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W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar Jan 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month
“Service to humanity is the rent I pay for living in this planet.”
--- T.T.Rangarajan ---
We had our regular meeting for the month of Jan on Saturday the 6th Jan 2007 at Freemasons Hall, Madras. An initiation ceremony was conducted wherein Bro. B Badrinarayanan was made an E.A.F.M. The N E Charge was rendered by W.Bro. L Ramani, Working Tools was explained by Bro. N Hariharasubramanian, Charge after Initiation was delivered by Bro. R Pariarasu and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Lt. Col. (Retd.) C Venkatraman. Bro Badri, we give you a warm welcome into the Mount Lodge family.
The Installed Master Certificate to our Worshipful Master was presented by W. Bro. S S Prasad. Our Lodge was visited by W.Bro. Devarajan of Lodge Raisina, New Delhi, Bro. Raghunanandan Singh of Lodge Bharathy, Pondicherry and Bro. Avudaipillai of Lodge Veerasami No. 200.
We are extremely happy to inform you that the Lodge Publication titled “Light from the Mount” an Anthology (263 pages) is ready and about to be released at the RGL meet to be held on 27th of this month at Mangalore. We appreciate the strenuous efforts taken by the compilers viz. W.Bro. R Dwarakanath, W.Bro. L Ramani and W.Bro. K S Sreekanth. We also thank all the brethren who have contributed towards this Publication.
The publication is priced at Rs. 200/- per copy and the proceeds of the sales goes to the Project Fund. Brethren can buy their copies during the next meeting from the Secretary.
FRAGRNCE OF INTELLIGENCE:
Just as a beautiful flower which is both radiant and sweetly scented, so are the beautiful words of one who acts accordingly.
Just as many garlands can be made from a heap of flowers, so a mortal can accumulate much merit by good deeds.
The fragrance of flowers, even that of sandalwood or incense, even that of Jasmine, cannot go against the wind; but the sweet fragrance of intelligence goes against the wind. All around the man of intelligence spreads the fragrance of his Virtue.
No fragrance, not even that of sandalwood or jasmine, can be compared with the fragrance of intelligence.
RESPONSIBILILTIES OF A FREEMASON
Julius Caeser was at the height of his power when he badly needed a chariot driver. Words were sent throughout the Empire and thousands and thousands of applications were received. There were three applicants who were finally selected for their physical and mental qualification. Julius Caeser had to get only one of the three, so he invited them to dinner at his place. At the back of the garden where they were dining, was a deep precipice. Without any preliminaries, Julius Caeser told the three young men : “Fifty yards yonder is a deep precipice. You three have been found to be expert chariot drivers. I would like each of you to answer this question. How close to that precipice you can drive my Chariot.
One stood up, with smiles in his face. “Your honour, I can drive your chariot, with you riding with me, twelve inches from the precipice at a fast clip”.
The second not to be outdone, stood up. Your honour, I can drive your chariot with you riding with me six inches away from the precipice, at a faster clip.”.
The third shuddered, at the answers of the two. He rose humbly and meekly said, “Your honour, if I am driving your chariot and you are riding with me, I will drive that chariot as far away as I could from that precipice in order that your life will be safe.”
This story was used by M.W. Damaso C. Tria, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Philippines on April 29th 1971 in his Inaugural address at his installation to emphasise that an officer is expected to measure up to the responsibilities of his office. If he takes pride only in wearing the jewel and carrying the title, without realizing the responsibilities, he would do that jewel and tile no hour, nor would they do him any.
Why I Go to a Lodge?: ” I go to Lodge because I like the society of men. I go, because at Lodge I meet a representative cross-section of my fellows, each my peer. Creed, occupation, rank, educational inequalities, differences in life’s station, all are forgotten. At Lodge, man and man clasp hands as Brothers and there is a kick in that for me.”
“I go to Lodge because I learn of the problems of others. I aid them in solving those problems, as my fraternal associates willingly aid me to solve mine. There is a satisfaction in that for me.”
“At my Lodge, there is a time for work and a time for play; there is a time for me and a time for mine. My attendance at Lodge shows my pride in the Order, not ostentatiously, but none the less effectively. I want my boy to have greater reverence for Masonry than I myself.
“I go to Lodge because there I am assured that merit alone will determine my standing among the brethren. There is joy for me in working under such conditions.”
“I go to Lodge because there I am surrounded by professing believers in Almighty. I am, therefore in the best company that this old Earth affords to human beings. To me, it means a renewal of my Faith to pas the Lodge room threshold, and if my presence means to others, what theirs mean to me it inspires new courage, confidence and conviction that is not misplaced.
I go to Lodge to come away a better man. My manhood need constant bolstering. While this is a confession of my weakness, it also testifies to the strength of the Fraternity. As my acquaintance and contacts within the order grow, my capacity for better things increases; not only do I become a better man, but a better husband and a better father.
By W. Bro. R C Kesavamurthy – Lodge Kodaikanal 235
Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani
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W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar Feb 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month |
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There is only one corner of the Universe you can be certain of improving and that’s your own self. ---- Aldous Huxley ---- |
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Our regular meeting was held on 3rd Feb at the Freemasons’ Hall. An initiation ceremony was conducted in which Bro. Ram Srinivasan was made an Entered Apprentice Freemason. The N.E. Charge was rendered by Bro. D R Chandramouli , Working Tools was explained by Bro. Puvada Srinivas, Charge after Initiation delivered by Bro. R Pari Arasu and the Tracing Board of the Degree was explained by Bro. Lt. Col. (retd) Venkatraman. Bro Ram Srinivasan, we extend you a warm welcome into the Mount family. |
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The following officers were invested:
- W. Bro. P Madhusudan as Treasurer
- W.Bro. V Subbiah as Steward
- Bro. D Ramprasad as Steward
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The patent of appointments of Grand Rank for the year 2007 were conferred to the following brethren by the GLI and the same were presented by W. Bro. R Dwarakanath: |
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V.W. Bro. R Kalidasan – Past Grand D of C
- V. W. Bro. T K Ramachandran – Past Senior Grand Deacon
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Grand Lodge Certificates were presented by W.Bro. K Kasthuri to 1) Bro. P Srinivas, 2) Bro. D Ramprasad and 3) Bro. D R Chandramouli. |
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The following brethren were felicitated and presented the certificate of Merit Award issued by the RGL by V.W.Bro. R Kalidasan for RWC Stage 1 2006 |
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W. Bro. K Kasthuri – W. Master
- Bro. Hariharisubramanian for delivering North East Charge
- Bro. R Pari Arasu for delivering Charge after Initiation
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Our senior member R.W.Bro. K V Raghavan, was called to the Grand Lodge above on 24th Jan. We extend our sincere condolences to his family on his bereavement. May his soul rest in peace. His memorial service is slated on 25th Feb (sun) at 10.30 am.
Brethren of Mount Lodge attended the 500th Meeting of their Daughter Lodge Lodge Bharathi, Pondicherry, on the 10th of Feb. Three degrees were worked on this day. The First and Second Degree was done by The Mount Lodge Team. While the initiation was done by W.Bro. S Nandakumar, the passing was done by W.Bro. K Kasthuri, in which our Bro. B Badrinarayanan was made a Fellow Craft Freemason. The Third Degree was worked out by brethren of Lodge Bharathi. |
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Light from the Mount:
This book was released by our RGM R.W.Bro. G K Selvarajan at the RGL meet at Mangalore. He appreciated the commendable efforts made by the brethren of Mount in bringing out this publication and remarked that the book is a keep-sake for every mason. The book was highly appreciated by the RGM of Western Region, viz. Vasudev Masurekar, at the meeting. The Lodge places on record the services rendered by brethren at the Book Counter 1) R Pari Arasu 2) V S Ramakrishnan 3) S Prabhakar 4) B Badrinarayanan and 5) D R Chandramouli.
