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.
