Here we will be comparing the teachings of masonry
namely the antient form or the more spiritual
aspects of the masonik system
with the gnostik equivalent. So
we will not be going any where near any of the conspiracy theorys associated
with masonry as we can can clearly see that these accusations if true are
directly associated with the psychic aggregates and not any teaching in itself. In all events we will see
that the masonik system is in fact directed
towards the understanding of the human
predicament and of course the evolution and enlightenment of the being, or as
the gnostiks would say the revolution of conciousness and self mastery/the liberation of the being. Seeing as this
little lecture is directed to a gnostik audience we will only be refering to
gnostik terminology and not giving any great definitions there.
Naturally while we are comparing the two systems we
will come across a lot of different terminology but you will see that the definitions
given to these different terms are indeed the same. Or at least have the same
intent. I have of course tried to smooth out these different terms in the
course of preparation,
The masonik system is a hands on working ritual
envrinment that comes from as they say obviously egypt and the atlanteans etc
before that . it utilises a degree approach whereby the initiate or candidate
actually plays a physicle role in the ritualistik drama as the prime method of
instruction which is further
suplemented with lectures , tracing boards,( a specifik lecture peculier
to a degree) and of testing. All work
in the masonik lodge is done from
memory thus truly grinding the work into the awareness/conciousness of
the individual. Or at least
contributing to the mental body, as the
gnostiks know to be one of our existential bodys in the septenery
system.
It is very interesting to note that the main body of
the work is culminated in the 33rd degree , that of the fabled sun
king. Gnostiks will of course recognise the smbolism here of the spinal cord
and the raising of the kundalini.
Naturally though in true masonik fashion the degrees do go on beyond that of
the 33rd.
Symbol and allegory as we can see are favourites
of both freemasonry and gnosis. Two
chickens out of the same egg , so to speak. Naturally these symbols are
universal and can not be restricted or copyrighted to any one order or
fraternity.
Craft masonry or the blue lodges as they are known are
bound to the first three degrees where the candidate is given an overview to
the great work and its symbols. This is the level where a great deal of masons
keep their masonik careers , of course as the system is, there is a great deal
of information to be exposed to . Then
comes the royal arch degrees or those of the red lodge and beyond, which
basikly go into all the workings of the first 3 degrees in greater detail.
Being a freemason as well as a gnostik obviously
implies that one is at least aware that
he is supposed to be free of something
, the egos and attachment etc, and that
he is on the path of self liberation / responsibility. Free to be responsible
for himself and built the existential bodys , thus the superman, and thereby of
course on the material plane a higher focused society.
The modern gnostik body of course also utilises the
triune system too along with its rituals , in the form of it’s 3 chambers.
Broadly speaking these first 3 degrees illustrate
the journey first from the purely material
sleepwalker level of being , to the second state of conciousness or
degree where we are aware of the numinous
yet are still at least half restricted
to the lower material or animalistik
egos and then on to the third
level of being or degree which is that of the spiritual or higher realms. For example in the older
days when freemasonry was perhaps a little purer than what it is today it is
written that to attain the second degree the “ fellow craft “ mason was expected to demonstrate a working
mastery of the astral realm . In masonik symbol this is illustrated with the
three levels of king solomons temple , and the restrictions placed on entry to
said levels/conciouscness. The three levels, or more appropriately the degrees of the journey to the true being . The solar man. King sol.
For example a first degree mason cannot enter a second
degree lodge, and a second cannot enter a third etc.
The lodge room is set out in specifik fashions
according to the degree being worked ,
the lodge itself being a representation of an intermediary representation between
the micro and macrocosmos. A further illustration of the degree of attainment
of self realisation being expressed in the working.
In accordance with this the lodge does of course
require different furnishings and “officers” peculier to the point in question,
along with the tools which are drawn from the craft of stonemasonry and given occult definitions
for further instruction of the candidate.
Each lodge of a specifik degree also corresponds to a
card of the tarot and hopes to illustrate this point.
One obvious role of the masonik lodge is that of the
tyler, the armed gent standing guard to prevent the lodge being compromised .
Gnostikly we will see how important this function is when we draw our attention
to such tecniques as the SOL tecnique and the awareness of the trans formation
of impressions . With regard to the internal being this function is reinforced
masonikly with the “ inner guard “ the gent standing to the interior of the
lodge entry. Gnostik ritual has the guardian of course as well as many day to
day tekniques and practices.
The focus of Gnostik work is the attainment of the higher vibratory dimensions by the
eradication of the egos. In the process of this we become a being of angelik
stature. The egos in gnostik terminology being the bhuddist psychik
aggregates, or, pluralised “I” . Freemasonry also works on the
energetik principles, whereby it ascertains that the human is incorrectly
subservient to incorrect energy patterns within, that must be corrected to also
reach the angelik realms. Utilising the
will power towards this end the masons use the
“common gavel “ to indicate that the
great work requires “will” to be
utilised and focused towards the correction of these energetik patterns and the
creation of something finer from the gross material / energy available. The
gavel or mallet as symbol also is
representative of virility and the
sexual potency that must be mastered by the will and put to good use. This is
even more evident when we come to the
4th degree , or Mark Master
Mason degree . In this degree
the mark master mason is directed
towards what the gnostiks know as “ the perfect matrimoney “ .
