I will walk the Symbolic Path, and let the Fraternity continue. Freemasonry endured centuries before us, and it will continue centuries beyond. There will always be ritualists and non-ritualists, there will always be symbologists and non-symbologists, and there will always be those committed to the administration of the Craft by way of taking on officer roles. Or not. Not every Mason fits into a silo of how others believe Masons should be, and that’s the beauty of the Craft. Every Mason’s path is unique, and I guarantee you have not walked in their shoes except at one place: kneeling at that altar. Respect that difference.
Allegorical instruction illustrated by symbols. We know this phrase, albeit a little differently. The teachings of the ages are indeed mysteries, and they remain mysteries to those not interested in looking. Let those people be. We don’t need to be knocking on people’s heads to force them to see as we do. What we need to be doing is refocusing on what’s important to us, and quit trying to force this eye-opening on others. In the long run, we all have the opportunity to look inwardly, and we have the ability to sit silently. We do not have any right and in fact many admonitions against, pushing our internal views on others.
Likewise, we have the obligation and the Agape view of Love/Charity to reach out the helping and guiding hand toward those around us who desire to improve themselves. It’s our calling to help ourselves and help others around us. We may do that in many ways such as guiding the development of ritualists, actively supporting our Grand Lodge officers’ endeavors, or taking on roles and responsibilities within our own local lodges or bodies. We may opt to focus inwardly, and that is not mutually exclusive to the other ways of participating in the Craft.
My choice was and remains to focus on the symbolism and to put effort into the contemplative practices toward finding myself, of taking that leap. I encourage anyone who wants to do so to not let anything stand in their way. Be mindful of your 24-inch gauge, but find ways to make time work in your favor in your prayers. Practice yields results; more practice yields more results.
How do I get started? Ask and it shall be answered.
~RS
Randy and his wife Elyana live near St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Randy earned a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry, and he works in Telecom IT management. He volunteers as a professional and personal mentor, NRA certified Chief Range Safety Officer and enjoys competitive tactical pistol, rifle, and shotgun. He has 30 plus years teaching Wing Chun Kung Fu, Chi Kung, and healing arts. Randy served as a Logistics Section Chief on two different United States federal Disaster Medical Assistance Teams over a 12 year span. Randy is a 32nd degree KCCH and Knight Templar. His Masonic bio includes past Lodge Education Officer for two symbolic lodges, Founder of the Wentzville Lodge Book Club, member of the Grand Lodge of Missouri Education Committee, Sovereign Master of the E. F. Coonrod AMD Council No. 493, Co-Librarian of the Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis, Clerk for the Academy of Reflection through the Valley of Guthrie, and a Facilitator for the Masonic Legacy Society. Randy is a founding administrator for Refracted Light, full contributor to Midnight Freemasons, and an international presenter on esoteric topics. Randy hosts an open ongoing weekly Masonic virtual Happy Hour on Friday evenings. Randy is an accomplished home chef, a certified barbecue judge, raises Great Pyrenees dogs, and enjoys travel and philosophy.