So Mote It Be

by RmOlano
08Nov04
It was a nice piece about the phrase that we Masons used regularly, “So Mote It Be.” The explanation of transformation of an old Anglo-Saxon word from MOTAN to MOTE offers an answer to a question of what “mote” does really means. Its one of those phrases and words that seems different but the meaning remains the same such as from old French word “frere mason” meaning “brother mason” which when translated/adapted to English becomes “freemason” as explained in Born in Blood and also mentioned in Morals and Dogma.

Another thing that drew me to the article was the substitution of the word “Amen” to “So Mote It Be.” If we step back a bit, we will find “So Mote It Be” as modern term relative to the word “Amen.” Amen is a name of one of the ancient Egyptian gods whose name means hidden, cloaked from view. This god is supposed to be responsible for creation and often depicted as a man with head of the frog, a lion ready to paunch, etc. One known Egyptian king called himself Amen-hotep or Son of Amen who wanted to change his kingdom religion from worshiping Amon- the Sun. Incidentally, his father is called Amon-hotep. This sacrilegious attempt, made Amenhotep so unpopular that after he died, the subsequent king ordered his name to be erased from every record/history of the land.

Anyway, I do not hold a degree in Egyptology and you could further research that issue somewhere else, the point I am making is that by not uttering the word “Amen” does not mean we/Masons are not subscribing to the Christian tradition/ beliefs. It is the opposite, we are not invoking an Egyptian god at the end of the prayer instead we use a phrase which some thought, it’s un-Christian. We end our prayer by agreeing to the “Will of the Eternal.” As the short article mentioned, "So Mote It Be. It is not blind submission, nor dumb resignation, but a wise reconciliation to the Will of the Eternal.” We pray in hope that our wish is in harmony to His Will. No amount of prayer will change His plan for just because it is in our or individual advantage. The basic design has already been drawn on the Trestle Board. The Great Architect of the Universe could "enter the temple at high twelve when the craftsmen were called from labor to refreshment, to see any improvement could be made, in strength or ornaments…" It is His Will to change things for better, we only hope and communicate to Him by prayer that our own human desire falls in along with His plan.

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*** reposted the day after 04Nov08

Knowing A Mason

by RmOlano

20Sep08

"How may we know a man to be a Mason?"-- a Brother asked

How do we may know indeed! On our way to qualification to the next level of illumination within the Craft, we are taught to commit to memory certain parts of the ritual. Some jurisdiction resorted to what is termed as short form thereby, allowing candidates to miss golden opportunities to digest many lessons contained within the long form. It seems that the popular stated reason to deviate from what was used to be the normal practice is about the inconvenience to the length of time a candidate to advance to the degree of Master Mason. For some reason, this writer does not comprehend the cause and impetus the rush to make someone a Master Mason as if we are engaged in a competitive race. We had witness instances where the lecturer would breeze through his spiel leaving the candidate with glazed look like a deer-looking-to-headlight and wonder what hit him. Compound this event with at least an hour of monologue without visual references and mixed it with archaic terminologies is a recipe of a sensory and memory overload.

It is something to watch and hear the candidate response to our elderly Brothers as to the candidate thought about the recently completed ceremony. It is normal expectation that most of the time a polite response will be given to an inquiry that touched majority of human emotion. Blindfolded therefore, darkness, the feeling helplessness, one’s dependency to unfamiliar person, fear to the unknown, feeling the cold sharp instrument and its implied promise of risk are some standard concern being played within the candidate mind which is the raison d'être of the ritual. It is mighty hard to answer such a question with detailed analysis on the spot. Most of us would simply blurt out something like, impressive, never been through that before or other superlative adjective that would reward the inquirer a smile in his face. A smile that usually meant, a confirmation that the night event was not a waste of time for someone did appreciate the labor of our Brethren. That same smile for some is a confirmation that the conferring team generated enough curiosity to this fellow that someday hopefully he will be a part of the tradition of inculcating others the ritual of the Craft. It is always a hope since time immemorial that out of many, few will carry on the work of the Craft, out of many, some would remain and understand what those archaic words, figures, and symbols intended. Understanding such mysteries signifies familiarity, contemplation, and testing that hypothesis is part of a process for illumination.