It is earnestly desired that every member of The Mount Lodge No. 14 should possess this book as it delves on all the facets of freemasonry. For copies, members can contact the Master or the Secretary. Please remember that the proceeds of the book goes for a Noble Cause. |
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A SMILE
A smile costs nothing, but it gives so much:
It enriches all those who receive it,
Without making poorer, those who bestow it.
It takes but one brief moment, but it’s memory
Can and often does, last a life time.
No one is so rich or mighty, that he can do without it.
And no one so poor, but that he can be made rich by one.
A smile creates happiness and laughter in the home.
And fosters only goodwill, in the world of business.
And is a Freemason’s countersign of friendship.
It brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged,
Sunshine to the sad and is nature’s best antidote for troubles.
However a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or
Stolen;
For it has no value to anyone, until it is given away.
Therefore Brethren all, go out into the everyday world,
And give those whom you meet who are too tired to smile,
One of your’s; As no one needs a smile and so much,
As he who has no more to give.
-- Source -- Square and Compasses --- |
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Oneness
“All things in this creation exist within you, and all things in you exist in creation; there is no border between you and the closest things, and there is no distance between you and the farthest things and all things from the lowest to the loftiest, from the smallest to the greatest are within you as equal things. In one atom are found all the elements of earth; In one motion of the mind are found the motions of all the laws of existence; in one drop of water are found the secrets of all the endless oceans; in one aspect of you are found all the aspects of existence.”
--- Khalil Gibran --- |
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Live your Character - T T Rangarajan
“A rose has its own personal standards. Call it by any name, it still smells the same. Even amidst thorns it lives upto its personal standards – beautiful, tender, colourful and fragrant. The rose does not bloom for you – blooming is its nature. It does not spread its fragrance for you – being fragrant is its nature. Your being there and experiencing it is incidental. The rose, irrespective of your presence, simply lives upto its nature, The message to you and me is to live our character. Even during testing times, live your character. Hold yourself to your personal standards of character and simply live your character at all times.”
Your are rich by what you give :-
Roses are meant to be given and not kept. The joy is in giving a rose or in being given a rose. People buy roses to give, not to keep. Let us know enough so that we may share.
Let us have enough so that we may give. Let us live to give.
Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani
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W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar March 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month |
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Too many people miss the silver lining because they are expecting gold
------ Maurice Setter----- |
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Our regular meeting for the month of March was conducted on Friday the 2nd 2007 at freemasons’ hall, Egmore, Chennai 600 008. Two ceremonies were worked out on the same day.
Firstly W.Bro.V.Subbaiah our past Master occupied the eastern chair and conducted a second degree ceremony. Bro. N. Srinivasan was made a fellow craft freemason. The S.E Charge was rendered by Bro.R.Rangarajan, the working tools of the degree was explained by Bro.B. Badrinarayanan, the charge after passing was delivered by Bro.V.S Ramakrishnan and the tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.M.Balaganesh.
Thereafter the ruling master occupied the eastern chair and initiated Bro.K.A.Visweswaran. The N.E charge was rendered by Bro.D.R Chandramouli, again the working tools was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan, the charge after initiation was delivered by Bro.R.Pari Arasu and the tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.S.Ganapathy. Bro.K.A.Visweswaran we extend you a hearty welcome. Incidentally his father was an initiate of Lodge Asoka.
The Patent of appointment of Grand Rank for the year 2007 was handed over to W.Bro.G.Sivaramakrishnan as Past Grand Inner guard by W.Bro.R.Dwarakanath on behalf of the GLI.
Our lodge was visited by Brethren Jayaram Sundaram, Patrick Michael Devonport and Bro.Vikram of Lodge Veeraswami No.200 and the ruling master of Lodge Accountants No.194 W.Bro.Chinnasamy Ganesan.
We conducted the memorial service to W.Bro.K.V. Raghavan on Sunday 4th March 2007. W.Bro.R.Dwarakanath recollected the memories he had with him and narrated all the good things he had done to our Lodge. His son Murali attended the meeting and announced that he would donate a sum of thousand dollars to the lodge in order to create two endowments in his father’s name. And he has already sent the monies to our treasurer.
It is proposed to increase our Annual subscription by Rs.200 /- for resident members and Rs. 100/- for non resident members since RGL has also increased its half yearly subscriptions. |
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LODGE BUILDING
I cannot too strongly impress upon you, Brethren, the fact that, throughout our Rituals and Lectures, the reference made to the Lodge are not to the building in which we meet. The building itself is intended to be but a symbol, a veil of Allegory concealing something else.
“Know ye not”, says the great initiate St Paul, “that ye are the temples of the Most High, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?”. The real Lodge referred to throughout our rituals is our own individual personalities, and if we interpret our doctrine in the light of this fact, we shall find that it reveals an entirely new aspect of our Craft.
Most Worshipful The Grand Master has sent a message about our publication which unfortunately we received a bit late since the book had already gone into print. Hence for the benefit of the brethren we bring out the same in our news letter. |
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Grand lodge of India
FREEMASONS’ HALL, JANPATH, POST BOX NO.681, NEW DELHI – 110 001
Ph: 91(11)23321956, 23321949 Telefax : 91(11)23320276 Grams: ‘Masonic’
e-mail: glindia@nde.vsnl.net.in
JUSTICE DEVINDER GUPTA, OSM
Grand Master
MESSAGE |
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I am happy to learn as ardent and avid readers of Masonic literature a few Past Masters of Mount Lodge, 14 have brought out a book called “Light from the Mount”. Though I have not had the pleasure and benefit of going through the contents of the book, I have been given an idea of the wide variety of interesting articles and notes on various Masonic topics and subjects that have been covered in the book which makes interesting reading. While I am aware that there is lot of literature and interesting research material available in various Masonic Books and in the Internet, it is not possible for every one to access them. This collection of interesting articles and notes on various Masonic topics I am sure will serve a very useful purpose and enable the brethren particularly the younger Freemasons to make further progress in acquiring Masonic knowledge and it will be a welcome addition to the Masonic literature, in the country..
I congratulate the Past Masters of Mount Lodge for their effort, as also their desire to share their efforts with others. I commend it to the Masonic Fraternity of the country and look forward to its release at the Annual Investiture Meeting of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India at Mangalore on 27th January 2007. I am also happy to learn that the proceeds from the sale of the book will be credited to the Mount Lodge charitable Trust.
I congratulate the authors of the book once again for the initiative taken by them. Their effort will I hope generate sufficient interest amongst other like minded Masonic Scholars to bring out more such publications. |
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(JUSTICE DEVINDER GUPTA)
Grand Master
Signed
FILLER
The cycle of life: The seed dies to become a plant, the flower dies to become the fruit and the fruit dies to become the seed. Life is in constant equilibrium. It is in a state of constant recycling. Actually nothing ever dies, for it is reborn in another form. Every beginning will end and every end will begin again. This is the cycle of life. Align yourself to this law of impermanence. Remember you have come to go and you will go to come again.
----Voice of Love----
Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani
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W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar April 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month |
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A Love affair with knowledge will never end in heart break.
