FAQ ON MASONIC ESOTERICISM
What
is esotericism, and how does it differ from the “esoteric work” of our ritual?
In Masonry,
“esoteric work” refers to the elements of Masonic
ritual and teaching that are to be communicated only to a properly qualified
member and are unlawful to write or publish. Esotericism is a broader field of
studies and practices.
For a good summary of what esotericism means in a
scholarly context, we refer to Antoine Faivre, Professor of Esoteric and
Mystical Currents in Modern and Contemporary Europe at the Ecole Practique des
Huates Etudes (Sorbonne), in Paris. Perhaps his most notable works are his
contributions to the SUNY series in Western Esoteric Traditions.
Faivre says that since its first use in 1828, the
term “esotericism” has generally referred to three different areas of interest:
Secret knowledge
or secret science preserved as arcana and passed on to only a select few.
Masonic ritual is performed in secret, and it
may be thought of as a science by which Masons become more educated in the
principles, virtues and obligations of the fraternity. Drama, symbolism, and
allegory are key methods in this science. In the field of education, these
methods are widely understood to have instructive value, yet nowhere are they
practiced and preserved as they are in Masonry.
Paths or techniques
addressed to the truths hidden or secluded within Nature or Man, the knowledge
of which is attained by only those who have achieved or received a gnostic or
transformative experience.
Our own ritual teaches us that Speculative Masonry
“leads the contemplative to view with reverence and admiration the glorious
works of creation and inspires him with the most exalted ideas of the
perfections of his Divine Creator.” “By it [Geometry] we discover the power,
the wisdom, and the goodness of the Grand Artificer of the Universe, and view
with delight the proportions which connect this vast machine.” Clearly these
statements are not limited to the issue of morality, but neither do they specify
practices or doctrines peculiar to any one religion.
Groups of works
and currents dealing with perennial philosophy, Hermeticism, alchemy, astrology,
Kabbalah, Christian theosophy, and so on, which can be subjected to historical
studies.
Although our Craft ritual does not refer
directly to such traditions and teachings, rightly or wrongly many esotericists
believe that there are allusions to them throughout the teachings and symbolism
of our rituals. Some historians, both Masonic and non-Masonic, hypothesize that
various esoteric traditions and ideas influenced the founding and/or development
of Speculative Masonry, especially when considering the plethora of rites and
degrees with overt references to such traditions that began within a few decades
after the founding of the UGLE. Such references continue to exist today in
certain degrees of the appendant rites, but they do not require Masons to accept
the doctrines or practices of any specific religion.
What
are Masonic esotericists and what do they do?
In all other respects they are usually ordinary
Masons, and typically are serving the fraternity in every jurisdiction,
appendant body, and official capacity. They pursue esotericism because it is a
personal interest, and not because they believe it is a requirement of Masonry.
To many people, Albert Pike is the epitome of a Masonic esotericist.
They are men trying to
improve themselves in Masonry by:
Examining the
great questions of life.
Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I
going? What is the essential nature of reality? What is wisdom, truth, or
beauty? Etc.
Practicing introspection
(“Know thyself”).
What do I really believe and value? What are my
virtues and vices? What are the secret hopes and fears that influence how I
think, feel and act? How do I need or want to change? Etc.
They are historians
researching esoteric influences on the ritual, symbols, and philosophies of
Masonry.
They ask questions such
as: To what extent were early Masons interested in such things as Pythagoreanism,
Rosicrucianism, Templarism,
Hermeticism, and Kabbalah? Why were they interested in them? How did those
interests affect the principles, values and ideals of Masonry as we know it
today?
They are scholars
performing comparative studies of ritual, symbolism and teachings among Masonry
and other fraternal, philosophical and spiritual traditions.
They ask questions such as: What are the parallels
and differences between Masonry and other traditions? How might those parallels
and differences shed more light on the meanings of our ritual, symbols, and
myth?
They are students of
life pursuing more light through studies in psychology, sociology, anthropology,
mythology, philosophy, religion, history, languages, etc.
Masonry teaches us to polish and adorn our minds,
to advance ourselves in learning, to improve our relationships with others, to
always seek more light, and to search for that which has been lost. Each of
these noble pursuits is advanced by studies in the humanities, the liberal arts
and sciences that address the individual human being, society, and culture, all
of which are Masonic concerns.
They are
contemplatives practicing various disciplines of meditation, including prayer.
