Our ultimate goal, simply stated, is mankind's moral and spiritual and intellectual development.

I really hit the treasure trove this week! On Tuesday evening I was up at lodge for the Rainbow Girls meeting and, in the basement, found four boxes filled with Freemason books. Apparently one of our loge members, who was raised in 1964, passed away and his widow donated the books to us. As I poured through this veritable treasure chest of Masonic knowledge I was amazed at all that it contained. There was a history of the Scottish Rite in the 1800's replete with many letters and correspondence at the time about the formation of this body and its rituals!

I found a big collection of short lectures, each chock full of Masonic knowledge! There were pamphlets, some even in the form of what we today call a 'FAQ', each filled with insigtful commentary.

I grabbed a big stack for myself and I am quickly devouring them. I have said on this blog, and on the podcast I was recently on, that I didn't understand certain parts of the ritual; mostly because we don't do a lot of education outside of the degree work in our lodge. These books, however, are filled with enlightening commentary and I am now quite hopeful that I will be learning a lot in short order.

One the books I am reading this evening is entitled 'Clausen's Commentaries on Morals and Dogma' copyright 1974. I did a Google search and found that someone had scanned the text of the book in and posted it online here.

This is a concise book that summarizes each of the 32 degrees in the Scottish Rite and examines the meaning behind the ritual. It is written in clear and concise language and is quite illuminating.

The title of this post is extracted from the introductory section of the book which states quite clearly how Masonry views itself in large terms.

In coming weeks I look forward to sharing some of the material I find in these books and spreading a little bit of light on the way.

There is another thing that I learned this weekend that I forgot to mention before. During the podcast interview we never really got to the topic of 'esoteric' Freemasonry. However, after the interview was over we did hold an informal discussion in which I think I came to some insight on this topic.

After talking to Brother Stewart I came to understand that when he says 'esoteric' Freemasonry what he means is 'philosophical' Freemasonry.

That is hardly what I thought people meant when they used the term 'esoteric'. Based on past experiences with Internet brethren as well as reading the likes of C.W. Leadbeater, I thought 'esoteric' Freemasonry had something to do with ritual magick and some of the other high strangeness you read from various occult authors.

After our conversation the way I understand Brother Stewart's use of the term esoteric, he means it in the sense of the philosophical underpinnings of the teachings, as opposed to the mundane matters of planning spaghetti dinner fund raisers.

Tomorrow evening I am going to be interviewed on the Truth, Love, Freedom website by Soul Real. I have been listening to some of the previous podcasts to get a better idea what I am getting myself into.

I am really looking forward to the experience. I hope it is illuminating for both parties involved. We will see, it should be interesting...

In the meantime, here are a few choice nuggets from Clausen's book. I found Clausen's summaries of each of the Scottish Rite degrees to be very inspirational. I also couldn't find anything objectionable in them either. Please enjoy..

Moreover, in the classic phrase, Masonry cannot teach; it can only help us learn. This is done in the course of several developmental stages. But if the Initiates become locked or lost in the progress, Masonry can help them break loose and start forward again on the correct path. The earnest and perceptive Scottish Rite seeker of truth can learn from our degrees, for example, the futility of dependence either upon persons or things, or upon approval or disapproval. Independence leads to self-reliance. The truly self-reliant is not subject to adverse manipulation or undue influence. He is in control of himself and enjoys freedom and dignity. This induces, in turn, more effective moral and modern behavior.

"A man should learn to watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages." Emmerson

"Be a lamp unto your own feet; do not seek outside yourself." Buddha

"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, to there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Jesus Christ

"Our main business in life is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand." Carlyle

Our overall mission can be summarized thus;

"To seek that which is the most worth in the world; To exalt the dignity of every person, the human side of our daily activities and the maximum service to humanity;

To aid mankind's search in God's Universe for identity, for development, and for destiny; And thereby achieve better men in a better world, happier men in a happier world, and wiser men in a wiser world.

Our ultimate goal, simply stated, is mankind's moral and spiritual and intellectual development." Clausen

You now take your first step into our sanctuary in search of truth and knowledge, the most genuine and real of human treasures. You are reminded that your progress depends upon your secrecy, obedience and fidelity; secrecy for the security of obligations, duties, oaths, communications; obedience for the laws that reflect the will and judgment and benefit of the people, not the edicts of the tyrant or those that are contrary to God and nature; fidelity for the faith and to promises plighted family, friends, country and Masonry. Thereby you will avoid the diverting allurements of pleasure and indolence and permit the mandates of your obligations to be fulfilled. You must seek, read, study, reflect, digest and discriminate. The light of knowledge develops the soul of man and assures the reward of his aspirations for continuance after death. In the faithful pursuit of these ideals you will serve yourself, your fellow members, country and mankind

Industry and honesty are homely virtues that become a Perfect Master. Life is far too short and fleeting to waste time in idleness, follies or dissipation. To learn and to do combine and develop the potential human soul with inherent force and power. Satan finds mischief for idle hands. Honesty still is the best policy and an honest man still is the noblest work of God.-This virtue should be reflected in contracts, business dealings, payment for services and acceptance of an honest day's pay only for an honest day's work. So live and deal and act that when you go before God no man was poorer because you were richer; no man had less rank, influence, reputation or affection because you had more.

