Is Freemasonry Mystical?

by Bro. M.H.R. Rao

 

Let us first try to understand what is meant by mystical, mystic and mysticism. It is described as spiritually significant or symbolic or allegorical. Mystic is described as belonging to secret rites, of mysteries or esoteric rites, or doctrines, of mystics or mysticism of obscure or occult character or meaning as mystic powers beyond human comprehension mysterious or enigmatic. Mystical refers to a person initiated in to esoteric mysteries, a believer in mysticism by which he intuitively comprehends truths beyond human understanding Mystical also means spiritually significant or symbolic or allegorical. Mysticism refers to doctrines or beliefs of mystics or specially the doctrines that it is possible to achieve communion with God through contemplation and love without the medium of human reason. Mysticism also means any doctrine that assesses the possibility of attaining knowledge of spiritual truths through initiation acquired by fixed meditation. It also means vague or obscure thinking or belief. It now becomes obvious that Freemasonry as we learn through various rituals and ceremonies of initiation, passing and raising is undoubtedly connected with and originating from mysticism. The first lesson we learn as an initiate is that Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols mostly of the mystic connection. But this is no ordinary explanation but requires a deep study.

So what then is Freemasonry affectionately referred to as "The Craft". Where did it originate and what is its purpose? What is its historical back ground? Is it a secret society? What is its relationship with religion? And what is its effect on the individual? These and similar questions are pondered over by many especially the newly initiated member who is informed that Freemasonry is free and requires a perfect freedom of inclination for its mysteries. While answers to such questions are openly available and also explained to general public to remove any misgivings the curiosity of those who seek them is not always satisfied. Some men are reluctant to make direct inquiries about the order. Some have received inaccurate or inconclusive replies from those who have been quarried and some people simply do not know where the answer may be found. This unfortunate situation is complicated by the imaginative legends and the deliberate misrepresentation of Freemasonry. Moreover as has been pointed out by an eminent Freemason D.D. Darrah in the "The history of evolution of Freemasonry" there do exist numerous Masonic myths which makes it difficult to communicate to the uninitiated as Freemasonry is based on myths, mystical and mysticism.

The next point to be made about the mysticism of Freemasonry a very simple one is the symbolism of our ceremonies derived from operative masonry and the craftsman's tools and equipment and the allegories in our ceremonies and concerned with particular brand of building – Temple Building.

But we are clearly taught that under a veil of allegory and symbol we are really concerned with the building of a spiritual temple a temple not made with hands eternal in heavens.

Each of us is individually responsible for the preparation of one particular stone for its appropriate place in that temple and that stone is our personality. True interpretation of a rough stone from a quarry an imperfect personality as it is by nature before he begins his Masonic task and the finished perfect ashlar is all symbolic.

Further having been admitted to the lodge he then receives instruction that is withheld from those who are without and which for this reason is called esoteric. The word esoteric is an interesting word that means much to those who have had experiences that have awakened them to its real significance though it may mean very little to those who are outside.

Many of the illustrations are figurative like the figurative covering of freemasons lodge and freemasons figurative ascent thereto. We also refer to the celestial objects like seven stars and Jacobs’s ladder while trying to convey to the initiate the connection the celestial or mystic objects have in shaping the character of a freemason.

All our signs allude to the symbolic penalties and though these penalties are not part of the obligation we convey to the candidate the important lesson in moral obligation. In explaining that masonry is universal we refer to the celestial and terrestrial globes which have a reference to mysticism. In the third degree we impress upon the candidate the peculiar objects of that degree by symbolically demonstrating the virtues of fidelity. In our opening hymn while we pray for the divine blessing we place our trust by the badge and mystic sign.

Therefore while we may for the outside world say that masonry does not hold any secrets or is like any other institution it is true that masonry does have its own secrets though not harmful to society and the whole of its system is based on symbols, allegories and rituals close to mysticism.

Let us now examine the sequence of events the candidate passes through the journey of initiation in to Freemasonry. The Tyler while admitting a candidate announces that he is properly prepared humbly soliciting to be admitted to the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry. The candidate is made aware that Freemasonry is based on mysticism to be unfolded. The pointing of the sharp instrument to his naked left breast is symbolic the significance of which is later explained. He is also informed at the time of obligation that there are many secrets and mysteries belonging to ancient Freemasonry. Through out the ceremony many of the illustrations are symbolic and figurative.

