"The final mystery is oneself. When one has weighed the sun in the balance, and measured the steps of the moon, and mapped out the seven heavens star by star, there still remains oneself. Who can calculate the orbit of his own soul?"
Oscar Wilde
from: De Profundis
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Ineffable Secret
"Ineffable" That which cannot be spoken.
"Who can unfold the Royal Art?
Or sing it in a Song?
They're safely kept in Mason's heart,
and to the Lodge belong."
Chorus of "The Master's Song"
in Anderson's Constitutions of 1723.
The Masonic Secret as seen through the eyes of a Psychotherapist
As a retired Psychotherapist, I am often asked how I practiced my trade, or what I thought about during psychotherapy. The answer is not a simple one, nor is it limited to merely a few techniques. It depends as much on the client seeking help as it does on the therapist.
There is, however, one technique that bears a striking similarity to our search for the “secret” of Freemasonry. Despite the simplicity of its description, it is not easy to do and requires patience and practice. It is -- to simply watch and listen – but with a specific concentration on detail.
When someone walked into my office I was always careful to note how they were dressed, how they carried themselves and their facial expressions. I was aware of any facial and physical tension, and how they related to me as a new relationship in their life. I would watch how they inspected (or disregarded) their surroundings, how they sat, their eye contact, and their manner of speech.
I would listen carefully on as many different levels as I was able. I noted what they said, what I thought and felt they were “meta-communicating,” and what they were not saying.
I made a mental note of the conversation in the beginnings and endings of our sessions (both hold a lot of meaning for several reasons).
I noted my own interactions with the client, but most importantly I simply but intently watched and listened to what the client brought into the room.
The reason? Because in this microcosm of the universe, the consulting room became a real-life representation of the client’s world, and by being keenly aware of the room and the client’s interactions within it, I was very often shown how this person related to the larger world outside the office.
How and why does this relate to the Masonic secret? It does -- at least to my way of thinking it does.
Most often, my clients came to psychotherapy wanting to be TOLD the secret that would “cure” them of their dilemmas -- much the same way that new masons want to be TOLD the Masonic secret. My clients approached me in much the same way as many of us first approached Freemasonry. Ahh… if it were only that easy.
To my way of thinking, the secret which is contained in Freemasonry can be found in the same place where, I, together with my clients, would search for their own secrets – within.
In psychotherapy, the search is assisted by watching what goes on in the office. In Freemasonry, the answer (or secret) is also found within, and the search is assisted by the lodge which, when viewed metaphorically, is a representation of our own lives.
The secret is within each Mason, but we build our own barriers to finding it when we look to another to simply tell it to us, and we build barriers by not using the lodge (and our brethren) to monitor our own actions.
Until you give of yourself, and explore within, take it from an old retired therapist – you’ll never find the secret.
The mysteries of the lodge (both the metaphorical and the organizational lodge) are limitless if we take the time, and the heart, to search within. As we have been told so many times, “Know Thyself.” I would add -- "by giving of yourself."
Respectfully,
Bro. Smith
There is, however, one technique that bears a striking similarity to our search for the “secret” of Freemasonry. Despite the simplicity of its description, it is not easy to do and requires patience and practice. It is -- to simply watch and listen – but with a specific concentration on detail.
When someone walked into my office I was always careful to note how they were dressed, how they carried themselves and their facial expressions. I was aware of any facial and physical tension, and how they related to me as a new relationship in their life. I would watch how they inspected (or disregarded) their surroundings, how they sat, their eye contact, and their manner of speech.
I would listen carefully on as many different levels as I was able. I noted what they said, what I thought and felt they were “meta-communicating,” and what they were not saying.
I made a mental note of the conversation in the beginnings and endings of our sessions (both hold a lot of meaning for several reasons).
I noted my own interactions with the client, but most importantly I simply but intently watched and listened to what the client brought into the room.
The reason? Because in this microcosm of the universe, the consulting room became a real-life representation of the client’s world, and by being keenly aware of the room and the client’s interactions within it, I was very often shown how this person related to the larger world outside the office.
How and why does this relate to the Masonic secret? It does -- at least to my way of thinking it does.
Most often, my clients came to psychotherapy wanting to be TOLD the secret that would “cure” them of their dilemmas -- much the same way that new masons want to be TOLD the Masonic secret. My clients approached me in much the same way as many of us first approached Freemasonry. Ahh… if it were only that easy.