------ Michael Garrett Marino----- |
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Our regular meeting for the month of April was held on 7th Saturday at Freemasons’ hall Madras 600 008.
Firstly W.Bro.K.Kasthuri our IPM occupied the eastern chair and conducted a second degree ceremony. Bro.Kumar Viswanath was made a fellow craft freemason. The S.E.Charge was rendered by Bro.K.Rangarajan, the working tools was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan, the charge after passing was delivered by Bro.V.S.Ramakrishnan and the tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.M.Balaganesh.
Thereafter the ruling master occupied his rightful place and initiated Bro.Jayaraman Menon. The N.E.Charge was rendered by Bro.D.R. Chandramouli, the working tools was explained by Bro.Puvvada Srinivas, the charge after initiation was delivered by Bro.M.Balaganesh and the tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan.
The patent of appointment of Grand rank for the year 2007 was handed over to W.Bro.P.Madhusudan, our treasurer as past Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies by W.Bro.R.Dwarakanath on behalf of the GLI.
I am very happy to announce that even this year the combined team of our Lodge and Lodge Ramaprasad No.228 won the Lodge Srinivasa Gopala Cricket trophy conducted for masons. Lodge Veerasami No.200 batted first and scored 143 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 25 overs. Bro.Sadan of Lodge Veerasami scored 52 runs while Bro.Venkat Subramanian, Bro.R.Madhavan and Bro.Sankupani took 2 wickets each. In return we scored 145 for 3 and won the match. Bro.Venkat Subramanian and Bro.R.Madhavan scored 31 and 49 respectively and saw us through the tournament. Our Lodge was also represented by Bros.Puvvada Srinivas, B.Badrinarayanan and K.Rangarajan. Congratulations to the team members and we wish you all the best to repeat the feat next year also. |
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The Third Eye
W.Bro.L.Ramani
The Third Eye does not the topic sound obscure? Prima-facie yes but if one ponders deeply it gives a different connotation. Man is one of the few creatures whose eyes open immediately after birth signifying he has to look for many things in life the moment he is born into this world. That is the reason the eyes are kept in the front and not in the back pointing out forward movement. Moreover it is one of the five senses which is essential to explore and understand the creative genius and complexity of Mother Nature and to know the purpose of life.
To the unsearching person there are only two eyes which are physical and can be seen. These are the persons who can indulge only in faculties easily felt by them and endowed to them by God. But there is a third eye which is not physically present but available with every human being which has to be identified and opened for it can make one know and feel the unknown and the inexplicable things in life, beyond the physical plane..
Freemasonry is an icon which opens up The Third Eye. The eye which is not physical but an eye which is opened by the intellect and spirit of the person merging into each other and bringing forth pure wisdom. The geometrical figure triangle can explain this better. The third eye is said to be at the center of the forehead which clearly forms a triangle with the other two physical eyes and it is one of the nodes which takes you to the Sahasrara Kalasa. By being at the top it shows its superiority than the other two physically present eyes and emphasizes that only by identifying it one can broaden his vision and deepen his roots to find out his exalted status in this Universe.
But how does one open The Third Eye? This is clearly spelt out in the Second Degree ritual and the Fellow-crafts Degree is the most significant of all the three degrees even-though it is smaller in contents than the other two. The South – East Charge gives us the answer in no uncertain terms. The charge ends with a permission to extend the researches into the hidden mysteries of nature and science. The coinage hidden mysteries of nature and science is pregnant with meaning. Research is a word attributed to extensive study and analysis. Only with these tools a person opens The Third Eye which is not physically present but resides inwardly. The researches are needed to open it and see which leads a person to wisdom. Even the prayer in the Second Degree refers to the All–Seeing Eye which can also be construed as The Third Eye the Seat of Wisdom, awareness and super consciousness. We know very well that in Freemasonry that the All–Seeing Eye is only one and not a pair when it is represented as a picture. This gives us the justification that it is The Third Eye which the craft hiddenly represents in its ritual and a mason has to take efforts inwardly to see through this eye. Once the effort is completed he can sit in a couch of universal wisdom which is what the Jivan Muktha’s try to achieve and is stressed in the exhortation, “you were led in the Second Degree to contemplate the intellectual faculty and to trace it from its development, through the path of heavenly science, even to the throne of God himself signifying “ Thou art that “ one of the Mahavakiyas. This can be done only by the help of The Third Eye.
The Third Eye is the sixth charka or the sixth power node which is associated with the attributes of clairvoyance, pre-recognition and astral experiences and endeavors to take you to the sahasrara the crown charka to realize the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient which is above the head and called a thousand petalled lotus. It is the pineal gland which is esoteric and metaphysical in its quality. Everything sweeps forth from the eye as they are the windows of the soul but not the physical eyes, it is only The Third Eye. Either you can sleep or be awake in masonry. Which do you propose? There are only two possibilities no third. Follow the second for you can understand the hidden mysteries of Nature and Science better. |
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The Power of the man is in the power of his mind
Thoughts constitute the mind, and the mind constitutes the content of the Being. As the thought, so the mind; as the mind;so the man. The mind of each man is the man himself. We build our future thought by thought. Thought is another name for fate. We are what we are because of what has gone into our mind. What we will be will depend on what continues to go into our mind. I can change myself, if and only if, I change what goes into my mind. Our destiny is shaped by our character; our character is shaped by our habits; our habits are shaped by our actions. But what shapes our actions – it is our thoughts. If we shape our thoughts, we will shape our destiny. Every thought is a blow that forges a part of our lives. Your mind is a garden and your thoughts are the seeds. The harvest can be either flowers or weeds. Life is all about steering the direction of your thoughts. Your thoughts create your reality. In every man, sleeps a prophet. Think your way out.
----Voice of Love---- |
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FILLER
The inlet of a man’s mind is what he learns; the outlet is what he accomplishes. If his mind is not fed by a continued supply of new ideas which he puts to work with purpose, and if there is no outlet in action, his mind becomes stagnant. Such a mind is a danger to the individual who owns it and is useless to the community.
----Jeremiah W.Jenks----
Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani |
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W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar May 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month |
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“Let us work together; Let us realise our object together; Let us conquer together
And Let us not hate each other.”
-----Upanishads----- |
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Our regular meeting for this month was held on Saturday the 5th at 5.30 P.M in the freemasons’ hall, Madras 600 008.
Firstly W.Bro.K.Kasthuri our IPM occupied the eastern chair and conducted a passing ceremony. Bros.Rangachari Madhavan and Ram Srinivasan were passed to the degree of a fellow craft. The SE charge was rendered by Bro.K.Rangarajan, the working tools of the degree was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan, the charge after passing was delivered by Bro.V.S.Ramakrishnan and the Tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.Lt.col.C.Venkataraman.
Thereafter the ruling master conducted a ceremony of initiation wherein Bro.N.Sudhir and Bro.Srinivasan Ram mohan were made entered apprentice freemasons. The NE charge was rendered by Bro.Chandramouli, the working tools was explained by Bro.V.S Ramakrishnan, the charge after initiation was delivered by Bro.M.Balaganesh and the Tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan. We extend a warm welcome to the new made Brethren.
The patent of appointment of the Regional Grand Rank for the year 2007 was handed over by W.Bro.R.Dwarakanath on behalf of the RGL of southern India to the following Brethren.
