Q2 2024: Travel Well My Brothers

“Travel well my Brothers”. I closed my talk at MCME with these words.  I suspect they were well received because they were genuine and from my heart. 

I have become taken by symbols, the meanings they convey, and individual interpretations. Fascinated by hearing the stories and others’ understanding of how they apply to their specific circumstances, I love to listen and learn.  Given that, it is probably not surprising that talks of artists, seasons, how the planets move, and imitating the Devine plan are of particular interest to me.  The first symbol that sparked my imagination was a certain point within a circle that I’m told exists in every well governed lodge. 

I have learned that I am not alone in this interest because I have had no shortage of people to talk to about it.  From the MN Manual (Badge of a Mason) we learn, “From east to west Freemasonry extends, and between the north and south in every clime and nation, are Masons to be found.”  A few interesting symbols to consider there – directions and a celestial path which might be recognized if another symbolic context is considered.

 “Life is a gift from our Maker; a Divine spark kindled in mortal Clay; a gleam of light; a vision of gladness and then back to its Creator in everlasting fellowship. What each man crowds into his short period of time is his memorial. It is indelibly imprinted upon the hearts of those who were privileged to enjoy his fellowship.”  Beautiful words which can be found in our funeral work and are sadly at the forefront of my mind.  I have recently said goodbye to too many friends and Brothers – each having played an important teacher role in my life.

Spring to summer, summer to autumn, and autumn to winter is the natural order of things.  Though I am sad, I am happy for the memories, and proceed on my journey – pressing through obstacles, and things that may seem ugly in the moment.

In times of need, I often turn to music for comfort.  A few of my articles have referenced lyrics that have touched my heart.  Another one that I have been listening to repeatedly comes from a VNV Nation song, “I’ve crossed plains and the mountains, traversed oceans.  From my home to the corners of the world.  And for a moment I thought I heard you whisper.  Mistaken for the wind across the stones.”  There’s a lot to drill in-on in that verse, but I’ll pick on “corners of the world.”  Isn’t it curious that this phrase made it into our vernacular when we know the world is a sphere?  Is this a holdover from when we thought the world was flat?  Perhaps, but consider this …

If you look at astronomical symbols, you might see some you recognize.  The depiction of the earth is a quartered circle – each line representing a direction.  The circle being 360 degrees has four equal corners of 90 degrees.  On reflection, I hope you understand why I would suggest that you are traveling them.  It is another symbol that I would argue is present in all regular and well-governed lodges. 

Finding balance between the mind, spirit and body is a key to happiness on our journey.  Herman Hesse’s book Sidhartha notes, “I can think, I can wait, and I can fast.”  Interesting skills that I believe correlate to mastering the mind, spirit, and body.  I would suggest that we continue to work on this mastery so that, “… and late, very late, in life may you be transferred from the fading honors of an earthly Lodge to the mansions prepared for the faithful in another and better world.” 

I know these observations may seem somber.  Zooming out, they should bring hope of a new day and a greater perspective of what it means to live a life well lived.  May this bring you comfort and cause reflection that some day we may arrive at a different station of wisdom – one that looks back on the experience of a temporary physical existence and surrounded by those who we found ourselves missing. 

Again, travel well my Brothers.