How may we know a man to be a Mason? The customary answer taken from the long form proficiency requirement would be about if someone knew the word, sign, token and posses personal virtues of a decent and moral man such temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice. The first three answers are the most popular and overused gateway in determining if a man is a Mason. The dues card, handshake, password, car decal, t-shirt and others like things are one interpretation of what is Freemasonry. There is nothing wrong with this understanding; it is within the definition of the Fraternity. In order to practice Brotherhood, members have to know his Brothers! To be a part of a group of society certain things have to be demanded and expected to be returned. Being one of them requires losing a part of me.

The last part of identity requirement is the often times skipped portion. This line of thinking subscribed to Brother Albert Pike’s 1888 definition of Freemasonry --- “a system of morality, veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols.” Notwithstanding, the physiological terms e.g. throat, arms, hands and feet, to symbolize the cardinal virtues of a Mason, what makes man a Mason is his awareness to this litmus test. It is not only Mason’s mere understanding but of his daily attempt to restrain his passion from “allurements of vice,” of a his “steady purpose of mind” in face of expediency of the moment, of his virtue to live and act “to the dictates of reasons,” and adhering to “that standard or boundary of right which enables us to render unto every man his just due, without distinction.” Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. Our appendages might convey friendly welcome but if certain sounds come from the bowels of our throat express otherwise, the embrace became a façade for the benefit of the crowd. Just as speech can be confirmed with body language, what makes real is the equilibrium of all body parts. What makes a man a Mason is finding the balance of what is expected and what can be humanly accomplished. There is no perfect Mason in this world and to those who claimed to be one --- “let him cast the first stone.” Asserting to be a Mason is not a hard endeavor, living to be one is always a challenge and knowing one is an art by itself.

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About They

Letters and Figures
by RmOlano
07April2007

If people don’t like an idea and disagree with opinions, rational thinking minds would debate the issue. Civilized people will stay away from attacking the speaker/writer instead, as this tactic only confused the subject and side track the dialogue. If an entity identified as “they” could only elucidate where they stand on issues, we could quantify the result and determine the real intent instead of relying on wishful thinking.

Though this writer is not sure of the veracity of the claim, for the sake of discussion, let us agree that the Brother does have a first hand knowledge of the existence of a group he called, "they" and what he wrote were factual. I have to disagree in his assertion, based from private emails this writer were receiving. The gang-like mentality of the “they” group indicates that “they” do not have the intellectual monopoly of declaring my postings as “biased and full of hatred.” Therefore, expecting a mea culpa to satisfy the whim of “they” is delusional and cockeyed. If the “they” group thought that the lesson of 3rd Degree is about physical discomfort and “fun” inside the preparation room, I must then question what kind of Freemasonry these people are associated with?

One of the shining citadels of principle the Craft is so proud of is the notion of religious tolerance. Freemasonry does not favor a certain religion but accept ALL beliefs in Supreme Deity and as a result major religious organizations issued formal/official documents not in favor of our existence. If a simple opinion can be dismissed and declared contrary to the liking of “they,” how we can expect that “they” can perform the very ideal “they” supposed to “teach?” A certain view that upset the sensibility of those who are close to flawlessness can be a legitimate criticism and not necessarily classified as “biased and full of hatred.” As I asked before, was it because a gang-like mentality crept in, pollution of our rank by undesirables, and/or members were conditioned to obey without thinking? Do we see a Pavlovian training which accept the notion of “benevolent dictatorship?”

Freemasonry is more than fraternity of individuals bonded for a common purpose; it is more than rituals, impressive sounding titles, and ring or dues card. Albert Pike wrote in response to Albert Mackey, “…it is a system of morality, veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols.” Freemasonry is not determining who are Masons or non-Masons, clandestine or regular, it is not about “they” or “us.” If this student of the Craft maybe allowed hypothesizing, it is about learning how to keep ones apron spotless, decoration and color does not matter for it would not mean anything when the time comes to present it.

