A value proposition for Pure Ancient Masonry as defined in terms of Citizenship; the allegories, symbolism and lessons are a blueprint for all Freemasons to be a better citizen of the world.
freemasonry
Freemasonry is a free open source protocol for all backgrounds and cultures.
No one person or institution owns or has the global control over Freemasonry.
freemason
A Freemason is made the instant a person seals their obligation at their initiation ceremony based on the Solomon legend.
grand lodge
A Grand Lodge is a centralised masonic institution that limits its members from practising Freemasonry by means of its Constitutions, Grand Lodge Certificates and Private Lodge Warrants.
The thesis for this article series is that Pure Ancient Masonry consists of no more – nor no less – than Three Degrees and the Royal Arch: as stipulated in the Articles of the Union dated 27 December 1813. ( Freemasonry under the English Constitution)
The author is ‘advocating’ that the value proposition presented to existing members and future candidates for initiation, is that Freemasonry under the English Constitution, should be promoted as a four-part offering, conferred in a Craft lodge opened in four stages.
On a practical basis, the Royal Arch Chapter units would be absorbed back into the Craft lodges. The Craft lodge would either conduct meetings in the first three stages, or would be configured as a Chapter and opened in the fourth stage.
Membership of a Pure Ancient Masonry lodge would automatically include all four stages, which completes membership of Pure Ancient Masonry.
to be a good citizen of the world
Secondly, the value proposition for Pure Ancient Masonry is defined in terms of Citizenship; therefore the allegories, symbolism, and lessons will be a blueprint for all Freemasons to be a better citizen of the world.
The world we live in now, and the world we want to leave to our children.
I acknowledge that many Freemasons achieve esoteric and spiritual fulfilment from their Freemasonry.
This series of articles does not intend to replace or challenge that fulfilment. But, on the contrary, to offer an alternative Masonic fulfilment, through leadership and personal skill sets based on the lessons taught in Pure Ancient Masonry.
This is a series of 4 articles;
Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master, and Companion
In order for clarity, each step of this series of articles focuses on the working tools and how symbolically these tools can be used as the working tools to become a better citizen of the world, through leadership and personal development skill sets.
- Entered Apprentice Working tools – preparation for citizenship
- Fellowcraft Working tools – communication skills
- Master Mason Working tools – character building & leadership
- Companion Implements of labour – building relationships & trust
Freemasonry offers so much more symbolism, in the charges, lectures, tracing boards etc.
At the present time, it is left open for the student to investigate and incorporate these lessons into their personal path of a daily advancement of Masonic knowledge.
at the end of life, what really matters
is not what we bought, but what we built;
not what we got, but what we shared;
not our competence, but our character;
and not our success, but our significance.
live a life that matters. live a life of love.
– Unknown
Opportunity to fix the Sussex fudge
Is there a value proposition for members, that under English Constitution Freemasonry, we have a 4 part offering; Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft , Master Mason and Companion, conducted in a single craft lodge ?
more….
Citizenship step 1 – Entered Apprentice
Craftsmanship | technical
Workmanship | ethical
Self discipline | routine
The Apprentice Working tools – Preparation for citizenship
(under the guidance of the Guilds)
The 24 inch gauge – symbolically represents the 24 hours of the day; time management; making time for labour, refreshment, and rest; time for helping others, friends, work colleagues and family; and quiet time for contemplation, meditation, learning and processing.
The Gavel – symbolically represents an open mind set; adopting a positive mental attitude, keeping out vain and unbecoming thoughts which cloud our judgement.
The Chisel – symbolically represents a process of continuous learning and building knowledge.
.. the objective is to structure your own time
and to open your mind to learning new ideas
busy is not a badge of honour
An open mindset, to be willing to understand new ideas without necessarily accepting them.
Knowledge is wealth – learning a little each day is far more effective and achievable than not learning at all, or trying to take in too much too quickly. Also acting on the knowledge. Testing it out. Learning from failures.
Repeated failure does not necessarily mean you should change the goal, but you might want to change the process.
These three skills; time management, open mindset, and learning, need to be continually practised and improved in preparation for citizenship.
To be able to begin to learn the skills required later, that are needed to be a good citizen of the world.
Everyone on our planet has the same amount of time each day: 24 hours – what differentiates people is how they use that time – those same 24 hours.
Don’t work hard, work smart – use smart tools to work for you to save your time, especially repetitive tasks.
Manage your time so that you spend: part in labour and refreshment; part in prayer to god, and meditation; part helping or supporting your friends, family, and neighbours, that should not be detrimental to yourself or connections (your immediate family).
Spending your time listening and helping others is the most valuable commodity you could give to them. If you give them money, it is possible to earn that money back. But to give someone your time, that can never be recovered.
Death puts a value on time. The certain knowledge that your time is a scarce resource, that you only have a finite amount of time left, makes your time your most valuable resource.
Keep your mind open and receptive to new ideas. Keep down all vain and unbecoming thoughts (negative thoughts, close mindset).
An open mindset is critical to learning new ideas, even if you cannot accept them, try to understand them.
Understanding other people’s points of view is essential to working towards achieving a positive outcome.
Continuously learning new ideas/new methods, no matter how small, is required to keep moving forward.
Building smart tools. The world moves forward. If you stand still, as the world moves forward, then you move backwards.
Knowledge and learning will render you a member of a well organised society.
..time, an open mind, and continuous learning
are three working tools
an apprentice citizen
must continually practise
in order to achieve their objective..
In the time of the operative guilds, the apprenticeship (14y to 21y) , was the equivalent of our secondary school education. The apprentice, under the guidance of a Master, and rules set by the Guild, was also required to learn ‘Such the liberal arts and sciences as lie within the compass of their attainment’.
In other words, the apprentice is expected to learn some of the basics of further education. The Seven Liberal Arts, further education, are based on the classic education of the Trivium and Quadrivium.
Our 21st century apprentice should be learning the basics of the modern equivalent of the classics, such as, but not limited to: learning to use computer software, using the internet as an open source university of knowledge, using the smart phone as a communication device.
Use the technology in your place of work to save time. Learn how smart tools can be built to complete repetitive tasks.
Setting a personal target to learn something new each year, not to get a paper qualification, but to learn a new skill.
It could be a science, an art, business/commerce related, a sport, or DIY. Or Freemasonry.
For me Freemasonry is a knowledge base, a blueprint, a tool to develop my citizenship skills.
I am not looking for paper or Masonic qualifications, just the knowledge in the lessons to develop the skills.
In terms of the guild, a person would serve as an Apprentice, and then become a Journeyman or Craftsman.
At a later point he would qualify as a Master, and take on his own apprentice in order to perpetuate the skills of the craft.
He might even become a leading hand, or manager of a small group of masters on a project.
Then later in life, with years of experience, he might become a ruler in the Guild, or someone others turn to for counsel. He becomes a states-craftsman (Statesman).
Next month we look at the working tools of the Craftsman, and how we use these to develop our verbal and non verbal communication skills at a one to one level.
Article by: Nicholas J Broadway
Nicholas was initiated into Freemasonry in 1989 in Stonewell Lodge No. 9137, Essex England (UGLE) and was Master in 1995, 2011 and 2016. He also joined other UGLE craft Lodges and is a PZ in the Royal Arch Chapter.
He acquired the title of The Square Magazine in January 2020 and oversees the technical running of the digital publication.
SQ Leadership & Personal Development Books
Selected Books on Leadership and Personal Development available at Amazon
more….
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