I have not kept a journal. I wish I had. That said, as an answer to your question, imagine if each lodge had a library of journals, written by lodge luminaries. Can you imagine the impact of being able to review the journals, the written record of their struggles, successes, awarenesses, and enlghtenmets? WOW that could be a real game changer!
Thank you for this. I hadn't thought about such a collection of member's journals, built up over a century or more, but you are certainly right, had we done that as a Craft, we would be sitting on a treasure of vast knowledge now.
Yes we would! I like to imagine that aside from our Craft's famous 'luminaries', like Pike and Hall, there are hundred's if not thousands of scholars, mystics and leaders who quietly climbed to even higher levels and never said a word about it, as many great ones are prone to do. What great insights and wisdom lies now in 'wormy earth' never to be known? It's a sad thought.
Whether the cloud, or a journal, or the image gallery on your phone, we outsource our memory. Keeping a journal is a record or reference and discipline to encourage contemplation, but is doesn't keep old thoughts at your fingertips, perhaps even the opposite.
When I read old journal notes, there are insights I wish I would have kept on hand, but didn't. After all, I wrote them down so why remember them? That's how our brains work.
So although I think there is much benefit, improving recall isn't one of them.
“…or the image gallery on your phone, we outsource our memory.”
“…but it doesn't keep old thoughts at your fingertips, perhaps even the opposite.”
Interestingly enough, through the quotes above, I can say it actually does for me. I have my photo gallery that goes clear back to the year 2000 on my computer, and I stroll through them (trip down memory lane) from time to time. One evening, I might choose, let’s say, 2007. Then I start with January, and work through. My brother does the same thing. My knack for recall isn’t as good as his, but it does work, and I can remember some things, or some Brothers, from quite a while back.
Now, to be fair, this might be because I visit these galleries on a regular basis. And since I caption all my pictures, I can bring up specific items, such as “Tenino Lodge,” “Installation”, “Grand Lodge,” etc. from the Masonic subject. (“Car show,” “Christmas” and “Motorcycle” are also good examples for me personally.)
So, in a way, I’m not totally outsourcing it, I’m using these pics as “Thumbnail pics” in another sense than the intended sense by the photo viewer.
That's what I'm saying -- they are a reminder. I like your description of such things as thumbnails.
I'm not saying you don't have the memory in there somewhere. The point is that you wouldn't be able to recall much or any of it without having to go back to these notes or images.
As I have grown older (72 in October) I have found that my mind is not as quick to retain or recall outlines or points in a talk. For years I have been giving "Tyler Talks" in my lodge. As the Excellent High Priest and Venerable Master I also provide "mosonic education" at each meeting. These talks are all written out word for word, for the reason given above. So, although I don't have a journel as such, I do have volumes of talks. Will put them in book form? Probably not. All my talks have a basis in some other writing or research, and to footnote all of that would be tedious. But, that is my journel.
I think it's very smart to keep a journal and to track insights in all areas as you come by them. That being said, I'm absolutely terrible at journaling.
I've kept a journal since day one, I've always enjoyed writing down my thoughts, and I thought it was a good idea to open a new section for the Craft. It is quite interesting to go back to things written down years ago, in any context. I'd love to read your presentation, or any notes or pointers on the subject that are beyond the obvious.
Totally agree !! It would be something invaluable to hand down to future Masons as well.
I'd love to see your presentation on the Tarot some day.
Thank you! I'm always willing to talk about Tarot, either its connection to Freemasonry, or in a more universal way.
I don't feel that this presentation can be posted here on Emeth though, it cuts too close to sections of the Third Degree to be on a public forum.
I have not kept a journal. I wish I had. That said, as an answer to your question, imagine if each lodge had a library of journals, written by lodge luminaries. Can you imagine the impact of being able to review the journals, the written record of their struggles, successes, awarenesses, and enlghtenmets? WOW that could be a real game changer!
Thank you for this. I hadn't thought about such a collection of member's journals, built up over a century or more, but you are certainly right, had we done that as a Craft, we would be sitting on a treasure of vast knowledge now.
Yes we would! I like to imagine that aside from our Craft's famous 'luminaries', like Pike and Hall, there are hundred's if not thousands of scholars, mystics and leaders who quietly climbed to even higher levels and never said a word about it, as many great ones are prone to do. What great insights and wisdom lies now in 'wormy earth' never to be known? It's a sad thought.
Whether the cloud, or a journal, or the image gallery on your phone, we outsource our memory. Keeping a journal is a record or reference and discipline to encourage contemplation, but is doesn't keep old thoughts at your fingertips, perhaps even the opposite.
When I read old journal notes, there are insights I wish I would have kept on hand, but didn't. After all, I wrote them down so why remember them? That's how our brains work.
So although I think there is much benefit, improving recall isn't one of them.
“…or the image gallery on your phone, we outsource our memory.”
“…but it doesn't keep old thoughts at your fingertips, perhaps even the opposite.”
Interestingly enough, through the quotes above, I can say it actually does for me. I have my photo gallery that goes clear back to the year 2000 on my computer, and I stroll through them (trip down memory lane) from time to time. One evening, I might choose, let’s say, 2007. Then I start with January, and work through. My brother does the same thing. My knack for recall isn’t as good as his, but it does work, and I can remember some things, or some Brothers, from quite a while back.
Now, to be fair, this might be because I visit these galleries on a regular basis. And since I caption all my pictures, I can bring up specific items, such as “Tenino Lodge,” “Installation”, “Grand Lodge,” etc. from the Masonic subject. (“Car show,” “Christmas” and “Motorcycle” are also good examples for me personally.)
So, in a way, I’m not totally outsourcing it, I’m using these pics as “Thumbnail pics” in another sense than the intended sense by the photo viewer.
That's what I'm saying -- they are a reminder. I like your description of such things as thumbnails.
I'm not saying you don't have the memory in there somewhere. The point is that you wouldn't be able to recall much or any of it without having to go back to these notes or images.
I would journal everything if I wasn’t so chyll about it.
Yes! Keeping a journal is important.
As I have grown older (72 in October) I have found that my mind is not as quick to retain or recall outlines or points in a talk. For years I have been giving "Tyler Talks" in my lodge. As the Excellent High Priest and Venerable Master I also provide "mosonic education" at each meeting. These talks are all written out word for word, for the reason given above. So, although I don't have a journel as such, I do have volumes of talks. Will put them in book form? Probably not. All my talks have a basis in some other writing or research, and to footnote all of that would be tedious. But, that is my journel.
I think it's very smart to keep a journal and to track insights in all areas as you come by them. That being said, I'm absolutely terrible at journaling.
Also, I'd love to see this presentation!
I've kept a journal since day one, I've always enjoyed writing down my thoughts, and I thought it was a good idea to open a new section for the Craft. It is quite interesting to go back to things written down years ago, in any context. I'd love to read your presentation, or any notes or pointers on the subject that are beyond the obvious.