Monday Masonic Minute - Vol. 5, Issue 28
Welcome to our newest issue of the Monday Masonic Minute!
Each week we will attempt to bring you a few Masonic interest, educational or discussion topics that we hope will inspire thought, contemplation and ultimately begin discussion that will strengthen and deepen the influence Freemasonry has on each of our lives.
Before we begin, a few disclaimers. The information provided has been culled from many different sources and time periods, including Short Talk Bulletins, Masonic blogs, etc., and credit will be given where due, wherever applicable, to the original source. Even though some of these postings may be dated, please note how well most all of the information stands as well today as it did in its original time period. Also, the topics discussed here in no way express my own personal thoughts and policies, neither are they endorsed or supported by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee nor of any subordinate body thereof. The topics here are offered for consideration of each reader of their own accord and may be accepted or refuted accordingly. I also have taken no liberty to correct any punctuation, spelling or grammatical errors of any kind. All topics are presented precisely as received, without manipulation.
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Without further ado, let's dive into the topics for this week. I hope you enjoy.
Tim Roberson, PM
Communication
Perhaps my largest frustration within all of Freemasonry?
Through my life I’ve been involved with a large number of groups. Some formal, some informal. Some work related, some non-work related. Many people today say that they aren’t joiners. Me, I’m a joiner.
But out of every single group I’ve ever been involved with, I’ve got to say, Freemasonry is hands down, no question, the absolute worst group, probably in the world, when it comes to effective communication.
It’s almost bad enough to drive me insane!
An example:
Somehow, in my Lodge, I seem to have become the fellow in charge of setting up all of our Degrees. So, I’ve done that, and if I must say so, I think that we have had some truly excellent Degrees recently.
But, I’ve been hearing some complaints.
Members of my Lodge have complained to me that they haven’t gotten to perform whatever role in the Degree that they want to perform.
My answer has been: Well, you have to tell me what role you want to perform instead of leaving me to guess what on earth that might be.
My answer seems completely reasonable to me.
But, I certainly don’t want to disappoint anyone, so while setting up a Degree for next week, I decided to do things a little differently.
Instead of announcing publicly that we need roles filled for the Degree, I kept it 100% in house.
At our last Stated Meeting, I stood up and reminded everyone about the upcoming Degree, reminding them as well that I needed them to let me know if they can help, and if so, what role they would like to play in the Degree.
At my request, these same questions were emailed by our Secretary to all of the active, and barely active members of the Lodge. If we have an email address, the member got that message.
Now, weeks later, I’ve only heard from three members.
No one else has told me if he will be able to come, no one else has told me what ritual part he would like to play. Indeed, the only people I’ve heard from are the Junior Warden, the Junior Deacon, and a brand spankin' new Entered Apprentice.
When we go through the Degrees of Masonry, is there some Magick that descends into our minds rendering it impossible for us to actually send an RSVP?
More often than not, it certainly feels that way.
I first noticed this problem years ago, when my wife spent a few years doing the cooking for our Lodge. She never knew how much to cook, because she never had any idea how many were going to show up! Pleas for RSVP’s fell upon deaf ears.
All these years later, nothing has changed. I’ve watched for a couple of years now as our poor Worshipful Master has struggled through this. He’s given to generally cooking two or three times as much food as actually gets eaten, because he has no idea how many will decide to come for dinner.
And none of this is fair, or reasonable.
But, alas, I have no idea how to fix it.
If our Craft is in any way cursed, it is cursed with an inability to effectively communicate.
The Art of Presiding
Short Talk Bulletin - Vol. XVII No. 10 — October 1939
by Bro. Carl H. Claudy
“Preside — to sit in authority over others.” (Standard Dictionary.)
The first principle of successful presiding is to use authority without any one being conscious, of it!
The presiding officer elected by a secular organization is amenable to its dictates and may be removed by the electorate; an appeal may be taken from his decision to the to the body over which he presides; generally he is supposed to conduct its meetings according to the rules of order.
None of this is true of the Master of a Lodge. While elected, he is not controlled by the dictates of his Lodge; he can only be removed by Grand Master or Deputy under authority of the Grand Master; no appeal to the Lodge may be taken from his awards: “rules of order,” while followed in general, are actually the Master’s will and pleasure.