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--- Happy Birthday to my wife--- I apologize for the 29 years of trouble ---

Masonic Dictatorship?

By Rudy Olano
Lincoln Lodge No. 34
Hanford Lodge No. 279
4Nov06

In 1888, Albert Pike defined Freemasonry as “system of morality veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols.” Many lessons of our Craft are not to be taken literally as words or languages are confined to certain regions while symbols are universal and therefore far ranging. Reynolds E. Blight in his foreword to Manly P. Hall (1901-1990), The Lost Keys of Freemasonry (1923) wrote, “Creeds, rituals, poems are parables and symbols. The ignorant take them literally and build for themselves prison houses of words and with bitter speech and bitterer taunt denounce those who will not join them in the dungeon.”

It is something to hear the encouragement to our young brothers to read law books, monitor and other “simple Masonic textbook.” But to imply that Internet and “authored books” as some sort of misleading references that causes the “start of confusion,” is beyond comprehension. In Albert Pike’s Moral and Dogma (1871), he wrote, “Moral Evil is Falsehood in actions; as Falsehood is Crime in words. Injustice is the essence of Falsehood; and every false word is an injustice. Injustice is the death of the Moral being, as Falsehood is the poison of the Intelligence.” In a runabout ways, Bro Pike warned us of those who are sowing poisonous information--- men like Leo Taxil or Joseph Balsamo, Marquis of Pelligrini or commonly known as Count Cagliostro as described by Albert Mackey (Lexicon of Freemasonry, 1908).

Pike in his Morals and Dogma wrote, “Masonry was the first apostle of Equality” and continued on to say that “In the Monastery there is fraternity and equality, but no liberty. “ He finished the paragraph to say that Masonry “claimed for man the three-fold heritage, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.” For someone who publicly says that Freemasonry is dictatorial governance, one has to wonder what planet he is living and if he ever heard the names of Rizal, Luna, Aguinaldo, Quezon, Washington, Franklin, Bradley, etc.. Is it really conceivable for these men who abhorred tyrannical government to join and be leaders of dictatorial institution? Somebody is truly confused!

As one of the “brethren at this forum who keep on inquiring about the GLP’s position on the issues …” I take offense of seemingly authoritarian declaration that I am not entitled to a very important issue facing the Order in the Philippines. A civilized person would want to get all pertinent facts before making reasonable judgment. Taking sides without evaluating the situation and reacting to Pavlovian conditioning reflects the mental attitude and capacity of a much trained species. Don’t think, just obey, even people who served in military do not subscribed and follow that axiom.

The arrogance reflected the same mentality we are receiving from GLP. Mushroom growing--- keep them in the dark and feed them with manure. People who care about important issues need to be informed, I am not asking a blow by blow report but an overview of what is going on. In the absence of neither official statements --- not hearsay nor a leak from those-in the-know, assumptions that might be incorrect could make matters worse.

If one truly think that a Grand Master has an absolute power and accepted the “arrogance from the GLP” because “it is the reality that we have to face,” then “just keep on whining in a forum like this” is a better alternative than kissing dictator posterior for brownie points.

In regards to challenge to “go to the Ancom and participate in the process,” it is known that only designated representatives of a Lodge will be allowed to vote. Last time I checked, the governance of the Lodge is a democratic, representative process where a member can voice his opinion in a tyled Lodge. The matter will voted upon and the Lodge representatives will bring it up to the Ancom. A well informed member would know about this process and would not suggest to gate-crash such an important event. It is very interesting revelation from Ancom authority that in addition to the 3 principal officers of the Lodge, all PM’s as voting reps from each Lodge, anybody can register to attend, sit through the meeting and yap-yap around, not to listen to the GM because “actually we (they) don’t care” just “happy to be with our friends.” No wonder “poor initiatives pass without us knowing it.” One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out a cause of GLP’s abysmal situation!

