INSPIRED; INSPIRATIONAL

Did you know our Order has appealed to men with celebrity, rank, and high station? That is an old bromide, but one that has remarkable endurance. Philosophers teach there first-year students about the fallacious argument. I recall having one of those ah-ha moments when I realized what they were and how they were used.  An appeal to celebrity, rank or station is an example.  Here is the question to ask.  What qualifies an actor, a celebrity or a person of rank to speak on any subject with authority?  Answer- nothing.  It does draw attention to our thoughts if someone who is known to an audience agrees with us. Accepting it is manipulative quickly sucks the air out of stuffed shirts.  That is how freemasons come to understand disingenuous behavior on one hand, as well as authenticity on the other. People have the ability to observe, or they do not.  So we ask ourselves, can it be taught?  Can we teach every member to learn to be insightful?  The simple answer is no. We can take him to the studio of talented artists.  He may be repelled, feeling he doesn't belong. All the mentoring in the world cannot overcome such resistance. Or, he may be overwhelmed and unsure if he belongs, hesitates and shies away.  If he responds to mentoring, he can access talents he never knew he had.  The one who comes with talent may not be the aggressive, competitive one.  Though they attract attention, unless able to understand humility, they are less palatable.  Then there is Freemasonry.  It defines ideals within the agency of a human, or what Campbell refers to as striving for bliss.  If you know a man, who goes quietly about his business-  whether a lion or a lamb or somewhere in between, he inspires who is approachable and accepts us as an equal.  What inspires?  Certainly not hegemony, celebrity, famous or wealthy and certainly not hubris.