the plumb - a tool for self analysis
by Michael Ross
Every Mason should undergo a frank and honest
self-estimation of his vices and virtues. This
inventory must be thorough, but impersonal. When you
are able to see the debits and credits of your
character before you, you are then able to balance
your spiritual budget.
This self-evaluation should not result in despair or
an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. Shortcomings
require no more than a well-defined program of
correction. A man full of the realization of his own
vices is as far from the Truth as a man filled with
realization of his virtues. The old theological
tradition that there is a certain virtue in stewing in
one's own remorse has no place in a metaphysical
philosophy like Freemasonry.
Remember that perfection is reserved for the gods. It
is not expected that the average Mason should live
without fault or error, but it is most desirable that
he profits by his mistakes. A Mason must learn to
never permit the mistakes of the past to overshadow
his present effort. The past must be transmuted into
soul power through understanding. Do not bring
forward separate incidents to plague the present
purposes. Bring forward the sum of experience and
understanding in the form of tolerance, patience, and
virtue.
From the past we too often inherit a body of
prejudices and inhibitions. Habits of thinking and
living are not quickly changed, nor are prejudices of
a lifetime easily dispelled. There is no use trying
to go forward toward light and truth as long as we
cherish destructive attitudes in our personal lives.
Nearly everyone nurses some grievance or delinquency
with loving care. Other faults are quickly remedied,
other virtues are cultivated, but this one soft, sore
spot is a sacred privilege that the gods must
overlook.
When you get your faults and failings all classified
and your virtues arranged neatly in their most
flattering pattern, examine each of these products of
your own consciousness with discriminating care and
perceive wherein your own mind does not think
straight. Observe carefully where the biases are, why
the intemperance have been permitted, and most of all
how these may be corrected justly and permanently. In
examining the chart of your own ups and downs, be
particularly observant of the extremes. One virtue
rising majestically from the midst of numberless
faults or one vice holding forth tyrannically over
many petty virtues is the usual pattern.
It is far better to be moderately good in all things
than to be outstanding in one thing and deficient in
all the other virtues. Man is most nearly balanced
when all his attitudes, ideals and opinions are
equally developed. An extreme imbalance will serve to
confound the soul. One exaggerated virtue is the worst
vice a person can have.
As you review your own life you may attempt to excuse
your faults on the grounds of circumstances, feeling
that conditions beyond your control are the true
causes of mistakes made; much more in life would have
been accomplished had fortune smiled.
Success and integrity are not matters of opportunity,
but evolved in character. The noblest, wises, and most
virtuous of human beings are not those who have the
greatest opportunities. Those whose difficulties are
numerous frequently develop the best philosophies of
life; those whose problems are petty lament their fate
the loudest.
The accomplishment of the greatest good is the
fundamental purpose of life. This accomplishment is
hindered and frustrated by attachment to personalities
and things. The moment we overestimate the value of
material things we become incapable of a philosophical
administration of the affairs of physical life. The
moment we develop an undue attachment to persons we
become incapable of serving them intelligently. It is
a common, almost universal fault to develop undue
attachments based upon the conceit that we are capable
of possessing anything.
The Taoist monk has made the pleasant discovery that
he owns nothing; the Buddha taught that possession was
one of the cardinal sins and fatal to spiritual
growth. The wise Mason is attached to Principle,
Universal Truth behind all things and he seeks only
Truth. This does not mean he is selfish or
inconsiderate of others. He serves all men
impersonally because to him there is no distinction of
family, nation or race.
Pythagoras said all relationships are based upon
wisdom and "He who is wiser than I is my father. He
whose wisdom is equal to my own is my brother. And he
who is of wisdom less than myself is my son."
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