Tears
Jun 4, 2013 20:26:02 GMT 9.5
Post by stepnwolf on Jun 4, 2013 20:26:02 GMT 9.5
You don't hear much about tears in a Masonic L. Firstly, men don't cry under any provocation. Second, tears have acquired the reputation of being evidence of a weak personality, male or female. Third, should a tear escape a watering eye, some of us hide it as a shameful weakness.
Some religious sects in Christianity consider tears a gift of the Holy Spirit. Rabbis, particularly those steeped in Kabalistic lore, are known for their weeping.
And what causes the shedding of tears? Perhaps the most common reason for crying is sorrow, grief and similar emotions. Then there are the tears of joy and exaltation. Extreme pain will also elicit tears.
Why should emotionally charged moments elicit tears? They seem to be a safety valve of sorts. When we no longer can contain the sorrow, or joy, or awe within ourselves we release it through tears. Why this should be so, I have no idea.
In a Masonic L. we may for a moment forget that the ritual is symbolic and we experience the reality behind the gesture. Often I have the impression of a giant awakening at the Opening and I can be overwhelmed by the honor of being able to take part in such an undertaking. At a Raising we may be awestruck by the presence of death in our midst.
I am not convinced that this is entirely a good thing. I remember a scene on TV where a young woman is weeping over a broken fingernail. In any book this is just excessive. No matter how many times I've seen the opera Turandot, my eyes fill with tears when the soprano sings, “I know his name, his name is love.” Again, excessive, but I enjoy it all the same.
How many of the Brn allow themselves the experience of tears, even if alone and without witnesses? How many of us are moved by the St.p and S.gn in open L.? The possibility of all the Brn. weeping at a meeting is just off-putting, but it would be evidence that we all had experienced the same underlying reality behind the ritual.
Some religious sects in Christianity consider tears a gift of the Holy Spirit. Rabbis, particularly those steeped in Kabalistic lore, are known for their weeping.
And what causes the shedding of tears? Perhaps the most common reason for crying is sorrow, grief and similar emotions. Then there are the tears of joy and exaltation. Extreme pain will also elicit tears.
Why should emotionally charged moments elicit tears? They seem to be a safety valve of sorts. When we no longer can contain the sorrow, or joy, or awe within ourselves we release it through tears. Why this should be so, I have no idea.
In a Masonic L. we may for a moment forget that the ritual is symbolic and we experience the reality behind the gesture. Often I have the impression of a giant awakening at the Opening and I can be overwhelmed by the honor of being able to take part in such an undertaking. At a Raising we may be awestruck by the presence of death in our midst.
I am not convinced that this is entirely a good thing. I remember a scene on TV where a young woman is weeping over a broken fingernail. In any book this is just excessive. No matter how many times I've seen the opera Turandot, my eyes fill with tears when the soprano sings, “I know his name, his name is love.” Again, excessive, but I enjoy it all the same.
How many of the Brn allow themselves the experience of tears, even if alone and without witnesses? How many of us are moved by the St.p and S.gn in open L.? The possibility of all the Brn. weeping at a meeting is just off-putting, but it would be evidence that we all had experienced the same underlying reality behind the ritual.