The Uses of Ritual and Symbolism

Leon Zeldis, FPS

Our age glories in skepticism and high technology. Science explores every corner of the universe, from the infinitesimal level of subatomic particles to that of the millions of galaxies spreading in an ever expanding universe, overwhelming us with an endless flood of new facts, while imagination is banished to the sidelines of fiction, and faith is condemned as irrational. Science attempts to find unifying theories that will make the world simple, but daily experience teaches us the opposite, that the world is in fact complex and variegated.

If such is our current world, why do Freemasons insist in conveying their messages through the medium of symbolism? Why do we continue performing long and complicated ceremonies? Why is Ritual the foundation of masonic teaching? Why, in the structure of Masonry, we have to perform a special symbolic ceremony to advance from one to degree to another?

Anthropologists tell us that even the most primitive societies have their rituals, often very elaborate. And in our present, “civilized” world, we are immersed in ritual, though we may not be aware of it. From nurseries to armed forces, from law courts to tennis courts, we see old and newly-born rituals performed every day.

Ritual is intimately connected with symbolism. The national flag, the logo of a company, and the colors of a traffic light, they are all symbolic.

The physicist, the modern demiurge, creates his invisible particles in a world of infinitely precise measurements, elaborate instruments, powerful computers and mathematical analysis.

However, the human mind does not appear to work following the rules of computer logic; rather, it works on the basis of symbolic networks. Apprehension and abstraction are symbolic in nature. The language we use to think with and to convey information to others is no more than a generally accepted system of symbols. Words do not correspond to measurable physical entities. They are but shadows, images that flash in the mind and evoke associations, memories and expectations. Furthermore, most of the brain’s activity goes on underneath the surface, so to say, below the level of consciousness. This activity, revealed sometimes in dreams and myths, is nothing but symbols and analogies.

Say I hold in my hand the score for Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. You see a book, yet in your mind you hear the four stating notes of the music, destiny knocking on the door, or V for Victory, if you remember Churchill. I say this a symphony, but a scientist might claim that it is only an object weighing 400 grams, composed of wood pulp beaten into sheets, partly covered with a mixture of carbon black and glue. Who is closer to the truth? Which truth is closer to us?

I now pick up a plastic disk and say this too is Beethoven’s Fifth. In my mind, they are closely related; the book and the disk are almost twins. More surprising still, they are both somehow representations of another, totally different experience, the actual concert performance of the music. The human mind has this extraordinary ability to abstract these various experiences: attending a concert, listening to a recording, reading a score, and conflating them into a single symbol: Beethoven’s Fifth.

Symbols, then, are tools for thought, ways to grasp reality and to relate it to ourselves. We sometimes forget that all measurements started as proportions of the human body. An inch is a thumb’s length; a palm, a yard (an arm’s length), a foot, a fathom (length of outstretched arms). The scientist has dehumanized his measurements, because his work is not done with tools adapted to the human body, but with instruments adapted to the machine.

In Masonry we look back to our human dimensions. The symbolic tools we use are intended to reveal direct insights about man, the microcosm, and the world about, the macrocosm. Masonry does not teach like in a classroom. We have no professors; rather we all are apprentices, learning through work, through practice, through personal experience.

Masonic teachings are acquired and developed only by personal effort and involvement, by experiencing the ritual ceremonies. Masonic degrees cannot be received by mail or through the Internet, like diplomas after concluding a course of study. Ritual and symbol are dead letter when on the printed page. Only when words and actions come to life, only by personal experience the symbols become reality.

Masons assemble in lodge in order to work. We hold work is such high esteem, because work is essentially a personal experience. Working we must use our hands, minds and heart.

Seeing only the external aspects of ritual, one may be inclined to call it a theatrical game. Indeed, when ritual is performed without proper preparation, as a charade, a series of actions, words and gestures carried out without thinking, ritual becomes a parody.

But ritual can also become the key to unlock a deeper, more immediate understanding of human nature than can be imparted by logical discourse. Ritual incorporates the accumulated experience of wise men who lived in ages before science and the scientific method were dominant, an experience expressed in legends and symbols. When Freemasonry itself is considered as a philosophical institution, that is, an association of free men lovers of knowledge, then, and only then, can we begin to appreciate the value of ritual and symbol in our Masonic work.

Yes, we do play a game in Masonry. It is a very ancient game, ever full of surprises. It is called the game of life. The tools that Masonry puts in our hands allow us to play the game better, with personal enjoyment and for the benefit of others.

More from Leon Zeldis


W.Bro. Leon Zeldis 33°

Hon. Asst. Grand Master  G.L. of the State of Israel.
P. Sovereign Grand Commander AASR, Israel.

