That was well said, MW... I have a deep belief that Initiation is a real tangible alchemical experience, not a virtual experience. Yet, that in an expanded global vista, is the current infrastructure status that all organizations of Masonry are facing; due to lack of new members and that knowledgeable experienced Brother Masons have pasted and are passing beyond this particle world.
As Freemasonry's membership levels have fallen, it has become more difficult for some Lodges, and other Orders to put on excellent Degrees. But, I think we still have a responsibility to do it, and I think that we must do it. The trick I believe is to not be afraid to ask our neighboring Masons for help. I watched a very poor Degree recently, but the Lodge tried to pull it off itself. The Lodge could have done well, had it simply asked Masons from surrounding Lodges to assist. Actually there were enough men present at the Degree, who all know the work exceptionally well, to have put on an excellent Degree.
I think that as men, sometimes it is hard for us to ask for assistance, but we need to get over that.
“There are those who join Masonry and there are those who become Masons” Good afternoon MW Cameron, I remember reading this quote on a Masonic page on Facebook and I agree 100% after watching the informative video you made about Masonic initiation and reading about it in your blog.
Becoming a Mason is a sacred and intimate experience, a rite of passage for a man. Like in many cultures of becoming a man, he needs to overcome some sort of challenges or go through an experience that will forever change him to be accepted and respected by the clan. In this case, the man goes through a ritual spiritual death and to be born again. Better yet, an evolution of his spirit, a metamorphosis. Like the caterpillar that must be in darkness of a cocoon to evolve and become a butterfly.
The core of Masonry is to make a good men better and to initiate candidates. That is why we have charters, to create Masons. But what I don’t agree with is the “Blue Lightning class.” Creating a Mason on sight just because he witnessed our rituals, it does nothing for him. He did not speak the obligations; he was not duly and truly prepared in du form. He was not hoodwinked and was not at his most vulnerable. He did not experience the lessons Masonry is trying to teach. He was simply a witness to Masonry, there is little to no value in that. Going through the blue lightning class and making a Mason on sight simply does the craft more harm than good. In my humble opinion, the jurisdictions that do that are being negligent.
If we make candidates Masons on sight and give the WM’s the power to do so we are cheating ourselves and the candidate in the long run and we are “tearing out the heart and soul of Masonry” I’ve traveled to lodges and witnessed degrees and when the candidate is presented to the lodge to receive the degree, I’ve had a brother turn around and say to me “They’ll just take in anyone with a pulse.” After that candidate receives his degree, we never saw him ever again. We need to give candidates “Legendary Freemasonry” experience and not the “Blue Lightning” experience.
In a sense, “Blue Lightning Freemasonry” defeats the purpose of investigating the candidate and balloting on him and being accepted by all members of the lodge. It defeats the purpose of taking the obligation in du form and guarding our west gate; it defeats the purpose of the Masonic experience.
>>>Becoming a Mason is a sacred and intimate experience, a rite of passage for a man. Like in many cultures of becoming a man, he needs to overcome some sort of challenges or go through an experience that will forever change him to be accepted and respected by the clan. In this case, the man goes through a ritual spiritual death and to be born again. Better yet, an evolution of his spirit, a metamorphosis. Like the caterpillar that must be in darkness of a cocoon to evolve and become a butterfly.<<< That was beautifully said Brother Sopheak!
There is a time and place for making instant masons, but that time and place should be exceedingly rare and under extraordinary circumstances. I believe that was the intent - to allow grandmasters that sort of power for a special purpose. And no, no the Nathan R Johnson special purpose. Sorry had to sneak that movie reference in here.
Indeed. I think that it is an important power, based in the Landmarks of Masonry, and that it can serve a very valuable purpose. In some extreme situations. War comes to mind, as does the righting of wrongs. But to use it just to get more men and money into the Craft is an abuse of the power.
MW, your thoughts and words are spot on. My own initiation was extremely memorable as were my Passing and Raising. We rob a man of so much if we don’t do our absolute best when initiating him into our gentle craft.
Thank you Brother! The Degrees were extremely impactful for me as well, and I credit them with bringing transformation. An alchemical process as someone else remarked.
I agree with you 100%
Thanks for all that you do MW
Thank you Brother!
