The power of now

The power of now - Eckhart Tolle

I randomly picked this up from our local library browsing through the spiritual texts. This is some of what is on the inside flap:

To make the journey into the power of now we will need to leave our analytical mind and it's false created self, the ego, behind

On an aside I found a card inside with some writing on it which I believe sums the goal of the book up nicely:



Some of the text reads: 'I believe when we commit to healing ourselves - we heal the planet and assist others in their healing!'.

Another part of masonry that I strive to live by is the 'taking good men and making them better'. I've heard a quote (and want to attribute it to Br. Dafoe but someone correct me if I'm wrong) that says "We don't need more men in masonry we need more masonry in men". To me this book helps us live in the now; making our lives richer, fuller and our situations easier to manage thus making ourselves better men.

There's a quote from the book I want to share that I think ties this in with Freemasonry nicely:

"The pollution of the planet is only an outward reflection of an inner psychic pollution: millions of unconscious people not taking responsibility for their inner space' (pg. 65)

We are given specific 'tools of the trade' and those are designed in multiple ways to help us make our reality (the now) a better place for that 'spiritual building not made with hands' - our mind & body & for those changes we make for ourselves to help the world at large. To do this we must take responsibility for our actions and thoughts now (as now is all we have). There is no past or future - anything you have ever done or ever will do will be 'in the now'. If we let our minds run us (by constantly thinking about this or that) then we are being used and abused by one of the most valuable parts of our experience: our mind. If we take control of our mind there's no limit to what we can achieve: as individuals, a group, brethren or a species.

I'm only 65 pages into a 191 page book and I believe this will be another book that has changed my way of thinking about life. It's really quite interesting and my little blurb about it here doesn't give this book the credit its due. I suppose one could call this another 'self help' book but if we don't help ourselves how are we going to help anyone else?

In Light,
Steve

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone viewing this blog who celebrates the holiday a Happy Thanksgiving. If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving happy thursday.

In Light,
Steve

Ordained

I previously ordained myself with themonastery.org but found out from http://ulchq.com that they are no longer in agreement with one another. I have filled out the appropriate forms on ULCHQ.COM and wait my response.

Freemasonry Returns In You

With much of the negativity being floated around about the present state of the craft I figure it's time to chime in with my two cents.

Whatever our origins might be as a fraternity or our past or present intentions we have to realize that what we give to freemasonry is what we'll get out of it. I believe that "Freemasonry gets what we put into it" not the other way around. We must hold ourselves accountable for the Craft.

The lessons learned in masonic degrees are not specific to freemasonry alone - Brotherly Love, Relief, Truth. Fidelity, Piety and the Golden Rule are not new concepts. The Craft does portray them in an interesting, thought provoking manner. It is up to us how we take our lessons further. If we find something interesting it is also my belief that it is our duty as brethren to share that information with one another so that we all may grow. I participate on a few online forums where discussion runs rampant and enjoy brethren from all jurisdictions speaking their mind on educated topics.

Thus we have "Freemasonry Returns In You". On a short aside my mother has a plaque in her and my step-fathers room related to marriage. It says (paraphrase):

"One may think what the other may be;
To know this is compatibility"

My brothers, Freemasonry is as far and vast as it is wide. It is one of the many aspects I enjoy about being a mason. There are so many schools of thought and ways of life that we can't help but increase our ever widening circle of knowledge. As it has been said "The more I learn the less I know".

Think about it Brothers!

We have men of all walks of faith (even those whose official stance is to condemn freemasonry) and life. If we take a moment to listen to our brothers we can certainly learn a lot. I believe that's what Freemasonry is all about - learning. If you're not into the esoteric/philosophic/spiritual aspects of the fraternity learn what it means to be a cabinetmaker, or a car salesman. To make it short and sweet be brothers!

I think learning is what this fraternity is about & as I stated above - it's not strictly masonic. If we don't strive to learn through common interaction or masonic ritual I believe we're headed for a downfall as a species.

If we learn much Freemasonry will return to us and we can impart that to the fraternity at large - thereby making better men & better communities as Freemasonry has intended us to do.

Traveling DE Style

I was in attendence at St. Johns Lodge # 2 to see Bro. Sturgis raised to the sublime degree. It was a very well performed degree and I believe Bro. Sturgis enjoyed himself thoroughly.



-Left to Right: PSGD Jim Hutchinson who sat in the East, Milt Draper ,Trustee (PM), Newly Raised Bro. Surgis (MM), MWPGM Atkinson (Sitting WM of St. Johns Lodge 2007-2008), Bobby Blackard JW (PM), Steve Pugmire (Chaplain)-