1. philosophy of being: the branch of philosophy concerned with the study of the nature of being and beings, existence, time and space, and causality (takes a singular verb)
2. underlying principles: the ultimate underlying principles or theories that form the basis of a particular field of knowledge (takes a plural verb)
Symmetry is part of the metaphysics of quantum mechanics.
3. abstract thinking: abstract discussion or thinking (takes a singular verb)
[Mid-16th century. < medieval Latin metaphysica (plural) < medieval Greek (ta) metaphusika "(the) metaphysics" < ta meta ta phusika "the (works of Aristotle) after the 'Physics'"]
Etymology: Late Latin esotericus, from Greek esOterikos, from esOterO, comparative of eisO, esO within, from eis into; akin to Greek en in -- more at IN
1 a : designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone <a body of esoteric legal doctrine -- B. N. Cardozo> b : requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group <esoteric terminology> <esoteric strategies>; broadly : difficult to understand <esoteric subjects>
2 a : limited to a small circle <engaging in esoteric pursuits> b : PRIVATE, CONFIDENTIAL <an esoteric purpose>
3 : of special, rare, or unusual interest <esoteric building materials>
- es·o·ter·i·cal·ly /-i-k(&-)lE/ adverb
al·le·go·ry
al·le·go·ry [állə gàwree]
(plural al·le·go·ries)
n
1. symbolic work: a work in which the characters and events are to be understood as representing other things and symbolically expressing a deeper, often spiritual, moral, or political meaning
2. symbolic expression of meaning in story: the symbolic expression of a deeper meaning through a story or scene acted out by human, animal, or mythical characters
the poet's use of allegory
3. genre: allegories considered as a literary or artistic genre
4. symbolic representation: a symbolic representation of something
[14th century. < Latin allegoria < Greek allegorein "say otherwise" < allos "other" + agoreuein "speak in public"]
He is also a supreme regent of the sphere of Saturn.
Machonon: The fourth Heaven is ruled by the Archangel Michael , and according to Talmud Hagiga 12, it contains the heavenly Jerusalem, the Temple, and the Altar.
"Zavul is used in the Tanakh [Old Testament] as a description of the fourth heaven, one of seven, where the heavenly Temple of G-d dwells. In the Hebrew Bible, there are seven words meaning heaven, but never translated into English: Vilon, Rakia, Shechakim, Zebul, Maon, Machon, Araboth...
"Zevul is the fourth heaven. Celestial Y'rushalayim [Jerusalem] is in the fourth heaven. It is also where the heavenly Temple and altar is erected and where G-d and HaMashiach [The Messiah] dwell...
"The small town of Natzeret (Nazareth) in the Galil (Galilee) was in the heart of the land of Zevulun, which again, means 'habitation.' And living in Natzeret there was a betrothed (married) virgin--bethulah--named Miriyam [Mary] as it is recorded...
"In summary: G-d chose to dwell in the bethulah and to dwell in the land of Zevulun, a land that G-d would bless because it was an image of His dwelling in the heavenly Temple of the fourth heaven, called habitation (Zevel)."
This angel holds dominion over the sun signs of Scorpio
and Pisces. He encourages towards more compassion and
inner strenght.
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ALWAYS
About Me
Welcome to the journey of one man, a journey through the labyrinth of Freemasonry. If you arrived here through one of the conspiracy minded sites, you have landed at the wrong airport, sorry no bogymen here. What you may find, if you spend the time, is hopefully a little faith, hope, and charity.
For my Brother Masons, here you will find one brother seeking further light through examination, commentary, and study.
“Philosophy is a kind of journey, ever learning yet never arriving at the ideal perfection of truth.”
Albert Pike
What is wisdom?
Ask one hundred different people and you will receive one hundred different answers, so what is wisdom? My take, wisdom is the ability to unlearn what you already know and learn what you do not know.
Sounds simple doesn’t it.
Actually, I find most would rather stay within their comfort zone of ignorance. Change can bring on feelings of unpleasantness, fear, and a gambit of rather uncomfortable reactions, better to follow the group than to branch off alone. How many today dare to seek the solitude of a Thoreau, or find the answers of a Buddha?
Those in the Masonic tradition have all faced the three assassins, you know their names, yet the Buddha has given them names that all would understand, craving, delusion, and hatred. So begins the wheel.
