PEN NAME- Ra

DAILY ADVANCEMENT IN MASONIC KNOWLEDGE

Freemasons belong to an organization, which is dedicated to self-knowledge, the

nature of being, love, tolerance, the brotherhood of man, liberty of conscience and of

course brush with Deity on the way, for which purpose he is directed to make “Daily

Advancement in Masonic Knowledge”. This amongst the other things is categorically

defined in “Charge after initiation”, which summarily draws out the desired

freemason’s outlook.

Although it is seen as one of the primary duties to which every freemason need to

adhere to, not many words are found to define the same and like most other things

within freemasonry it is open to individual’s interpretation. In fact each word or

sentence in our ancient traditions, landmarks and ceremonial can be compared with

Sanskrit word “Sutra” which literally means thread or lines that hold the things

together and may also be equated to “hint” or “Link” in contemporary context. Each

”Sutra” or thread is open in nature therefore it can become the base of the Great

Scripture or for that matter a Law. Catching or contemplating on one of them will

commensurate ones' Masonic journey.

For example,

“What freemasonry defines in one single term “Brotherhood” -is intricately

defined in volumes of Civil and Tax acts……….. Surprised??? Just

contemplate on the above simple statement and simply draw the essence…

sharing and caring (Key words around which these laws are formed) becomes so easy

ones you understand this small term- Brotherhood and expand the concept to

the outside world. The sense of ownership or ego will get morphed to

collectiveness and you would be more servable to your fellow creatures”

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This example beautifully summarizes the essence of Freemasonry because

understanding and implementing the symbolism of One Word is equivalent to Study

of many Religious books or concepts. The Renowned Indian Poet ‘Kabir’ has

described somewhat similar concept in one of his famous couplet-‘dohe’-

“Pothi padi padi jag muaahuaa na pandit koy

Dhai Aakhar Prem Ka Jo Pade So Pandit Hoye”

or “A person who understand Love should be exalted as Priest”.

To catch hold of such “Sutras” which are spread throughout the Masonic traditions

and are judicially veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols, we must allow our

intuitive mind to spread its sublime tentacle in expanding our knowledge in various

things that are specific to fraternity. The most obvious ways are to have a serious

and humble approach towards ritual working, reading books on History of Fraternity

and other Masonic topics and by examining the ways to apply its teachings. Drawing

an analogue to the ritual working; all throughout our Indian traditions, knowing the

essence and becoming “kanaThasth- Learned by heart” carries lot of weight in an

individual spiritual journey, because the words have tendency of talking to you on

altogether different level once you do understand it. However, It should be noted that

one should not be promoting sound memory reception but enough attentive reading

so that one can imbibe the essence. In addition to this process, Freemasonry

certainly adds drama and visual element to the words so that people are even more

receptive in their approach and accept it as a way of Life because it offers a solid

foundation to varied expressions of an individual member with different backgrounds.

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The aforesaid are certainly some of the definite examples of daily Progress of

Masonic Knowledge and can be referred as the axis-mundi or the foundation stone

of Freemasonry.

“But does that mean that one should feel lost in our ancient and honorable
institution if we don’t dedicate our time specifically on some Masonic topic? ”

Although developing such skills by exertions are primary objective of a Freemason,

but their are certainly other categories of Knowledge that can be applied to the

phrase, because Freemasonry exist as an expression of individual members, who is

exhorted to raise a superstructure perfect in parts and honorable to builder by

dedicating his pursuit in direction of seven Liberal Art and Sciences namely,

Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy. Though our

Art (Sutra) is based on Geometry we are encouraged to develop other Arts because

seven and more make it perfect, which in contemporary term means inclusion of all

other Liberal Arts and sciences, namely biology, physics, chemistry, medicine, Law,

psychology, etc.

“ But does that mean pursuing our profession or interest fulfill our

obligation?”

The Above statement brings us to the second stave or rung of the ladder, which

makes us understand that “Freemasonry is only like a medium and the colour

within us is needed to paint this universe”. To summarize the above argument,

Masonic Knowledge may be correctly described as the knowledge of every day’s life

seen from Masonic point of view. It is a way of Personal and spiritual growth by

understanding the physical world we exist in.

Let us look at some definite examples from biological point of View to further

strengthen this argument because understanding the body’s wisdom is probably one

of the best entry points into hidden dimensions of Life and also towards

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understanding various virtues that are inbuilt in our ancient traditions, landmarks and

ceremonial of our order. Developing understanding of body (Synonyms of Lodge)

and its constituents like cells (Individual member of Lodge) enable us imbibe our

relation to Lodge or for that matter to creation in General.

Following are various characteristics of our cells that continuously teach us various

merits that are synonymous with ceremonials of lodge: -

1. Every cell in our body agrees to work for the welfare of whole. So

SELFISHNESS IS NOT AN OPTION. Its individual welfare comes

second. Likewise Freemasonry teaches its members not to work in

selfish mode or create a segregate environment and thereby loose the

very essence of Lodge.