Motions out of Order
In any secular body a motion to adjourn, for the previous question, to lay on the table, to refer to a committee of the whole, are always in order; in a Masonic Lodge, never. Only the Master can decide these questions, and even a Master should never permit the lodge to resolve itself into a committee of the whole since a committee presupposes a Chairman and a Chairman is the servant, not the ruler, of the Committee.
With the usual business of Lodge: confirming of minutes, accepting petitions, ordering a ballot, putting motions to expend, etc.. have little trouble. It is when difficult questions arise; hard fought battles to raise dues : revision of by-laws; putting standing resolutions on the books: accepting and confirming a report which reflects on some officer. etc. that the Master must temper justice with mercy, and authority with discretion.
Keep Cool
The rule is usually wise which avoids heated debates. When debaters become so personal as to forget brotherly acts in the warmth of partisanship, a Master is justified in closing debate for the time, act on the question when cooler moments arrive. A Master may always call from labor to”refreshment, to permit “cooling off.” If he does this with a smile, and some remark about his own need for a little reflection, he will offend no one.
Gavel
The Masonic gavel in the hands of a Master is all powerful. Brethren must-and with practically no exceptions always obey its mandate. Grand Lodge frowns upon the brother who flouts the authority of a Master; a brother not willing to cease speaking when “rapped down,” or who insists on speaking when not recognized, is subject to Masonic trial and punishment Because of the power of the gavel the good Master uses it sparingly; he will never “rap down” a brother if it is possible to avoid it. If a brother insists on doing something illegal, the Master must, of course. But there is a vast difference in the way this is done by different Masters.
A certain Past Master was offended at the adverse report of a committee on investigation of a petitioner. Securing recognition he began: “I think we should disregard this committee report unless we know why the committee reported unfavorably: I demand their reasons. . .”
The Master could have brought his gavel down with a bang and said: “Brother Past Master, you are out of order; a Past Master ought to know better!”
What he did do was bring his gavel down with enough decision to be heard, then said: “Brother Past Master, I regret exceedingly to rule out of order one of my illustrious and learned predecessors. But my understanding of Masonic law is that the reasons for reporting unfavorably by a committee are as sacred as the ballot. I am sorry. . . .”
This seems almost too simple to chronicle, and yet it is just this difference between the hard and fast exercise of undoubted power which men are apt to resent, and the patient brotherly courtesy which Masons appreciate, which marks the successful from the disliked presiding officer.
A “Good Sport”
A finance committee brought in a report which severely criticized a Master’s administration, practically accusing him of running wild with the Lodge finances. Shocked but game, without a word of defense, he put the question as to the disposition of the report. Brother after brother arose to discuss the report, to delete this and strike out that, to remove that offending phrase and to soften this one. After some ten minutes debate one brother, a loyal partisan of the Master, moved rejection of the whole report and appointment of a new finance committee. “I am sorry, not to entertain that motion.” the Master said with a smile. “I think the committee has rendered a fine report. 1 do not refer to their opinions, but to the hours of labor and the results in this excellent financial statement. I would be ungrateful indeed if I discharged this committee, or failed to express our appreciation of its efforts.”
The Lodge applauded vigorously, and the result was the acceptance of the financial part of the report, with all criticism stricken out. Most important, the members of the committee, sincere and honorable gentlemen, felt that the Master had been just; thus any schism was avoided, the Master was pro-tempted, the Lodge satisfied and the committee content.
One wrong word, and a first class Lodge quarrel might have started!
Snap and Speed
Some men think like a lightning flash and others think slowly. Even the slow thinker can speed up his business meetings by having previously written notes before him. The Masters who depend on their Secretaries to tell them what to do next are legion — what would some of us do without those hard worked and loyal officials! But the Master who lets the Secretary do it all rarely has the respect or veneration of his members.
Let Them Talk!
A good Master remembers that he is Master of all the Lodge — not just those members with whom he is in sympathy. He knows that what is unimportant to him may be vital to some other brother. The member who insists on a bowling match or a golf game with a sister lodge may feel it just as important as the Master’s plans for a Masonic evening — let him talk about it! Of course, there is a limit to all things, and a scheduled degree should not be delayed so as to keep the few faithful up half the night, sending the rest home without seeing it. But, within reason, the Master who encourages his members to speak, who calls on Brothers Smith and Jones for a few remarks about some question, will have a more unified and interested Lodge than he who is anxious to shut off debate.
