Definitely something to consider when voting on new CoW members for sure, particularly someone who was previously on the CoW and wants to go again.
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Masonic Esotericism
- Thread starter Griffin
- Start date
Definitely something to consider when voting on new CoW members for sure, particularly someone who was previously on the CoW and wants to go again.
dhouseholder
Registered User
*I swear this is an easy read, don't ignore because of the length.*
I think we are working with a bad definition of the word esoteric. I operate under the impression that it is "something that is internalized", as opposed to exoteric, which means something outside of you. An example of esoteric (to me) would be the body of knowledge that has to be internalized to be understood. How does one really know the lessons behind the EA Working Tools unless one has used their lessons in daily life? These concepts have been internalized and (for the most part
) practiced in what I call "my daily life". Without my Masonic education, I would be totally at a loss on how to apply the lessons to my daily life. The lessons that we learn in the work is not something I would share with non-Masons. This body of knowledge was given to me in a certain manner in which the originators (or Originator) has prescribed it. It is like trying to do Calculus before you get simple addition down. It is out of context.
An example of exoteric knowledge would be my knowledge on how to change the brakes on my car. I do not internalize the lessons and do not think of that concept at a higher level of consciousness. The concepts were not presented to me by someone I would consider an "initiate", thus I could teach a robot to do it. A robot, obviously not being able to think at that higher level than I, performs the duty with the exoteric knowledge of how to change brakes.
This being said, I always ponder upon the symbolism of the appendant bodies of which I am not a member. These to me would be exoteric in as much as I have not internalized their meaning, nor have I been initiated into those mysteries.
Thus we see a relationship in the Mysteries (as us as Freemasons know them), and the term esoteric. Thence the taboo of discussing the esoteric becomes apparent. Am I going to be able teach 2nd graders the delicate literature of Shakespeare? I would do better to teach them the intricacies of sentence structure first!
I believe this is ultimately why we do not discuss our esoteric Mysteries with the non-initiated. Knowledge is power. Power can be dangerous. Therefore Knowledge can be dangerous; and if we are to love our neighbors, why would we put them in unnecessary danger?
I think we are working with a bad definition of the word esoteric. I operate under the impression that it is "something that is internalized", as opposed to exoteric, which means something outside of you. An example of esoteric (to me) would be the body of knowledge that has to be internalized to be understood. How does one really know the lessons behind the EA Working Tools unless one has used their lessons in daily life? These concepts have been internalized and (for the most part
) practiced in what I call "my daily life". Without my Masonic education, I would be totally at a loss on how to apply the lessons to my daily life. The lessons that we learn in the work is not something I would share with non-Masons. This body of knowledge was given to me in a certain manner in which the originators (or Originator) has prescribed it. It is like trying to do Calculus before you get simple addition down. It is out of context.An example of exoteric knowledge would be my knowledge on how to change the brakes on my car. I do not internalize the lessons and do not think of that concept at a higher level of consciousness. The concepts were not presented to me by someone I would consider an "initiate", thus I could teach a robot to do it. A robot, obviously not being able to think at that higher level than I, performs the duty with the exoteric knowledge of how to change brakes.
This being said, I always ponder upon the symbolism of the appendant bodies of which I am not a member. These to me would be exoteric in as much as I have not internalized their meaning, nor have I been initiated into those mysteries.
Thus we see a relationship in the Mysteries (as us as Freemasons know them), and the term esoteric. Thence the taboo of discussing the esoteric becomes apparent. Am I going to be able teach 2nd graders the delicate literature of Shakespeare? I would do better to teach them the intricacies of sentence structure first!
I believe this is ultimately why we do not discuss our esoteric Mysteries with the non-initiated. Knowledge is power. Power can be dangerous. Therefore Knowledge can be dangerous; and if we are to love our neighbors, why would we put them in unnecessary danger?
My above post has, what I think, to be your answer.
I believe that this is an oversimplified definition, albeit a correct one. Something that is not written is esoteric, but something that is written down can also be esoteric. The word esoteric is a adjective. It describes something. It is also a subjective term (like the word lovely). To a Shriner brother, the Shriner Mysteries is esoteric. If he writes it down it is still esoteric to him; these Mysteries do not lose their esotericness once written. If I read it (being a non-Shriner) it would be exoteric, but to to him the shear act of writing it down does not make it non-esoteric because the information still resides within him.
TC- it's not just the CoW Brethren. I was referring, also, to things like the A.L.L. and L.I.F.E. programs, which are under the purview of the Committee on Service & Education, and are also in dire need of updating. BTW, I got word today that GL is out of Monitors and IS updating them. The new ones should be available next March or April.
I know this is SOOOOO off topic.
Does anyone know why it takes so long to get copies of anything? It takes till April to get Law changes, monitor changes, etc. I know that when I send items to the printer I get it in less than a week. We are talking of 300+ copies. Just seems this could be done a little better.
Does anyone know why it takes so long to get copies of anything? It takes till April to get Law changes, monitor changes, etc. I know that when I send items to the printer I get it in less than a week. We are talking of 300+ copies. Just seems this could be done a little better.
Yup.
Sirius
Registered User
This is an excellent explanation. The truely esoteric has to do with the wages of the FC. The esoteric are the lessons that have been internalized and become part of who you are, thus making you a better man. Likewise the wages, are the benefits of endeavored labor to understand that which is hidden.
Lol, don't I know it.. ! However, it was just the CoW candidates we were discussing.. ! I can start on the rest as well if you'd like.. ! :001_tongue:
dhouseholder
Registered User
Freemasons should classify them as esoteric because they elude to Mysteries thereof. That does not prevent talking about those monitorial things with non-Masons, just be careful what you say. Pictures, diagrams and things not written down, I would not go into much detail over, but I think that those words written are fair game.
wwinger
Registered User
I'm not sure how we can define anything's character by whether or not it is in a codebook or whether or not it is in code.
Which codebook? The Grand Lodge of Texas, ("GLoTX"), doesn't publish one nor do they endorse any particular one as correct. Yes, there is more than one "codebook".
What code? GLoTX has not specified a certain "code" as correct. The "code" that is probably most familiar to GLoTX Masons is that which is used in the book, "King Solomon and His Followers - Lone Star Edition", but that is not consistent even within itself. (In some places a word may be "coded" with three or four letters and in another place only one or two. Even when it is the same number of letters, they are not always the same letters.)
And just because it is published in clear text by GLoTX does not define its character. Being published in clear text under one set of circumstances does not mean that it should be so under all circumstances.
Some of it is black and white but much is merely grey. Determining what is esoteric or secret or even whether those two words are synonyms, is a matter of judgment and judgment varies from person to person. All that any of us can do is to do what we believe is the best for Masonry and try to adhere to the obligations we took.
Which codebook? The Grand Lodge of Texas, ("GLoTX"), doesn't publish one nor do they endorse any particular one as correct. Yes, there is more than one "codebook".
What code? GLoTX has not specified a certain "code" as correct. The "code" that is probably most familiar to GLoTX Masons is that which is used in the book, "King Solomon and His Followers - Lone Star Edition", but that is not consistent even within itself. (In some places a word may be "coded" with three or four letters and in another place only one or two. Even when it is the same number of letters, they are not always the same letters.)
And just because it is published in clear text by GLoTX does not define its character. Being published in clear text under one set of circumstances does not mean that it should be so under all circumstances.
Some of it is black and white but much is merely grey. Determining what is esoteric or secret or even whether those two words are synonyms, is a matter of judgment and judgment varies from person to person. All that any of us can do is to do what we believe is the best for Masonry and try to adhere to the obligations we took.
Shouldn't that read: "rhitten" about? ;-)