2. Cells keep in touch with other cells. So WITHDRAWING OR

REFUSING TO COMMUNICATE IS NOT AN OPTION. Likewise

Freemasonry by it tenets teaches the importance of communication

between its members which promoted the harmony without which any

entity looses its direction. A society can only become vibrant if brethren

communicate and express their feelings. Communication allows us to

bypass all misconception, which we inherit by supposition.

3. Cell adept from moment to moment. So GETTING CAUGHT IN RIGID

HABITS IS NOT AN OPTION. The very fact that Freemasonry comes

from adaptation of Ancient Masonry means that process should go on

or we will one day become stagnant. History does matter but what

about the present where the seed of Future rest.

4. Cells recognize each other equally important. So GOING ALONE IS

NOT AN OPTION. This Bring us to very interesting story of old days

where an argument broke between various parts of the body regarding

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their supremacy and guess what? Even they understood that they are

all equal. Which our lodge recognizes by closing the Lodge on level

where we acknowledge importance of every individual though during

certain period of time when the lodge was open, some members were

more active. There is one more interesting argument, which is worth

mentioning here is that Quantum physics accept that if one is able to

destroy one atom the whole Universe will loose its identity.

5. Cells combine their functions in unique ways. So CLINGING TO OLD

BEHAVIOR IS NOT AN OPTION. For Example Stomach know how to

digest food it has never encountered. In the same manner

Freemasonry does not recognizes rigidity because it is flaccid in nature

so that it is accepted as the way of life by its members which is not

restricted by Religion, politics, nationality, etc.

6. Cells obey the Universal cycle of rest and activity. So BEING

OBSESSIVELY ACTIVE OR SILIENT IS NOT AN OPTION. Likewise

Freemasons are directed in their very first encounter with the institution

that “ Rashly attempt to rush forward or to retreat is not acceptable”.

every member of Lodge undergoes eight years of working up the

Ladder of offices performing various roles and then adapt to

supervisory roles but nowhere he is allowed to be excessively silent or

active.

7. Cells function on least amount of energy and trust totally on being

provided. So NOT TRUSTING IS NOT AN OPTION. Likewise

Freemasonry teaches brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God and

not trusting a brother is not accepted. Similarly BEING AN OUTCAST

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IS NOT AN OPTION because like cells we are from the same “stem

cell” or from same Source/God.

8. Primary activity of cells is giving, which maintains the integrity of all

other cells. Total commitment to giving makes receiving automatic. So

HOARDING IS NOT AN OPTION. One must understand that the

energy in any form needs to be continuously circulated. This particular

act is one of core learning in freemasonry where the new candidate is

asked, “If you were not so deprived would you give freely”.

There is an old story of “Panchtantra” which needs to be mentioned

here to experience this concept. Long time ago God invited both

“Devatas” (Angels) and “Dananv” (Demons) in an assembly for Lunch

but attached 7-foot long spoons to their Arms. While demons struggled

to eat their part by mouth since eating with hands was not possible;

Angels offered each other Food with long spoon. Thereby achieving a

handsome meal. Giving made them Receive.

9. Cells reproduce in order to pass their knowledge, experience, and

talent, without holding anything from their offspring. So THE

GENERATION GAP IS NOT AN OPTION. Likewise in freemasonry a

newly admitted member is guided by holding his hand not only are

rituals and ceremonies but also by a continuous mentoring by senior

brethren of various faces of his life.

10. All the Above points states the relationship between various Cell,

however body also offers learning on another dimension, which is

simply done by raising the conscious on level of body. The above

statements or learning can be re-looked with different view as under:-

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i) Cells conscious can be called “Ego” whose aim should be

unite with the Body conscious. Will you, as body would like

your cell fighting and creating a Cancer like situation?

ii) Does death of a Cell is death of Body? Should we lament for

our dead cells? Are their any Bad or Good cells? What more

evidence do we need to Feel that we are Spiritual being and

our present situation states only the present level of

conscious waiting to Grow into THE ONE.

What we have looked in above argument are none less than Spiritual pact and its

spread can be verified not only in Freemasonry but also in Volumes of sacred laws of

various religions. Same parallel can be drawn from any Liberal Art because Truth is

one and can be reached from different Paths (Sutras). For these reasons the Lodges

should encourage to include members of varied background. A Good Mix of Culture

and Profession in a Lodge promote understanding the concept (Sutras) from many

different angles and help its member to become a “Perfect Mason”. Importance

should be given on intuitive nature to advance each day with such questions and

learning so that he can apply them in his daily life. It is within these questions that

the daily advancement lays.

Such understandings of our daily advancement brings us to the third and final rung

of ladder or back to full circle or more specifically to the symbol circumpunct (the

Point within a circle from which every Point is Equidistant), Because what is

spiritual is not defined in volumes but one word “Brotherhood”. The secret of

Freemasonry is told to newly initiate in the very first meeting but is made to travel

along the circle till he realize that it is the POINT which is guiding his Masonic

journey.

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