Hidden Depths: 100 Daily Meditations for Royal Arch Freemasons: Masonic Meditations, #2

By Jonti Marks

Following on from the success of 'Level Steps: 100 Daily Meditations for Freemasons,' this companion volume offers further practical insights into the deeper spiritual meanings of Freemasonry, with particular reference to the symbolism and forms of the Holy Royal Arch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jonti Marks
• Release date: Aug 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9780954874360

Jonti Marks

Jonti Marks was born in London and grew up partly in England and partly in Kenya. He was a school teacher for 27 years and worked in Zambia, Kenya and the UK as an English and Drama teacher and also as a Head. He left teaching in 2013 to devote himself to his writing full-time. Jonti became a Freemason in Nairobi in 1990 and has always been interested in the deeper, spiritual significance of the Craft. His Masonic writings aim to illuminate these hidden depths and to help make Freemasonry relevant, useful and inspiring for Masons and non-Masons alike. Jonti's non-Masonic writings are largely informed either by his experiences as a teacher or by his life in Kenya - and often by his life as a teacher in Kenya! Jonti's book,' Teaching from the Heart:100 Meditations for Teachers' follows the format of the Masonic books and offers 100 inspirational messages for teachers, parents, policy makers and educationalists in every sphere who do so much to determine the well-being of our society and the future of the planet. It was written as a parting gift to the profession and is the distillation of a 30-year philosophy of education that appears increasingly important and even urgent in today's moral climate. 'The Bhagavad-Gita in 18 Sonnets' also reflects a lifetime's interest and a deep connection with the spiritual teachings of India. Jonti has been familiar with the Gita for all of his life and was moved to try to capture some of the essence and spirit of this sacred text in a wholly poetic form. You can find out more about Jonti at: www.jontimarks.com

Book preview

100 Daily Meditations for Royal Arch Freemasons

Jonti Marks.

Copyright Jonti Marks 2013

This edition published by Jonti Marks at Smashwords

The right of Jonti Marks to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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To Jo

for her love and creative support;

To my children,

Malaika, Jesse and Sami;

To my sponsors and patrons for their support, both practical and moral;

And, as ever, to the Brethren and Companions of the Old Bromsgrovian Lodge and Chapter, 5743,who hold and support me as true Brothers.

Contents:

Title page

Copyright

Dedication

Contents

Introduction

1. May God grant further aid...

2. He that has light...

3. Oh thou, who hast called us

4. Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab...

5. Reveal to us the wavering ranks...

6. I pray you with all earnestness...

7. And silent, before us...

8. Pure wisdom always directs itself...

9. Almighty God, unto whom all hearts...

10. Then he answered and spake unto me...

11. We three do meet and agree...

12. Do you present yourself...

13. I have taught thee...

14. Yet now be strong...

15. ...may he not enter our Order lightly...

16. Truth is One...

17. ‘...may he ever remember...

18. You have now arrived...

19. Let that want remind you...

20. In the beginning...

21. Let us therefore...

22. For wisdom is better than rubies...

23. Because of thy temple...

24. The Royal Arch...is therefore concerned...

25. In the second year of Darius...

26. ...three Master Masons from Babylon...

27. And I have filled him with the spirit...

28. Humility and docility...

29. My companions and I...

30. That, Most Excellent...

31. ...it was not lawful for any man...

32. ...emblems of that purity of heart...

33. ...there are three epochs in the history...

34. ...and from this, the strongest...

35. Understand that as the mighty wind...

36. When a man finds his path...

37. The three greater lights...

38 A man to personify intelligence...

39 Thus saith Cyrus...

40. ...the Royal Arch signs...

41. How strained and wretched...

42. ...we are taught...to bend with humility...

43. The triangle has long been considered...

44. Prepare our hearts in sympathy...

45. The circle is an emblem of eternity...

46. On that plate of gold...

47. Then rose up Zerubbabel...

48. It shows the Royal Arch to be...

49. Do you promise to administer justice...

50. I must, however, impress upon your mind...

51. ...whilst we are labouring...

52. The crown...being an emblem...

53. ...we learn that the Almighty...

54. ...and to preserve that bond...

55. ...an example of that moral rectitude...

56. But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua...

57. Grant that our labours...

58. The passages of Scripture...

59. It is the best proof...

60. ...at your initiation...

61. Vouchsafe to us that mercy...

62. To that end you must subdue...

63. ...the harmony of the Chapter...

64. It...is peculiarly characteristic...

65. It is intended to remind you...

66. ...impress your mind...

67. Wisdom is the principal thing...

68. We have the fullest confidence in you...

69. You should make yourselves perfect...

70. ...but the public reputation...

71. You are to see that your officers...

72. It also strongly typifies...

73. Companions in Office...

74. May your Chapter become beautiful...

75. CULTOR DEI...

76. The Circle is an Emblem of Eternity...

77. They gave money also...

78. Even God...

79. Here’s a health to all those that we love...

80. Hierusalem, my happy home...

81. The nature of God is a circle...

82. We hold these truths...

83. From the gods...

84. If a man will begin with certainties...

85. But men must know...

86. This knowledge is the king...

87. All good moral philosophy...

88. If a man be gracious and courteous...

89. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel...

90. God help all poor souls...

91. Through such souls alone...

92. Courage, brother! Do not stumble...

93. ...yet from those flames...

94. Deep into that darkness peering...

95. This is none other but the house of God...

96. Fiat lux...

97. I AM THAT I AM...

98. Be strong and of good courage...

99. Thou shalt love thy neighbour...

100. Sing unto God...

Afterword

Introduction:

To be honest, it’s taken me a very long time to feel that I even begin to understand what Royal Arch Masonry is all about. I know I’m not alone, however, because one of the most common reactions I see from Companions when we talk about our Chapter meetings is a sense of bewilderment and lack of comprehension.

I’m not necessarily saying that I understand it fully even now but, having been through the Principals’ chairs, I at least feel that I am familiar enough with the outer form of the ritual to begin to consider its inner meaning.

The main conclusion that I’ve come to is that the secrets of the Holy Royal Arch are almost inexpressibly profound and personal and if we are to find meaning within its rituals, we have to go very deep indeed, as deep, metaphorically speaking, as the vault into which our ancient Companion was lowered.

This seeking out of the depths, this willingness to search in the darkest places to find the truth, strikes me