3 Masonic Secrets to Escaping a Boring Life
Are you trapped in a life that feels as exciting as watching paint dry?
Maybe you're stuck in a soul-crushing 9-to-5 job, mindlessly scrolling through social media every evening, or feeling a gnawing emptiness despite checking all the conventional "success" boxes. You're not alone. Millions of people wake up each day feeling like they're just going through the motions, their lives a monotonous series of uninspiring routines.
Living a boring life is like trying to build a house without any plans or even a picture of what it should look like. You might lay a few bricks here, hammer some boards there, but ultimately, you end up with a haphazard structure that's neither stable nor satisfying. It's functional, sure - you have a roof over your head - but it's far from the dream home you always imagined.
For over 300 years Freemasonry has tought three powerful secrets that can transform this structureless, uninspiring existence into a well-designed, purposeful life. These Masonic principles aren't quick fixes or shortcuts. Instead, they're time-tested tools for architecting a life of meaning and excitement, much like the ancient stonemasons built cathedrals that have inspired awe for centuries.
In this edition of Daily Masonic Progress, I'm going to unveil these three Masonic secrets that will revolutionize how you build your life:
I'll reveal the hidden blueprint for a purposeful existence,
show you how to lay an unshakeable foundation for personal fulfillment, and
demonstrate why gradual, intentional progress beats aimless drifting every time.
Plus, I'll share a counterintuitive Masonic technique that will transform you from a bored, passive observer into the master architect of your own thrilling life story.
Secret #1
Imagine setting out to build not just any house, but a magnificent cathedral that will take years to complete. This is the essence of our first Masonic secret: setting the specific goal of becoming Worshipful Master of your lodge.
Becoming Worshipful Master is a goal that typically takes at least 7-8 years of dedicated effort and learning to achieve. This isn't a goal you can rush or skip steps to reach. It requires you to go through a structured process, meeting specific criteria at each stage of your journey.
What makes this goal truly powerful is that it has zero material value. To the outside world, especially non-Masons, the title of Worshipful Master holds no significance. It's not about gaining wealth, fame, or external validation. Instead, it's about personal growth, service to others, and the pursuit of moral and spiritual excellence.
In Masonry, we use the rough and perfect ashlars to symbolize our journey of self-improvement. The goal of becoming Worshipful Master is like committing to transform yourself from a rough stone into a perfectly squared building block, fit for a cathedral's walls.
To apply this secret in your life:
Set a long-term, meaningful goal that will take years to achieve.
Ensure this goal is about personal growth, not material gain.
Break down the path to your goal into clear, structured steps.
Commit to consistent effort, knowing that shortcuts aren't possible.
Remember, the journey to Worshipful Master, like building a cathedral, is about the transformative process as much as the end result.
Now that we've set our grand goal, you might be wondering, "What are the steps in this journey? How do I progress towards becoming a Worshipful Master?" This brings us to our next Masonic secret.
Secret #2
Imagine constructing a six-story building, where each floor not only adds height but also deepens your understanding of architecture and enhances your building skills.
This is the essence of our second Masonic secret: the system of progressive offices.
In order to become the Worshipful Master, each mason must embark on a journey through six distinct offices in the lodge. This isn't a race to the top; it's a deliberate, year-by-year progression. You can only move up one office per year, ensuring that you fully absorb the lessons and responsibilities of each role.
This structured progression is like erecting a building, with each office representing a new floor:
Inner Guard: The foundation of your Masonic edifice. Here, you learn the importance of security and proper procedure, guarding the lodge so only qualified masons can enter. You begin to understand the significance of ritual and form in Masonic work.
Junior Deacon: As you rise to this level, you start to play a more active role in lodge ceremonies. You conduct candidates through the ceremony of initiation
Senior Deacon: At this height, your involvement in ritual work deepens. You take on more responsibility in ceremonies, particularly in guiding candidates through both the second and third degree. Your understanding of Masonic symbolism and philosophy expands significantly.
Junior Warden: Reaching this floor, you begin to take on the first of the leadership responsibilities. You oversee the lodge’s social functions, including the festive board that follows each meeting and play a crucial role in the admission of visitors. Your duty to ensure the integrity of the lodge becomes paramount.
Senior Warden: As you near the top, you work closely with the Worshipful Master in governing the lodge. You're responsible for the brethren during labor, it’s here you learn about lodge operations and deepening your understanding of leadership and lodge management.
Worshipful Master: The pinnacle of your Masonic edifice. Here, you oversee the entire lodge, applying all the knowledge and skills you've gained through your journey.
