(Part 2) Top products from r/freemasonry

Status does not equal money. Elite class members are severely restricted in terms of what is socially acceptable employment for their class. Everyone knows plumbers and electricians make more money than white collar workers ...yet they largely are not considered part of the Elite because of their occupations.

The Stuarts exiled in France supported themselves in part by inventing the Rite Ecossais Ancien et Accepte and charging freemasons to take each of these upper degrees, because while "public theater" was unacceptable employment for the elite class, holding private sacred rites was not. For their part, it became a way that the moneyed (but not elite) class could participate in Elite Level Court Ritual despite being denied Court access, and accumulate ritual honorifics likewise denied them by the state because of their status as laborers and merchants.

The Stuarts found they could also acceptably get involved as a provider to the Royal french table and the Stuart courtiers (but never too high within the court) managed a profitable network of wine merchants (and smugglers and bootleggers) through their network of freemason lodges that provided fine wines to French King Louis XIV's table --and then in turn to all the copycats that wanted to drink the same wines that were worthy of Louis XIV. It was a good synergy --working class men farming and transporting the wine, then elites in court giving their approval to certain vintages (already safely tucked into their wine cellars for resale), greatly increasing their value.

Unfortunately one of the past's most profitable reasons to join Freemasonry, being a wine merchant, is still in multiple US states grounds to have your application declined thanks to the Temperance Movement that highjacked our fraternity.

As to elites being able to support themselves by performing private sacred rites, The Bohemian Club definitely supports itself selling access to America's version of the elite class, CEOs and the members of corporate boards, as is a more local lower level of access sold by the Rotary Club --so called because meetings initially rotated between member's offices. It's obviously a space we're competitive in, but other than brokers and lawyers getting access to customers, we do not have any paying roles that would attract men high in status yet low in funds.

And because in American it is business men that are our elites, they are much less likely to be of reduced means needing additional (but respectable for their class) income as are elites from countries with hereditary titled (but largely diminished in funds) Earls, Viscounts and Barons. I'm sure there would be plenty of men willing to put out an extra $10,000 to have Steve Wozniak confer their degrees, for example, but with $100 million already in assets, money isn't a motivator for him anymore. What motivates him is the opportunity to participate in pageantry. Which is why he's a speaker at San Jose Comic Con.

Hello Brother. I'm Buddhist.

I took my obligations on a copy of the Dhammapada, which is a short book from the overall Buddhist Pali Canon known as the Tripitaka. Generally speaking this is preferred by Southern Buddhists, otherwise known as Theravada. This encompasses those from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and so on. There is also Mahayana Buddhism, which is generally that of China, Japan, Vietnam and so on. It also includes the Himalayan Buddhism of Tibet and Nepal, which is called Vajrayana.

You can get copies of the entire Tripitaka but it is several hundred volumes and requires a set of shelves!

As a suggestion I would ask the Brother what "type" of Buddhist he is. If he is Theravada, then a hard copy English translation of the Dhammapada would be very good. There are many available. this one looks to be quite good http://www.amazon.com/Dhammapada-Translation-Buddhist-Classic-Annotations/dp/1590302117/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413637468&sr=1-1&keywords=dhammapada

If the Brother is Mahayana or Vajrayana then I would suggest the Lotus Sutra or Heart Sutra. These are later texts that are held to be very holy by Japanese and Chinese Buddhists.

I am very happy to provide any further help you require.

"Freemasons for Dummies," if you haven't already, is an excellent book simply because it covers EVERYTHING about Masonry, so there's probably something you missed or hadn't thought of before. If you're into the esoteric/historic side of the craft, I've been to lectures by both these brothers and they're both excellent. The first one is a great read even if all you want to do is learn to motivate others in lodge to be their best-- or use it in your vocation. It's kind of a Masonic "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People."

In my area, a few lodges and the grand lodge have printed history books in the past-- for my dollar, learning how your lodge got to where it is can be the best form of education.

Jim Marrs made me want to be a Freemason. I'm not joking. He wrote a book called "Rule by Secrecy" (find it here)alleging to trace all the major conspiracy theories in modern America back to their roots (spoiler alert: it's aliens.)

I read the book in college, out of skeptical curiosity (spoiler alert: it didn't convince me) and he has an entire section about the Freemasons. He described the beliefs of the Freemasons- Universality, equality for all, the tolerance of all faiths and beliefs, the imposition of a global single government (the "one world government")- and the ushering in of a "new world order" of unified humanity.

It was supposed to be sensationalist, alarmist, and get you totally against the Freemasons. I read it and said "huh, this all sounds pretty great. I can get behind these ideals."

George Washington. Ben Franklin. Teddy Roosevelt. Two of my Great-Grand fathers. My Grand-father. And countless other smart, admirable, and worthy men.

They all knew something. I wanted to know it too.