Freemasonry is not dictatorial institution therefore, NO ONE has an absolute power and that includes the Grand Master. The day when a mere mortal start thinking of himself as a monarch of the Fraternity and the time when members accept that illusion--- the organization they are in is no longer the Craft we knew. Only those with interior motives will allow that to happen and hoodwinked fools to continue to stay.

Facts have to be on the table for everyone to see and weight. The notion of something is a "need to know" or some brothers are deemed worthy of some information while the others are not is not in keeping with openness and out of character of Masonic Tenet we known as "Truth." It is not acceptable if Brotherly Love has to prevail and keep harmony among us.

Bro Manly P. Hall in his book The Lost Key of Freemasonry wrote, “The true Master Mason recognizes the value of seeking for truth wherever he can find it. It makes no difference if it be the enemy's camp; if it be truth, he will go there to secure it." Our Cavite brethren asked why are breakaways from Samar and Leyte were never declared "clandestine?" What were the differences between United Grand Lodge of the Philippines and Independent Grand Lodge of Philippine Islands? Why would government intelligence agents take their time to film/video those who are present in a Masonic gathering? What is so hard in giving information to those who are interested? To hide behind the manta of "need to know," Internet is not a proper place and only select brothers were privy to details is not helping to defuse the situation. The GLP is not forth coming and if they expect that by shoving their "edicts" to membership throat without adequate explanations and not expecting pushback, then they are so full of themselves that they don’t deserve my or anyone's "full obedience." Only mindless automatons or puppies would agree to that.

Bro Hall wrote in the same book, "The Mason who feels holier than his fellow man has raised a barrier around himself through which no light can pass, for the one who in truth is the greatest is the servant of all. Many brethren make a great mistake in building a wall around their secrets, for they succeed only in shutting out their own light." Watching the unfolding drama before our eyes, it is incomprehensible that those who wear purple of our Fraternity would succumb to the age old power trap. Freemasonry is not just a social organization, it is an ideal where success is not measured in offices or degrees held--- it is a lifelong study that this lowly student of the Craft kept on learning is that how knew little knowledge he knew about.

In an example of holier than thou, the same person who believe that Masonry is a dictatorship wrote, “ A few older masons who do not have the motivation to excel in the blue lodge would rather read Albert Pike's book than read our monitor, masonic lawbook and rituals.” During the course of human experience we call life, keen students of human behavior noted that each being while generally alike are also, as an individual very different. Human mental, physical and emotional capacity including tolerances is as diverse as the human population being studied. Having said that, it is preposterous to judge that someone “do not have the motivation to excel in the blue lodge” for some silly notion that reading Pike’s works as less illuminating than “monitor, Masonic lawbook and rituals.” Pretenders seem to think that the Morals and Dogma is the only book Albert Pike wrote in his lifetime. If one is not quick to shoot from the hip, maybe he would know that Pike challenged Albert Mackey’s Twenty five Landmarks. And if we believed that he is or was an A&ASR as claimed and awake during the conferral, probably he could agree that Morals and Dogma is synonymous to monitor and ritual.

In a classic case of foot-into-the-mouth here are some further thoughts:

Some pretend to know the content of “monitor, lawbook, lodge instruction,
and regular rituals” without understanding what he had parroted about ,
While some student still struggles to understand what the heck was Pike was talking about!

Some thought, just shoot from the hips, like old brother John Wayne could,
then talk real fast to razzle-dazzle the young ones, just like veteran car dealers would.

Be quick to spill diatribe against those could see beyond the mask
while at the same time adapt the other issue as if it was his as a matter of fact .

Truly confused individual who don’t know what the hell he is all about,
sad to say its true but he is one of those who unfortunately got through.

Finally, let me quote Bro Hall, the same author of The Secret Teachings of All Ages, regarding true Master Mason search for the truth that, ”He must search for the high things in lowly places and find the lowly things in the high places."

So Mote It Be.

/RmO

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