It seems that the meaning of Esoteric in the title of this forum is not well understood.
es•o•ter•ic [es-uh-ter-ik] adjective 1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions. 2. belonging to the select few. 3. private; secret; confidential. 4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.
How would there be a "right of reply" by the non-esoteric?
Would that reply be by a spokesman for exoteric Masonry?
You wrongly imply that I deny the existence of esoteric Freemasonry. What I deny is that the nonsense discussed here of alien founders, Bigfoot and so on, has anything to do with Freemasonry.
The adjectives “esoteric” and “exoteric” when describing masonic knowledge respectively describe that which is understood only by Freemasons and that which is common knowledge. In other words, to have a genuine understanding of esoteric Freemasonry one needs to be a Freemason. Conversely, any mason ought at least to be able to recognise any relevance to Freemasonry of information when amply communicated as Esoteric Freemasonry.
For example, a competent masonic scholar might present a case demonstrating the Rosicrucian influence on the Craft and be expected to be able to back it up with empirical facts and with other esoteric knowledge to which Freemasons are entitled.
A regularly initiated Freemason can reasonably be expected to have both esoteric and exoteric knowledge. Freemasonry is a progressive science with information communicated sequentially and it is only upon being made a M.M. that one is able to comprehend the whole and is at liberty to make the circle of their masonic acquirements complete.
What we have here is wilfully ignorant superstitious nonsense. This includes contributions by and communication to non-masons. By your own definition, this is contrary to what might be described as esoteric Freemasonry. Genuine Freemasons including those of high degree are obliged to oppose this public defamation.
>The adjectives “esoteric” and “exoteric” when describing masonic knowledge respectively describe that which is understood only by Freemasons and that which is common knowledge.
Can there not be further knowledge restricted within Masonry as symbolised by higher degrees? It is a brave brother who claims to know all.
> any mason ought at least to be able to recognise any relevance to Freemasonry of information when amply communicated as Esoteric Freemasonry.
Goodness! I have met many a Mason with little understanding of the rights and privileges of ancient Freemasonry.
>other esoteric knowledge to which Freemasons are entitled.
So what is the esoteric knowledge to which Freemasons are entitled?
>A regularly initiated Freemason can reasonably be expected to have both esoteric and exoteric knowledge.
Only in the most ordinary sense of being instructed in Masonic ritual material that has been in the public domain for 2 centuries. How esoteric is that?
>Freemasonry is a progressive science
It is remarkable how few brethren are interested in discovering the science within Masonry. Most when pressed say that science in Masonry does not have a scientific method.
>only upon being made a M.M. that one is able to comprehend the whole
I think that only refers to the sequence of ritual. Or does the statement include comprehension of the celestial mansion veiled by the starry firmament? Some exemplification would be useful.
>make the circle of their masonic acquirements complete.
Would you like to list some of the Masonic acquirements?
>contributions by and communication to non-masons
Here we welcome all true and faithful brethren of the celestial mansion.
> By your own definition, this is contrary to what might be described as esoteric Freemasonry
Are you able to point to my definition?
>Genuine Freemasons including those of high degree are obliged to oppose this public defamation
Genuine brethren are invited to commence with the first grand principle: brotherly love. If unable then I wonder whether they are indeed true and faithful to the celestial mansion.
...... authentic symbols.... conceal and reveal their sense at one and the same time according to the depth of meditation. That which they reveal are not secrets, i.e. things hidden by human will, but are arcana, which is something quite different. An Arcanum is that which it is necessary to “know” in order to be fruitful in a given domain of spiritual life. It is that which must be actively present in our consciousness – or even in our subconscious-in order to render us capable of making discoveries, engendering new ideas, conceiving of new artistic subjects. In a word it makes us fertile in our creative pursuits, in whatever domain of spiritual life. An Arcanum is a “ferment” or an “enzyme” whose presence stimulates the spiritual and the psychic life of man. And it is symbols which are the bearers of these “ferments” or “enzymes” and which communicate them – if the mentality and morality of the recipient is ready, i.e. if he is “poor in spirit” and does not suffer from the serious spiritual malady: self-complacency.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
>The adjectives “esoteric” and “exoteric” when describing masonic knowledge respectively describe that which is understood only by Freemasons and that which is common knowledge.
Can there not be further knowledge restricted within Masonry as symbolised by higher degrees? It is a brave brother who claims to know all.