Is Freemasonry mystical has been the quest of man who as an inherently inquisitive and social being inquiries in to nature of things which interests him but which he does not understand. He does not like to be alone but rather seeks the companionship of his fellow men. It is therefore natural that his curiosity should be attracted to a fraternal organization which advocates and promotes friendship, morality and harmony among human associations an ancient institution founded upon the principle of brotherhood of man-Freemasonry.

Symbolic or symbolism referred in our rituals are not without significance. They have a vast inner significance and moral to convey. To illustrate the point let us refer to one most important symbolic reference in our ritual.

"The sprig of Acacia" The sprig of acacia is one of the most interesting and important of all symbols of Freemasonry. Acacia tree grew abundantly in the vicinity of Jerusalem in ancient times. Wood from this tree was considered as sacred by the Hebrews like we consider the peepul tree sacred in this country. It was therefore natural for the Jews to use wood from this tree to construct the sanctuary of tabernacle and the holy Arc of Covenant. The early freemasons with all these things in mind naturally appropriated this sacred plant to the equally sacred purpose of a symbol which was intended to convey and teach an important truth in the ages that were to come. The sprig of acacia for a freemason is symbolic of immortality which is one of the most important doctrines that it is the purpose of Freemasonry to teach. In our funeral service it is referred to as the embeds of our belief in immortality of the soul. We use this symbol in our third degree ritual to mark a spot at which the ancient craftsman found that something for which he had long sought.

When the Junior Warden is asked "What is a square" the simple answer could have been "Two sides forming a right angle". But his reply is "Fourth part of a circle". This has a deep esoteric meaning behind it. The circle among all the ancient nations is a symbol of God, the infinite whose name was discovered in the second degree in the chamber of the temple where we discovered that it consisted of four letters. Thus the candidate was admitted on one letter of the mystic name and if the four squares are united they form a circle or the name of God. The circle also forms the symbol for the Hindu conception of the Supreme Being "Paramatma".

We also refer to the hidden mysteries of nature and science. These hidden mysteries undoubtedly referred to certain occult powers which would be dangerous if acquired by a man who had not proved himself to be the highest moral character.

The seven steps taken to approach the altar in the third degree are again allegorical being a combination of the Trinity and the four elements representing matter. It is the same number as forms a perfect lodge and also the seven elements which form a man.

All most every thing mentioned in our ritual is symbolic and connected with the mystical. Take for example the Dormer window historically in the Hypo style the method by which Egyptian and classical temples including of our ancient Hindu temples obtained light. Symbolically it is intended to represent the means by which divine light penetrates in to the deepest recesses of our heart.

The square pavement symbolically indicates that man's progress towards the centre is through alternate experiences of good and evil, darkness and light, mercy and severity, life and death. Porch which is the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum is the gateway to death.

Finally Freemasonry conveys the lesson that a candidate after the quest of God becomes a mason. That he is a man of good report, of good morals and sound judgement and impeachable character that he has controlled his passions and made his heart the temple of God. He has lived his life on the square, on the square with his neighbours on the square with those he came in contact, a life of charity and perfect submission to the will of the G.A.O.T.U. In short he lived a life which a true mason ought to live. To him death has no terror any more than the stains of dishonour or falsehood. He gives up his spirit and goes to the Grand Lodge above with perfect peace and tranquillity to meet his creator and preserver in whom he lived move and had his being during his sojourn in this mortal world.

Let us ponder if all the above which shaped a human being in to a freemason would have been possible by a simple statement or introduction during admission as in any other social organization.

In our holy scriptures morals are conveyed through parables and divine intervention whenever or wherever necessary and if required with mystical and supernatural powers. Therefore it is in the realm of truth to conclusively state that Freemasonry is based on myths or mysticism by which means alone the tenets and principles of Freemasonry can be peculiarly and forcibly directed.

Article sourced from the Grand Lodge of India – 2009 winner – Masonic Essay’

This lecture was first used in the SRA76 Masonic Magazine for October 2012.

This Article was extracted and transcribed in this format by Bro. J. Stewart Donaldson.