- W.Bro.G.Madanaraj Past Assistant Regional Grand Master
- W.Bro.G.Sivarama Krishnan Past Assistant Regional Grand Master
- W.Bro.S.S.Prasad Past Assistant Regional Grand Master
- W.Bro.V.S.Kylas Past Assistant Regional Grand Secretary
- W.Bro.K.S.Sreekanth Past Assistant Regional Grand Secretary
- W.Bro.K.S.Sankaran Past Regional Grand Organist
- W.Bro.L.Ramani Past Regional Grand Inner Guard
- W.Bro.V.Subbaiah Past President Regional Grand Steward
- W.Bro.N.Meenakshi Sundaram Past President Regional Grand Steward
The Grand Lodge certificates were presented to the following Brethren by W.Bro.K.Kasthuri.
- Bro.K.Suresh Babu
- Bro.karunasagar
- Bro.Pukhraj Anil Khicha
- Bro.Swaminathan Eisenhower
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We're Boring The Brethren To Death
by Skip Boyer, MPS
From the February 2005 “The Philalethes” Magazine.
1. The river of men knocking on the door of the Temple of Freemasonry at the beginning of the last century has slowed to a steady but diminished stream. This is not universal, I think, but seems to be true for a great many lodges. Men do still seek us out, though not as many as times past.
2. I don't really believe that welcoming new brothers is the real problem. The real problem is retaining the active interest of the ones we have. And why is that? It's simple. We are boring the brethren, Brothers.
3. I recently sat in a lodge in San Antonio, Texas. The young Worshipful Master handled his stated meeting with style. Including opening and closing in due and ancient form, the entire meeting was over in 45 minutes and the brethren retired to a nearby restaurant for dinner, as is their usual custom.
They were home by 10 p.m. They were having fun. They were enjoying each other and their fellowship. It was a delight to be in their midst. Oh. One other thing. The lodge was full. It wasn't a big lodge room, but there were easily 60 or 70 brothers present.
4. I contrast it with the stated meetings of my own lodge. This is not a criticism of the Worshipful Master or the brethren. Indeed, I'm guilty of this, myself. Our stated meetings can last from two to four hours. We read the minutes. Every single set for every meeting since the last stated meeting. We listen to committee reports. We quibble over issues that should have been resolved long before the meeting ever started. We do the same thing at each stated meeting and, frankly, it's boring as hell.
5. By the way, I sat in another lodge recently in another state. Both will remain nameless. They read the bills. Not just for the month but FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR! Every single one of them. It's a good thing we were open on the Third Degree because by 11 p.m., they didn't have enough brothers present to close a lodge of Entered Apprentices.
6. I believe we have two types of men in Masonry. There are those who love the philosophy and the ritual and find something new each time about themselves and their relationship to God and man. Then there are those to whom the philosophy and ritual are not of any real interest. They are interested in the management and running of an organization or club. They love to divide the indivisible, unscrew the inscrutable and split every bylaw hair they can find. They would be equally at home in a Rotary or Kiwanis meeting. Again, this is not a criticism. You have to have both kinds.
7. But - and this is the real point - I'm at a point in my life when one of the most valuable things I have is my time and I'm coming to realize that I may have a lot less of it than I thought when I was 25. If you want me to spend some of that valuable commodity, you'd better give me a good reason. I submit to you that, right now, we are not doing that. Why should I sit for three or four hours and listen to the minutes being read. I don't have time for it. And I'm bored.
THE SOLUTION?
8. ELIMINATE. Post the minutes. Post the communications from the Grand Lodge. Post anything that doesn't need to be read. Abbreviate the reading of petitions. I've never yet seen a brother in lodge writing down the telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of candidates.
9. LIMIT. If we are going to split hairs on bylaws, etc., put a time limit on each speaker. You have two minutes to make your point. Sam Goldwyn once said that if you couldn't write your idea on the back of his business card, you hadn't thought it out well enough. Two or three minutes should be enough to make the point. Then sit down.
10. ADD. Add things of interest. Get speakers with interesting things to say. Was Jack the Ripper a Mason? What was the Morgan Affair? What are the points behind anti-Masonry? Is secrecy a good thing or a bad one? Let's debate something besides the amount of the checks we write to charities. Let's actually study what Masonry is. Do you know what the meaning of the Hiram Abiff legend is? Have you ever thought about it? You took an oath to always hale, forever conceal and never reveal....but do you know what the word "hale" actually means and why it is spelled that way? Why geometry? Why not music?
11. There are a lot of things much more interesting than listening to the line of officers that performed a First Degree three weeks ago. And we'd better find them, I think. Brother Mark Twain once quipped that "It's a terrible death to be talked to death." And that's exactly what we're doing to our Craft. We're talking it to death with meaningless words.
Courtesy - W.Bro.R. Dwarakanath
Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani
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W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar June 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month |
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“Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I will give you a man who will make history.
Give me a man with no goals and I will give you a stock clerk”
-------J.C.Penney------ |
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Our regular meeting for the month of June was held on 2nd, Saturday 2007 at Freemasons’ Hall Egmore, Chennai 600 008.
A demonstration of an initiation ceremony was conducted by our W.Master in view of the ensuing RWC – Stage I, 2007.
The letter of Appointment of RGL Past Rank as past Regional Grand Secretary to W.Bro.K.S.Sreekanth was presented to him by W.Bro.R.Dwarakanath.
W.Bro.K.S.Sreekanth felicitated and presented the certificate of merit from the RGL to W.Bro.K.Kasthuri for the ritual working competition Second Stage 2006 as W.M
The lodge is screening a charity show of the film “Sivaji” starring Rajinikanth on 1st of July at 8.00AM in Annai Abirami Theatre and the tickets are priced at Rs.200/- and Rs.300/-. Brethren who want to buy the tickets can contact the secretary, W.M or Bro.R.Pariarasu – 9444079204. |
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The Masonic Altar
The Short Talk Bulletin
The Masonic Service Association of the United States - Vol. 2. 1924
Masonic Lodge is a symbol of the world as it was thought to be in the olden times. Our ancient Brethren had a profound insight when they saw that the world is a Temple, over-hung by a starry canopy by night, lighted by the journeying sun by day, wherein man goes forth to his labor on a checker-board of lights and shadows, joys and sorrows, seeking to reproduce on earth the law and order of heaven. The visible world was but a picture or reflection of the invisible, and at its center stood the ALTAR of sacrifices, obligation, and adoration.
While we hold a view of the world very unlike that held by our ancient Brethren - knowing it to be round, not flat and square - yet their insight is still true. The whole idea was that man, if he is to build either a House of Faith or an order of Society that is to endure, must imitate the laws and principles of the world in which he lives. That is also our dream and design; the love of it ennobles our lives; it is our labor and our worship. To fulfill it we, too, need wisdom and help from above; and at the center of our Lodge stands the same Altar - older than all temples, as old as life itself - a focus of faith and fellowship, at once a symbol and shrine of that unseen element of thought and yearning that all men are aware of and which no one can define.
Upon this earth there is nothing more impressive than the silence of a company of human beings bowed together at an Altar. No thoughtful man but at some time has mused over the meaning of this great adoring habit of our humanity, and the wonder of it deepens the longer he ponders it. The instinct which thus draws men together in prayer is the strange power which has drawn together the stones of great cathedrals, where the mystery of God is embodied. So far as we know, man is the only being on our planet that pauses to pray, and the wonder of his worship tells us more about him than any other fact. By some deep necessity of his nature he is a seeker after God, and in moments of sadness or longing, in hours of tragedy or terror, he lays aside his tools and looks out over the far horizon.