That was well said, MW... I have a deep belief that Initiation is a real tangible alchemical experience, not a virtual experience. Yet, that in an expanded global vista, is the current infrastructure status that all organizations of Masonry are facing; due to lack of new members and that knowledgeable experienced Brother Masons have pasted and are passing beyond this particle world.
As Freemasonry's membership levels have fallen, it has become more difficult for some Lodges, and other Orders to put on excellent Degrees. But, I think we still have a responsibility to do it, and I think that we must do it. The trick I believe is to not be afraid to ask our neighboring Masons for help. I watched a very poor Degree recently, but the Lodge tried to pull it off itself. The Lodge could have done well, had it simply asked Masons from surrounding Lodges to assist. Actually there were enough men present at the Degree, who all know the work exceptionally well, to have put on an excellent Degree.
I think that as men, sometimes it is hard for us to ask for assistance, but we need to get over that.
Excellent,
Thank You
Thank you Worshipful Brother!
Well said!
Thank you very much! I appreciate it!
“There are those who join Masonry and there are those who become Masons” Good afternoon MW Cameron, I remember reading this quote on a Masonic page on Facebook and I agree 100% after watching the informative video you made about Masonic initiation and reading about it in your blog.
Becoming a Mason is a sacred and intimate experience, a rite of passage for a man. Like in many cultures of becoming a man, he needs to overcome some sort of challenges or go through an experience that will forever change him to be accepted and respected by the clan. In this case, the man goes through a ritual spiritual death and to be born again. Better yet, an evolution of his spirit, a metamorphosis. Like the caterpillar that must be in darkness of a cocoon to evolve and become a butterfly.
The core of Masonry is to make a good men better and to initiate candidates. That is why we have charters, to create Masons. But what I don’t agree with is the “Blue Lightning class.” Creating a Mason on sight just because he witnessed our rituals, it does nothing for him. He did not speak the obligations; he was not duly and truly prepared in du form. He was not hoodwinked and was not at his most vulnerable. He did not experience the lessons Masonry is trying to teach. He was simply a witness to Masonry, there is little to no value in that. Going through the blue lightning class and making a Mason on sight simply does the craft more harm than good. In my humble opinion, the jurisdictions that do that are being negligent.
If we make candidates Masons on sight and give the WM’s the power to do so we are cheating ourselves and the candidate in the long run and we are “tearing out the heart and soul of Masonry” I’ve traveled to lodges and witnessed degrees and when the candidate is presented to the lodge to receive the degree, I’ve had a brother turn around and say to me “They’ll just take in anyone with a pulse.” After that candidate receives his degree, we never saw him ever again. We need to give candidates “Legendary Freemasonry” experience and not the “Blue Lightning” experience.
In a sense, “Blue Lightning Freemasonry” defeats the purpose of investigating the candidate and balloting on him and being accepted by all members of the lodge. It defeats the purpose of taking the obligation in du form and guarding our west gate; it defeats the purpose of the Masonic experience.
>>>Becoming a Mason is a sacred and intimate experience, a rite of passage for a man. Like in many cultures of becoming a man, he needs to overcome some sort of challenges or go through an experience that will forever change him to be accepted and respected by the clan. In this case, the man goes through a ritual spiritual death and to be born again. Better yet, an evolution of his spirit, a metamorphosis. Like the caterpillar that must be in darkness of a cocoon to evolve and become a butterfly.<<< That was beautifully said Brother Sopheak!
This is extremely well said Brother! Thank you very much!
There is a time and place for making instant masons, but that time and place should be exceedingly rare and under extraordinary circumstances. I believe that was the intent - to allow grandmasters that sort of power for a special purpose. And no, no the Nathan R Johnson special purpose. Sorry had to sneak that movie reference in here.
Indeed. I think that it is an important power, based in the Landmarks of Masonry, and that it can serve a very valuable purpose. In some extreme situations. War comes to mind, as does the righting of wrongs. But to use it just to get more men and money into the Craft is an abuse of the power.
MW, your thoughts and words are spot on. My own initiation was extremely memorable as were my Passing and Raising. We rob a man of so much if we don’t do our absolute best when initiating him into our gentle craft.
Thank you Brother! The Degrees were extremely impactful for me as well, and I credit them with bringing transformation. An alchemical process as someone else remarked.