ASSOCIATIONS

It seems reasonable from time to time, that we reevaluate our progress over time.  Perhaps it's also reasonable as students of the Craft to explore our roots beyond the vague endorsements of a few London lodges showing such initiative that brought them together for a drink and a discussion of evolution.  I would wonder, if we want to be taken seriously, we would want to understand events and make connects from the periods of significant development; first with the renaissance and then what poured into and out of the Enlightenment. Punctuating this narrative are references far beyond those time frames. Socratic discussion. Plato rubbing shoulders with Pythagoras. Tantalizing the listener with notions of studying mystery by embracing Arts & Sciences in an delicious process of study.  Is the centre within the mind? within the heart? within a symbolic reference to one or both?  Knowing how essential is not the same as dealilng with public attitude.  He puts in the work and is owe a chance to audition. Graduation is a solitary experience, transcending animus so profound in itself it makes possible the ability to recognize this and similar traps in our logic.  For that we praise the possibility well before we accomplish as we would walking into the student rooms of the Medici where talented artists practiced and plyed their business.  When you begin to listen to yourself, you begin to influence because you know the difference between hubris and accomplishment is a fine line.  Who wants to be a silent influencer in an age of glamour and fame is a rare bird who will never settle for less.  It isn't dead people that matter, it's the vitality of their ideas, demonstrated by the merit of what they did and how they shared their talents with the world.