The history of the Altar in the life of man is a story more fascinating than any fiction. Whatever else man may have been - cruel, tyrannous, or vindictive - the record of his long search for God is enough to prove that he is not wholly base, not altogether an animal. Rites horrible, and often bloody, may have been a part of his early ritual, but if the history of past ages had left us nothing but the memory of a race at prayer, it would have left us rich, And so, following the good custom of the men which were of old, we set up an Altar in the Lodge, lifting up hands in prayer, moved thereto by the ancient need and aspiration of our humanity. Like the men who walked in the grey years gone, our need is for the living God to hallow these our days and years, even to the last ineffable homeward sigh which men call death.
The earliest Altar was a rough, unhewed stone set up, like the stone which Jacob set up at Bethel when his dream of a ladder, on which angels were ascending and descending, turned his lonely bed into a house of god and a gate of heaven. Later, as faith became more refined, and the idea of sacrifice grew in meaning, the Altar was built of hewn stone - cubical in form - cut, carved, and often beautifully wrought, on which men lavished jewels and priceless gifts, deeming nothing too costly to adorn the place of prayer. Later still, when men erected a Temple dedicated and adorned as the House of God among men, there were two altars, one of sacrifice, and one of incense. the altar of sacrifice, where slain beasts were offered, stood in front of the Temple; the altar of incense, on which burned the fragrance of worship, stood within. Behind all was the far withdrawn Holy place into which only the high priest might enter.
As far back as we can go the Altar was the center of human Society, and an object of peculiar sanctity by virtue of that law of association by which places and things are consecrated. It was a place of refuge for the hunted or the tormented - criminals or slaves - and to drag them away from it by violence was held to be an act of sacrilege, since they were under the protection of God. At the Altar marriage rites were solemnized, and treaties made or vows taken in its presence were more holy and binding than if made elsewhere, because there man invoked God as witness. In all the religions of antiquity, and especially among the peoples who worshipped the Light, it was the usage of both priests and people to pass around the Altar, following the course of the sun - from the East, by way of the South, to the West - singing hymns of praise as a part of their worship. Their ritual was thus an allegorical picture of the truth which under lies all religion - that man must live on earth in harmony with the rhythm and movement of heaven.
From facts and hints such as these we begin to see the meaning of the Altar in Masonry, and the reason for its position in the Lodge. In English Lodges, as in the French and Scottish Rites, it stands in front of the Master in the East. In the York Rite, so called, it is placed in the center of the Lodge - more properly a little to the east of the center--about which all Masonic activities revolve. It is not simply a necessary piece of furniture, a kind of table intended to support the Holy Bible, the Square and Compasses. Alike by its existence and its situation it identifies Masonry as a religious institution, and yet its uses are not exactly the same as the offices of an Altar in a cathedral or a shrine. Here is a fact often overlooked, and we ought to get it clearly in our minds.
The position of the Altar in the Lodge is not accidental, but profoundly significant. For, while Masonry is not a religion, it is religious in its faith and basic principles, no less than in its spirit and purpose. And yet it is not a Church. Nor does it attempt to do what the Church is trying to do. If it were a Church its Altar would be in the East and its ritual would be altered accordingly. That is to say, Masonry is not a Religion, much less a sect, but a Worship in which all men can unite, because it does not undertake to explain, or dogmatically to settle in detain, those issues by which men are divided. Beyond the Primary, fundamental facts of faith it does not go. With the philosophy of those facts, and the differences and disputes growing out of them, it has not to do. In short, the position of the Altar in the Lodge is a symbol of what Masonry believes the Altar should be in actual life, a center of union and fellowship, and not a cause of division, as is now so often the case. It does not seek uniformity of opinion, but it does seek fraternity of spirit, leaving each one free to fashion his own philosophy of ultimate truth. as we may read in the constitutions of 1723:
"A Mason is obliged, by his Tenure, to obey the moral Law; and if he rightly understands the Art, he will never be a stupid Atheist, nor an irreligious Libertine. but though in ancient times Masons were charged in every Country to be of the religion of that country or Nation, Whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that Religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular Opinions to themselves; that is, to be good Men and true, or Men of Honor and Honesty, by whatever Denomination or Persuasions they may be distinguished; whereby Masonry becomes the Center of Union, and the Means of conciliating true Friendship among Persons that must have remained at a perpetual Distance."
Surely those are memorable words, a Magna Charta of Friendship and fraternity. Masonry goes hand in hand with religion until religion enters the field of sectarian feud, and there it stops; because Masonry seeks to unite men, not to divide them. Here, then, is the meaning of the Masonic Altar and its position in the Lodge. It is, first of all, an Altar of Faith-- the deep, eternal faith which underlies all creeds and over arches all sects; faith in God, in the moral law, and in the life everlasting. Faith in God is the cornerstone and the key-stone of freemasonry. It is the first truth and the last, the truth that makes all other truths true, without which life is a riddle and fraternity a futility. For, apart from God the Father, our dream of the Brotherhood of Man is as vain as all the vain things proclaimed of Solomon--fiction having no basis or hope in fact.
At the same time, the Altar of Masonry is an Altar of Freedom--not freedom from faith, but freedom of faith. Beyond the fact of the reality of God it does not go, allowing every man to think of God according to his experience of life and his vision of truth. It does not define God, much less dogmatically determine how and what men shall think or believe about God. There dispute and division begin. as a matter of fact, Masonry is not speculative at all, but operative, or rather co-operative. While all its teaching implies the Fatherhood of god, yet its ritual does not actually affirm that truth, still less make it a test of fellowship. Behind this silence lies a deep and wise reason. Only by the practice of Brotherhood do men realize the Divine Fatherhood, as a true-hearted poet has written:
"No man could tell me what my soul might be;
I sought for God, and He eluded me;
I sought my Brother out, and found all three."
Hear one fact more, and the meaning of the Masonic Altar will be plain. Often one enters a great Temple, and finds it empty, or only a few people in the pews here and there, praying or in deep thought. They are sitting quietly, each without reference to others, seeking an opportunity for the soul to be alone, to communicate with mysteries greater then itself, and find healing for the bruising of life. But no one ever goes to a Masonic Altar alone. No one bows before it at all except when the Lodge is open and in the presence of his Brethren. It is an Altar of fellowship, as if to teach us that no man can learn the truth for another, and no man can learn it alone. Masonry brings men together in mutual respect, sympathy, and good will, that we may learn in love the truth that is hidden by apathy and lost by hate.
for the rest, let us never forget--what has been so often and so sadly forgotten--that the most sacred Altar on earth is the soul of man--your soul and mine; and that the Temple and its ritual are not ends in themselves, but beautiful means to the end that every human heart may be a sanctuary of faith, a shrine of love, an altar of purity, pity, and unconquerable hope.
Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan - Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani |
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MOUNTIDINGS
W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar July 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month |
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The untouchable attitude towards knowledge, towards wisdom, that it does not belong to my country,
will only make a country poorer.
--------- Sri Sri Ravishankar-------- |
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On the 7th of July we had visited Lodge Tamiravarni No.289 and participated in its regular meeting held at freemasons’ hall, Palayamkottai. Their W.Master W.Bro.K.Sankar Ram opened the Lodge and requested our Master and his team of officers to do an initiation ceremony. Our Brethren had come with their families and had a nice time seeing various places in the Thirunelveli district. Our W.Bro.Ramani Sundaram is working out a separate news letter on this which will follow the members at a future date.
