A Conscious reminder

I was raised in the church. I went every Sunday and was taught the need to subdue my passions and yolk the 'natural man'. I've always understood the need and had the desire to do so, but over time it's become more of a passive pursuit than an active one.

As humans it seems that too much of anything lessen its importance. We're just too adaptable. It's like listening to a radio that is slightly out of tune. At first the static bothers me a lot, but after a few minutes I don't even notice it's there any more.

The same thing happens to me in many other aspects of my life. As I mentioned before, I've always known the importance of self-mastery. Subduing ones passions is vital to making spiritual progress, but the need is ever present. It's always there, always pressing. And the fact that it's so important is what makes it so easy to ignore. It's kind of strange that way.

Well, joining Masonry has brought those goals into the light. Given them new life, if you will. My desire to subdue my passions and control my 'natural' behavior has been renewed.

My first lesson in Masonry was that of learning to subdue my passions. There is , and has always been, an undercurrent of desire to improve myself, but in becoming a Mason those desires have resurfaced.

Now, when faced with situations that would test my self-mastery (anger and patience come to mind most readily) instead of ignoring the impulse to restrain myself, I remember that it is my first duty as a Mason to learn to subdue my passions.

The lessons given in Church should be enough to inspire me to better myself, but having the added influence of Masonry helps me to keep those those thoughts fresh and present in my mind.

Drama

I won't spend a lot of time on it now, but hopefully soon I can detail the drama going on in my mother lodge. Here's a little something:

• I was rushed through the degrees, because the newly elected officers have a bad record regarding degrees and advancement
• my first election (I was an EA) was gamed by some rarely seen (at lodge) men
• due to the election about 90% of the brothers of the lodge are demitting or have already demitted

Every time I talk to someone I hear more dirt.

I guess we'll see how it shakes out.

There are no Brothers on the internet.

Until today I frequented various Masonic message boards and blogs. No more.

I don't enjoy reading or seeing things that denigrate or ridicule my beliefs. I don't enjoy "debate", especially when what that really means is defending against uninformed rants and holier-than-thou proclamations.

The question I ask myself is "why?"

Why "defend" my beliefs? What does it matter what others think? Especially when they aren't interested in really knowing, but are only interested in needling or blindly defending their stance.

Nevermind manners. Nevermind etiquette. Forget about respecting another's opinion. Especially if it differs from your own.

It all boils down to this. There is no accountability. Even if you use your real name you're separated from any consequences of your behavior by untold miles of phone line/fiber/whatever.

There. Got that off my chest. I'm a little irked today. Hopefully the posts will start being a little more upbeat.

What is a gentleman?

My Grandfather was a gentleman.

He stood when others entered the room.
He opened doors for others.
He removed his hat indoors.
He spoke quietly and thoughtfully.
He worked diligently, quietly, and without desire for praise or notice.
He controlled his emotions.
He was honest and upright in everything he did.

This is what I have grown up to interpret as gentlemanly conduct. These are things that I would eventually like to master and use to shape my own life. When I joined Freemasonry, I thought that it would be filled with true Gentlemen. Or at least, men striving toward that goal. After all, the Craft is an ancient Fraternity once filled with stately, noble, well-mannered men (at least, that's how it's portrayed).

Upon joining I realized the folly of that expectation.

First and foremost, Freemasonry is up for much personal interpretation. Just because I want certain things from the Craft, that doesn't mean that others want the same thing. Just because I want solemn, strict, and exact etiquette and behaviors, that doesn't mean that others do too.

Secondly, the hope for such a thing was something of my own creation. There was never any indication or intimation that what I was hoping for (those attributes of my Grandfather) was ever a goal (stated or not) of the Fraternity. In other words, I invented a romanticized view of Freemasonry that was never really based on reality.

I haven't been a member for long (a Master Mason since November 27th), but in the meetings I have attended, I've been a little disappointed. Brothers addressing the Worshipful Master by his first name in open lodge...blurting out in lodge (without waiting for acknowledgement by the WM), joking and snickering during degree work...things like that.

That's not to say that it's all bad, there are good men in my lodge.

It's not my place to try to force my views on others, but I can certainly force myself to follow whatever Masonic etiquette that I may learn.

I can only do my best and hope that my brothers find something useful thereby.