Involvement in higher degrees.

[ivan]

This is a question i asked myself right after being raised a MM about
18 months ago: should i go further immediately and join successive
rites like the RA or AASR, should i wait to "age" masonically and have
a better understanding of the Blue Lodge degrees before sail myself
for other horizons, or should i opt to give the best of myself as man
and Mason within my Lodge without sharing my time with other
"branches"?
Some of my Brethren argue that all the light in Masonry is to be
obtained thru the first three degrees, while others say that as a
Mason in search of Light you should always look further.
Some actually make fun (in a good way) calling the successive degrees
"the CIA of Masonry" and wondering what they do during the few
meetings they held during the year.
Personally i choose to join the AASR next month. I feel ready to
advance further and i can't placate this hunger for knowledge inside
my heart.
What you think? And how many are already part of other Bodies and what
are their opinions in this matter after receiving further instruction?

Fraternally
Bro. Ivan Beacco
George Washington Lodge 285
NYC

P.S.
It would be great if you can introduce yourself and your Lodge when
signing mails.

[Larry the Mason from Holbrook]

ivan wrote:
> What you think? And how many are already part of other Bodies and what
> are their opinions in this matter after receiving further instruction?

Brother Ivan,

I waited some years before progressing through York Rite degrees, which
I am now doing. I believe the time you decide to progress is the right
time for you, just as it was when you first knocked upon the door of
Masonry. Progression through either Rite most surely offers more light
in Masonry than can be received from any Lodge of Masons, but is also
not all there is. Many have told me that the search for more light, the
journey thereto, is the goal because one may never receive all the light
until one passes to the Supreme Lodge.

Best of luck on your journey, my Brother. I hope you find what you're
looking for.

Fraternally,
Larry W., WM (and a bunch of other stuff)
Holbrook #30 AF&AM
Forest Grove, Oregon

[Jonathan Paz]

I'm going to take it the completely different direction.

My first anniversary of my 3rd degree will be on May 1. In that time I
have been a de facto Junior and Senior Steward and appointed Junior
Deacon, joined Scottish Rite and Knights of St. Andrew (a sub group in
my valley; ask me about it!), joined Royal Arch and appointed as Second
Veil, joined Council, and joined Commandry and appointed as chaplain.

One thing I've started to realize is that I'm getting pretty good at
ritual. This evokes great joy in my Brothers, and that usually fills me
with a tinge of dread. I am getting a good sense of my limits and I'm
fully prepared to turn down opportunities to volunteer for something.

You may think I'm over-stretching myself, but I wouldn't have it any
other way.

Jonathan Paz
Papillion Lodge #39 A.F.&A.M.
Nebraska

[Rob Sandilands]

... when you consider that Freemasonry is about, among other things,
exploring and developing your abilities, it seems to me that you have
been successfully doing this ... and identifying your limits is also a
part of that process ... well done ...

--

Rob Sandilands PM
Warwick Lodge No 160 UGLQ

'I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it!'