On the Universal Brotherhood Day which fell on 24th of June our Master, our secretary and W.Bro.V.S.Kylas visited the veda pada sala at Mylapore and distributed 50 kilos of rice, dal etc under the aegis of the Dhanyadhan scheme of the freemasons. On the eve before the universal brotherhood day our W.Master arranged to distribute Rs.30,000 worth of utility articles to various social organizations in the August presence of our M.W. The Grand Master and Rt.Wor.The Regional Grand Master which was largely attended by many masons.
We had our regular meeting by dispensation on 15th of July wherein an initiation ceremony was conducted. Bro. Ranganathan Sathyanarayanan was made an entered apprentice free mason. The N.E Charge was delivered by Bro. Chandramouli, the working tools was explained by Puvada Srinivas, the charge after initiation was rendered by Bro.Balaganesh and the tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan. Bro. R.Sathyanarayanan we welcome you into the Mount Family.
Our W.Bro.K.S.Sreekanth’s son Jayadev had visited England recently under a cultural exchange program and he wishes to share his experiences with our readers. We take this opportunity to congratulate him and wish him many more such trips. |
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A Journey of Hearts |
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As the plane began landing we began to feel our anxiety rise. We were in England where Highcliffe School and our hosts awaited us. We did not know what to expect but we found out later that our expectations were met with great reality. We reached the school after a two hour drive from Heathrow and our hosts were already there waving, and the first of many smiles on the tour brightened our faces.
The first evening went by with all of us spending the time with our hosts or rather friends. We tried to break the ice and get to know them better. They were curious about India and we explained the features of our motherland, often furnishing them with interesting anecdotes.
We left for Oxford the next day, and we were overwhelmed by the imposing architecture. An air of power seemed to radiate from the walls of every building and the people, predominantly students, who were there. We instantly felt a great amount of affinity for the place and did not want to leave it at all, although we did stay there for two days it just seemed as though we could not get enough of Oxford University.
We returned to our English friends, who greeted us again with warmth. The hours seemed to fly past from that point of time. We visited their school, attended a few lessons with them and even cooked for the staff of that school! We found their school awe-inspiring, the corridors gave way to highly polished staircases from where the beautifully maintained grounds were visible on which the students, young and old, played during recess. The highly equipped classrooms played host to a variety of students impressing all of us. A plasma screen in most corridors displayed sports and news channels. The whole setup of the school made it look like a place where children would like to spend their time even after their lessons; the atmosphere was as disciplined as the army yet as welcoming as a cool breeze, a combination which is not all too easily achievable. In other words, it matched the atmosphere of our own school.
We visited a number of towns nearby like Southampton, Bournemouth, Oxford, Milton and also very interesting places and world heritage sites like the Jurassic Coast and the Stonehenge. The Jurassic coast, with its strong winds and unstable shore sands shall remain in our memory for a very long time; and the Stonehenge, with its intimidating size and myths was no less significant. Apart from that we went in various groups to different places. While few of us visited the Motor Museum in Beaulieu, some went shopping and to Bournemouth. But wherever we were we were very happy contended and each felt that the place of his visiting was the best.
We also visited the mayor in Christchurch who apart from being a very pleasant person gave us some interesting facts about the history of Christchurch. We had tea with the mayor and toured Christchurch. The priory of the Christchurch cathedral was very beautiful and artistic. The streets were narrow and tidy and the people, a greater of them elderly, were extremely pleasant. We cooked High Tea at school, which was enjoyed by ourselves as well as the staff; the fact that they survived (with a smile!) is testimony to that fact. |
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Our cautious approach to our hosts soon blossomed into thick bonds of friendship and mutual respect. We slowly built a relationship, which we sincerely hoped and continue to hope that would stand the test of time. We also liked the lessons at their school, a fact that continues remaining a fantasy here. We also visited lesser known but no less appealing places like the New Forest whilst we had the time. Each day became a treasure of moments and memories for us. We also sang some of our prayers and National song and Anthem at their annual summer concert to general applause.
The days, however, kept ticking as fast as they always do when we are happy. It was looking like only the beginning when the end had arrived. We were packing again, but the trouble was our hearts refused to pack. But we forced ourselves to move on and found ourselves choking when we attempted to thank our hosts; we did manage the gratitude with tears in the eyes, choking in the throat and the pain of separation in our hearts. It might seem an exaggeration, but sometimes the truth of emotion overpowers even dreams and tales. It has been a trip, one of its kinds. We became the greatest of friends, the closest of people A trip where we felt unprecedented affinity and unity for all; a voyage where the others’ welfare was considered paramount to ours; a travel which infused love for all within us very strongly; a flight that made us realize our teachers were our mothers; an excursion which brought so much joy and extreme sadness at end; a tour where we tutored ourselves more than anyone has ever done. Hats off! To all on this trip and especially to Mrs. Rama Sundaram, who came as our teacher, guide and close friend. Without her, it would have been impossible to enjoy and also learn as much as we did. We learnt so much and felt so much on this one trip that would be impossible to remember it all. It is not always possible to realize this, but we felt so much of emotion, that all of our hearts’ feelings for each other came bursting out. We began the journey with our brains and intelligence, but only in the end did we realize that it was our hearts that had made the most of the journey…only our hearts did make the journey…our hearts directed us and we reached the greatest of heights both outside and within… |
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---------K.S.Jayadev------- |
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Famous Vegetarians
1. Pythogoras 2. Leonardo Da Vinci 3. Newton 4. Voltaire 5. Shelley 6. Tolstoy 7. Bernard Shaw
8. Gandhi 9. Einstein 10. Paul Mc Cartney (Beatles) 11. Bryan Adams 12. Anthony Robbins |
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In Measurement |
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“That was a measured speech” the crowd used to exclaim if it were true provided all the ingredients have been used in the right proportion. Measurement perse is a scale. It is applied to all walks of life. Be it work, division of land, Music, Art or Science.
It is the rudimentary aspect of life which comes into play in everything. If you observe physics one of the prime branches of science, which has helped humanity to come out with several inventions emphasises measurement to the fullest. Any physics book starts with the chapter units of measurement without which any progress in that subject is impossible. Such is the mite of the word measurement.
If everything is measured there is more scope for precision, harmony and peace. Anything over-done or under-done leads to disproportion and dissatisfaction.
This is true even to levity. Levity itself is resorted to bring down the stress but when overdone it is not appreciated. One should be careful while speaking on any occasions for words once released travel swifter than the fastest steeds and it can never be taken back. It is like an arrow shot on a target and it never comes back. So one should be all the more careful in measurement while speaking formally or informally.
A Mason’s work is measured by the working tools otherwise no super structure can be constructed to its strength, beauty and Splendour. All the working tools are used for a specific purpose and it is done in measurement. The symbolism of the tools to morals have also a measure each representing a particular trait which a mason has to adorn to make him a better person.
In masonry there is measurement in everything be it labour, fellowship, refreshment or speechmaking. Temperance which is the first of the cardinal virtues eventhough particularly refers to fellowship can also be extrapolated to other spheres of activity so that measurement sets in automatically in whatever a freemason does.
