“When the soul sees itself as a center surrounded by its circumference—when the Sun knows that it is a Sun, surrounded by its whirling planets—then is it ready for the Wisdom and […]
Is Freemasonry a Modern Iteration of Raja Yoga?
A (Very) Brief History of the Order of the Golden Dawn
THE Victorian era saw a proliferation of occult and esoterically inclined orders and society, from new formations of Martinism to the Theosophical Society and its Esoteric Section to Numerous Masonic appellate bodies. Possibly the most well-known, and immediately influential, is the Order of the Golden Dawn. Originally envisaged as an initiatory school of theoretical magic, it because, with its Rosicrucian Inner Order, both a school of initiates and a college of Adepts, practicing both and theurgy. The Golden Dawn existed from the late 19th to the early 20th century in Great Britain and France, and into the 1970s in New Zealand. Its teachings, rituals, and initiations are still influential today.
From Time Immemorial, Humanity’s Celebration of the Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice, which is also commonly known as Midsummer, takes place when one of the Earth’s poles reaches maximum tilt towards the Sun. In the Northern hemisphere, this occurs when the […]
The Elohim – Part II, A Crooked Path
In the first section of this article, I introduced the term “Elohim” and examined a variety of potential explanations for the esoteric and etymological meaning of the word. There possible connections to […]
The MPS Newsletter – April 2021
The April 2021 MPS Newsletter
The Power of Words
Freemasonry reminds us, consciously and unconsciously, that our words matter – that our verbal expressions reflect outwards, radiate with import, and display an image of who we are on the inside.
Self-Improvement and the Neuroscience of Freemasonry: Part I
The Temperate Mason is free because his passions, or uncontrolled limbic system, are no longer in control. His rational mind takes hold of the reins, establishing executive functioning and the willpower to overcome. This is done vis-à-vis the development and strengthening of the Pre-Frontal Cortex (PFC).
Why Are We Here?
Weird as that may be, maybe that’s what our ancestors were also trying to say when they said that God made humans in their image, and God became “Word” so that we could understand what it was like to be God. In our limited capacity as human beings, in a mortal world, we only see part of the whole.
Symbolism and The Literalists
Fundamentalism is everywhere. Let’s be clear: fundamentalism is strict adherence to the basic principles of any subject or discipline. In most cases, people use it to discuss religious adherence to the “word” […]
The Principles of Confucianism
As new nations arose, and large states crumbled, a period of great intellectual curiosity and intellectual expansion occurred. It became known as the Hundred Schools of Thought. The most prominent schools are still taught today, and the most famous of all is Confucianism.
Enrico Fermi – The Architect of the Nuclear Age
Referred to as the “architect of the nuclear age,” Enrico Fermi was a nuclear physicist, a Nobel Prize winner, and a Freemason. Throughout his prolific career, he made substantial contributions to the fields of Quantum Theory, Statistical Mechanics, and Nuclear and Particle Physics. Fermi excelled at both experimental and theoretical work – a distinction accomplished by few physicists.
The Legend of the Emerald Tablets
Whatever the truth, the origins of the Emerald Tablets remain hidden. And perhaps that’s what captures us most of all: an ancient mystery of unknown genesis awaiting our discovery.
The Vedas and Quantum Mechanics
This article explores the theory that quantum mechanics and the Vedic concepts of consciousness are compatible. The mind is something greater; it’s plurality of experiences, and physiological states is an illusion of a single unity.
What was the Leo Taxil Hoax?
Freemasonry is surrounded by intrigue. On the surface, it appears a respectable gentleman’s club: a fraternity of rituals and rites that draw their inspiration from both stonemasonry, and ancient Christian and Jewish […]
The American Lexicon and Freemasonry
Can we communicate effectively without understanding the origin and history of our common language? The American Lexicon includes many terms that Americans utilize often without knowing where the phrase originated. The English […]
Platonic Idealism
As Plato said, “Reality is created by the mind, we can change our reality by changing our mind.”
Masonry, Morality, and the Stanford Prison Experiment
Freemasonry inculcates virtue and moral rectitude in its members by way of exemplifying the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence,
Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice: all which were absent from the Stanford Prison Experiment.
Persecuted Masons: The Holocaust and Hitler’s Attack on Freemasonry
As one of the deadliest genocides in world history, the Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of millions of individuals by the Nazi Regime. The word Holocaust comes from the Greek word […]
Columbia: An American Goddess
If you were to ask the average American which mythical figure best represents the national character, most would reply with a household name: Uncle Sam. The genial yet intimidating patriarch has dominated artistic and […]
What Can Science Teach Us About Racism?
The Masonic Philosophical Society is an organization which values not only ethnic diversity, but also approaching problems with wisdom and objectivity. Science can be an excellent source certainty on many topics. In the case of the issues brought to the surface by the death of George Floyd recently, what can science tell us about racial bias?
