Philosophy continued from pg. 8
dust of the ground, and it is that ground, that earth of fundamental substance of man’s being which requires to be “measured” in the sense of investigating and understanding its nature and properties.
As Masons, we tend to gravitate to the intellectual development of temporal matters, as well as the spiritual, staying away from being plunged into the depths of darkness and ignorance, hopefully opening our hearts and minds to the further elements of our Craft. If we limit ourselves to only stay within the parameters of our three core degrees, we fail in advancing our knowledge concerning human nature, human potentialities and human destiny.
No Operative Mason erects a structure without satisfying himself about the nature of the materials with which he proposes to build. Thus, in speculative Masonry, no Mason It is easy to can properly build the temple of his lose the sense All Masons are learners and seekers of furof the sacred own soul and being without first ther information whether it is esoteric or exunderstanding the nature of the raw oteric in value. Certainly, it is part of our material he has to work upon. development, our history and our philosophy as a fraternity. In a previous article of mine called “Rose Petals” we briefly touched upon enlightenment. Because of our The darkness is transformed into light only when the senses, body, environment and activities, we are con- physical is used properly. Each one of us is a vital stantly involved with the physical plane and immersed link in the Masonic chain and the legacy each of us in its darkness. Accordingly, both great effort and a leaves in our virtuous Order will be a human imprint powerful struggle are required if we are to elevate our- that honorably echoes selves to a more enlightened state. throughout eternity.
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To be healthy, a soul has to care about other things and other souls beside itself and its source. If all we attend to is our own cultivation, we are listening not to the call of the soul but to the tyranny of the ego. We should never assume that intellectual development is a process that requires little to no labor on our part. It is an intellectual mental ingredient that is central to washing away the decay of ignorance, the profane and darkness. We can never neglect nor squander the opportunity to be a direct contributor to a set of Masonic degrees and the education it begs each of us to unearth.
Worshipful Brother, Weil has had a byline in Arizona Masonry for the past several years. His articles are both innteresting and thought provoking. Our brother is a Past Master Of Scientia Coronati Research Lodge #4 and is the current Worshipful Master of Aztlan Lodge #1
When one strives to understand these works, either through his own intellect or through the explanations provided by the ritual and ceremonies, he can earn even greater perfection, according to his efforts. April 2015
Arizona Masonry Magazine
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