The Working Tools for a Better Man

The Working Tools for a Better Man

By: Editorial

Good intentions don't shape an Ashlar; deliberate work does. This article introduces “humanistical iteration,” a simple framework for making good men better. By applying a craftsman's cycle of trying, reflecting, and refining, you can transform abstract Masonic lessons into real-world virtues and consciously build a better self.

We all remember the moment. Standing in the North-East corner of the Lodge, we were introduced to two powerful symbols of our Masonic future: the Rough and the Perfect Ashlars. One represented who we were—a man of good character, yet unpolished. The other represented who we could become—a man made better, fit for the service of the Great Architect and our fellow man.

The promise of that moment is the very heart of Freemasonry: to make good men better. But how, precisely, do we accomplish this? The path from the rough to the perfect is not a single leap, but a lifelong journey of small, deliberate steps. It is a process of continuous improvement, and to master it, we need more than just good intentions. We need a practical method.

I propose that we can find this method within our own symbolism, clarified by a modern concept I call humanistical iteration.

Let me be clear on this term. This is not humanism. “Humanistical” simply refers to a process that is focused on the real, lived human experience. It is a practical framework for self-development rooted in empathy, honest reflection, and conscious action.

In simple terms, humanistical iteration is: The cycle of trying, reflecting, and refining, with the specific goal of improving ourselves and our impact on others. It is the craftsman’s approach to character.

A Brother’s Story

 

Consider the story of a newly-raised Master Mason, whom we shall call Brother John. For months after his raising, John enjoyed the fellowship of his Lodge, but he felt a disconnect. He had been given the working tools of a Master Mason, but they remained abstract symbols. He struggled with a short temper in his professional life and knew it was a “superfluity” he needed to divest himself of, but he didn’t know how to start. He was a Rough Ashlar in spirit, and the Perfect Ashlar felt a world away.

During a conversation, his Mentor didn’t just tell him to “subdue his passions.” Instead, he suggested a practical, iterative approach. “John,” he said, “for the next week, let the Trowel be your guide. Your only goal is to try and spread the cement of brotherly love, especially when you feel your temper rising. Don’t worry about being perfect. Just try. We will speak again next week and see what you have learned.”

This was John’s first iteration. The next week, he reported back. He had failed twice, snapping at a colleague, but on three other occasions, he had consciously paused, thought of the Trowel, and chosen a more constructive response. The process wasn’t about instant perfection; it was about gathering real-world “data” on his own character.

His Mentor then helped him reflect: what were the triggers? What did the successful moments feel like? Based on this reflection, they refined the plan for the next week. This was his second iteration. Week by week, failure by failure, and success by success, Brother John used this cycle of trying and reflecting to slowly transform a Masonic symbol into a lived virtue. He was not just learning about the Trowel; he was using it.

Your Personal Framework for Iteration

 

Brother John’s story shows us that humanistical iteration isn’t a complex theory; it’s a simple, repeatable practice for personal development. It mirrors the familiar cycle of “Plan, Do, Check, Act” from the world of quality management, but applies it to the most important project of all: ourselves.

Here is how any Brother can apply it:

 

Identify Your Rough Edge (Plan): Begin with one specific aspect of your character you wish to improve. Don’t try to fix everything at once. Is it patience? Is it your willingness to listen? Your readiness to help? This is your “Rough Ashlar” for the cycle. Choose one Masonic working tool as your symbolic guide for the week.

Live the Lesson (Do): For one week, consciously try to apply the lesson of that tool in your daily life. If you choose the Level, make a deliberate effort to treat every person you meet with equal regard, regardless of their station. This is the active phase of the iteration.

Conduct an Honest Assessment (Check): At the end of the week, sit down for ten minutes. The 24-inch Gauge grants us time for this reflection. Ask yourself honestly:

When did I succeed in applying this principle? How did it feel?

When did I fail or forget? What were the circumstances?

What did I learn about myself, my habits, or my triggers?

Refine Your Approach (Act): Based on your reflection, decide what to do next. Do you need to continue focusing on the same tool for another week? Or perhaps a different tool would be more helpful now? This refinement is the key to progress. You are using real-world feedback to guide your next step.

A Challenge to You and Your Lodge

 

Brethren, the true power of Freemasonry is not found in the secrets we keep, but in the virtues we practice. Our symbolism is not meant to be admired on a shelf; it is meant to be used in the world.

Humanistical iteration is the bridge between the two. It is the practical method by which we turn allegory into action and transform ourselves, one deliberate cycle at a time.

I leave you with this call to action.

 

For yourself: This week, choose one working tool. Just one. Follow the four steps above and begin your first conscious iteration of self-improvement. See it not as a test you can fail, but as a Masonic experiment from which you can only learn.

For your Lodge: Start a conversation. In your Lodge of Instruction or at your next informal gathering, ask your Brethren: “How can we, as a Lodge, better support each other’s journey from the Rough to the Perfect Ashlar? Can we create a space where Brothers can safely share their challenges and successes in applying our principles, just as Brother John did with his Mentor?”

By adopting this practical, iterative mindset, we can re-energize our personal development and ensure that we are not just members of a Lodge, but active craftsmen in the quarry of life, continuously working on that spiritual building, that house not made with hands.

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