What makes this progression truly transformative is that through each office, you must learn and understand the ritual and ceremony of all three degrees of Freemasonry.
This isn't mere memorization; it's a curriculum for internalizing the profound lessons Freemasonry teaches. It's like learning not just how to build each floor, but understanding the principles of architecture that make the entire structure sound.
In Masonry, we learn that progression through these offices is not like taking an elevator to the top floor. There are no shortcuts or express routes. Each office is like a flight of stairs that you must personally climb, step by step. Your ascent to the next level is earned through merit, dedication, and proficiency in your current role. Just as a builder must prove their skill at each level before being entrusted with more complex tasks, a Mason must demonstrate their understanding and capability in each office before progressing to the next.
To apply this secret in constructing your life:
Embrace a step-by-step approach to your goals. Don't try to skip floors in your personal development.
For each 'level' you progress, commit to learning not just the what, but the why behind your responsibilities.
Understand that each position, no matter how small it seems, is crucial to your overall growth and the stability of your life's edifice.
Take time to reflect on and internalize the lessons from each 'floor' before moving to the next.
Remember, a sturdy, impressive building isn't constructed overnight. It rises gradually, with each floor built upon the knowledge and strength of those below it.
Now that we understand the importance of gradual elevation through progressive offices, you might be wondering, "What's the foundation that supports this entire structure?" This brings us to our final Masonic secret - the bedrock upon which all else is built.
Secret #3
Imagine trying to build a skyscraper on sand. No matter how well-designed your building or how skilled your workers, without a solid foundation, the entire structure would be unstable and prone to collapse. This brings us to our third and final Masonic secret: the three degrees of Freemasonry.
But before you can even think about climbing the progressive offices, you must first complete the first three degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These degrees aren't just hurdles to clear; they're the bedrock upon which your entire Masonic journey - and by extension, your journey to a meaningful life - is built.
Let's explore each degree as if we're laying the foundation for our life's cathedral:
Entered Apprentice: This is where we break ground. Like learning to mix mortar and lay bricks, you're introduced to the basic tools of moral self-improvement. You learn the importance of faith, hope, and charity, and begin to understand the symbolic language of Freemasonry.
Fellow Craft: Now we're pouring the concrete of our foundation. This degree emphasizes the importance of education and personal growth. You delve deeper into Masonic symbolism and philosophy, much like an apprentice builder learning the intricacies of architecture and engineering.
Master Mason: This is where we cap our foundation, making it strong enough to support the weight of a lifetime of growth. You're taught profound lessons about integrity, morality, and the contemplation of your own mortality. It's like adding steel reinforcement to concrete, ensuring your foundation can weather any storm.
What makes these degrees truly transformative is that they can't be rushed. It typically takes 1-2 years to properly complete them, requiring regular study and demonstrated proficiency at each level. This isn't about memorizing facts; it's about internalizing wisdom and applying it to your life.
In Masonry, we use the rough and perfect ashlars to symbolize this journey. The rough ashlar represents man in his crude, natural state. The perfect ashlar represents that same man, refined and improved through education, moral development, and self-discipline. The work of transforming the rough ashlar into the perfect ashlar is the work of a lifetime, but it begins with these three degrees.
To apply this secret in building your life's foundation:
Embrace the role of a lifelong learner. Like the Entered Apprentice, always be ready to learn new skills and perspectives.
Cultivate a broad base of knowledge. Like the Fellow Craft, understand that wisdom comes from many sources.
Reflect deeply on your values and purpose. Like the Master Mason, regularly contemplate the deeper meanings of life and your role in it.
Take the time to build your foundation properly. Don't rush through important life lessons or personal development stages.
Remember, the grandest cathedrals took decades to build, but they've stood for centuries because of their solid foundations. Your life's work deserves the same patient, purposeful approach.
Conclusion
As we've seen, these three Masonic secrets, which aren’t actual secrets but they do feel like it because we overlook how the peculair system of morality that is Freemasonry provides us with a way to escape a boring life.
Setting a worthy long-term goal,
Progressing gradually through increasing responsibilities, and
Building a solid foundation of knowledge and character
These “secrets” work together to transform a boring, aimless existence into a life of purpose and meaning.
The journey to becoming Worshipful Master, much like the journey to building a fulfilling life, isn't about reaching a destination.
It's about the transformation that occurs along the way. As you apply these secrets, you'll find yourself becoming not just a better leader or a more knowledgeable person, but a more complete, purposeful human being.