HST communications 193

From the East

Many years ago I spent some time at an Ashram in India where I devoted myself to prayer and meditation without the distractions of the modern "hum drum" world. No telephones, no televisions, no radios, and no excuses for not focusing on oneself and my communion with God. My teacher, or Guru, was an enlightened being that had the power of transmitting energy (called shaktipat) into the disciples in order to help them on their spiritual journey.

Years later another spiritual Master reiterated the words of my Guru when he said, "Now that you have it... can you keep it?" This statement leads one to believe that the spiritual fire is one that needs constant attention to keep it burning, lest one's inattentiveness causes the fire to go out. Albert Schweitzer, a physician and Nobel Peace laureate commented, "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to thank with deep gratitude those who have lighted the flame within us."

The ancients did not believe that spirituality made men either righteous or rational, but rather that righteousness and rationality made men spiritual. Our very own Grand Master stated the same principle yet another way, "Masonry takes good men and makes them better."

We are reminded constantly in our rituals to raise our personal standards and bring up our lower natures. If we but follow the teachings given to us, we may yet elevate our own human consciousness to the point where it is capable of recognizing the true purpose of our existence, and the meaning of life itself.

Take, for example, the wisdom given so freely to us in our degree work. After some deliberation on the study of the liberal arts and sciences, we would soon conclude that there are really few problems that confront us that we cannot cope with. In the event that we cannot attain a suitable solution for our quandary, we have only to reach out to our learned brethren. Those who have more Light on the path may be of some support to us with their knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

How many of us have received the "spark" of Freemasonry and let the flame go out because we have not made use of the tools we have been given. Look deep within your hearts, my Brethren, and keep your Light burning brightly so that we may bring ourselves and our world to a higher level of consciousness, so that the generations that follow us may be brought to even higher levels of enlightenment.

As I conclude this message, I wish to thank all those who participated in the "move up" night. I was particularly impressed by the "new" line of officers and officer candidates and their responses to the tasks of the evening, a job well done by all.

May you and those you love be blessed as much as you are able to receive it.

Cordially and fraternally,
W.'.M.'.Jonathan Patrick

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