Wandering Soul

By: Wor. Jason Eddy

I wander through the streets alone,
Tapping my cane on cobblestone, 
In search of what cannot be found,
Beyond the grassy, hallowed ground,
Where deep inside a darkened grave,
A key to what no man can save, 
Lies hidden far from those who seek, 
To take what's promised to the meek.
And so I'll spend eternal night,
Wandering 'neath the pale moonlight. 

If you enjoy Bro. Eddy's poetry, please check out his new book: Musings Along the Road Less Taken- Volume I (Click the cover to the left)

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Carpe Diem

By: Wor. Jason Eddy

I was watching a movie with my kids this weekend, the title of which is not relevant, and the following line struck me: “That wasn’t living, that was just not dying. There’s a difference!”. The words resonated with me and I found myself lying in bed that night thinking a bit about what it meant, and where it can be seen.

How many reading this blog can say that, regardless of how successful they are in the application of it, attempt to live each day to the fullest? How many seek to not only maintain, but to improve life for themselves and others? How many can say that they are working each and every day to make the most of not only today, but ensure that the future is bright as well? I would suggest that the answer to all three questions is “not enough”. Make no mistake, I am guilty of living according to the Tread Mill method on many days, perhaps sometimes even for weeks at a time. However, seeking to change that trend can only result in a positive. As this blog is primarily Masonic, I will focus this line of thinking in that context.

Stories abound of Lodges that exist only to open, read the minutes, pay the bills, and close quickly so that they can retire to the dining room to eat the same meal that they have had after every meeting since being chartered. These same Lodges are often filled with Past Masters who, with great passion, cry afoul when any type of change is proposed to the Lodge. “There is no INNOVATION in Masonry!”, they will cry. “We have done it this way for years with no problems!”, they proclaim. To this, I would suggest that the proposer ask the following questions. “Is this Lodge truly living its purpose in Masonry? Or is it simply not dying by maintaining the status quo?” Too many Lodges exist. Too few Lodges are living. Though many approaches can and should be taken to communicate this message to the Brethren, it is important that they be able to answer the question “Is this Lodge living its purpose in Masonry?” in the affirmative. Either they are seeking to improve themselves, their Brethren, and therefore society as a whole, or they are simply a drone in the hive of Masonry.

Harsh? Perhaps. Let me be clear. I am not advocating one approach to Masonry within the Lodge to another. I am claiming that Lodges should be “living” and not just simply “not dying”. If your Lodge experience is far from meaningful, then seek to change it! If your sole purpose for meeting is to read the minutes, pay the bills, and close the Lodge, then seek to make it about more. An attentive ear is hard pressed to make it through any conversation concerning the current state of the Craft without hearing about the dwindling membership. Normally it is followed by an explanation about competing priorities, internet, televised sports, work commitments, etc. prevent men from coming. To that I say the following. The problem is not that men are too occupied with work, smart phones, video games, family commitments or anything of the sort. The problem is that we are not offering them anything that can compete with those things. Now, aside from one’s family (which in my eyes is first priority regardless), there is nothing in that grouping that should be more enticing to a man that to be a part of something as sacred and as special as Masonry. To participate in timeless rituals, cloaked in secrecy, filled with allegory and symbolism, all seeking to instill ancient wisdom to the participant is something that should trump almost anything! Yet they do not come to the Lodge. Why is that?

The answer is simple. Too many Lodges are simply “not dying”. They are not “living” Masonry! They rush through the degrees as if they are simply a box to be checked. They encourage minimum proficiency because “men just do not have time for memorization and study”. They spend meetings bickering about bills, arguing over minutes, and closing quickly only to come back and do it all over again. This is not Masonry. When men come into Lodge, they want something special, something sacred. They do not leave (or fail to ever join) because they are not interested in Masonry. They leave (or fail to join) because they ARE interested in Masonry and have not found it in the Lodge.

Take notice, Brethren. Masonry is not a box to be checked. It is not something that you have to “get out of the way” so that you can drink coffee and eat off of paper plates in the dining room. It is not something that can be taught or experienced by utilizing minimum proficiencies. Masonry is a timeless system designed to impart wisdom and improve men and the societies in which they live. It is our duty to treat it as such. So with that, I will ask the following questions to the reader: “Is your Lodge living its purpose in Masonry? Or is it simply not dying?” If it is the latter, what are you going to do about it?

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Putting Masonic Light Into Action

By: Wor. Jason E. Marshall

                    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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