Early in my decision to become a Mason I was asked about my belief in God, and rightly so. In order to become a Mason one must profess his belief openly and solemnly. At the time of my introduction to Freemasonry I was an on again off again student of the works of Buddha. As most of you probably already know, Buddhism is not a religion based around the existence of a God.
Since my intention to become a Mason was driven by my heart, I knew the first step I was about to take in Masonry was that of reconciling my Buddhist beliefs with that of a belief in God.
'The true Mason is not creed-bound. He realizes with divine illumination of his lodge that as a Mason, his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha or Mohammed, the name means little.'
Manly P. Hall 33-degree
Even before my Entered Apprentice Examination, a friend who happened to be an avid reader of Masonic conspiracy fiction approached me. When he found out that, I had petitioned a Lodge for entrance, he asked me how a Buddhist could expect to gain admission into the Freemasonry, considering my background in Buddhism. He assumed that in order to become a Mason I had to believe in the Judeo-Christian concept of God.
What he really was asking was how I could become a Mason if I did not believe in his God.
"The first Masonic Legislator, whose memory is preserved to us by history, was Buddha" (Albert Pike Morals and Dogma, p.277)
Who exactly was his God? Did he (or she) live in a heavenly abode far away from the Earth?
I could go on and on asking different questions about his God, yet I knew what he meant, he still meant the God of his childhood, the God that was spoke of to children to explain the unexplainable to such a young mind, the God that watched over man’s actions, eventually rewarding the just and punishing the sinful. The God that was external and separate from our reality.
No, I did not believe in his God.
Life’s lesson, progressions, and inward contemplations had brought me face to face with God (if that is the word you choose to use) we are all God. Every one of us is the God of creation. Every person, every rock, every bird in the sky, all are born of, and all are God.
"The eye by which I see God is the same as the eye by which God sees me. My eye and God's eye are one and the same-one in seeing, one in knowing, and one in loving."
Meister Eckhart
Within the heart of man (and woman) resides the energy of creation, the divine. Yet most seek the external God of the child.
"The true Mason is not creed-bound. He realizes with the divine illumination of his lodge that as a Mason his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha, or Mohammed, the name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer. He worships at every shrine, bows before every altar, whether in temple, mosque or cathedral, realizing with his truer understanding the oneness of all spiritual truth."
("The Lost Keys of Freemasonry", Manly P. Hall, 33o, p.65, Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., Richmond, VA., 1976.)
I just finished reading Alain Bauer’s title “Isaac Newton’s Freemasonry: The Alchemy of Science and Mysticism.
Although a very small title, I did find the quick read interesting and informative on the verifiable beginnings of our craft. With so many titles published today building on conjecture and myth, Brother Bauer sticks to known facts and information. As I read the reviews, I must admit I was slightly miffed by the poor reception the contents received. Although light on the substance side, the fact is that founders of today’s Freemasonry left very little history on the beginning of the craft.
Mr. Bauer makes a good case that we must remember that Freemasonry in Newton’s time contained a large group of free thinkers, making a case for science, philosophical reason, and then faith, surely heretical thinking during a time when the church demanded blind faith first and then submission.
What follows is from a blog posted 14 December 2007. Since that time, I have picked up my second book written by Lon Milo Duquette. Although I am still actively consuming its contents, I must say I love his style.
Mr. Duquette writes as if you are in his presence, and with sense. Often humorous he is willing to address subjects most would ignorantly label heresy. He has taken a road to the esoteric I find fascinating.
Since I have not finished “The Key to Solomon’s Key”, published in 2006, I will hold back my review until the last page. Until then, I urge to you to look at “My Life with the Spirits”.
Talk about a Freemason the takes esoteric to the limits! I certainly found “My Life with the Spirits” a fun read. Written by Lon Milo Duquette, Master Magician and all around expert on Enochian Magick, I think this title would appeal to the younger more esoterically inclined Freemason, although not much is written about his experience in the Craft itself.
What actually attracted me to the writer were the path he had chosen and his drive to understand that which most have never even heard about, a world filled with spirits.
A long time student of the writings of Aleister Crowley, and acquaintance of Israel Regardie, Brother Duquette swings the pendulum to side many dare not tread, illuminating a world often considered dark and foreboding. Names spoke of by very few, Brother Duquette actually introduces us to spirits in a way that will make smile and occasionally look over your shoulder. Sense and sensibilities aside, you must make up your own mind to wither light can be found in the dark, our other possibilities should be understood before advancing on our journey.