The Banks of the Euphrates

Welcome to my column, The Banks of the Euphrates. You may recognize the title from a location mentioned during the Holy Royal Arch degree. During the journey which the candidates of that degree are required to take, they find themselves along the River Euphrates. While the river doesn’t play a prominent role in the degree, I always thought of it as a sort of oasis or resting place for the travelers on such a demanding pilgrimage. Such times of rest and refreshment often bring us the most important lessons in life.

Masonry is a craft. It requires the initiate to work to reap the harvest of its fruitful fields of knowledge. Albert Pike says in Morals and Dogma that “Masonry is action, and not inertness.” We are given working tools and taught their meaning in order to construct that house not made with hands. Certainly, Masonry is a society which lauds the occupation of the speculative quarryman and recommends that he do his work faithfully. Nevertheless, sometimes it is worthwhile to step back from the work of Masonry and examine the whole of that edifice which we are constructing.

Many traditional stories have told of monumental realizations which took place during a time of rest. An old story says that Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity when an apple fell on his head while he was resting under a tree. Jacob was provided with a Divine vision while he lay fast asleep. Mohammed was meditating when the angel Gabriel appeared to him. It is true that many examples of eureka moments occurred during a time of rest and while most of us have never had a Divine revelation or developed a new scientific theory, we have all unexpectedly found knowledge when we simply wished to rest our eyes or quench our thirst.

It has often been said that more Masonry can be found in our fellowship halls than in the lodge room. We find that when we let our guard down and engage in casual conversation that many of our Brothers, friends, and family have a bit of knowledge which can enhance our lives. Perhaps it is only an anecdote about something that happened many years ago or perhaps it is a much needed admonition to examine our personal conduct. Sometimes it is a triumphant statement about the joy of life by a Brother in an unfavorable situation. One of the most memorable lessons that I have learned while taking leave from my Masonic work was from a Brother who taught me how to eat dinner and live my life. He said, “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.” It is a moment of enlightenment that I will never forget.

When I thought about what I wanted this column to be, I realized that I wanted to create an opportunity for Masons to loosen their ties and learn something about Masonry. Perhaps it will be a short piece on Masonic symbolism or history. Perhaps it will be an article about a possible solution to a lodge problem. Perhaps it will take the form of an allegorical story. Regardless of its form, I want the content to lend some ideas to my fellow Brethren who can consider the information presented here and find it an enjoyable opportunity to add to their Masonic experience. There is a large body of Masonic work out there which resembles a quarry and requires the reader to diligently attend to his work. Many of these are great works which deserve a wide readership and much discussion. However, I hope that this column may more closely resemble its title and serve as a place for the reader to sit in the shade, refill his canteen, and quietly ponder the teachings of Freemasonry.

 

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James Wasserman, the author of “The Secrets of Masonic Washington”

Join us this Sunday, February 15th, as we speak with James Wasserman, the author of “The Secrets of Masonic Washington” and compiler of the book “The Mystery Traditions – Secret Symbols and Sacred Art”. James is the author , editor, designer and producer of a number of acclaimed works in the fields of religion, esoteric philosophy, art, symbolism, and history.

It will be an interesting conversation about symbolism, the esoteric, and the mystery traditions that carry these ideas forward, including Freemasonry.

The program starts at 6pm PST / 9pm EST on MasonicCentral.com

For more information on Mr. Wasserman, visit: http://www.studio31.com

To purchase his books go to http://masonsonlinestore.com where all books purchased are signed by the author.
Join us for the live program this Sunday at 6pm PST on Talkshoe!

Maja D’Aoust from the Philosophical Research Society

Join us on Masonic Central this Sunday, February 8th, as we speak to Maja D’Aoust who is the Librarian of the Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, California.

Missed the Recording? Listen to the show now!

Our program will cover a range of topics including Hermetics, Freemasonry, the occult , astrology, religious and scientific disciplines and her unique role as caretaker of the libraries massive collection of more than 30,000 items collected by the society and its founder Manly P. Hall.

The Philosophical Research Society is a nonprofit organization founded in 1934 by for the purpose of providing thoughtful persons rare access to the depth and breadth of the world’s wisdom literature.

This will be an excellent program and one not to miss as we delve into the esoteric of yesterday and the role of the philosophic in the future.

For more information on the Philosophical Research Society visit www.prs.org

The program will record live Sunday, 6pm PST / 9pm EST on the only radio program for Freemasons by Freemasons, Masonic Central.

Join our live in “virtual” studio to ask your questions on the digital dominion by logging in to our program on talkshoe!