New Master Masons Raised At Cataract Lodge # 2

New Members Raised (From Cataract Lodge #2 April 2011 Newsletter)

On March 22nd, several Past Masters were on hand to participate in the degree work to raise our newest members to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. Picture in the front row on either side of Bob Selden are our new MM’s, Joe Schuler, Nick Webster, and Lee Love. Behind them stand l-r Grand Lodge District Rep Don Nolley, WM Lee Dorholt of Harriet Lodge #277, and Past Grand Master Eric Neetenbeek. All of whom took part in the fine degree work.

Joe Schuler-

“I am from Minneapolis and live downtown where I attend the University of Minnesota. As a junior, my major at the U is in Human Resource Development with a minor in Industry Relations. The free time I have between working and school, I enjoy biking, golfing, working out, playing hockey, and socializing with friends.”

Nick Webster-

“Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, my wife and I moved northbound to Minneapolis shortly following college graduation. My wife, Erin, and I now live in prestigious West Bloomington with our beautiful baby daughter, Shay, and our kind-hearted, and slightly overweight golden retriever, Lily. I've spent the last five years (or so) working in project management. In the non-winter months, much of my freetime is spent running, taking walks in the park with my family, and enjoying vacations Up North and to other random destinations. Although, we find ourselves traveling back-and-forth to Iowa year round, visiting family and friends.”

Lee Love-

“I was born in Osaka, Japan and grew up and went to school in Michigan. I moved to Minneapolis in 1983 to study with the Zen teacher, the late Dainin Katagiri Roshi. I studied with Katagiri until his passing in 1990. After Zen studies, I took up the craft of pottery. To further my ceramic knowledge and skill, in 1999, I moved

to Mashiko, Japan, with my wife Jean Shannon, a print maker. I studied with the National Living Treasure, Tatsuzo Shimaoka. After completing a 3 year apprenticeship in 2003,I built a wood fired kiln and set up a studio and worked as a studio potter in Mashiko. I moved back to Minneapolis in 2007 and currently work in my converted garage studio at home.”

Searching For LIght

It is refreshing.  My masonic mentors repeatedly tell me to be skeptical about what I read in books about the history of Masonry.    It reminds me of the last words of the Buddha:

meditation: indus valley civilization

"Don't blindly believe what I say. Don't believe me because others convince you of my words. Don't believe anything you see, read, or hear from others, whether of authority, religious teachers or texts. Don't rely on logic alone, nor speculation. Don't infer or be deceived by appearances."

"Do not give up your authority and follow blindly the will of others. This way will lead to only delusion."

"Find out for yourself what is truth, what is real. Discover that there are virtuous things and there are non-virtuous things. Once you have discovered for yourself give up the bad and embrace the good."

- The Buddha

The Masonic quest is for "Light", Wisdom.  Or as the Buddha has said, "To Be Awake."

Cernunnos on the Gundestrup Cauldron

A Brahman saw the Buddha resting under a tree in meditation. The Brahman was impressed with the Buddha's way.

He asked, "Are you a god?"
"No, Brahman, I'm not a god."
"Are you an angel?"
"No", replied the Buddha.
"You must be a spirit then?"
"No, I'm not a spirit," said the Buddha.
"Then what are you?"
"I'm awake."
- The Buddha

Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol

Just finished this.   It is actually pretty good, with a spiritual message at the end.