          This file is copyright (c) 1995 The Philalethes Society and all
          rights including any redistribution rights are reserved by the
          copyright holder. Permission to quote from, redistribute or to
          otherwise use these materials must be obtained from the
          copyright holder directly by contacting The Philalethes,
          Nelson King, FPS, Editor, 2 Knockbolt Crescent, Agincourt
          Ontario Canada, M1S 2P6. Tel: 416-293-8071 Fax:
          416-293-8634 or CIS: 71202,22
          
          A TIME FOR THE TREE OF LIFE TO COME ALIVE WITHIN
          by Jon Todd Greco, MPS
          
          
          
          There are many fine articles published about
          FREEMASONRY. Most expound the joys and truths of the
          fruits of the Tree of Life. For example: compassion, taking
          care of the sick, the needy, loyalty, always supporting a
          brother, honesty, truth. These are all beautiful values to
          aspire to and to conduct one's life by.
          How did we come to value these ethics? Because of what's
          behind the flowers the tree itself, a magical, esoteric system
          that guides one's consciousness through time and space on
          many levels of awareness, enabling one to create one's own
          reality.
          Sound a bit out there? That's why much of this has been
          cloaked in secrecy and symbolism through the ages.
          What is a 32	 Mason? It is 32 paths of growth and learning.
          A combination of the 22 major arcana of the tarot and the 10
          separoth (spheres) of the Holy Qabalah (the esoteric section
          of the Torah, also a system on how to create, to bring into
          fruition, ideas from the void of nothingness, into reality). 
          Path one for example is the magician symbolizing a young
          man on a spiritual journey. Before him are his cups,
          representing his emotions, his wand signifies his will, his
          sword signifies his thoughts, and lastly a pentacle represents
          his physical plane.
          Before he can evolve spiritually, he must conquer all four of
          these. All systems teach the same paths.  All paths teach the
          same systems. In India, in China all the same.
          To conquer one's emotions Hath Yoga, to cool one's breath
          and balance one's emotions. To control one's stream of
          thoughts Raga Yoga. In the martial arts a teacher will have
          students stand in a painful stance until he passes through
          pain the mind beating out the mind. To conquer one's will (so
          you master it, rather than be at the mercy of your desires)
          Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of devotion. Not my will, but thy will
          be done, surrendering to the higher force, believing in one's
          higher guidance.
          This is only one path there are 31 left. You can see it's a
          lifelong quest to spiritually evolve.
          Our founding forefathers knew how the dark forces of
          ignorance, jealousy, greed and cruelty would want to stamp
          out the light. Many of these great men put their lives and
          reputations on the line. Much was hidden; they knew the
          importance of the meaning pearls before swine.
          Today is a rallying call for all  Freemasons who enjoy the
          mystical side of masonry the actual roots of  Freemasonry,
          to come forward and spread the light and knowledge around.
          If you're wondering why our Blue Lodges are not being filled,
          it's because these esoteric truths are not being passed on to
          inspire the young men.
          As a young man grows through the Tree of Life, he masters
          more paths, his psyche grows. He grows as a human being
          living all the great virtues and ethics in his everyday life. If
          not you who, if not now when.  And he tries to make this
          world a better place for all.
          I say for all there are many people who disguise their true
          motives; be it God, patriotism, but are out only to look after
          their short term needs and goals.
          Masons throughout history have transcended the petty
          norms and trite morays of their social times, and have
          pressed on for the greater good of the many.
          In today's times of massive air, water, and soil pollution,
          where most countries are in moral and economic
          bankruptcy, there still shines a light from the human heart in
          people everywhere, every nation, every creed, every color. It
          is that spark of light, of hope, that transcends time that we
          must continue to nourish, to cultivate, to inspire in others.
          One heart one world.
          And the great secret that has been cloaked in symbolism for
          ages that will accomplish this goal is to learn and master the
          paths on the Tree of Life. To transform yourself, so you can
          inspire others to transform themselves and in doing so the
          world, a synergistic effect. In alchemy the lead was you your
          normal waking awareness you turned yourself into gold,
          locked within, raised your awareness that was the
          transformation. We are the guardians of the light of truth,
          keepers of the flame.
          May that light shine through you strongly, being a man of
          honor in all you touch, and in doing so transform and heal
          this earth that we are so graciously a part of.
          Mind you, this is only one line of  Freemasonry the Scottish
          Rite. There is still the York Rite to travel.