Secrets and Practices of the Freemasons: Sacred Mysteries, Rituals and Symbols Revealed - Jean-Louis de Biasi 2011
Exoteric and Esoteric
Spirit of Freemasonry
Exoteric (outside) and esoteric (inside) are two words often used to speak about the Western Tradition. For many years, their use has been common. Everyone interested in spiritual studies used them in many ways. But their definitions are not always very clear and this uncertainty created a lack of confidence in those interested in the ancient traditions. For years, scholars influenced by rationalist philosophy and scientific perspective had rejected all studies relating to magick, occultism, and esotericism. This was also generally the case for Masonry as well. There are some exceptions in the Masonic Tradition, as Albert Pike’s work is absolutely accurate and fundamental for the revival of the Western Tradition.
The phrase “esoteric teachings” means “teachings from the inside” or “knowledge veiled to the public.” In the mystery school of Pythagoras, students were divided into noninitiates and initiates. From this separation came the idea of an inner circle and an outer circle. It is possible that this distinction was borrowed by Pythagoras from the Egyptian priests.
The word esoteric was only popularized in the nineteenth century in the works of the French occultist Eliphas Levi. But the use of these two words remains at this time a simple convention that means in or out, initiate or not. In the last century, scholars really began the academic study of this important part of Western heritage. The French scholar Antoine Faivre defined this work in a way accepted today by the large majority of researchers. Faivre used the theory of correspondences, which states that all things are linked in the cosmos. There are no gaps, just links or currents that may be obvious or hidden. These hidden relationships are shown by markers like color, shape, etc. For example, a yellow flower will be connected by its color correspondence to the Sun. As he further explains, the means to study these currents consist of five characteristics:
1. The conviction that nature is a living entity: there is a real spirit or being of nature. The consequence is the possibility to interact consciously with it.
2. The need for mediating elements (symbols) acting like information icons to access spiritual knowledge.
3. An awareness of personal transmutation when arriving at this knowledge: apotheosis.
4. The initiatic process: initiations can be a real and active part of this inner development.
5. Concordance between religious traditions: the different religions are all relative aspects of the same reality.
Esotericism is somewhere between religion and materialism. There are different schools in the Western Tradition such as Christian esoterists (Theosophists), Hermetists, Rosicrucians, Pagans, Wiccans, etc. Even if their beliefs and practices are sometimes quite similar, they are not the same. Each school as its own specific teachings and methods like the Qabalah, astrology, alchemy, magick, theurgy, etc. While these different aspects of esotericism are not scientific in the modern meaning of this word, they are parts of the basic curriculum of the Western esoteric tradition. Any magick or symbolic ritual contains elements and symbols from alchemy, astrology, etc. The Scottish Rite Degrees reorganized by Albert Pike show the interconnection between these traditional fields.
Esotericism generally shares another aspect: the determination not to reveal inner secrets to someone unprepared. What can be called the secret sciences can give special abilities, which may be dangerous if used with negative intentions. The same applies to fire, as it can either help or hurt. Esoteric knowledge can help us progress toward the divine and at the same time these hidden human abilities can be used for an egotistical or selfish purpose.
To analyze whether Masonry is an esoteric brotherhood, we can compare the Masonic texts and rituals to the definition provided above. Masonry can immediately match five points out of six. Even if the point regarding the correspondences is not explicit, it does not contradict the Masonic teachings or texts. All the other elements are present in this tradition and sometimes more fully developed in the initiatic rituals. Rituals use symbols that have specific meanings and sometimes have a dramatic effect on the initiate.
Considering the open mind promoted by Masonry, we see that its structure is not restricted to any specific faith. Moreover, its teachings come directly from the Hermetic Tradition and the constant use of the initiatic process is one of the main manifestations of this original connection. As Albert Pike has shown, Masonry is the largest visible group on the planet capable of presenting a coherent and constant Western Tradition. Of course, Masonry is not the only one, and doesn’t develop some specific aspects like theurgy. But the teachings, philosophy, and ideals are a unique example of this harmonious union between these different traditions. There is no philosophical school in the world that continues to give access to the ancient process originating from esotericism. As in the Platonic and Neoplatonic schools, Masonry emphasizes the moral aspects, the development of virtue. This is the main aspect of the inner development of the human being. Many Masonic rituals develop this traditional idea, but their purpose is not related to increasing the inner abilities.