Welcomes
They are as different in different Lodges as chalk is from cheese. Some Lodges extend no special welcomes; in others a word of greeting to all visitors is customary, especially those vouched for by a committee after an examination. In some Lodges, the Past Masters are known only by their jewels; in others the Master calls on each by name, says a pleasant word and offers him the pretty courtesy of a “seat in the East.” Now and then a Master is so anxious to be courteous that he offers the “seat in the East” to every visitor, which rather destroys its value as a mark of special consideration for those who have borne the heat and burden of the day.
One small error many a Master makes with only politeness in his mind; taking off his hat whenever he speaks, especially when he extends a welcome.
The “hat snatcher,” however well intentioned, displays a fundamental ignorance of the meaning of the Master’s hat. It is not, strictly speaking. a hat at all, but a badge of office. There is no more reason to remove it when speaking -than there is to take off apron or jewel. A Master need remove his hat on but four occasions; when speaking of. or to, Deity; when speaking of a death; when the Grand Master or his Deputy comes into the Lodge room wearing a hat, or when tendering the gavel of authority to another to preside.
Respect
It is emphatically the Master’s business to insist upon profound respect for his office. Many a modest man refrains from correcting a wrong Lodge action in the mistaken idea that brethren will think he is “high hat.” A brother may be plain John Smith, but when John Smith is Master, he should receive the respect which that office demands. The brother who makes the wrong salute should be smilingly corrected — but he should not go unchallenged. The brother so careless of his manners as to salute with a cigar in his mouth may be privately, admonished, but he should hear from the East. The brother who Crosses between Altar and East should learn that brethren do not use the space between Master and Great Lights for a passageway. because, as the Great Lights are in the Master’s charge. he is entitled to keep them always in view. The brother who speaks out of turn, the brother who tries to leave the room during a ballot, the brother who forgets a proper salute when addressing the East — all should receive some word of friendly counsel. Whether it be done before the Lodge, or by sending a message by the Senior Deacon, is for the Master to decide. His brethren in the end will think the, more of him if he passes his high station to his successor with its dignity unimpaired.
Smile
Nothing succeeds in the East like a smile. Two Masters reigned in sister Lodges at the same time; one a brilliant lawyer, smart as a steel trap, wit like a rapier . . . and cold and austere as a lump of ice. The other Master was a railroad conductor; he had not one-tenth the education, wit or brilliance of the lawyer, but he knew the gentle art of making friends. Whatever pleasant he had to do, he did as if he liked to do it, with a smile. Whatever unpleasant was his task, he did as if it pained him, but with a smile. The railroad brother’s Lodge was crowded and the brilliant, lawyer’s all but empty most of the year.
Smiles, alas, cannot be made to order. Set smiles, machine smiles, mere facial contortions won’t work. Effective smiles come from a smiling heart. By all of which it may be seen that the art of presiding successfully has its foundation in sympathy and understanding. and its cornerstone in good nature and tolerance. With these a Master can hardly fail to be a beloved presiding officer.
Nervous!
It is only three steps from the Lodge, floor to the Master’s platform but what high steps! The brother presiding for the first time in a Masonic Lodge who says he is not nervous is fooling himself, but no one else.
But there is no need to continue to be nervous. In a traffic jam the motorist can always stop — the worst he will get is a lot of horns tooted at him and perhaps a “bawling out” by the policeman. In a parliamentary jam the Master can always stop to look up the law or precedent, or call to refreshment while he consults some one; he will hear neither horns nor bawling out. Go slowly, consult the agenda: depend on the Secretary to help; use the gavel sparingly; smile . . . and presiding becomes a pleasure and a Master a joy to his brethren.
Get in the Zone: Transform Your Mindset for Success
by Mike Clevenger
Years ago, in my professional career, I partnered with a client, Richard, a systems engineer specializing in computer databases and networks.
This was when companies began replacing mainframe computers with networked microcomputers. This shift placed a computer terminal on each person’s desk, allowing them to access the company’s programs without requiring someone else to input data and provide the necessary output.
As an accountant, my services included helping companies pick the proper accounting package, writing procedural manuals specific to their company, and training personnel to use the accounting and information software.
On one particular occasion, we arrived at a client’s office in the afternoon to set up the system's server, network software, computer terminals that would access it, and accounting software. This was after we had already tested the computer hardware the day before to ensure it was working properly and ready to go.