Any such knowledge is regularly permitted to Brethren as they become sequentially entitled.
> any mason ought at least to be able to recognise any relevance to Freemasonry of information when amply communicated as Esoteric Freemasonry.
Goodness! I have met many a Mason with little understanding of the rights and privileges of ancient Freemasonry.
The key term is “amply communicated.” Those asserting that something pertains to esoteric Freemasonry bear the burden of proof, within the terms of our tradition.
>other esoteric knowledge to which Freemasons are entitled.
So what is the esoteric knowledge to which Freemasons are entitled?
That knowledge communicated as such. For example the alternate exoteric and esoteric explanations of the W.T.s and where secrets are communicated as such.
>A regularly initiated Freemason can reasonably be expected to have both esoteric and exoteric knowledge.
Only in the most ordinary sense of being instructed in Masonic ritual material that has been in the public domain for 2 centuries. How esoteric is that?
Disclosures do not lessen our obligation to maintain as much privacy as we can by neither confirming nor denying their veracity.
It is remarkable how few brethren are interested in discovering the science within Masonry. Most when pressed say that science in Masonry does not have a scientific method.
Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality. The aspects of scientific method applicable to morality are limited but include objective, logical and impartial inquiry.
>only upon being made a M.M. that one is able to comprehend the whole
I think that only refers to the sequence of ritual. Or does the statement include comprehension of the celestial mansion veiled by the starry firmament? Some exemplification would be useful.
The “whole” refers to the whole of Freemasonry, particularly its peculiar system of morality.
“A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hopes of reward after death.” - Albert Einstein.
It seems that the meaning of Esoteric in the title of this forum is not well understood.
es•o•ter•ic [es-uh-ter-ik] adjective 1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions. 2. belonging to the select few. 3. private; secret; confidential. 4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.
B.T.W. Point 4 is most applicable to the term “esoteric” in relation to Freemasonry.
>Genuine Freemasons including those of high degree are obliged to oppose this public defamation
Genuine brethren are invited to commence with the first grand principle: brotherly love. If unable then I wonder whether they are indeed true and faithful to the celestial mansion.
Brotherly Love does not preclude admonition for a Brother’s intolerable behaviour. Genuine Brethren also abide by Relief and Truth.
>Here we welcome all true and faithful brethren of the celestial mansion.
>>Including those cowans and intruders upon Masonry you are obliged to exclude from our esoteric knowledge.
Fortunately as you have often presented, my esoteric knowledge is not that of mainstream Grand Lodges. Hence there is no difficulty if I converse about such matters with brethren of or aspiring to the celestial mansion veiled by the starry firmament.
>Here we welcome all true and faithful brethren of the celestial mansion.
>>Including those cowans and intruders upon Masonry you are obliged to exclude from our esoteric knowledge.
Fortunately as you have often presented, my esoteric knowledge is not that of mainstream Grand Lodges. Hence there is no difficulty if I converse about such matters with brethren of or aspiring to the celestial mansion veiled by the starry firmament.
Which Obedience in Freemasonry permits communicating esoteric maters matters to cowans and intruders?
>Here we welcome all true and faithful brethren of the celestial mansion.
>>Including those cowans and intruders upon Masonry you are obliged to exclude from our esoteric knowledge.
Fortunately as you have often presented, my esoteric knowledge is not that of mainstream Grand Lodges. Hence there is no difficulty if I converse about such matters with brethren of or aspiring to the celestial mansion veiled by the starry firmament.
Which Obedience in Freemasonry permits communicating esoteric masonic matters to cowans and intruders?
>Here we welcome all true and faithful brethren of the celestial mansion.
>>Including those cowans and intruders upon Masonry you are obliged to exclude from our esoteric knowledge.
Fortunately as you have often presented, my esoteric knowledge is not that of mainstream Grand Lodges. Hence there is no difficulty if I converse about such matters with brethren of or aspiring to the celestial mansion veiled by the starry firmament.
Which Obedience in Freemasonry permits communicating esoteric masonic matters to cowans and intruders?
Such as?
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
It seems that in mainstream Masonry the only secrets are the recognition signs. Thus the secrets exist to protect themselves.
Here we recognise applicants to and brethren of the temple in the heavens. And veiling does occur. There are limits to what might be stated other than mouth to ear.