The
Lost Keys of Freemasonry: Or, The Secret of Hiram Abiff, by Manly P. Hall
N.Y. New York,
Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, 2006. Pages: 352. ISBN-13: 9781585425105
The Lost Keys of
Freemasonry, by Manly P. Hall seeks to tie the modern Masonic Initiations to
the Ancient Mysteries of the Egyptians, Persians and other ancient
civilizations. According to Mr. Hall, Freemasonry is the continuation of the
Ancient Mysteries. It is esoteric in nature; the exoteric only serves to point
us towards the esoteric. All of the world’s great religions of the past (and
present) have had Mystery Schools in which certain deserving individuals gained
deeper knowledge and insight to their specific creed. Hall tells us that these
are all interrelated and point to the same Light; the one true God, The Creator
and Builder.
To
bring a little light to the subject; Exoteric refers to knowledge that
is outside of, and independent from, a person's experience and is capable of
being ascertained by anyone. Esoteric, on the other hand, refers to
knowledge that is understood by, or meant for, only the select few who have
special knowledge or interest, intended to be revealed only to the initiates of
a group. Within Freemasonry, we are already a select few, those that have
chosen, and been accepted into our ancient order, removed from the “profane”
the non-initiated. But we can go farther, most Freemasons never get past the
Exoteric meaning of our symbols and rituals. Hall describes how we can go
beyond the surface to break free of the prison of our own making and discover
the true transcendent nature of the Craft. The true Initiate (candidate) should
be one who realizes that there is life and liberty available through reason and
logic and the application of true thought turned toward that light that dimly
shines within his self. Many of us may never delve into the esoteric meanings
of our ritual, for those that do not this may be, as Hall says, “To the rest of
their brethren within or without the lodge their sacred rituals must remain, as
Shakespeare might have said, ‘Words, words, words.’ (Hall 2006, 66)
The
basis of this study is that the spirit of life in Man is killed by three ruffians;
thought, desire and action (perverted thought, uncurbed emotions, and
destructive action.) When perverted they form a prison, when purified, they are
the most glorious powers for good in the world. “These three form the Flaming
Triangle which glorifies every living Mason, but when crystallized and
perverted they form a triangular prison through which the light cannot shine
and the Life is forced to languish in the dim darkness of despair, until man
himself through his higher understanding liberates the energies and powers
which are indeed the builders and glorifiers of his Father's House.” (Hall 2006,
38)
I
found this book very interesting and compelling. Hall’s writing moves easily
through very complex ideas and theory of the basis of modern Freemasonry. Hall
takes us through the deeper meanings of the legend of Hiram Abiff and ties it
into the Ancient Mysteries that have captured Man’s attention for all of
recorded history. His graduated steps from the Candidate to the Qualifications
of a True Mason are rife with great examples of how we should conduct ourselves
as men and Freemasons. Even if you do not buy into the transcendent nature of our
ritual, there are lessons to be learned. In one of our lectures we mention
“light added to the coming light;” The Lost Keys of Freemasonry by Manly P.
Hall is definitely light added to the light already received. I recommend this
book to anyone that wants to get a glimpse of what Freemasonry can be if we
open our minds, spirits and consciences to the Light.
“Truth
is not lost, yet it must be sought for and found.” (Hall 2006, 14)
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