In the early days of networked microcomputers, software installation wasn’t as easy as it is today. Instead of downloading software directly from an online source, users had to install it using multiple CDs. The server software required a huge stack of CDs to be installed in an exact order. Otherwise, the system wouldn’t work.
Richard was normally meticulous, but he became even more so when working on computer systems. He did this because he knew that doing something out of order could cause a system to malfunction or fail entirely. He also thoroughly enjoyed his work and often became so engrossed that he forgot everything else and focused solely on what he was doing.
On this particular system installation, we had been working for hours since our arrival, and I recall Richard stopping to ask me what the time was. When I told him it was 1 AM, he commented, “No wonder I’m hungry.” Richard was “in the zone.”
I was reminded of my friend Richard when I read an article about the psychological concept of flow. Flow is the mental state in which a person engaged in an activity is completely immersed and fully absorbed in a challenging and rewarding activity. The person feels energized, focused, and involved, and enjoys it so much that they can lose their sense of time.
The term "Flow" was coined by Mihaly Robert Csikzentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist fascinated by artists who would essentially lose themselves in their work. He observed that artists, especially painters, became so immersed in their creations that they disregarded their needs for food, water, and sleep.
Csikszentmihalyi defined the core elements and characteristics of the flow state as follows:
The merging of action and awareness creates a sense of unity between yourself and the activity.
There is immediate feedback; your actions elicit an immediate response and validate your objectives.
The task difficulty aligns with your personal skill level.
There is a sense of control, allowing you to feel in command of your actions and their outcomes.
Self-consciousness fades away, with ego and self-doubt disappearing.
Time appears to transform, seeming to speed up or slow down.
The activity is enjoyable for its own sake.
The activity is effortless, and your actions feel smooth and natural.
Your mind excludes distractions, focusing solely on the task at hand.
You can incorporate the concept of flow into your everyday life by intentionally shaping your environment, routines, and mindset to foster deep focus and enjoyment. Here are practical, research-backed steps to help you integrate flow into your daily activities:
Choose activities you enjoy and value
Select tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult.
Set clear, achievable goals
Eliminate distractions
Establish routines and rituals
Focus on one task at a time
Practice mindfulness and presence
Allow enough time
Focus on the process, not just the outcome
Reflect and adjust
I think I recognize some Masonic tools that can help produce flow. Do you?
Have a Great Masonic Week!
Fraternally, Mike
ALCHEMY IN THE ENTERED APPRENTICE DEGREE
Bradley Edward Kohanke, 32⁰
Dave Crocket Lodge No. 1225, San Antonio Texas, GLT
First, let me preface my remarks by saying that these are strictly my opinions on this topic…and you know what they say about opinions, “…they’re like an anus. Everybody has one and they usually stink.”
That being said, what image do I conjure up in your mind when I say the word “alchemist?” Is it some deranged Dr. Frankenstein character working feverishly away in his hidden laboratory, wearing a leather apron and big gloves and surrounded by Bunsen burners, beakers, and candles? Is he sweating profusely, incessantly ringing his hands, pacing back and forth and muttering to himself, “I’m gonna be rich! I’m gonna be rich! I’m gonna be rich?” That’s the image I get.
But let’s discuss alchemy and what it was supposed to have been. I think it’s a fair statement to say that alchemy was basically the belief that through ritual purification and the discovery of the “Philosopher’s Stone,” an adept could change base metals such as lead into gold, and produce an elixir that if properly utilized would allow him to live forever, or at least extend life. No wonder so many people were interested in alchemy…being rich and living forever are pretty attractive alternatives to most mundane lives. Can you imagine the danger to the alchemist if those “in power” actually believed he had succeeded in making gold and extending life? No wonder they all worked in hidden laboratories.
This brings me to my first correlation between Alchemy and Freemasonry. Let me ask you a question…would anybody reading this consider a Masonic Lodge a laboratory? Probably not, right? But what if I broke down the word “laboratory” into its Latin origins? “Labor et ora”…or in English…”work and pray.” Now what do you think? I think it’s a pretty accurate description of what takes place in our Lodges.
But what kind of work are we doing here? Are we changing base metals into gold? No. But ask yourself this question…”Are we changing basically good men into better men; men of virtue?” You bet we are.
