boasts a beautiful Masonic building, but also has unique education and contemplative practice programs. During the Reunions there are group meditation and education courses, as well as ample opportunities to spend one-on-one time with individual seekers, teachers, and facilitators from numerous spiritual traditions ranging from mainstream Christianity, Gnostic Christianity, Buddhism, Islam-Sufism, Neo-Paganism, etc., so it is truly a spiritual melting pot that provides a smorgasbord for the spiritual seeker. It also provides people from all spiritual backgrounds and levels of interest or development with a platform to learn from one another, which unfortunately is a very rare opportunity. In a world that is constantly tearing itself apart over the proper name for God, or the proper mode of worship, a Reunion provides a rare opportunity to simply spread Light and love.
As I prepare for the upcoming Reunion, I have started to go through my notes and ritual copies to prepare my lectures for the two or three education sessions that I'll be teaching. The main theme that I keep coming back to is one of the central teachings of the Scottish Rite, which is that its members should actively go out into the world and practice what they have learned in order to take up the struggle against tyranny, oppression, ignorance, and human suffering of all kinds- To be a true soldier of Light in the world.
Too often people are merely content with “receiving” teachings, which they in turn put away on a mental shelf and call it "wisdom"; however, wisdom is not passive learning and recitation, because that is merely an intellectual exercise. To discover Truth and become “wise”, means really internalizing the teachings that you learn from Freemasonry, your spiritual practice, friends, mentors, etc., and actually putting these teachings into an active practice, which will not only make “you” a better person, but it will also make the world around you a better place. After all, it doesn’t do you any good to constantly go to a church, mosque, a dharma center, or Lodge if you aren’t reflecting those teachings into every aspect of your life. Don't be content with putting your lamp under a bushel. (Matthew 5:15)
From a Buddhist’s perspective it doesn’t do me any good to know about the noble truth of suffering, and the need to end the suffering of all sentient beings, and then turn a blind eye to suffering. From a Christian’s perspective it doesn’t do me any good to know about Christ’s compassionate and loving nature, and then turn away from helping someone because “they don’t deserve it”, or “they haven’t earned it like I have”, or condemn someone just because you don’t personally agree with all of their actions, choices, or lifestyle.
I really enjoy it when a teacher, preacher, or spiritual leader tells their followers to get off of the meditation pillow, out of the pews, and off of their knees in order to actually go out and put teachings into practice. I firmly believe that getting out into the world, and actually practicing what you have learned facilitates dramatic personal and external growth and progress, and the friction and conflicts that arise in the world will highlight areas of your ashlar that you still need to work on. The journey of a craftsman is a lifelong journey, and it is a journey of work.
“Few among men are they who cross over to the further shore. The others merely run up and down the bank on this side.” – The Dhammapada
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." -(Matthew 5:15)
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