Grand Lodge Education:Aspiring to Perfection of the Masonic Self

Grand Lodge Education

Aspiring to Perfection of the Masonic Self

Marcus A. Trelaine

Grand Preceptor

There rests in every Mason the aptitude to them, very often in representation of the Hermetic acquire the knowledge of higher learning, of saying, “As above, so below”. To better understand deeper perspectives, of profound revelation, this expression, all were asked to do as did our and of personal leadership. To help set Masons on ancient brethren — cast their eyes upward to look their path of discovery and service to Freemasonry, upon the fi rmament as something much more than Most Worshipful Kwame Acquaah, Grand Master a collection of planets, stars and galaxies. In this of Masons of the District of Columbia, has focused way, men began to recognize the face of the whole great attention on this important matter during his of nature and its relationships to Freemasonry. One year in the Grand East. example illustrated why an Entered Apprentice is Recognizing that knowledge is a primary source of self-effi cacy, the Grand Master through his elected and appointed offi cers, has sought to deliver a series of innovative and thoughtprovoking educational programs. Two such seminars delivered in June 2009 took some major steps delving into the depths of serious inquiry and understanding of the Craft — symbolism and leadership. presented to the Master in the northeast corner of the lodge, that place midway between darkness and light. Refl ecting upon the movement of the earth, it was learned the spring equinox demonstrated that point when the length of the day is equal to the length of the night, symbolic of equilibrium, as it moved along its orbit around the sun from east to west, via the south. By attending these and other There dwells in every Mason the capacity to brethren engaged in stimulating inquiry on the programs offered by the Symbolism Numerous Entered Apprenbe greater than Grand Master, brethren are offered unique opportunities tices, Fellowcrafts, and Master Masons gathered at himself. to advance in their study of the Craft, and discover things the Scottish Rite Temple on before unimagined as new Saturday, June 27th 2009 to worlds are revealed. And in jointly discuss and explore so doing, they can take fresh the traditional history and esoteric meanings of refl ection upon the charge of an Entered Apprentice symbols introduced in the three degrees. Mason to “keep sacred and inviolable the mysteries Assembled into several alternating sessions, the rest of the community”. of the order, as these are to distinguish us from the preparation, ceremony, lecture, and charge of each Leadership degree. Much was discussed, revealing not only the challenging demands to immerse oneself in the Craft and to contemplate the wisdom of the mysteries, but that a new way of thinking was also needed to identify, analyze and perfect the language and lessons of interpreting symbols. Still, Freemasonry is much more than the acquisition of arcane knowledge and fraternal bonding. Although pursuit of a higher level of learning and awareness of our divine connection to one another is critical to the precepts and application of the Craft, there is a component that is equally imporAt fi rst some believed this perspective somewhat tant, but not as fervently addressed in the rigors of trivial and obvious, but many quickly realized that our ritualistic lessons. There dwells in every Mason the mystery of our Craft is hidden directly before the capacity to be greater than himself.

As long as the human race has existed there have To become a good leader, one must equally combeen men who rose up among their peers to guide mit himself to a never ending process of self-study, and build, or command and destroy, the world education, training, and experience. To guide otharound them. Whether as king, priest, general, ers and help illuminate their path, there are certain explorer, or perhaps even as a Master of a lodge, things a “good” Master must be, know, and do. they brought a kind of confi dence, charisma and These sorts of things do not usually come naturally, comprehension that excited others to follow and but are acquired through continual work and study. trust in their vision of a new order. But what separates these men from others? Is it merely a matter of birthright? Is it earned by courage and daring, or by calculation and entitlement? Or is leadership something else altogether? To further confuse the issue, we tend to use the terms “leadership” and “management” interchangeably, often referring to the lodge’s management structure (principal offi - cers), as its leadership; So what is a leader? Is or to individuals who a leader born or made; and just what defi nes While being elected instead actually manage various aspects of the leadership? We all have some idea of what a Master bestows lodge’s business, such as the Secretary, Treasurer leader and leadership or Trustee. So what is. We certainly know a leader when we follow the authority to then, really is leadership? Part of the answer one, and when we don’t. Dwight D. Eisenhower, accomplish certain seems to reside in what sort of capacity we make the 34th President of reference. There is busithe United States and Supreme Allied Comtasks and objectives ness leadership, spiritual leadership, combat leadmander during World War II reported that, in the Lodge, ership, academic leadership, and morale “Leadership is the art of leadership, to name but getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” Others like Peter F. Drucker, often considered the father of modern management, offer a more pragmatic view simply stating, “The only defi nition of a leader is someone who has followers.” We can look around a this power does not automatically transform a Mason into a leader, it simply makes him the boss. a few. It is in this vein that the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia has dedicated much of its efforts for this year. Under the direction of the Grand Master, Most Worshipful Kwame Acquaah, several leadership and training sessions have been scheduled in preplodge and throughout aration for the upcoming this jurisdiction and fi nd Leadership Conference many of our brethren in September. Relying who seem to embody these characteristics. Are they heavily on the skills and training of Right Worshipnaturally endowed with more leadership abilities ful Deputy Grand Master Paul D. Gleason, several than others, do we simply ascribe them such traits, brethren have endeavored to exemplify the applicaor are they drearily followed only because they have tions of power, leadership and management when taken possession of the hat and gavel? Every year a ascending to the East. new Master is elected to the East to serve and lead his fellow Masons, and still Freemasonry fl ourishes — or in spite of it. In June, these and several other key concepts, practices and perceptions were explored through in-depth discussion, and the leadership vacuum created in their absence. In examining Presentacontinued on page 21