The most revered saints and respected sages of
history have practiced meditation and extolled its virtues, as have a
considerable number of modern psychologists and clergy. Meditation has been
identified as the key that opens the door to spiritual enlightenment, and lauded
as an indispensable means to attain the fullest measures of peace, joy, health,
artistic creativity, personal productivity, philosophical insight, and
understanding and compassion for our fellow human beings. In short, meditation
is understood to be a valuable working tool in achieving everything that Masonry
values.
Why
haven't I seen or heard more about Masonic esotericists?
They may not want to
force their views on others.
Many esotericists have learned that the insights
and inspirations that come through the study and practice of esotericism are
often very personal and not easily communicated to others, especially those who
have not done the same kinds of work.
They may not want to
fuel anti-Masonic attacks.
While Masonic esotericists know that no single
person or sub-group of the fraternity speaks for the whole, they are well aware
that anti-Masons have often based their intolerant criticisms of the fraternity
on the opinions and beliefs of a few Masonic esotericists. Of course, these
attacks are always based upon very narrow religious views, which almost
automatically rule out the generally open-minded willingness of esotericists to
investigate different beliefs and practices.
They may want to
avoid conflict with anti-esoteric brothers.
It is unfortunately the
case that some Masons have significant prejudice of their own, and thus esoteric
brothers who have spoken up have too often been ridiculed as misguided zealots,
incompetent scholars, ignorant dupes, deluded crackpots, or even malicious
phonies.
Why would anyone object to esotericism in Masonry?
Some people may
misunderstand esotericism as un-Masonic.
Most Masons who consider themselves esotericists are individuals practicing
"regular" Masonry in duly constituted lodges in accordance with the ancient
charges and landmarks. Masonic
esotericists are not making a religion of Masonry, though they are often
exploring its spiritual implications. Some of these regular Masonic esotericists
may also belong to unofficial Masonic clubs or groups based upon their shared
interest in esotericism. However, there are a number of unrecognized, spurious,
or clandestine organizations claiming the right to make Masons and emphasizing
esotericism as central to their teaching and aims. Being a Masonic esotericist
does not mean that one belongs to any such organization.
Some people may be
concerned that esotericism is incompatible with the "Abrahamic" faiths, or even
“satanic”. Masonic esotericists believe in the same principles, virtues, and
ideals that unite all Masons, no matter what their specific religious
preferences. From a radically
conservative or fundamentalist point of view it may be impossible to think of
esotericism as anything but heresy and even evil, but the same is true of
Masonry. From such a perspective it is almost always the case that one’s own
beliefs are the only ones that are good or true while everything else is evil or
false. The fact is that there have been and are now esoteric traditions in all
three of the great Western religions. In Christianity there are the
contemplative practices of monastic orders like the Jesuits, as well as
apostolic denominations and churches that are Gnostic in orientation. In
Judaism there are a number of esoteric currents, including the orthodox Chabad
Kabbalists of the Chasidim. In Islam there are the Sufi orders.
Masonic esotericists have
not always exercised the highest standards in their historical research of
Masonry and, as a result, have made claims about the fraternity’s origins that
are easily discredited. Often this pattern has been more about incomplete
research, unreliable or discredited sources, and overconfidence in speculations
than it has been about any intention to mislead anyone.
The most scholarly of Masonic esotericists know the difference between
speculations and substantive conclusions, and they are comfortable in
acknowledging which kinds of thoughts they are voicing.
Some Masons have publicly
accused Masonic esotericists of intellectual conceit and elitism. In their
enthusiasm for what they have personally discovered in their esoteric studies
and practices, some Masons have been overzealous in presenting them as the
secret or true meanings of Masonic ritual and symbolism. Such authors are at
times offensive in their claims that a “real” Mason must be an esotericist who
thinks just as they do. Intolerance and narrow-mindedness is no more acceptable
from esotericists than it is from any other Mason.
Conscientious Masonic esotericists understand
that no single Mason or group of Masons speaks for the entire fraternity. They
also warmly acknowledge that there are many different interests that men can
explore in Masonry, that we are all equal in our obligations to one another, and
that our fraternity is united in its dedication to God and by the cement of
brotherly love and affection.
How can I learn more about Masonic esotericism or
get in contact with Masonic esotericists?
There are many Masonic Groups in the internet.
For example, you may apply for membership in the Yahoo Esoteric Freemasonry
Group at
esoteric_freemasonry-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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