DEDICATION

What prepares us to pick up the tools of a Master Mason?  Our tools are practical. A hoe, shovel, pick. A hammer, chisel.  Speech, language, vocabulary, pen. Art, science. And then we are introduced to the tools of philosophers.  Tools that are as real as mathematics and geometry. But we aren't familiar with them. We hear the descriptions-of  a world undetected, like spectrums of light beyond our eye sight, that exist but aren't "seen". What is justice? What is a good man? What is truth?  These are things we already "know".  There is no need to question.  We have been told and taught at our churches and temples.Philosophy asks big questions. The calculus is logic and reason. We can't observe as we would during a walk through the woods. We observe in the mind. Like mathematicians. Answers are constants with rules, methods for consistency.  And just when we are convinced all that is right and beautiful is hard, factual science, we find physics at a standstill; quantam, string having limits; turning to philosophy in an attempt to find solutions. What is this overarching power? Why is it the foundation of the Order of Freemasons?   Such is the metaphoric 'rebirth' of an initiant. Such is the adjustment. No one apologizes to the teenager for the turmoil of leaving childhood. Adjusting to new, emerging states of emotion, intense feelings, reactions to an emerging change of the ego of childhood to the acknowledgement of one's place in family, group, friendships, education and employ.  No we are not born equal. We are genetic expressions of our ancestors. Our environment is uncompromising and demands we pay the toll.  To be invited to achieve satisfaction as part of a legendary group is not accessible to one and all. But if a man has the means and access the dice is rolled. If he is fortunate,  he will experience influences that encourage and challenge.