Embracing the Mysteries of Pain
This piece relates to a basic existential problem, which is how we can respond to the sufferings of life so that me may know life’s beauty and bliss more fully.
On Tradition vs. Progress, and Other Conflicts
In a social media group focused on the Rosicrucian (R+C) movement, I recently expressed my appreciation to a poster who highlighted one of the conflicts confronted in that movement, and specifically how it impacted the Order of the Gold and Rosy Cross in the late 1700s.
On the Purposes of Masonry and its Renaissance in the 21st Century
My current views on these issues. The title slide photo is of King Solomon’s Archway in the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple. It was taken by Brother Bob Ash.
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 us to more clearly perceive that the ordinary processes of conscious cognition are not the only things happening in our psyches.
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.
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 to that analogy beyond which some confusion might arise.
Patterns in Contemplative Life, Part 2: Labor and Refreshment
In this article, I draw on Masonic ideas of labor and refreshment to address some issues with discipline and routine, including certain attitudes that may or may not be helpful.
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.
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 about them, and
A Masonic Response to Media Manipulation
The purpose of this piece is to explore how we can use Masonic principles to avoid or extract ourselves from being caught in the webs of psychological manipulation constantly being spun in all types of media.