For the last century, explicit and open references to the esoteric dimension of Masonry began to disappear. At the same time, many Freemasons don’t consider this dimension to be an important element that needs special care. Masonry was (and continues to be) focused on brotherhood and philanthropic purposes. Every Freemason is encouraged to increase his awareness about humanity and realize that there is just one human global family. The goal is not to explain, but to give birth in consciousness, as in the subconscious, to the recognition that everyone is a part of humanity and responsible for his or her brother and sister humans. However, this consciousness comes with a realistic vision of the human being that “man is a wolf to [his fellow] man.”
For the Freemason, this observation is not pessimistic; on the contrary, it is a realistic view of the world, but not a definitive one. The Hermetic teachings are hidden in the heart of Masonry. The material dimension of the human being is surrounded by the illusion of the material world. The soul is jailed in the cave of the body. The passions, desires, and impulses act as the actual guards who jailed the soul and keep it imprisoned. These are not sins, but desire(s) that act as the master of the ship (our being). To refuse to see this situation is like staying, like the Platonic prisoners, at the bottom of the cave, unaware of their situation, and yet to be persuaded to be free of their illusions.
But the Masonic teachings also show the presence of this immortal soul jailed by the passions, and that show something must happen to change the situation. The process must be reversed. The soul must be put in charge and instead jail or contain the passions and desires. But it is important not to misunderstand the words used. “Jail the passions” doesn’t mean to kill the passions. As the Hermetists and philosophers wrote, passion is very useful! It can be a pure dynamism that helps in one’s daily life, as in making the most important decisions. What must be jailed or controlled are the unbalanced desires, the uncontrolled passions that destroy inner liberty. The right balance between no desire and too much desire must be found. This is the true middle path. The quest for beauty is the same thing. When we realize that we are half angel and half human, really half-gods, we will understand the power we have for good or bad. We will be able to make real choices between these two aspects. Masonry shows the philanthropic way, raising humanity close to divinity. This is not an esoteric dimension and purpose. The main Masonic activities are social and humanitarian, as shown on the websites of the Grand Lodges. But remember that one of the most important parts of the Platonic philosophy was to change Greek society and politics. Masonry did and does the same thing, building temples for the virtues and acting directly in society. The text of the Declaration of Independence is a perfect example of this incarnation of the Masonic and universal virtues. It was not a philosophy disconnected from social realities. It was a philosophy in action.
It is important not to forget the heart that animates the body. The implicit affirmation of all these actions is the existence of a visible world in which men are fragile, along with another world that is spiritual and hidden. This affirmation is not religious, but philosophic, and esoteric.
But during the time when Freemasons emphasized this very important dimension of their heritage, the esoteric part was in disgrace. As usual in this situation, other groups, religious and initiatic, began to develop this aspect. Some were able to use the esoteric Western Tradition with authority, according to their origin. This is the case for the theurgic orders. But others, often with good intentions, used the ancient writings without understanding their esoteric dimensions. Some groups, like the New Age movement, Rosicrucian orders, and other self-development organizations, focused their work on inner abilities and alternative spirituality without roots and heritage. Sometimes the result was very positive, but many times it was merely confusing.
During the past centuries, people interested in this inner dimension, the spiritual perspective and alternative spirituality, began to believe that a tradition like Masonry was unable to teach and give solid support to the esoteric dimension. I can say now that it was generally true and this respectable tradition began to lose the esoteric way. The philanthropic purpose was (and remains) noble but incomplete without the esoteric element. There is a paradox here. Saying that Masonry began to neglect esotericism doesn’t mean Masonry lost this part of its heritage. But as the definition and the true essence of esotericism was distorted and not well understood, Masonic leaders, themselves unaware of the true meaning of it, began to question it.
Through the efforts of some initiatic orders and scholars, esotericism today has a better presentation. Scholars can “explain” the outer aspects of esotericism, but to go further requires real and personal experience. Masonry today is always able to reveal the traditional inner teachings. As you will see in the practical part of the book, this tradition really does have something to say and to give on the esoteric level. Actually, this field is linked to very advanced aspects of science like the neurosciences, or as Dan Brown wrote about, the noetic sciences. Modern Masonry has a lot to gain in this reactivation of the serious and traditional teachings and the practice of esotericism. This is something deep, important, and able to open the secret and sacred gates to a spiritual level totally harmonious with the philanthropic ideals.