Hawtrey a famous economist used to define money like this. “Money is what money does.” Similarly Masonry is what a mason does and that too should be appreciated by one and all. |
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---------W.Bro.L.Ramani--------
Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan - Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani |
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MOUNTIDINGS
W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar August 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month
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Keep away from small people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
----------Mark Twain---------- |
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We had our regular meeting for this month on 4th August 2007, at freemasons’ hall, Madras 600 008. During this meeting two degrees were worked out namely the first and third. At first an initiation ceremony was conducted wherein Bro.Venkat Natarajan a practicing chartered accountant was initiated. The NE charge was delivered by Bro.D.R.Chandramouli, the working tools of the degree was explained by Bro.Puvvada Srinivas, the charge after initiation was rendered by Bro.Bala Ganesh and the tracing board was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan. |
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Thereafter W.Bro. Dwarakanath occupied the Eastern Chair and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason Bros.B.Badrinarayanan and Kumar viswanath. W.Bro. Swaminathan of Lodge Ramaprasad No.228 visited the Lodge and acted as the senior Deacon. Traditional History part II was rendered by W.Bro.K.S.Sreekanth, charge after raising, tracing board and further entrustment were done by W.Bro.K.Kasthuri, the working tools of the degree was explained by W.Bro.L.Ramani and the final charge was delivered by our D of C W.Bro. N. Meenakshi Sundaram. |
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Apart from this we also had an emergency meeting on the 19th of August wherein an initiation ceremony was conducted. Incidentally it happened to be the ritual working competition - first stage. Bro. Chinniah Madanagopal an advocate was made an entered apprentice freemason. The NE charge was rendered by Bro.D.R.Chandramouli, working tools was explained by Bro. puvvada Srinivas, charge after initiation was delivered by Bro.Bala Ganesh and the tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan. The Lodge had performed well and we expect good results. |
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The charity show of Sivaji conducted by our Lodge was a great success and we place on record the services rendered by all the Brethren with special thanks to our Master, Bros. R.S.Rajasekaran, R.Pari Arasu, K.Kasthuri and B.Badrinarayanan. |
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Gandhi’s Evaluation of Charity |
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Mahatma Gandhi went from city to city, village to village collecting funds for the charka sangh. During one of his tours, he addressed a meeting in orissa. After his speech a poor old woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey and her clothes were in tatters. The volunteers tried to stop her, but she fought her way to the place where Gandhiji was sitting. “ I must see him,” she insisted. Going upto gandhiji she touched his feet. Then from the folds of her saree she brought out a copper coin and placed it at his feet. Gandhiji picked up the copper coin and put it away carefully. The charka sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He asked Gandhiji for the coin but Gandhiji refused. “I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for the charka sangh, Jamanalal Bajaj said laughingly, “yet you wont trust me with a copper coin.” “This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands,” Gandhiji said “if a man has several lakhs of rupees and he gives away a thousand or two, it does not mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that poor woman possessed. She gave me all she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she has made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a crore of rupees.” |
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As you will remember our Lodge members and their families visited Amar Seva Sangam at Aiyakudi in Thirunelveli district, a home of the disabled and had breakfast with the children there and cheered them all. Jayadev Sreekanth a lewis in the making last time wrote about how his heart felt when he visited England. This time he has heaved the same heart into his mouth to express his feelings towards the children at Aiyakudi eventhough he was not able to make it as he was in England during that time. His observations are really moving and touching and he wants it to be shared amongst our readers. |
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You and I – A Fallacy |
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For the many of us for whom (we feel) achievements have become a pastime, life has always been a piece of cakewalk with our parents to support and guide us whichever way we turn, there is more to realize. Our little world has become so filled or rather infested with petty and unimportant wants and likes that the world outside, the real world of harshness has condensed so much that it is for us, a little more than an overly fantasized figment of our imagination. How often have we complained of not having the latest gadget in town, of not being able to visit a restaurant every different day of the week? And how often have we noticed in the news, moments before we switched to more fashionable channels, true tales of hunger, poverty and calamity? Even on those rare occasions how long have those tales of languish lingered in our minds? A wink perhaps, before Preity Zinta appeared on the screen. Our love of men has become thinner than our loyalty to the Indian cricket team. |
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The next time you roam the streets of your city looking for a luxurious place to shop, let your eyes, through the tinted window of your car, stray a few meters past the towering malls. If you are lucky and fairly good at observing, you might just spot a smaller and a blemished structure that might just pass for a building right next to the mall; something your eyes have never been trained to notice. It might just be a tarnished and decrepit place where naïve and untainted souls are cared for. Each of the souls is just one like yourself; you may even consider them a touch greater, their innocence covering for their lack of intelligence many times over. Each soul belongs to a young child. In the simpler terms you may be used to, the place I describe is an orphanage – one of the many terms that you may have chosen to banish from your dictionary. |
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If you can walk past the mall with blazing lights and enter the orphanage you may feel a light much brighter than the ones at the mall put together: a light within yourself. If you feel you have the guts, you could meet these kids, survivors who fight the battle of life alone, the battle at which you, shielded by parents and money, laugh at. Speak to them, and rather than hearing their voices listen to the feeling of their words. Walk with them, and notice the uncertainty in their every step. Laugh with them, and notice the hesitancy in their lips to stretch wide. Eat with them, and notice their joy at the sight of food. Watch them sleep, and ask them what their dreams are and note their apprehension about the dreams remaining dreams. See the world through them, and observe how less colorful the world is. Befriend them, and be surprised by the surprise on their face. Ask them to hope, and understand that they understand hopes and daydreams as one and the same. Ask them to pray, and wonder as they wonder whom to pray to and for what. |
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If you are able to do this and maybe a bit more, you were never the ‘high ended’ guy you always prided yourself on being and this time you may not even feel insulted. You remain nearly what you were when you were born, a soul with hope, love and innocence. You should realize that they also, despite all, remain what they were at birth: the very same as You. Try and make their life better, bring confidence into their despondence and you will find peace; and remember that that peace is something which every want of yours fulfilled will ever give and for the amount of wants we all have, that is saying quite a bit. |
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After all this, do just one more thing for your satisfaction. Look into their eyes and take in the tears. If you think that those tears have, at least partially, been replaced by happiness in place of insecurity and you feel yourself wanting to remove those remaining doubts, fears and tears no matter what it would cost you, then there remains only one thing to be said: The You, You think You are is not the You, You are. What else could be thought more precious to possess? |
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By:
Jayadev Sreekanth |
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Inspiration: |
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The experiences of my family at Ayakudi during the recent trip to Tirunelveli by Mount Lodge members and their families, when narrated to me by them moved me so much that the above article came from feelings rather than thoughts. As I was abroad I was not privileged to join the loving and affectionate members. |
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| Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan - Secretary |
Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani |
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MOUNTIDINGS
W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar September 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month |
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Unless a person is happy, he cannot bestow happiness on others. ------------- Ramana Maharishi------ |
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We had our regular meeting on 5th September 2007 at Freemasons’ hall, Madras 600 008 wherein a passing ceremony was conducted. Bros. K.A Visweswaran and Jayaram Menon were made fellow craft freemasons. The SE charge was rendered by Bro. K.Rangarajan, working tools of the degree was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan, the charge after passing was delivered by Bro.V.S.Ramakrishnan and the tracing board was explained by Bro.Lt.Col.C.Venkataraman.
The topic for the internal essay writing competition for the award of Bro. K.Sudharshan Trophy is “theory and practice of freemasonry” and all master Masons are eligible to participate. Please send in your entries in two sets to the secretary and the last date of receipt of the essays is 20th of October 2007. Please rush in your entries. The portion for internal RWC is first degree tracing board and it will be conducted in the ensuing meeting. Brethren please send in your nominations.
Anirudh Kasthuri, the son of our IPM has been selected for the under-17 city cricket team to play the districts after which he will be eligible for selection to the state team. Congratulations and we are sure you will play for the state also. |
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Humbleness teaches you how to live. |
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Vivek Pradhan was not a happy man. Even the plush comfort of the air-conditioned compartment of the Shatabdi express could not cool his frayed nerves. He was the Project Manager and still not entitled to air travel. It was not the prestige he sought, he had tried to reason with the admin person, it was the savings in time. As PM, he had so many things to do!!
