Are You Missing Masonic Light?

You sit in your car after another lodge meeting, feeling lost and empty.

The symbols and allegories from the ceremony you've witnessed seem like a jumbled mess, leaving you wondering if you're wasting your time and money on Freemasonry.

Like many other Masons in this situation, you fear you're missing out on the real secrets and the true wisdom of the craft, but also torn between the commitment you made and with the growing disappointment in your lack of progress.

The promise of enlightenment that drew you to Freemasonry now feels like a distant dream, overshadowed by confusion and doubt. You question whether you'll ever truly understand the profound teachings hidden within the craft's ancient traditions.

What if there was a way to unlock the hidden wisdom of Freemasonry?

Many brothers struggle to retain and understand the teachings presented in lodge, leaving them feeling stuck and frustrated. But there is a “working tool” that can change everything.

By using this working tool, you'll discovery the deeper meanings behind our symbols, allegories and ceremonies to connect the dots where seemingly unrelated lessons then start to form a coherent philosophy.

This practice will transform abstract concepts into practical wisdom, but allow you to apply Masonic principles in your daily life.

Well the working tool of a Thinking Mason is the Journal.

When you consistently journal, you'll find yourself growing not just as a Mason, but as a person. The confusion you once felt will give way to clarity, and your Masonic journey will become a source of profound personal meaning and lifelong growth.

But what about the secrects you've promised to uphold?

The fear of accidentally writing down things you've promised to keep private can be paralyzing, leaving you staring at a blank page, unsure where to start or if it’s ok even start.

Remember, the secrets are how we demonstrate to each other that we are Masons, while the mysteries are like "spoilers" to the ceremonies.

Just as you wouldn't tell someone who has never seen the Avengers Engame that in order to defeat Thanos, Iron Man...

Now, you get the point.

So what can you write if you promised not to?

You can write about them in a general or abstract way, just don't state what they are.

To journal safely about your Masonic journey, focus on your personal reactions, your thoughts and interpretations rather than specific ritual details. Your journal is about your growth, not about revealing lodge secrets.

Consider structuring your entries around questions like: "What did I learn today?", "How did this lesson make me feel?" or “This is what I think this means”.

Rather than detailing the exact words or actions of a ceremony, write about the emotions it evoked or the thoughts it sparked.

For example, instead of describing a specific handshake, you might write about the sense of brotherhood it instilled in you, or describe how it represents a communication of trust and commitment to uphold a promise.

Remember, your Masonic journal is a personal tool for reflection and growth. It's not meant to be a transcript of lodge proceedings or a guide for non-Masons.

By focusing on your personal journey and insights, you can maintain the integrity of your Masonic obligations while still reaping the benefits of journaling.

As you continue journaling, you'll start to see connections between different Masonic teachings.

Suddenly, a symbol's meaning becomes clear, or you recognize a pattern in the lessons you've been taught. You realize the 24 Inch Gauge, while talking about time management, is also an allegory about a process for measuring anything before you start a project or task.

This is the power of Masonic journaling – it helps you construct your own temple of knowledge, brick by brick.

The beauty of this process is that it's entirely personal. Your insights and interpretations are unique to you, shaped by your experiences both inside and outside the lodge.

For instance, you might find that the lesson of the Plumb Line resonates with your professional life, helping you maintain integrity in challenging work situations. Or perhaps the concept of the Rough and Perfect Ashlars takes on new meaning as you reflect on your personal growth journey.

As you journal, you might start to notice themes emerging in your writings. Perhaps you find yourself frequently reflecting on the importance of brotherly love, or maybe the concept of self-improvement comes up often. These recurring themes can provide valuable insights into what aspects of Freemasonry resonate most deeply with you.

Moreover, your journal becomes a record of your Masonic journey. Months or years down the line, you can look back at your earlier entries and see how far you've come.

You might be surprised to find that concepts that once confused you now seem clear, or that lessons you initially overlooked have become central to your understanding of the craft and more prevelant in your daily life than you expected.

This process of connection and realization is at the heart of Masonic enlightenment.

Through journaling, you're not just passively receiving knowledge, but actively engaging with it, questioning it, and making it your own. This is how Freemasonry transforms from a set of rites & ceremonies and allegories & symbols into a living, breathing way of life.

Despite your growing insights, you might feel frustrated that you're not seeing immediate changes in your daily life.

You understand the lessons intellectually, but applying them in real-world situations proves challenging. For instance, you might struggle to apply the principle of brotherly love when dealing with a difficult coworker.

Or you may find it hard to practice temperance in the face of life's many temptations.

This gap between theory and practice can make you question the value of your journaling efforts. You might wonder if all this reflection is actually making a difference in your life.

But how do you really benefit from writing a Masonic Journal?

Well the key to the Masonic Journal and the the key to truly benefiting from Freemasonry lies in actively integrating its lessons into your daily life.

Use your journal to analyze past events through a Masonic lens.

For example, reflect on how you could have used temperance in a recent argument.

Then, plan how to apply Masonic principles in the future, such as using justice and brotherly love in an upcoming team meeting. This shift from passive learning to active application is where the true power of Masonic journaling emerges.

Start by identifying specific Masonic principles you want to focus on.

It could be the cardinal virtues of Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice, or broader concepts like Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Maybe it’s specific phrases and lessons from the different charges and parts of the ceremonies.

In your journal, write about situations in your daily life where these principles could be applied.

For instance, if you're focusing on Brotherly Love, you might write about a challenging relationship at work. Reflect on how you've been approaching this relationship and brainstorm ways you could embody Brotherly Love in your interactions.

Perhaps you could practice active listening or find ways to offer support to your colleague.

Don't just stop at reflection – set goals for yourself.

If you're working on Temperance, you might set a goal to pause and take three deep breaths before responding in stressful situations. Write these goals in your journal and check in regularly to track your progress.

Remember, applying Masonic principles in daily life is a skill that requires practice.

You won't perfect it overnight, but with consistent effort and reflection, you'll start to see changes. Your journal becomes not just a record of your thoughts, but a practical tool for personal transformation.

What if you held the true secret to Masonic wisdom in your hands all along?

Now, you sit in your car after another lodge meeting, how do you feel?

Does energy and purpose fill you.

As your your Masonic journal rests on the passenger seat, it’s now a key to your Masonic progression. Through consistent writing, you've unlocked a deeper understanding of Freemasonry.

Remember when symbols and allegories confused you? Now, they shine bright with wisdom. Each journal entry has turned confusion into comprehension, doubt into certainty.

That fear of missing out on Masonic secrets? Gone. Excitement for future discoveries has replaced it. Your insights have rekindled your commitment, transforming disappointment into pride in your progress.

Lodge meetings, once bewildering, now offer opportunities for exploration.

Freemasonry's promise of enlightenment is no longer a distant dream. It's your reality, illuminated by reflection. You confidently deepen your understanding of the craft's teachings.

In daily life, you apply Masonic principles as practical guides. You face challenges with wisdom, approach relationships with empathy, and navigate life with purpose.

Who knew a pen and blank page could reveal so much Masonic light?