Greetings Brethren,
Why does the esoteric call us so powerfully? I lump us all together in this somewhat rhetorical question, for, by being a Mason, something called you to the "secret" part of our society of friends and brothers.
I learned, after becoming a Mason, that there are very few secrets. And, there's nothing secret about Masonry, in general. We (the Officers of the Lodge) are actively seeking to make Masonry even less secret in our community and in the world at large.
Yet there is so much yet to learn and discover. I have found that Masonry hands us neither secrets nor answers. It, instead, points us in general directions, and with an encouraging pat on the rump, urges us to find our own secrets... and our own answers.
Since joining, I seek information about history, both recent and ancient, subjects I abhorred in school. I pore through information, looking for and finding connections between different religions and schools of philosophical thought, different cultures and civilizations, differing points of view and opinions. I ask questions about myself, my ethics, my behaviors. I ponder the future: the future of our country, our species, our fraternity.
I came to Masonry, thinking I'd be given answers. Instead, I find, it has given me the desire and impetus to question. To ask. To search. To correlate. To infer.
I keep coming full circle. The hidden mysteries which first attracted me to the organization are yet hidden. But, they are hidden within me.
"My your article is vague and esoteric, Dave."
Yes, I suppose it is. So to be more practical, I ask you this: What do you question in your life, now that you are a Mason (or part of the Masonic family)? What has Masonry encouraged you to study, learn, grow, and interpret? What have you gained from that study and growth? What has it caused you to see for yourself and your life? What has it caused you to consider for the future? What are you doing about that future? Will it be a better one, by your efforts?
Who else in your life knows your answers to these questions?
Who else will?
Fraternally,
David Sylvester
Senior Warden