Past Master Syndrome
Past Masters, Skateboarding and Applying Jordan Peterson's 11th Rule in the Masonic Journey.
Statler and Waldorf are two beloved characters from the long-running television show "The Muppets." Bet you didn’t know their names? They're best known for their habit of heckling and making sarcastic remarks about the show's performances from their balcony seats.
At 35 years old, but having been in the Craft for 16 years, with 10 of them as an Installed Master - When sitting in the East, these two characters serve as a reminder to let those coming through, come through. To Learn, Make Mistakes, Grow & Teach Me Something.
Picture this: a child, enthusiastic and wide-eyed, steps onto a skateboard for the first time. They teeter, they totter, and quite likely, they tumble. But, resilient and eager, they hop right back on, slowly but surely improving their skill.
Such is the vibrant scene Jordan Peterson paints in his eleventh rule for life: "Do not bother children when they are skateboarding." It's a call for balancing protection with the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. It's about the value of resilience, risk-taking, and the autonomy to discover through trial and error.
The child can be a metaphor for a new Mason or a Brother embarking on Progressive Office for the first time. It can also be an allegory for our “inner-child”, which as we age continually is suppressed.
But also, for us in Freemasonry, this rule resonates on multiple levels.
The Progressive Science of Masonry
Freemasonry is often said to be a progressive science. It encourages an incremental growth of knowledge through a sequence of degrees, symbolizing a mason's progressive understanding of life's deeper meanings.
In parallel, a lodge's operations follow a "progressive office" system. This system sees each Mason who takes on progressive office ascend annually through positions of increasing responsibility. Like a child on their skateboard, gradually mastering more complex maneuvers, a mason, too, progressively hones their skills and understanding, eventually ascending to the role of the Master of the Lodge.
However, this journey of progression is not just about reaching the highest office. It's a continuous path of self-improvement, a relentless quest for knowledge, and an enduring commitment to our masonic principles.
The Pain of Complacency
Regrettably, like an expert skateboarder who stops learning new tricks, masons too can fall prey to stagnation, particularly after serving as a Master.
Coined as the "Past Master Syndrome".
It's when Past Masters resist change, stifle younger voices, and undervalue continuous self-improvement.
It's akin to a skilled skateboarder hogging the park, unwilling to give the newer ones a chance to learn and grow.
This stagnation can choke the progressive spirit of Freemasonry, casting a pall over the lodge and discouraging newer members from pushing their boundaries and taking risks. Like the overprotective parent who inhibits the child's freedom to fall and learn from skateboarding, overbearing Past Masters can inadvertently dampen the vibrant spirit of exploration and growth within the lodge.
The Necessity of the Skatepark
So, why should we heed Peterson's rule within our lodges, and of course our daily lives.
Just as a child needs the liberty to skateboard, to fall, to learn, we need to encourage risk-taking, curiosity, and resilience in our masonic and life’s journey.
Our lodges are meant to be skateparks - spaces for individual growth and collective progress.
They provide a supportive environment for members to take calculated risks, try new things, and learn from both success and failure.
Just as skaters aid one another in learning new tricks or helping a fallen comrade to their feet, as Masons, we are also there to provide guidance, support, and constructive feedback to each other. This dynamic not only encourages personal development but also strengthens the bonds between members, fostering a brotherhood that is unified in its pursuit of self-improvement and mutual assistance. And, much like a skatepark, a lodge isn't defined by stagnation - it is a living, evolving entity, reshaped and redefined by the actions and progress of its members.
Fostering this spirit prevents stagnation, ensuring a continuous dedication to the masonic principles of self-improvement and knowledge acquisition. It gives newer masons the freedom to innovate, to contribute, and to ascend - not just in office, but in their understanding of life and its mysteries.
Steps for Application
Here's how we can apply Peterson's rule to prevent complacency and promote continuous growth within our lodges and our lives.
Encourage Risk-Taking:
This might involve stepping up to take on a new role in the lodge, learning a new charge, or seeking advancement in an appendant order such as the Mark, Royal Arch, or Scottish Rite.
These actions all involve some level of risk, as they require learning new skills, taking on new responsibilities, and potentially stepping out of one's comfort zone.Promote Personal Growth:
Freemasonry inherently encourages personal growth, but individuals can actively pursue this by seeking deeper understanding of Masonic symbols and teachings, engaging in Masonic research, or participating in Masonic education programs.
Past Masters might seek further growth by taking on roles such as District Grand Inspector of Works (DGIW) or participating in Ceremonial Team.Resist Overcontrol:
In the context of lodge leadership, resisting overcontrol might involve allowing newer officers the freedom to make decisions and lead in their own style, even if it differs from past practices.
It might also mean encouraging open dialogue and idea-sharing within the lodge, rather than a few people dominating the decision-making processes.Embrace Challenges:
Learning a new charge, leading a lodge, or moving up in an appendant order are all challenges that can lead to growth.
Even dealing with disagreements or conflicts within a lodge can be an opportunity for growth, if approached with an open mind and a commitment to fraternity and unity.
Conclusion
To be a Freemason is to be a perpetual student of life, much like a child on a skateboard, continually learning, improving, and growing.
We must nurture the spirit of the skateboarder within our lodges, letting resilience, courage, and curiosity drive us forward in our progressive journey.
After all, isn't our path about becoming a better version of ourselves, one trick, one fall, one success at a time?