Unlike Crowley himself, Brother Duquette is candid, humorous, and free of the encumbrances of ego. HIs writing is simple, reflective, and human, often filled with the personal side very few writers allow to be seen.
A super read on those cold winter nights, when the house is dark, and the spirits of night shift through unseen currents.
This was the first t-shirt I designed; the sales sharply increased very fast. Although I stopped drinking years ago, I always was interested in the drink Absinthe. In a microcosmic way absinthe suffered from anti-absinthe fever the same way Masons have been for years. The rants and raves were unfounded, yet the band played on.
As an Archangel Barkiel brings illumined compassion, happy inspirations, and heartfelt expansion to the Tenth Ray of Divine Illumination.
He imparts and fills seekers of enlightenment with good natured joviality, as they progress, step by step, from deep emotional awareness to successful fortuitous enlightenment.
His stones are Rutilated Quartz, Dendritic Agate, and Carnelian.
His bird is the Peacock. His tree is the Pipal Fig.
His flower is Jasmine.
His essential oil is Ylang Ylang.
Bodh Gaya, which is located in northeast India seven miles from the city of Gaya, is the focal point for Archangel Barkiel and the Tenth Ray. It is the birthplace of Buddhism, where Gautama Buddha sat under the pipal fig, Bo tree, until he reached enlightenment. Pilgrims tie scarves on the branches of a descendant of the Bo tree and burn incense. Since the Hindus believe that Buddha was an Avatar of Vishnu, there are also Hindu shrines where puja is done in the Mahabodhi Temple compound.
Absolutely all of the posts, articles and other material available here is the opinion of the respective authors and are not authorities of Masonry. Each author speaks for himself and is not a spokesperson for Masonry as a whole.
As I sit trying to think of something profound to share, I realize I am still only an audience of one, me, to date no one has visited my website except the occasional search engine.
Which is all right, considering it has never been my intention to become the voice of Masonry and have others seeks out my esoteric wisdom. Parts of me even fear that others may actually agree with some of the insights and opinions I might actually have.
Yet here I type, freely associating emotions, feelings, contemplating the workings of the Lodge.
A very large part of what we call Freemasonry is the study of symbols, "a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.", yet as I peruse most Masonic blogs, I find most focused on the external workings of the Lodge.
I makes we wonder how many bloggers are left brain versus right brained.
I offer you the comparison, and you tell me.
Left Brain Traits
Rational
As functioning humans, we very much need the structure of the left side of the brain.
Responds to verbal instructions
Problem solves by logically and sequentially looking at the parts of things
Looks at differences
Is planned and structured
Prefers established, certain information
Prefers talking and writing
Prefers multiple choice tests
Controls feelings
Prefers ranked authority structures
Uses logic
Detail oriented
Facts rule
Words and language
Present and past
Math and science
Comprehension
Knowing
Acknowledges
Order/pattern perception
Knows object name
Reality based
Forms strategies
Practical
Safe
Right Brain Traits
Intuitive
Through the healthy right brain flows the mystery and the passion of life.
Responds to demonstrated instructions
Problem solves with hunches, looking for patterns and configurations
Looks at similarities
Is fluid and spontaneous
Prefers elusive, uncertain information
Prefers drawing and manipulating objects
Prefers open ended questions
Free with feelings
Prefers collegial authority structures
Uses feeling
“Big picture” oriented
Imagination rules
Symbols and images
Present and future
Philosophy and religion
Gets the “meaning”
Believes
Appreciates
Spatial perception
Knows object function
Fantasy based
Presents possibilities
Impetuous
Risk taking
Like the opposite sides of the yin-yang symbol, left and right brain hemispheres mirror each other in reverse functions that reference each other for optimum performance.
The left-brain deals with discrete mathematics and the right brain deals with intuitive symbolism.
Balance in mirror opposite brain functions is so important that tests show the ability to predict is radically hampered with bias towards either left or right brain functions.
Since linear left-brain thinking tends to dominate the intuitive right brain, giving the right brain a calculated advantage of symbolic images enhances overall performance.
In many ways, I see today’s Masonic blogs focusing on the “Left” side, ignoring the right.
We must integrate both in order to create a whole “Lodge”. Esoteric and exoteric will balance each other.
Give the Test below a try!
The Right Brain vs Left Brain Test
Do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?
If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.
What side of your brain do you use? Please take the test below before you proceed.