To my way of thinking, the secret which is contained in Freemasonry can be found in the same place where, I, together with my clients, would search for their own secrets – within.
In psychotherapy, the search is assisted by watching what goes on in the office. In Freemasonry, the answer (or secret) is also found within, and the search is assisted by the lodge which, when viewed metaphorically, is a representation of our own lives.
The secret is within each Mason, but we build our own barriers to finding it when we look to another to simply tell it to us, and we build barriers by not using the lodge (and our brethren) to monitor our own actions.
Until you give of yourself, and explore within, take it from an old retired therapist – you’ll never find the secret.
The mysteries of the lodge (both the metaphorical and the organizational lodge) are limitless if we take the time, and the heart, to search within. As we have been told so many times, “Know Thyself.” I would add -- "by giving of yourself."
Respectfully,
Bro. Smith
If you haven't experienced the Secret, you'll never discover it
"He said: tell me their secret, but I who knew it for so many years sought for a word, a moment of hesitation and in vain I tried to explain it.
Then I said: Love, but I suddenly knew it was more than that, a mystical significance, incomprehensible but still of this earth, for everyone as well as I.
It is music, a word, a gesture, a sign, and it shines in someone's eyes, it is in his heart and mine, it is the sacred covenant of all that is beautiful, bright and true.
He asked me: show me their secret, but I could not point to it in countless conversations.
Only he who already possesses it himself can ever discover the secret."
Dutch poet and Freemason -- Willem Brandt
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
One Mason's Perspective On The Freemason Secret
After much reading and contemplation and a great deal of self-analysis, I have come to an opinion as to the "secret" of Masonry.
It indeed is ineffable but not unknowable.
At first I supposed that an analysis of the history of Masonry would lead me to the alleged "answer", but it appears that organizationally the history only extends back approximately 300 years and is an amalgam of philosophies – very similar to other men’s' clubs that were popularized in that era and area. Perhaps it was based upon more historical groups such as the Templars, but perhaps not.
But it doesn't matter. For what I found more interesting were not the roots of the assembly, but the content of the rituals, both the words and acts. They intrigued me.
This led to readings of the histories of the old and new testaments, mysticism, alchemy, sacred geometry, Pythagoras and Euclid, mystery religions and cults, solar and stellar cults, mystical art, Egyptology, theology, astro-theology, astronomy, Christian apologists, philosophy, and even to Shakespeare (who is quoted in the third degree).
I have been searching for a thread - a glimpse of understanding, and have been reading three to four books a week, searching old and out-of-print materials. I have pushed myself to approach this both intellectually and emotionally.
And, here and there, I have come across numerous small and large bits of history, philosophy and speculation reflected in Masonic ritual and catechism.
But the "secret" was more elusive. Yet, (I later found it to be) more intimate and near. At least, I think it is.
I no longer believe that the secret is exclusive to Freemasonry. It can be found buried in the roots of many philosophies and religions. But, to most, it has been forgotten.
I have been searching for a thread - a glimpse of understanding, and have been reading three to four books a week, searching old and out-of-print materials. I have pushed myself to approach this both intellectually and emotionally.
And, here and there, I have come across numerous small and large bits of history, philosophy and speculation reflected in Masonic ritual and catechism.
But the "secret" was more elusive. Yet, (I later found it to be) more intimate and near. At least, I think it is.
I no longer believe that the secret is exclusive to Freemasonry. It can be found buried in the roots of many philosophies and religions. But, to most, it has been forgotten.
So my conjecture:
Masonry is (to borrow a concept from psychology) a "projective stimulus" -- a sort of a spiritual Rorschach, if you will. It is amorphous enough that one can find whatever one looks for (albeit it clearly leans towards a ethical and spiritual journey). It provides structure while allowing the freedom of thought necessary due to the myriad of mindsets, intellectual capabilities, needs, and men, who make up a lodge.
Masonry (at least to me) is capable of taking someone desiring a spiritual journey on a whirlwind trip through time and mind; An exploration of philosophies and speculations that extends well before we can imagine.
The secret, in the end... and in the end, all seems to end up back at that allegorical "lodge" -- ourselves.
Awestruck, we stand wondering, whispering, under the sun, moon and stars, watching the never-ending journey that all life takes, and giving thanks not for what can be told, but for the ineffable:
This moment, this feeling.
That, is the secret that I have found.
Respectfully.
Bro. Smith
That, is the secret that I have found.
Respectfully.
Bro. Smith
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