Masonic Reflections

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 9:15 PM

The Most Important Lesson

Don’t leave the Path!

As I write this article; it is my birthday and Masonic birthday. Birthdays are for celebrating ones life; everyone wishes you well, you get spoiled, gifts, a slice of cake, and I am a celebrity for a day. People even sing you songs! It is a time for celebrating your life, your worth; regardless of ones status or accomplishments. Life’s lessons often come at a price, that often, if we wonder, “is it all worth it”; or the age-old question “what’s it all about Alfie ”?

What is the most important lesson in Life? What is the most important lesson that Masonry has to teach?

I know that I was wiser when I was younger. I used to lay for hours and contemplate the stars and ponder my own life as small and significant as I am. Now my heart is often clouded and troubled by what’s going on in my head. I generally like to work from the heart level; what is good…just…right? My life has been about learning; my own learning and teaching others. Sometimes that self-worth doubt creeps up and I wonder if I am worthy to teach; but then the narcissus in me assures myself that “I am”. I correct my course, and I continue.

Masonry admits a man to a brotherhood wherein all are seeking the light? We learn to be civil; to share, to commune together; and we are given the tools that help us on our journey to seek the light. Interesting; once we are brought to Masonic Light; our journey isn’t over; we want more light, we want further light! This suggests that once we have been set on the path, that we continue to seek something that we cannot entirely see. Light is darkness revealed. When darkness is revealed it reveals our own ignorance; that which we don’t entirely understand! Ignorance may manifest itself as illiteracy, suffering, evil, loneliness, strife, self-doubt, cruelty or hate. It might be encircled by misunderstanding, defense mechanisms and survival modes. Once the light is revealed, we cannot knowingly or willingly go back to darkness. Sometimes seeking light seems to be a burden, balancing what we see of darkness in our lives; with what others may perceive as our duties or obligations.

The 1st working tool of masonry, the 24 inch gauge of the operative masons, teaches us how to balance our lives and responsibilities to others; but most importantly to ones self. Look for the balance and accept help when it is offered. We should take care of others when we are able, and we see the need, but also we must be in a position within our own lives to do so. If you are off course, correct and continue; and seek the path.

My brothers, often when I feel the need to communicate directly; I am limited by words and feel the need to hide the truth and my passions from my others. How can I learn to subdue my passions if I ignore them or pretend that they don’t exist? If I couch myself in hidden phrases and cryptically transcribe my passions will it not allow me to deal with them and if I deal with them does this make me vulnerable to others? I strive to be self-referred. I must correct my course and continue to seek the path.

So, let me be candid. I am tired! There are times that I want to give up! I am trying to convince others to not give up, when I myself sometimes want to give up! Somehow I pull it from deep down and manage to give hope to others, when often I am out of hope myself. And in the encroaching darkness, I find it within me to still love and care; and I know that others love me as well. Perhaps that is my lesson now, that if I don’t go within, I go without.

I grew up too fast. I used to know it all! When I was young, I asked questions and learned the answers to the questions and learned how the pattern of life went. Spring, turns into Summer, Falls into Winter. It was then that the winding stairs went on forever. When it took so long, …so long to climb them; and I longed for my next birthday.