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Posted at: 9:40 pm Ok. So the title is more of an attention getter…but there is a Masonic point to be made regarding regurgitation. Of course I am talking about the verbal kind…not the former-contents-of-your-stomach kind. Anyway… Our lecture ritual consists of two main players…the lecturer and the candidate. After a degree, the lecturer gives the candidate an impressive, and often very long lecture. These lectures begin to explain and explore the meanings of the various forms and ceremonies that we perform during the conferring of degrees…or the ritual. The main point here is the tragedy of regurgitation. Memorized lectures with no further exploration are worth nothing to the lecturer. Some think that “if it’s in the lecture, it’s good enough for me”. This attitude is disappointing. It exposes a kind of ignorance by choice that we should always frown upon and never pitty. It is a lazy approach to Masonry, and should be extinguished from the Craft. Now, to be certain, most lecturers do bother to go deeper than just looking to the plain meaning of the words. Many of us even find two and three different interpretations of various passages in the lectures, tying them into one another in new and fascinating ways. This kind of mental gymnastics requires an intellectual curiosity and a knowledge of the lectures enjoyed by not too many of our brothers. But the advantages to the Craft as a whole are enormous. Think of it…a lecturer who can do more than just recite prose…a man who ‘knows’ the lecture and the lessons it has to offer. Great idea…huh? Well, don’t we think that this was the original intent of the lectures in the first place? Why else would we be expected to memorize the work? Simple regurgitation? If it were that easy, there would be nothing more to the phrase ‘hidden mysteries of Freemasonry’ than a thinly veiled handshake and password. But to be curious and thoughtful is to deliver more…more to your candidates, more to your Lodge, and more to yourself. These are the great aims that our Craft has in view for its most dedicated members. Otherwise, it’s just puke. |
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November 24, 2007
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Otherwise, it’s just puke.
You had me until that line. Just taking the time and effort required to memorize very long lectures has meaning, both implicit and explicit. Of course, over time, as the lectures become second nature, it’s easier to invest them with meaning. But they’re never “just puke.”
Comment by Mike — November 24, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
I agree that there’s value to the memorization, and I agree that the meaning is important to learn. I’ve put out a challenge to all degrees that they discuss the memory work with appropriate people in appropriate places. Discuss the meanings and applications of the things we obligate ourselves to. These obligations and how we hold them are meaningful in the world as well as the lodge.
Comment by Steve Brettell — November 25, 2007 @ 10:44 pm
Memorization is never enough. That is where Mike and I must differ. Anybody…and I mean anybody who puts for the effort…can memorize.
I am more concerned, and frankly more impressed with the men who actually learn deeper meaning and do more than just the easy work.
It’s like changing a lightbulb and knowing how electricity actually works…anybody can change a lightbulb, but only some can be truly amazed at the inner-workings of that magical item…
Comment by aedifico42 — November 26, 2007 @ 12:33 am
Brothers, memorizing a lecture is not learning the lecture. I once visited a lodge where a Brother was sitting on the sideline with a stop watch while the lecture was being “recited.” I suspect the candidate learned little for it was delivered in a monotone and very rapidly. As it turned out the Brother with the stop watch and the “lecturer” had a contest between themselves as to who could do it the quickest. None of the words were missing, no substitutes; but I can’t say it was perfect. My opinion, neither contestant understand the lecture or its purpose because they had no clue as to its meaning, more than likely something similar occurred when they were given the lecture. In consequence they deprived the candidate of further light.
Comment by Mr. Ed — November 27, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
AEdifico, you may want to make a reference to the end of chapter 3 and the beginning of chapter 4 in Morals and Dogma to reinforce your point.
Comment by emeraldi42 — December 5, 2007 @ 5:02 pm