In this Degree we learn to reject the worldly, the covetous and the sensual, the severe, the censorious and the injurious in favor of duty, charity and toleration. In our personal lives we should practice those virtues and the Golden Rule, with peace and loving kindness toward our parents, children, friends, neighbors, employees and business associates, not for popular acclaim but for our own inner satisfaction. Organizations should reflect harmony as the strength and support of all societies, especially of ours. Ideally, we thus should witness the elimination of dissensions, disputes and quarrels and a world without war. Thoughts should be focused upon that which is good and healthy. In short, we are told how we can reshape our thinking into joyful channels of charity, self-control and success.

The Scottish Rite reaches into the heart of Freemasonry for its homely virtues and principles of truth, candor and generosity. We learn we should follow these practical and active rules that shape and control our conduct. Yet, far too often, men are guilty of the very faults they find in others, talking like hypocrites of virtue, charity and honor but living a life of wickedness, vice or indulgence. Certainly there is little opportunity inside a Lodge itself to practice Freemasonry. Masonry belongs more importantly in the world of competition and disputes, of temptations and of unlawful pleasures. True Masonry is active, not inert, especially when our country, our Brethren or mankind call on us for help. It is the apostle of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity but engages in no plots or conspiracies against civil government. It retains the same calm and simple dignity under every government and apart from any sect or creed. A Mason learns to set his foot upon political tyranny and spiritual despotism and to condemn the cruelty and wanton disregard of the rights of humanity, the disgrace and ruin of his country, the depravity and barbarity of mankind. He therefore resists the usurpation of perversion of power that belongs to the people. He exerts himself in defense of his love of liberty and equal justice under the law, and in supporting education of the people, making the honor of his country co-equal with his heroic own. There he seizes a sword and, when assailed, wields it aloft with God's strength. In contests of the mind against superstitions, fears and prejudice, the true Mason conquers and emerges victorious and unites with his Brethren in the patriotic labors of peace.

Toleration is the dominant theme of this Degree. History records a bloody trail of persecution when men arrogate to themselves the right to punish others for contrary opinions. This type of bigotry is behind condemnations of Masonry. We feel that every person has a right to religious and political views of his or her own, and that no human being can validly say that he or she alone knows the truth. Whatever a person sincerely believes is to him or her truth, and he or she knows only education and enlightenment can conquer intolerance and fanaticism. Masonry, while religious, is not a religion, but within its precepts and professions there are contained the truths and the universal morality of all recognized creeds and religions. These include those our members must share-a belief in the one God, in an immortal soul, and in a moral and virtuous life.

A distinguishing characteristic of every true Mason is the key word of this Degree-sympathy. He should manifest this not only toward his Brethren, but toward all mankind. For, he sees the human race as one great family to which God has connected and forged him with invisible links through a mighty network of circumstance. Especially upon entry into our Fraternity does he feel sympathy to serve his fellow man, cease any prior isolation, and welcome opportunities to put into practice unselfish duties of service he has assumed toward his Brethren in Masonry. He knows then how essential it is to be earnest, true, reliable and sincere; to protect the people against illegal impositions and to contend for their betterment; and how the safety of free government depends upon the integrity of the common people. A nation that claims greatness through tyranny over prostrate states, heavy and unjust taxation, and alliances more crafty than wholesome, is actually impoverished and tottering toward ruin.

There is instinctive in every human breast at least a modicum of faith in moral principles, in virtue, and in God. This is as real as the instinct which guides an animal. Hence, this faith, being inherent in human nature, has a mission in our divine guidance as truly authentic as an animal's instinct. Faith leads to a feeling that the human soul travels toward this Deity. We are possessed of powers that include those of which we are but dimly conscious. Masonry strives to develop the instinctive and God-given traits and to accept as a guide their half conscious promptings. Life is what each man makes it; the optimist turns a trial into a blessing, the pessimist sees only ruin and disaster. Faith in our fellow men is the basis of our earthly transactions and institutions, but, more important, faith is belief in the spiritual powers of a just, wise and beneficent Supreme Being

We now reach the point of reflection, of consideration, and of analysis. Each must discover for himself the Secrets contained in our symbols and in what has been said and done in the work. We press on toward the unattainable, yet more nearly approaching perfect truth. God has given each of us work to do and duties to perform in the progress of the great plan for enlightenment and growth. In this plan there are sorrows and trials that are designed to purify and strengthen our souls. It cannot be true that these are visited upon us for sadistic or cruel purposes. Ultimate good in accordance with merciful and wise divine guidance must result. Our future well-being depends upon how we perform in this life. Hence, we should so live that death will hold no terror for us. Instead, there will be a release from our earthly trials into spiritual realms above.