So what about the “ritualistic purification” that an alchemist has to go through each time he begins his work? Think about this, “What are Masons taught in the Entered Apprentice Degree that they should do before engaging on any laudable undertaking?” They are taught to invoke the aid of Deity, to ask for God’s blessing on the work they are about to begin. Isn’t this a form of ritual and purification of thought and purpose? I think so.
Ok…what of the Philosopher’s Stone? That mystical and elusive rock rumored to be at the same time, part of the sun and the moon? Where else have I heard about the sun and the moon? If you think back to your Entered Apprentice Degree, are we not taught that the lesser lights in Masonry include the sun and the moon? We are even taught how they are explained and that (in a manner of speaking) as they provide light to dispel the darkness, the Worshipful Master of the Lodge should use their example to govern his Lodge, dispensing light and dispelling darkness or causing the same to be done by his officers. Again…isn’t it ironic that in both alchemy and Freemasonry we refer to the sun and the moon as symbols or examples…and that a combination of the two results in the Philosopher’s Stone…or that by using them as an example, the Worshipful Master presides over the lodge.
How about looking at metal as a symbol? Consider this from the Entered Apprentice degree, “How were you prepared?” Weren’t you divested of everything metallic? And isn’t there somewhere else in the Degree where metal is mentioned? Oh yeah, right…after passing through the forms and ceremonies you were asked to deposit something of a metallic nature with the Master of the Lodge. Is there anywhere else? How about when talking about the building of King Solomon’s Temple? Was there heard the sound of any tool of metal…nope.
But I think the most obvious alchemical symbols in the Entered Apprentice Degree are the ashlars; the rough and the perfect. Think about it for a second. In operative masonry, through properly utilizing the common gavel (one of the principal working tools of an Entered Apprentice Mason); workers are able to chip away at the imperfections in the stone and better prepare them to be utilized in the building efforts. In Speculative Masonry, the common gavel symbolizes our noble attempt to chip away at all of our own imperfections, thereby preparing ourselves for the afterlife and hopefully earning the benefits of a life well-lived. Sounds kinda like finding that elixir of life…that mystical concoction that the alchemists believed would allow them to live forever; “eternal life.”
So…let me ask you something. These alchemists, these forerunners of modern day scientists, these guys that have been chasing after the Philosopher’s Stone since the time of ancient Egypt or before; isn’t it possible that they were simply the “un-initiated?” Isn’t it possible that these were simply men who looked at the symbols and philosophies of what we today refer to as “Freemasonry,” and mistakenly interpreted them as literal and gave them a more worldly and materialistic meaning? Let me quote something from the book Alchemy by E.J. Holmyard, where he provides a fifteenth century dialogue between an alchemist and his son who wishes to be taught the art. It reads as follows:
“…Son upon condition I shall thee teach
So that thou wilt on the Sacrament swear
That thou shalt never write it in scripture
Nor teach it to no man except thou be sure
That he is a perfect man to God and also full of charity.
Doing always good deeds and that he be full of humility
And that you know him not in loud words but always soft and still
And also prove whether his life be good or ill
And all this shall thou swear and also make a vow
If thou wilt have this knowledge of me now
And the same oath on book they make to thee
Ere thou them let any part of this science know or see.”
Now remember, this was written in the 1400’s, approximately 300 years before the first Grand Lodge of England was formed. I know the language is a little difficult to comprehend, so let me break it down for you in a way that you might better understand it.
This guy tells his son that he will teach him the secrets of the craft on certain conditions
First that he will swear on the Holy Bible
That he will not write any of the secrets
Neither will he reveal them to anyone unless he be a just and upright man before God, full of charity
Doing only good deeds and being a man of humility
That he not be one who causes dissent by raising his voice, but always seeks peace and harmony through soft words and a gentle manner
And that he require this man to prove himself
By taking the same vow before him
And if he does so and he is convinced of his sincerity, he may reveal to him that which is about to be revealed to the son
How familiar does that sound? Take just a moment and recite the Entered Apprentice Obligation in your head.
So…are there Alchemical symbols in Freemasonry? Of course there are. But maybe an even better question to ask is, “Are there really just misunderstood Masonic symbols in Alchemy?”
My opinion is that Freemasonry (or however it was referred to at the time) came first. What do you think?
Bradley Edward Kohanke, 32⁰
Alchemy by E.J. Holmyard
Alchemy and the First Degree of Freemasonry by Donald J. Tansey
Thank you for including me with these wonderful writers!