The Labyrinth at Chartres: Why Are Sacred Places Important?
Can a labyrinth really be a tool for enlightenment? Are sacred places important?
Bored Because of Social Distancing? Join the Online M.P.S. Community
Everyone deserves to be part of a community: to understand, to change, to improve, and to inspire. At the Masonic Philosophical Society (M.P.S.), we embrace the concept of learning as a life-long […]
The Science Debate
One would think there is no debate about science. The scientific method is, quite simply this: “a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic […]
Curiosity and Intuition
Not long ago, a friend asked how I’ve come to this point in life with the vocation and avocations that I have. Were these all conscious choices or not? I thought long […]
The Universe Perceived
If we perceive the universe, does it exist? And what if we fail to perceive? Why Does the Freemason Care? I’m going to start off with something that people usually place at […]
Dharma, Duty, and Freemasonry: Part II
This is Part II of a two part series on Dharma, Duty, and Freemasonry. Readers can view the first installment here: Part I. “Hindu Dharma is like a boundless ocean teeming with […]
Dharma, Duty, and Freemasonry: Part I
WE all have duties, which we are responsible for in life, although some may not ascribe these responsibilities that term. We are responsible for the well-being of families and our own self-improvement. […]
Brother or Friend?
A long time ago, I heard a Freemason tell another that they “should not be friends” with their Brothers. It was a strange comment to me, as I thought that when I […]
Should The U.S. Electoral College Be Abolished?
Many Americans uphold the U.S. Constitution as a visionary document: drafted in a spirit of equality and encouraging the maximum democratic participation for all voters. The Preamble’s introductory line, “We the people of the United States, in […]
The Dionysian Artificers – Part 2
We discussed briefly, in Part 1, the text of the book, “The Sketch of the History of the Dionysian Artificers,” by Hippolyto Da Costa. The book, written in 1820, is the author’s […]
How to Attend an MPS Meeting
The Masonic Philosophical Society (M.P.S.) has officially been active for more than five years now. It has grown to over 30 Study Centers across the globe, in at least five different countries. There […]
Symbolism, Freemasonry, and the Tarot
Is a picture worth a thousand words? In our modern society, most are acquainted with Tarot cards as a form of divination or fortune telling. However, there is a deeper, more esoteric […]
The Elohim – Part I, The Sons of God
The term “Elohim” has been alternately identified as a name of God, angels, demons, or other types of supernatural beings. It has been associated with The Shining Ones, the Anunnaki, Nephilim, and […]
The Illusion That Is Caste
The word “caste” comes from the Portuguese word casta, meaning “race, lineage, tribe or breed.” It originally comes from the Latin word castus meaning pure. The Spanish and Portuguese used the word differently […]
St. John the Evangelist, Involution, and Freemasonry
There’s been much written about the patron saint of Freemasonry, Saint John the Baptist. His feast day, celebrated by Freemasons over the world, is in June – the time of greatest light […]
Fear and Freemasonry
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. […]
Your Shoes are My Shoes
In a recent conversation, a colleague of mine began a tirade of a person who, in their estimation, had no compassion. “How can they hold something that happened a year ago against […]
Dogma, Change, and Freemasonry
When the Norse arrived in Greenland, in the mid 10th Century, they found a land that was experiencing a global warming trend with green fields, retreating ice floes, and oceans teaming with […]
The Nature of Fractals – Part III: Our Chaotic Reality
This is Part III of a three part series on the Nature of Fractals. Readers can view the first two installments here: Part I and Part II. In the previous part of […]
The Nature of Fractals – Part II: Of Spirit and Matter
In the previous part of this series, I introduced the concept of a fractal. It is a construct which appears frequently throughout our daily lives and Nature herself. So what could be […]
The Masonic Family
Having been a Freemason for over twenty years, I have seen many people come and go in the Fraternity. There are people who were well-established when I first entered into the Order […]
The Dionysian Artificers – Part 1
A wise and elder Freemason presented a talk long ago on creation, and the term “Dionysian Artificers” was noted in the essay. Ears perked up. I had never heard of this, them, […]
Why Alchemy Failed But Didn’t
The study of the changing of base metals into gold seems to reach the top favorite of occult topics for many. Steeped in a rich history, all who study it have their […]
The Merovingians
This is the third of a rambling three-part exploration of Middle and Dark Age Europe, birthplace of much myth concerning Western religious and esoteric teachings. Never was myth and make believe more […]
Freemasons, Political Awareness, and Voice
In a recent “Today, Explained” podcast, the narrators were discussing the recent Supreme Court decisions involving arbitration and the American worker. In essence, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a 1925 […]
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