Numerically the number 4 indicates realisation . The
masons use this as the realisation of
and utilisation of the powers conferred in the first 3 degrees, thus the
4th major arcanum in the tarot is also the masons work of the fourth
degree in the language of symbolik pictograph.
In opening a mark
master lodge eight officers are necessary but usually ten are present,
corresponding to the seven planets of mans seven-fold constituion, plus the
three upper-octave orbs, or overseers Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Gnostiks will
have their attention drawn to the septenery system of the chakras and
existential bodys at this point.
Uranus Neptune and Pluto are truly overseers in the
sense that when injustice and tyranny
become rampant on earth, the factors within the unconscious minds of
men are responsible, this is the
masonik view. Gnosis says the EGO’S, here we are talking about the same thing.
Furthermore the masons state that the proper course of action is that of a revolutionery change through
the use of the high frequency electromagnetik radiations of the nervous system,
which is very interesting as this is exactly what all the old art forms of tai
chi and yoga etc not to mention the art of alchemy all state. All sound very
gnostik ?. the masons say that these energys are to be directed by the inner
plane energys of man which should in fact effectively reach and direct the
physical brain. Obviously they refer to the 'intimus' here the true being of
the interior.
In this degree it is also pointed out or instructed
the importance of the correct use of energys in day to day life emphasizing the
focus to be on constructive purposes both physicly and esoterikly. This is
shown with the masonik sign known as the “ heave ho” where the hands are gripped with fingers interlocked by the right
groin then lifted up over the left shoulder , indicating that the energys
associated with scorpio are usually thrown on the scrap heap, that is wasted.
These are the sexual energys they refer
to. In fact this puts a whole new light on why the masons put so much care and importance into their “ handshakes” and such
. They are in themselves important teaching aids with deep astrologikle and
symbolik importance and lessons. One can see the need to keep such things
secret , especially in times of persecution and intolerance not to mention
gross ignorance of which man seems to
specialise in. All masonik grips do indeed have such occult symbolism attached
to them, there are grips to show the interplay of polarities between husband
and wife for example and also to show that the correct use or direction of
energys generated between husband and wife has been passed on to the mason .
Sounds a little like the gnostik “ perfect matrimoney”
dosen’t it ?.
The keystone which also is associated with the mark
master mason degree is indicative of the necessary interplay between male and
female. The straight lines being male and the curved female. So too with all
tools and furnishings in the lodge, they all have deep symbolik meaning and
geometrikal associations. But I think
this may be a little beyond the scope of this little piece of information.
Masons are known for keeping a strict formal dress
code. This can also be seen as drawing attention to the seriousness of the work
and the need to create these superior bodys
and facultys.
Another masonik grip which is quite interesting is
that of the “provost and judge” degree where it is based on the seventh major
arcanum of the tarot, symbolising the star of hope. The first sign is to place
the first two fingers of the right hand to the side of the nose with the thumb
under the chin, sybbolising the will to use the energy of mars, signified by
the chin; to vitalise the etheric body , signified by the jupiter finger; in
the process of breathing , indicated by the nose. The physikal body is also to
be considered in this process as the
finger of saturn is used as well as that of
jupiter. The second sign is like that of the first except that one
finger only is used, to signify the use
of mars’ energy to vitalise the etherik body. The candidate is also given along
with a password a key to a small ebony box which contains the plans for
building the temple, and a key for opening the ebony box containing all the
temple keys.
Of course we immediately think of the Egyptian pranayama here that gnostiks do practice
for the elimination of the egos and creation of the existential bodys.
We can also see this style of instruction in the
Shingon sect of bhuddism, which is renown for its mysticism and extra-ordinary
feats.
This school interptrets all deities and demons as
manifestations of the Dainichi bhudda , whose body comprises the whole
universe. The postures of the body , the movements of the hands , and the
utterances of elaborate rituals evoke mystical powers in Shingons followers.
The mysteries of the cosmos are graphed in various hand formations and diagrams
called mudra and mandala. These symbolise the two aspects of the universe: it’s
ideal or potential entity and it’s vital or dynamik manifestation.. numericly
it is interesting to note that there are 9 of these hand signs to be mastered
along with their esoterik fasets. The nine are rin,
pyo,to,sho,kai,jin,ritsu,zai and zen. Upon mastery the praticioner is able to
insert a tenth character into the matrix, that of man.
Well I think we’ll leave it here for just now. But
certainly we should be able to see from
this cursory overview of the masonik system that it did indeed once have a lot
to offer and still does if you know what to look for. Whether todays
practicioners have a full understanding
of the great work and the search for the lost word I guess we’ll never know
considering they have the vow of silence regarding lodge activitys, though I am
told Freemasonry is opening up to the publik now.
I hope you found this interesting as we did only just scrape the top of the
iceberg here to show some parallels between the two and establish a link
between the two traditions that do obviously have the same essence in teachings
and source of wisdom, being gnostik in the true sense of the word. Probably if
you could combine the two you would be doing well.
Overhead slides.