Towards the east (& further)

“Who will teach him to approach the east, the source of light...”

Why approach the east?

In taking our first steps in freemasonry we approach the east because it is the source of light; of knowledge. Of mind and of Deity. We approach the east because we have been traveling in darkness from the North. Once the light crests over the hill and into our eyes our spiritual world becomes illuminated. Without light from the sun we could not live. Plants could not live. Light is, in many ways, essential. It's most memorizing in the east because that's when you first notice it. However, coming from the east the light is only partial. It shows but a portion of our spirituality as it has just risen. The light, masonically, has other directions to travel – West, South & everywhere in between.


Why are we partial to the east?

When the sun rises in the east it creates a natural phenomenon (a sunrise). Anyone who has been mindful of a sunrise can tell you it's incredibly breathtaking. Analogously, when we're first learning spiritually our mind is empty and without knowledge or experience. We tend to notice the little things more; but as time goes on we tend to ask more questions, consider ourselves experts and fail to notice the simplistic beauty of the sunrise. We take it for granted that “our religion is concrete and correct” and don't take it to our hearts, instead taking it to our heads and either forget the message or miss it entirely.

Why follow the sun west?

Assistance is necessary. If plants were to rely solely on the sun they wouldn't get the correct nutrients they need. Depending on the plant it could need any variety of soils, specific weather conditions or any other expectations. Similarly, spirituality alone won't save our souls. We must believe with the whole of our hearts that we can forgive, that we can love & care for one another as one family: as one religious experience. We are no different from each other. If we break down the walls of selfishness and turn to selflessness we will prosper. Everyone has to recognize we are all experiencing the same existence.


Why rest in the south?

It's a natural cycle. Life can't continue to grow at a rapid rate without having a rest. Existence requires consistent refining of our goals, our views & our cares. If we were to press forward without rethinking our position within the circle we would never get ourselves anywhere. If we never rested we'd be too wary to get through the day to day experience of life. Resting rebuilds our convictions. Similar to a muscle it's not the lifting that builds it but the resting in between. It's the resting that strengthens our character, unifies our cause & saves our soul.

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth... While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened...”