He opened his case and took out the laptop, determined to put the time to some good use.
"Are you from the software industry sir," the man beside him was staring appreciatively at the laptop.
Vivek glanced briefly and mumbled in affirmation, handling the laptop now with exaggerated care and importance as if it were an expensive car.
"You people have brought so much advancement to the country, Sir. Today everything is getting computerized. "
"Thanks," smiled Vivek, turning around to give the man a look. |
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He always found it difficult to resist appreciation. The man was young and well built like a sportsman. He looked simple and strangely out of place in that little lap of luxury like a small town boy in a prep school.
He probably was a railway sportsman making the most of his free traveling pass.
"You people always amaze me," the man continued, "You sit in an office and write something on a computer and it does so many big things outside."
Vivek smiled deprecatingly. Naiveness demanded reasoning not anger. "It is not as simple as that my friend. It is not just a question of writing a few lines. There is a lot of process
that goes behind it."
For a moment, he was tempted to explain the entire Software Development Lifecycle but restrained himself to a single statement. "It is complex, very complex."
"It has to be. No wonder you people are so highly paid," came the reply.
This was not turning out as Vivek had thought. A hint of belligerence crept into his so far affable, persuasive tone. " Everyone just sees the money. |
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No one sees the amount of hard work we have to put in. Indians have such a narrow concept of hard work. Just because we sit in an air-conditioned office, does not mean our brows do not sweat. You exercise the muscle; we exercise the mind and believe me that is no less taxing." He could see, he had the man where he wanted, and it was time to drive home the point.
"Let me give you an example. Take this train. The entire rail! way reservation system is computerized. You can book a train ticket between any two stations from any of the hundreds of computerized booking centres across the country. Thousands of transactions accessing a single database, at a time concurrently; data integrity, locking, data security. Do you understand the complexity in designing and coding such a system?" |
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The man was awestuck; quite like a child at a planetarium.
This was something big and beyond his imagination. "You design and code such things."
"I used to," Vivek paused for effect, "but now I am the Project Manager."
"Oh!" sighed the man, as if the storm had passed over, "so your life is easy now."
This was like the last straw for Vivek. He retorted, "Oh come on, does life ever get easy as you go up the ladder. Responsibility only brings more w! ork.
Design and coding! That is the easier part. Now I do not do it, but I am responsible for it and believe me, that is far more stressful. My job is to get the work done in time and with the highest quality. To tell you about the pressures, there is the customer at one end, always changing his requirements, the user at the other, wanting something else, and your boss, always expecting you to have finished it yesterday."
Vivek paused in his diatribe, his belligerence fading with self-realisation. What he had said, was not merely the outburst of a wronged man, it was the truth. And one need not get angry while defending the truth. "My friend," he concluded triumphantly, "you don't know what it is to be in the Line of Fire".
The man sat back in his chair, his eyes closed as if in realization. When he spoke after sometime, it was with a calm cer! tainty that surprised Vivek.
"I know sir, I know what it is to be in the Line of Fire." He was staring blankly, as if no passenger, no train existed, just a vast expanse of time.
"There were 30 of us when we were ordered to capture Point 4875 in the cover of the night. The enemy was firing from the top. There was no knowing where the next bullet was going to come from and for whom. In the morning when we finally hoisted the tricolour at the top only 4 of us were alive." |
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| "You are a...?" |
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"I am Subedar Sushant from the 13 J&K Rifles on duty at Peak 4875 in Kargil. They tell me I have completed my term and can opt for a soft assignment. But, tell me sir, can one give up duty just because it makes life easier. On the dawn of that capture, one of my colleagues lay injured in the snow, open to enemy fire while we were hiding behind a bunker. It was my job to go and fetch that soldier to safety. But my captain sahib refused me permission and went ahead himself. He said that the first pledge he had taken as a Gentleman Cadet was to put the safety and welfare of the nation foremost followed by the safety and welfare of the men he commanded... ....his own personal safety came last, always and every time."
"He was killed as he shielded and brought that injured soldier into the bunker. Every morning thereafter, as we stood guard, I could see him taking all those bullets, which were actually meant for me. I know sir....I know, what it is to be in the Line of Fire."
Vivek looked at him in disbelief not sure of how to respond. Abruptly, he switched off the laptop. It seemed trivial, even insulting to edit a Word document in the presence of a man for whom valour and duty was a daily part of life; valour and sense of duty which he had so far attributed only to epical heroes.
The train slowed down as it pulled into the station, and Subedar Sushant picked up his bags to alight.
"It was nice meeting you sir."
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Vivek fumbled with the handshake. This hand... had climbed mountains, pressed the trigger, and hoisted the tricolour. Suddenly, as if by impulse, he stood up at attention and his right hand went up in an impromptu salute.
It was the least he felt he could do for the country.
PS: The incident he narrated during the capture of Peak 4875 is a true-life incident during the Kargil war. Capt. Batra sacrificed his life while
trying to save one of the men he commanded, as victory was within sight.
For this and various other acts of bravery, he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the nation's highest military award.
Live humbly, there are great people around us, let us learn!
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| Bro. R. S. Rajasekharan - Secretary Editor - W.Bro. L. Ramani |
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MOUNTIDINGS
W. Bro. S. Nanda Kumar October 2007
Worshipful Master
Thought for the Month |
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“Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices” ----------Bro. Benjamin Franklin---------- |
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We had our regular meeting which was a brethren night held on 6th of October 2007, and an emergency meeting by dispensation which was also held on 15th October 2007 at freemasons’ hall, Chennai 600 008. |
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In the former meet Bro.Krishnakumar and Bro.P.V Venkatesan were initiated. The NE charge was rendered by Bro.Chandramouli, the working tools was explained by Bro.Puvvada Srinivas, the charge after initiation was delivered by Bro.R.Pariarasu and the tracing board of the degree was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan. The internal yearly ritual working competition for W.Bro.T.N.S.Raghavachari memorial trophy was conducted the same day and the portion was first degree tracing board. W.Bro.S.S Prasad, W.Bro.Mahendra shah and W.Bro.K.S.Sreekanth were the panel of judges and they declared Bro.B. Badrinarayanan as the winner of the trophy. Welcome to the new brethren and hearty congratulations to the Brother who won the trophy. The Brethren night was celebrated in the usual manner and Bro. Eisenhower spoke on behalf of the junior brethren in the toast. Since it was also an election meeting the W.Master, treasurer and tyler were elected. Bro.Lt.Col. C.Venkataraman was elected as Worshipful Master, W.Bro.P.Madhusudhan as treasurer and V.W.Bro.N.Pandurangan as tyler for the year 2007-2008. We wish them all the best for their respective offices. |
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In the latter meet Bro.N.Sudhir and Bro.S.Ram mohan were passed to the degree of a fellow craft freemason. The SE charge was rendered by Bro.Lt.Col.C.Venkatraman, working tools of the degree was explained by Bro.B.Badrinarayanan, the charge after passing was delivered by Bro.V.S.Ramakrishnan and the tracing board of the degree was explained by W.Bro.K.Kasthuri the IPM of the Lodge. W.Bro.R.Dwarakanath explained the in depth meaning of the second degree tracing board. The explanation was interesting and was appreciated by all the brethren of the lodge. </ |
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