We learn fidelity to obligation and perseverance of purpose under difficulties and discouragement. He who endeavors to serve, to benefit and to improve the world is like a swimmer battling against a rapid river which the winds lash into angry waves. Often they roar over his head; often they beat him down and back. Most men yield to the stress of the raging stream and are swept to the shore or over the rapids. Only here and there do we find the stout heart and the strong arms that will struggle on toward ultimate success. Masonry carries on a crusade against ignorance, intolerance and error. Sometimes, on the way to success, we stumble over the indifference of our members and of the world. But we believe that God has a personal interest in each of us; that He gave us an immortal soul imprisoned for a time within our mortal bodies, and that the natural and instinctive yearning for good will be rewarded. While we now cannot fully understand the divine plan, we must have and express the faith that hereafter the light shall shine and disclose all details.

We here concern ourselves with the influence of the past upon the present and future. Consider how there live in our day the deeds of heroism, the thoughts and the laws, the monuments of art, architecture and literature of ages gone by. They uplift, govern and benefit us. Those responsible were not content with a role and dim ambition as characters that would fade away in one lifetime. Instead, they left a mark which would survive men's memories. This is an instinctive, God-given impulse, found deep in the roughest of human hearts, a sign of the soul's immortality, and it indicates the chasm between the most elemental man and the wisest brute. A true Mason seeks ways in which he may labor now so he will enlighten those of the future years. Posterity is uppermost in his mind as he daily performs acts that will produce and endure, advance and improve, for those yet unborn.

To teach, man first must learn. This truism is of special importance in Masonry for those who act as Masters of the Symbolic Lodges, leading an Initiate along the sublime paths that end in a confluence of the ultimate truth. The lessons uppermost in this Degree-Liberty, Fraternity and Equality-are examples of those that require sufficient research, study and thought so as to impart them properly. Similarly, the whole system of our moral, religious and philosophical degrees requires for our special audiences the most profound understanding in our own minds before we can hope to inculcate them into other minds. For this purpose we recite parables and allegories, not always for verity, but as vehicles of instruction and as useful illustrations. These include those that indicate the struggles of the human mind in seeking answers to insoluble problems, an infinite variety of efforts to comprehend the Deity, the forces of nature, the existence of good and evil in an expanding universe.

Arrogance is a crime and humility is a virtue. Modesty with our superiors is a duty; with our equals, a courtesy; and with our subordinates, nobility. If you look for the high and mighty you will find them mostly in common men. Examples of arrogance are in publicly proclaiming the errors and faults of other men, in smearing and debunking those who deserve lasting fame and admiration. Public reproof, like shooting a deer in the herd, not only results in the smell of blood but also incites his enemy, the jackal, to tackle the wounded. Similarly, we see examples of cowardly assaults upon the rights of others-reckless and willful slander, maligning men's motives, spreading vicious lies. "A he travels faster than an eagle flies; while the contradiction limps after it at a snail's pace." So, also, there are those theorists who spawn pseudo philosophies thatseek to degrade into accidental occurrences the Deity's examples of omnipotence. The true Freemason rejects man's arrogance, defamation and cowardice as unworthy of a loyal Knight

Some things are beyond our jurisdiction. For example, we do not say to a Moslem that whether he believes in the divinity of Mohammed is subordinate to his belief in but One God. We do not call a Hebrew a heretic because he refuses to believe the Messiah was born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. We do not say to Christians that Christ was a mere man, whose life story is only a revival of similar older stories. To do any of these things would be irreverent. We utter no such words. We respect all credal beliefs that do not desecrate the Deity. Masonry belongs to no one sect, no one religion, no one age, no one man. It encompasses and reverences the truth of all. That is why it blossoms into beauty and greatness when tended with an understanding and tolerant touch. Masonry is an exciting treasure chest that can be opened by those who seek the perceptive wisdom, the artistry of divine fire, the pleasure of compassionate companionship. The human structure is brought into the Temple of the Infinite Spirit while conceding that finite man cannot fully fathom the infinite structure. But zest for the search is coequal with the rewards of the trinity of God's attributes-wisdom or intelligence, force or strength, harmony or beauty.