Patterns in Contemplative Life, Part 5: Contemplation, Virtue, and Light
Just as we previously noted that contemplative practice can lead us to more fully appreciate our lack of complete self-awareness and self-control, it can also lead … Read More
Patterns in Contemplative Life, Part 4: Mystery and Apprenticeship
When making a sincere effort at contemplative practice, one cannot fail to make some important observations about consciousness. In this part of the series, we’ll consider … Read More
Patterns in Contemplative Life, Part 3: A Way of Being Versus a Thing for Doing
In Part 2 of this series, I mentioned the 24-inch Gauge and its relevance to cycles of labor and refreshment in contemplative practice. There are limits … Read More
Patterns in Contemplative Life, Part 2: Labor and Refreshment
In Part 1 of this series, I spoke about responding to perceived resistance to our practice from the world around us. One of the implicit factors … Read More
Patterns in Contemplative Life, Part 1: Remembering the Trestleboard
As a contemplative practitioner, facilitator, teacher, and consultant for many years, I’ve had the opportunity to observe certain recurring patterns in contemplative life. I’m talking about … Read More
On The Shadows of Masonry
Masonry is a tradition of philosophical and spiritual light. It paints beautiful pictures about love and virtue, tells inspiring stories from the mythic and historic past … Read More
A Masonic Response to Media Manipulation
I’ve been working on this essay for weeks. One of the reasons I wanted to write it is because I’m becoming very concerned about political … Read More
Spiritual Knighthood for the Common Good
Originally published in the September 2020 edition of The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason magazine. The title of this piece highlights a theme of immense importance in … Read More
Remembering John Miller
This morning, January 2, 2021, I got some sad news. My teacher, mentor, and dear friend, John F. Miller, III, passed away last night from COVID. … Read More
Genuine Shadow Work
After I posted a recent essay, Ego, Self-Improvement, and Shadow Work, a brother engaged me in an interesting discussion. His point was that he knows some … Read More