And, now I do, and I also learned that Jim Marrs doesn't know shit.

For all the talk of William Morgan on here, this is an excellent, balanced book IMHO that discusses the issue in great depth with historical references:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1613421737/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My personal opinion: it was not lodge sanctioned but there were obviously brothers responsible for his disappearance and likely his demise. When you actually read all the history it seems pretty obvious.

Also, consider the Fellow Craft Lecture from But I Digress (Amazon link) which is a truly beautiful analysis of that degree.

I think it's a perfect and easily digested jumping-off point for further Light in the symbolism of the degrees.

That particular rabbit hole goes down as far as you want to climb, but the Fellow Craft lecture that he records in that book is a gentle start that has enough meat to make you want more.

Congrads. Great to hear that your journey will start soon. You might want to read the book called Freemasonry; An Introduction Good luck Brother to be soon!

If you like history and want a theory about the Fraternity's beginning, check out John J. Robinson's "Born in Blood." Great Read, highly recommended. The Master of my Lodge gives this out to every newly Raised Master Mason.

I'm a member of 3 lodges... I understand this as well. We chartered this new lodge over a year ago, brand new. The members wanted a different experience so we "flipped the script" if you will. Our candidates have had some of the most incredible degrees, very proud that we have been able to provide this for them. It's amazing.

here.. https://www.amazon.com/Jigsaw-Puzzles-Pieces-Adults-CHengQiSM/dp/B07TCD46PD/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=white+puzzle&qid=1573664596&sr=8-5

You might want to seek clarification on whether he follows Theravada or Mahayana Buddhism. For some it doesn't matter, others feel very strongly.

Your best bet is a copy of The Dhammapada, one of the most read and translated works in Buddhism.

I got Alchemy & Mysticism by Alexander Roob! Have yet to read it, but beautiful pictures!

You may like this gorgeous book.

I actually know lodges that open with having the newest EA draw the board on a chalkboard on the ground.

I hear that this book is amazing for quitting smoking.

I hear you on the boozing, as I've ebbed and flowed on it over time as well. Tell me, JuggaloMason, how will this affect your consumption of Faygo?

The Southern California Research Lodge gives them out for free to any of their members that notifies them of a newly petitioned Entered Apprentice.

> Our prime project is in the field of candidate education or awareness. When a member of the Research Lodge notes an Entered Apprentice degree to be conferred in his Lodge, he notifies us, giving the name, address and date of degree. We then mail the member a free copy of Allen Roberts' The Craft and Its Symbols for presentation to the candidate when he receives his First Degree. Reading the book will no doubt smooth his way through the balance of his degrees. Due to the nature of the program, candidates in One Day Classes are not eligible. The candidate's address is their passkey to the second half of our program, in which we put the newly initiated Brother on our mailing list for three months, giving him a brief education and information on our Craft. One Day Class members are eligible for the mailings. Due to time and postage, foreign members are not eligible for the program.

Membership in the SCRL is $20.

Edit: Also, Amazon, but it looks like the "new" versions are way more than what I've been able to find elsewhere on the Internet. If you don't trust the Amazon affiliates program, Macoy's has them, also.

Our Lodge gives a copy of this book to every newly raised Master at the same time he's presented his Bible and apron.

This is kind of the classic text on how to brew http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Homebrewing-Third-Edition/dp/0060531053

It's a fun hobby, it's not really that hard. Expect to spend about $100 in equipment to get your first batch going.

Looks interesting. It has a very high rating on Amazon-

http://www.amazon.com/Born-Blood-Lost-Secrets-Freemasonry/dp/1590771486

<u>The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry</u> is a good book to give you some basic information.

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https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiot-Guide-Freemasonry-2nd/dp/1615642374

https://www.amazon.com/Freemasonry-Introduction-Mark-Kolko-Rivera-Ph-D/dp/1585428531

This book should be helpful

And... I just wish listed her book.

I would take a look at Claudy's Entered Apprentice Manual after you're initiated and as you work on your proficiency. It gives a bit of a historical perspective on what you went through along with a bit of review of what's taught in the lectures.

I'd also recommend reading /u/chodapp 's book at your leisure along with the Idiot's Guide.

went rogue, you say?

Buy this book share it with your bros
https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Its-Symbols-Allen-Roberts/dp/0880530588

i think this is a must read for all brothers:
http://www.amazon.com/Born-Blood-Lost-Secrets-Freemasonry/dp/0871316021
born in blood by john j robinson

Check it out "Masonic Toasts, Speeches, and Responses" by Beresiner.

The Freemasons Handbook of Toasts, Speeches and Responses https://www.amazon.com/dp/0853183368/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HkK1BbCAWSZA9

https://www.amazon.ca/Freemasons-Handbook-Toasts-Speeches-Responses/dp/0853183368