The regular steps for the various degrees vary quite a lot across the various orders.
This may suggest that while the symbol of regular steps is symbolic, the format of the steps is not important.
Alternatively there may be correct regular steps but the knowledge is largely lost.
So what is the importance of the regular steps?
In that context I note that, depending on the order, there may be quite precise requirements in perambulating the lodge. Is that related to regular steps?
I imagine the term 'regular steps' relates to the regularity of human conduct and behaviour. When one stands in the position of the regular step one is forced to stand in a very upright position which brings on a state of mind that one should behave likewise. I'll ponder on this thread a bit more.
Distant peaks emerge....clear as day. The hermit's lantern turns to guide the way. Hermit's Way - F. J. Rogers
> Except that it is common in rituals to state that the candidate has approached Freemasonry by irregular steps.
I see what you mean but I think that before a candidate sees the light and attains initiation he/she lives in the profane world. Thus any existence prior to entering the lodge was in the 'profane' world. I suppose the same applies to steps. A person's steps are irregular until they learn the regular steps and walk in the light.
Distant peaks emerge....clear as day. The hermit's lantern turns to guide the way. Hermit's Way - F. J. Rogers
> Quite so. If we don't know where we are going, a zigzag path may be more reliable.
That's dead right. We should always be ready to learn more and never stop learning. If we stop learning we stop growing and if we stop growing we don't move on.
Distant peaks emerge....clear as day. The hermit's lantern turns to guide the way. Hermit's Way - F. J. Rogers
Quite so. If we don't know where we are going, a zigzag path may be more reliable.
True, however they are less efficient. It seems to me that one will much travel further and much quicker in the correct direction if his steps are regular/regulated. While missteps may teach us what not to do, correct steps teach us much more.
>when a lack is detected, how shall we tell if the problem is our instruction or our execution?
There are many inner plane sources that pretend to be what they are not and humans often want to believe.
About 15 years ago I was in such a situation. I shared my experience of it and a friend read my account and was concerned enough to email me. I was somewhat embarrassed but grateful.
So being connected to suitable peers is an important safety mechanism.
Even more important is being able to measure the nature and plane of the inner plane intelligence. In the case above I had become sloppy and was not testing every entity.
I was fortunate long ago to have an intervention in my meditation. Each morning for a week I was taught a new skill.
The most important skill is learning to control one's own level of consciousness. This is veiled in Masonry by Jacob's Ladder. Varying one's level of consciousness enables pairwise comparison between oneself and the other entity.
And beyond all, if one is to do systematic inner work, it is important to have an inner planes sponsor of suitable lineage that will watch over the intrepid human going where angels fear to tread.
And when it comes to planetary projects there are often timing issues. In my experience some projects have several possible schedules with various human teams assembling for early, on-time and late starts. It is more common to be called for such projects than to be part of the team that is eventually chosen.
And some projects are fall-back options that are prepared in the hope that they will not be needed.
Such is life!
As a tangential footnote - our Planetary Logos appears ready for a jump. No doubt that will have increasing effects - including perhaps a "changing of the guard" in many nations.
The previous change I observed was by the Solar Logos who became noticeably more august. One of the effects was the human race deciding to be responsible for the planetary ecosystem.
