ENLIVENED THINKING DEFINES

There is no- one way to practice speculative freemasonry. Neither can it be said we are a chaotic lot. Instilling a sense of purpose happens when we are with the Entered Apprentice who asks questions of himself at least in balance with the questions he asks of our Order. How direct we are isn't as important as whether we are sensitive to how vulnerable we all were being overwhelmed by the depth and intensity of our body of work. Helping him adjust to this is like teaching someone about the vastness of mathematics or organic chemistry, or law and justice. That too can excite the imagination or be a daunting sensation we need to overcome.  How do we teach our EA to own his effort, to respect his progress and to explore the possibility he may have found a way to unlock potential.  It isn't mechanical. It isn't doctrine. If you're a fan of ideas written in metaphor then you will be happy you've been given an apron and tools of identification. Some will find it off putting that steganography was put to use throughout our ritual practice- as if decyphering metaphor and allegory wasn't enough, messages were embedded- concealed information that the unsuspecting would not think to consider.  This too is part of learning the symbolic language  of a mason. If it is you we are speaking too, have you found contentment? Are you thinking your effort is done or are you inspired by your findings? Isn't it diabolical you can know masonry in that way but be unable to convey that directly to others. We cannot eat another man's meal.