idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 For some reason I've experienced an urge quite recently to look into and possible join Freemasonry. Anyone have any thoughts on Freemasonry as a modern mystery school? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 3, 2015 For some reason I've experienced an urge quite recently to look into and possible join Freemasonry. Anyone have any thoughts on Freemasonry as a modern mystery school? I believe it's by invitation only. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 I believe it's by invitation only. Where I am located, their numbers are dwindling. I have a family friend who is head of another lodge and have spoken to him before about it. It may be an issue, I'm not sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 3, 2015 Where I am located, their numbers are dwindling. I have a family friend who is head of another lodge and have spoken to him before about it. It may be an issue, I'm not sure. I've been to a couple of big 'family' oriented open nights through a master of a lodge in London. It seems to be more of a club than anything else and a good place to network. I was never witness to anything ceremonial of course, just food, alcohol and dancing. Never been asked to join as I don't imagine I fit the profile- far too independent and incorruptible for any club that would have me :-) I've known a few masons and I've never been asked, but it's not my scene. It's not as if it's a big cult thing and I doubt you will see much of the mystery school element in the lower order, local lodges. Like many of these clubs, the high seats are reserved for those who already hold power/prestige. You will probably end up doing a bit of charity work and some mild socialising. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 So its worthless to join for the mystery school element if you don't hold power or prestige, I see. Its interesting why I've had the tug recently to look into it further. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 3, 2015 So its worthless to join for the mystery school element if you don't hold power or prestige, I see. Its interesting why I've had the tug recently to look into it further. In my opinion. From research I have done I deem it unlikely that you will be initiated into anything particularly mysterious, but, so what, life is for new experiences so why not give it a go anyway ? At worst you will meet some people you aren't particularly in tune with, at best it might open new doors and opportunities. I think you can go along to meetings under a chaperone to see if you want to join. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 But there is mystery in the 3 degrees of Craft Masonry, which anyone can be initiated into. I guess it depends if you can read between the lines and see the symbols. I put in an online inquiry. So I'll see where it takes me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) But there is mystery in the 3 degrees of Craft Masonry, which anyone can be initiated into. I guess it depends if you can read between the lines and see the symbols. I put in an online inquiry. So I'll see where it takes me. What do you want to find out ? As a kind of intro but it's really a bit of the symbolism of the mystery schools vs what underlies the symbolism. I think this is pretty much universal. I'm guessing you recognise the symbolism has a deeper meaning, so, at risk of having my tongue cut out etc.... :-) Edited September 3, 2015 by Karl 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 What I have come to think, is how can anyone not think there is a deeper meaning behind the rituals. The rituals are steeped in the occult knowledge, hidden behind symbols. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aetherous Posted September 3, 2015 I believe it's by invitation only. Actually that's against their tenets. Prospective members have to petition in...just go there and ask about it. I haven't joined personally, but have heard that if you're wanting to know a bunch of occult stuff, it's not the place to look. However, it's what they say, a symbolic system of morality. However, this just comes from what I've heard, so take that as it is...basically gossip. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 So they have rituals but don't really explain it? It's up to the person to delve deeper to find the meaning behind them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 3, 2015 Going to the local Lodge and expecting mysterious ritual is rather like going to the local Church and experiencing the mystic alchemy of the Rosacrucians. Most organisations are just nice clubs, and most members just clubbable members. I once witnessed our local Lodge emtying after a meeting. They were smartly dressed, but just very regular chaps. You can tell by looking at them, the way they walk, the way they talk. Just blokes socialising and making contacts. But I still think you should go along if you're feeling that interest. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 The reason why I like this forum, is I feel I am dealing with people with a similar interest in spirituality/enlightenment. I was hoping this would be the same in freemasonry but from the input in this thread, it doesn't seem to be the case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 3, 2015 What I have come to think, is how can anyone not think there is a deeper meaning behind the rituals. The rituals are steeped in the occult knowledge, hidden behind symbols. Did you watch the video I posted ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 Not yet I'm in bed on my phone. I will though. I have recently taken a keen interest in gnosticism as I'm practising celibacy at the moment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 3, 2015 Not yet I'm in bed on my phone. I will though. I have recently taken a keen interest in gnosticism as I'm practising celibacy at the moment. I've come at this from the ground up so my understanding is via the Trivium and Quadrivium. I knew and studied a lot of the mystery school stuff prior to finding the Trivium. I discovered that the mystery schools are mostly obsfucations of their true form. It became very frustrating trying to pick the way through multiple contradictory to explanations. There is such a fragmentation that it becomes clear that either the whole thing is just a big pile of mystic woo woo, or the key to seeing it has been omitted. The church holds the key, but they have reversed the Trivium method in order to conceal understanding by putting logic before grammar. If you go at this piece meal fashion or get involved in lower order cults then you will not find clarity, at worst it is will be confusion and at best it will be cult control. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idiot_stimpy Posted September 3, 2015 I come from a different place of study through Buddhism. The insights I have gained through the teachings of Buddhism has allowed me to connect the dots in the western mystery school tradition. I understand what you mean though, and its that very reason I pursued the teachings of the eastern religions as they were more widely available and not under lock and key. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 3, 2015 I come from a different place of study through Buddhism. The insights I have gained through the teachings of Buddhism has allowed me to connect the dots in the western mystery school tradition. I understand what you mean though, and its that very reason I pursued the teachings of the eastern religions as they were more widely available and not under lock and key. Yes, Buddhism and now I find Taoism has the same framework. Both are mentioned within the video. It was the Hebrews that seem to have put it all together. The problem with both Eastern religions is the interpretation. First 'eyes to see them' and 'lips that we might tell'. However, I think everyone here is pretty much trying to find the same thing in a uniquely individual way. As it says on the video, there are those in the pyramid structure and those who are wandering about in the desert. Most of us are having our 40 years in the desert and some of us still have a foot in the platonic pyramidal hierarchy as shown on the dollar bill. "Buying a stairway to heaven" so to speak. So become the rock and not the roll. There are two paths you can go down...even though there is a sign on the wall but, it's words can have two meanings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 3, 2015 Actually that's against their tenets. Prospective members have to petition in...just go there and ask about it. I haven't joined personally, but have heard that if you're wanting to know a bunch of occult stuff, it's not the place to look. However, it's what they say, a symbolic system of morality. However, this just comes from what I've heard, so take that as it is...basically gossip. Which means petitioners to support the application. Those I know about have most definitely been asked to join which I would assume is the first petitioner ? Like you I don't know much about it, but the fancy do's are excellent. I was casting an eye over many celebrities of stage and screen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rara Posted September 3, 2015 For some reason I've experienced an urge quite recently to look into and possible join Freemasonry. Anyone have any thoughts on Freemasonry as a modern mystery school? Worth looking at. I've been invited once...I know a couple. Didn't seem like my cup of tea though. It means showing up to stuff and I'm not into all that. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manitou Posted September 3, 2015 I would really recommend anything Manley Hall has written on Freemasonry. He is an astoundingly metaphysical writer, and was a 33rd degree Mason. A few months back I read an 800 page opus called Morals and Dogma, by Albert Pike. This is an incredible work that suffers under that incredibly boring title - but it is fascinating to one who walks the path. If you can find it, Stimpy, I would really recommend it. It was a little pricey on the internet (maybe $60) and hard to find. On the front page of the work is written the following in large bold letters: "Esoteric book, for Scottish Rite use only; to be returned upon withdrawal or death of recipient" I feel lucky to have found it. Within this book, one chapter at a time, all the degrees from the 1st to the 32nd are fully described. It goes to the inner character of the man who is going up in 'rank' (although it's more 'service' rather than 'rank' within the Freemasonry structure). It draws upon every religion in the world for its wisdom, and a man who has achieved the rank of 33rd degree is the I Am consciousness. The funny thing is - the descriptions of the man's readiness only goes up to the 32nd degree. There is nothing at all written about the 33rd degree, lol. It is ineffable. Stimpy, I think the Scottish Rite thing might be right up your alley. The only problem is, you should probably enter the hierarchy around the 30th degree, lol. For you to enter at the level of 1st degree would be a bit of an insult to your intelligence. But if you're terribly patient, it'll pay off. If you desperately want to find Morals and Dogma and can't, let me know and I will loan this to you. It'll be about a year's loan though - it takes a great while to get through it. Oh well - there's always the Blue Lodge. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SonOfTheGods Posted September 3, 2015 For some reason I've experienced an urge quite recently to look into and possible join Freemasonry. Anyone have any thoughts on Freemasonry as a modern mystery school? It's useless if you're looking for "mysteries/insights" of any kind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aetherous Posted September 3, 2015 Which means petitioners to support the application. Those I know about have most definitely been asked to join which I would assume is the first petitioner ? They weren't supposed to be invited or asked to join. The way it works is that you meet some of the masons first after inquiring about joining the lodge of your own free will, and then they vouch for you (or not) when the time comes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tibetan_Ice Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) ... "Buying a stairway to heaven" so to speak. So become the rock and not the roll. There are two paths you can go down...even though there is a sign on the wall but, it's words can have two meanings. It is "to be a rock and not TO roll". I guess you didn't "listen very hard"... Edited September 3, 2015 by Tibetan_Ice Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted September 4, 2015 (edited) For some reason I've experienced an urge quite recently to look into and possible join Freemasonry. Anyone have any thoughts on Freemasonry as a modern mystery school? I think it has value ... and if you can extract it, great value. Its up to you ... and you have a head start due to your other studies and experiences. Entering it with the intention you have ( which is not base ; like a desire to impress, or gain business advantage ) you will seek the gold. And there is gold within. I have more to say on it, but I think I will bounce off some other posts. I do think that some modern mystery schools have more reverence , as they are more modern, and deal with more modern issues externally, and are often more up to date with a modern psychology. However, most are derived in someway from Freemasonry. Edited September 4, 2015 by Nungali 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
