Room of Reflection

By: Aaron Gardner

In our great fraternity, reflection on oneself is an important aspect. We teach to give time to the Creator and to reflect on oneself’s past, present and future predicaments. However, I have noticed the space given for this time is inadequate. It is important to us in the Craft, but we fail to  exemplify it by the space we provide in our lodge. A candidate should not have to reflect upon himself and his situation inside a coat closet. 

Instead, let us provide a room that is duly and truly dedicated toward the purpose it serves. Provide thought provoking instruments and tools within the room for the mind to wander. As I said before the candidate should not be conducted into a coat closet and have to wonder who’s jacket is covered in white cat fur. Instead, he should be wondering about his life decisions and rather he is rightly prepared for his next journey. He should be able to think of his chosen god and make sure that he is pure before that god’s eyes. 

Freemasonry is an important step in any man’s life and we should exemplify it by providing the best we have to offer to our candidates. Personally, I would like to build my own reflection room within my house. One that I can not be bothered in; no technology allowed just myself, my working tools, my trestle board, my reminders of mortality and my god. Perhaps one day I will be able to fulfill that goal, until then lodges should be able to provide that room for there candidates and members. 

It is not to say that your building of faith doesn't provide some sort of reflection room, rather it be an alter, candle lighting kneeler or a Zen garden. However, we must understand not all men who come before the alter of Freemasonry practices a socially acceptable religion. Some may not even have a religion but still have a belief in a higher power and may need to connect in order to  find where they belong in their beliefs in the higher being. Freemasonry, we provide the tools to help you but don’t provide the work bench. 

I have seen some lodges that have exquisite reflection rooms, and good for them. It is great to see lodges take an initiative toward making men better and providing a work bench in which they can assess their situations. Let’s use their examples and create these secular rooms for our brethren and candidates who will be taking that important first step into the Craft. How you design the room is up to your lodge. 

AG