MAN, MUSIC AND MASONRY
FREEMASONRY AND RELIGION
RITUAL IS GOOD FOR YOU!
WILLIAM LITTLE
MANY FAITHS, ONE BROTHERHOOD
THE LADDER OF JACOB

RITUAL IS GOOD FOR YOU!

Introduction

If you asked three people for a definition of the word ritual, you would get three quite different answers! I think the word ritual refers to any prescribed set of words or actions observed by a group or individual. Albert Mackey, in his magnum opus the Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, has a definition which is worth quoting. It begins thus: Ritual is "the mode of opening and closing a lodge, of conferring the degrees, of installation, and other duties, (and) constitute a system of ceremonies which are called the Ritual. Much of this ritual is esoteric and, not being permitted to be committed to writing, is communicated only by oral construction." This definition by Mackey is very useful for our purpose.

Mental Health

Masonic rituals and their use of powerful symbols, present positive lessons and reinforcements on the psyche of the individual. This is made all the more effective by having the candidate take the central part in the rituals. By these means of communication to the whole person, our masonic ritual helps the member to confront himself and certain fears - fear of the unknown, fear of death etc., in addition to giving him a heavy dose of common sense and how he is to cope with daily life! Freemasonry therefore helps the individual in personal growth, maturity, mental well-being. But  Freemasonry does not provide a complete manual, no matter how many degrees you join!

Health of mind and body are a central concern of our fraternity, and this harmony (of mind and body) is more likely to be achieved if the brother practises what Freemasonry teaches and relives the ritual experience he has had in the lodgeroom.

Ritual in Daily Life

Ritual as a form of ordered service or routine is liberating and empowering. I will give just a few mundane examples. Every person has a set ritual that he follows at the beginning of each day, either consciously or unconsciously. You get out of bed, wash, dress, eat, and begin the day. Walking itself is an ordered ritual. All these actions, done automatically, is a ritual that each person has developed so he will not have to think minutely about every step. And so, ritual is a means to an end, not an end in itself. Masonic rituals should also be seen in this way.

The Quest

Throughout the world there has existed an ancient tradition and technique of using ritual as an aid to passing on knowledge, for improving the world in which one lives, and also the well-being of oneself and the group. Man has been on a quest for enlightenment ever since the dawn of consciousness, and this quest he has enacted through ritual. Yet, rituals of this kind have been largely rejected by modern secular man as being irrational, superstitious or primitive. The so-called Western 'enlightenment' - a materialistic, not spiritual enlightenment - has largely stripped our lives of ritual and ridicules what we have. The idea that our actions could affect the mental, emotional  or spiritual well-being of ourselves, let alone society in general,  is considered by so many these days as being silly, if not downright dangerous.

We all know from personal experience that when we have a sense of purpose and meaning, we become more effective and healthy people. As a consequence, a negative environment/situation can be changed by us into a positive one merely by an act of will and a strong sense of self. This is what Freemasonry and its rituals can help the individual to achieve and also to help him on his Quest.

Ritual and Society

One of the results of the impact of modern science and its technology is that it has removed us further and further from ritual, an awareness of the sacred, even questioning the very existence of a Supreme Being. Meaningful rituals are being progressively eliminated in society generally, our lives thereby are becoming less meaningful, and our actions lack in any real purpose other than personal enjoyment. Freemasonry is an organisation which can redress this trend.

Ritual is just as important for the collective well-being of society as it is for the individual. Collective rituals help clear away the prejudices and actions of the past, the negative energies and thought-forms that have accumulated in society. They work towards a new psychic/spiritual environment, help create peace and harmony in society. But ritual can also do the opposite - just recall the powerful effect of the ritualised pageantry and oratory of Hitler's gatherings in Germany, what led to the Jonestown mass suicide, the Solar Temple deaths, and more recently at the Waco community! This is the shadow side of the use (or misuse) of personal power and ritual, rituals which reinforce a negative view of the world.

Ritual is of especial importance to young people. They need not only social bonding with other people, with their peers, but also bonding with the world of nature and spirit in order to discover their own identity and self-worth. Without these, young people will feel aliented and out of harmony with life. Organisations such as Scouts and Guides are very important in the development of the young, especially these days when society needs more support-structures than ever before, and also meeting places for the young which have powerful ritual/ceremonies and healthy activities. Lack of personal identity and self-worth, meaning, hope and powerful ritual are surely contributing factors in the high rate of crime, depression, and suicide among the young.

Masonic Myth, Ritual and Symbol

Ritual is perhaps the ultimate science of action, having its own logic, structure and order. Our Masonic Ritual, for example,  is very powerful, and it can truly 'initiate' someone into a higher level of awareness of himself and the world in which he lives.

The Craft rituals are a complex arrangement of words, symbols, instruction and myth. It provides a framework for personal development, for the pursuit of self-knowledge. The member is taught, by the use of ritual-drama, certain principles of morality and philosophy. Freemasonry, as the West's leading School of Instruction and Initiation, can assist the member in becoming a more useful member of society in general and within his own family in particular. But, and this is important, Freemasonry is not a cure-all and has never claimed to be. The treatment/development of the whole person must involve the member's own religious faith-community. What Freemasonry provides the member is some very effective 'working tools' for use in society, and it reinforces a very positive outlook on life in general. In this context, Freemasonry can be likened to a "support group" as well as being a great Teacher.

Pilgrimage of the Mason

During the performance of the ritual, the candidate is taking a journey, and this journey is occurring on different levels - it is a physical journey with many tests and trials, but it also takes place on the emotional, psychological and mythological levels. In the lodge room we enter a myth, a very special and unique myth, by way of ritual. It is a very special story containing many hidden treasures of wisdom and insight. The masonic ritual is retracing famous and sanctified tracks across the landscape of history, myth and symbol. The member slips into the same kind of numinosity, with the aid of ritual, that enveloped our heroes.

This pilgrimage, this journey across a sacred landscape, becomes archetypal, done before but always fresh again. (This is why we never tire of our rituals and why we need to repeat them.) It is a well-cut groove in the world psyche that inducts us, as we walk along its pathways by the aid of ancient ritual and its symbols with coded messages. That is why masons must be made aware that it is more than just an interesting story: you live the story line, seeing yourself as its continuation, identifying with the hero in question - you become the hero.

What is the purpose of this journey in Freemasonry? It helps in our search for identity and our quest for meaning. It does this mainly through ritual and symbol, working especially on our psyche and the unconscious where our symbols and myths speak to us. But we are not alone on our journey, as we  have the benefit of personal experiences shared with us by our brethren. This solidarity of purpose and commitment, and the experiences shared, are among the great strengths of our Fraternity.

Conclusion

One could say that, as a daily intake of morning cereal and fruit juice helps to maintain a healthy body, so too does a regular dose of good ritual maintain a healthy mind!