You can find information and the TOCs for the first three volumes of the "Uncommon Catechism for Uncommon Masonic Education" series through this link: www.coach.net/BuildingHiram.htm
I have all three of these books and can heartily recommend them to all masons!
They are excellent, inexpensive, teaching tools for those who would like suitable materials for their lodge.
A fifty year mason would reap just as much benefit from them as an EA, FC and MM.
Perhaps coach could tell us a little of what others have said about his books.
I ordered my from the above site and they arrived in days. (I am so impressed with the ease with which one can source books these days and often they are cheaper than purchasing them locally).
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
Sure. One Brother, who had performed the EA Lecture for over 25 years, said that Building Boaz gave him a whole different understanding of what the Lecture was communicating. He still does the EA Lecture using the same words, but he said that as a result of reading BB, he now knows what is being communicated. His lecture now comes across differently and much better as a result.
Other reports that have come in from older Masons. Almost universally these Brothers are extremely pleased that what they have "sensed" for so long about deeper meanings and definitions are confirmed by what is in these books. What's more, the connections and references allow them to research further.
There's more to share but that's what comes up for now.
Almost universally these Brothers are extremely pleased that what they have "sensed" for so long about deeper meanings and definitions are confirmed by what is in these books. What's more, the connections and references allow them to research further.
..they have arrived a point "where Masons come to know the Light of true knowledge" (to use your own words from Building Athens).
Actually this whole forum was formed to offer brothers access to 'deeper meanings, definitions, connections and references to allow them to research further.'
I have always looked upon Freemasonry as a compass ... let each symbol and story take you where it will - no direction is better than another, each will have its knowledge and wisdom to impart. Some stories may sound strange but that does not make them false, some stories may sound childishly simple but that does not make them impotent. How simple is the admonition to love one another.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
I have always looked upon Freemasonry as a compass ... let each symbol and story take you where it will - no direction is better than another, each will have its knowledge and wisdom to impart. Some stories may sound strange but that does not make them false, some stories may sound childishly simple but that does not make them impotent. How simple is the admonition to love one another.
That is not wholly exact. Esotericism is building, and if man wishes to build a sound structure, he must start from foundations. The three degrees of the Craft are insightful: in the first degree man learns to know himself; in the second one, the surrounding environment; in the 3rd one, eventually, the Transcendent. Failing to do so, man risks to be prey of fancies.
Last Edit: Jul 6, 2010 22:29:47 GMT 9.5 by petergower
.. and if man wishes to build a sound structure, he must start from foundations. The three degrees of the Craft are insightful: in the first degree man learns to know himself; in the second one, the surrounding environment; in the 3rd one, eventually, the Transcendent. Failing to do so, man risks to be prey of fancies.
Hmmnnn... have to disagree with some of your assumptions there PG. Here is an example of 'childishly simply' (not meant offensively I hasten to say).
in the first degree man learns to know himself
Do you still occasionally surprise yourself? If you do then you do not know yourself. How many believe that they are their bodies alone? Indeed I truly believe that the lesson of the first degree is to learn to control oneself. To know oneself is a mark of Mastership.
in the second one, the surrounding environment
Surrounding suggests external environment only. What is external? Even our bodies are composed of atoms etc. Also the Sciences we are to study must include sciences of the mind. What about the seven liberal arts and sciences mentioned in the ritual?
in the 3rd one, eventually, the Transcendent
To transcend means going beyond ordinary limits. How can one do this without speculating first what might be probable or possible. Speculate means to meditate or reflect on a given subject. One can save an awful lot of groundwork with the foundations by acknowledging that maybe over eons of time and in the various cultures some fine intellects have formed some conclusions on some subjects... based on their observations and testings. If the same results are reached from different areas and times ... ?
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
... I think you might have it nailed... you remain so calm even when people are really mean to you. I admire that quality. I still have occasions when I feel like hitting people with the deacons wand
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
What about when someone appears in a dream and tells you what's what.... Where does that fit it with the scheme of things. I believe many discoveries have been made this way... Benzene ring for starters.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting…trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who is our home -Wordsworth
