Mouth to Ear

Mouth to ear practices have stifled and stunted real Masonic growth, by spreading the fallacy that all we need to know about Masonry is told to us by our brethren... and nothing more!

Challenge

Unfortunately, there is a common problem within our lodges today.

Someone will make a reference to one of our symbols or points within our ritual, give a quick soundbite solution to its meaning, and everyone in the lodge room gobbles it up, as if it were the ultimate truth.

Then they lock down their own mind like a secret vault, never to have the idea challenged by others, or new information on the subject.

What say you?

Memorization

Memorizing rituals and posting lectures to call yourself a Master Mason...

...is like reading a flight manual, and thinking you are a pilot.

Learning to apply it, is completely different.

How can we change this for the betterment of Masons?

Mysteries

The purpose of the "mysteries" is almost explained in the use of the word "mystery" itself.  It requires one to make the effort to solve that mystery.  To speculatively labor (research) toward finding the answers, as well as the questions of the mystery, and how it reveals a personal truth to the seeker.

No one can tell you the answer, because no one understands the question from your point of view.  And that is why it's a mystery.  It is, in and of itself, the question, the answer, the reason, and the truth.

History of Books

For those of you looking into the history and origins of Masonry.

Here are three fantastic books!

Become

Become

Meaning "change from one state of existence to another" is from 12c. Older sense preserved in what has become of it?  It drove out Old English weordan "to befall."  Meaning "to look well, suit or be suitable to" is early 14c. from earlier sense of "to agree with, be fitting or proper" (early 13c.).

Did you just "Join Freemasonry"

or did you "Become a Mason?"

Research

"I did the research on that topic we discussed."

"And?"

"Not only did I find the answers I was looking for, but I also learned WAY more about the subject than I originally knew!"

"So, thanks for not just giving me the answer!"

Not Socrates

"Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people."

Who said this?

What is it's relevance to Masonry?