No. 1: Albert Pike - The Scottish Rite Visionary
The Esoteric Masonic Author receiving the most votes from Fraternal Review subscribers is the venerable Albert Pike (1809-1891), which should come as no surprise, as his iconic Scottish Rite tome, Morals and Dogma, was voted number 3 of our readers’ Top Masonic Books featured in our September 2016 issue of Fraternal Review. That honor was shared by Arturo De Hoyos’ annotated version of Morals and Dogma, published in 2011, that provided the scholarly roots that were lacking in Pike’s 1872 original version. Fittingly, De Hoyos himself finished third overall in this poll, and first among contemporary (i.e., now living) Masonic authors.
Albert Pike was initiated, passed and raised a Master Mason in 1850, at Western Star Lodge No. 22 in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1853 he became a 32° Scottish Rite Mason, receiving his degrees at Charleston, South Carolina. Later that same year, he became Deputy Inspector General of Arkansas, and soon after began his monumental task of reinventing the Scottish Rite degrees, which he completed in 1860. He received the 33° in 1857, and was elected Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction in 1859, serving the remaining 32 years of his life.
His was more than a fine tuning of the AASR degree work extant at that time; it was a bold attempt to bring into the Scottish Rite rituals the wisdom of the ancient Egyptian, Phoenician, Buddhist, Hindu, Judaic, Sufi and Christian mystery schools. It is well known that our present Scottish Rite rituals have since been revised—often with an eye toward simplifying (and shortening) the degrees that Pike originally created—but their essential esoteric nature remains to this day. His Morals and Dogma, which itself evolved through subsequent editions, is Pike’s own commentary on the degrees he created. Together, they remain Pike’s primary legacy, and the basis of the Scottish Rite’s worthy claim to be the “University of Freemasonry.”
Remarkably, Morals and Dogma is not the most “esoteric” product of Albert Pike’s in-depth explorations of Masonic philosophy. That distinction rightly belongs to another book—one that Pike himself never intended for publication—Esoterika: The Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry, written c.1888. Appropriate to the title, Pike’s attention here turns to our three craft degrees; and his observations include much that he apparently felt to be too frank, and frankly controversial, for the Masons of his time. Today’s esoterically inclined Brothers have Arturo De Hoyos to thank (once again) for editing, and the AASR Supreme Council 33° for publishing, Esoterika in 2005, currently available from the Scottish Rite Research Society.
Albert Pike was truly a Renaissance Man; an esoteric pioneer; a man ahead of his time. Morals and Dogma was among the first modern comprehensive studies of philosophy and comparative religion ever written. For those who wish to read further details of Pike’s life and myriad accomplishments, we highly recommend Albert Pike: The Man Behind the Monument. This “anecdotal biography”—much of it in Pike’s own words—is by Jim Tresner, 33°, Grand Cross, himself a highly regarded Masonic scholar, whose own vote total in our poll was not quite enough to make our list. For the broad scope of Pike’s life works, also see Tresner’s essay, “The 23 Lives of Albert Pike,” in his book, But I Digress . . . Collected Articles, Speeches, and Scripts (Star Publishing, LLC, 2012).
No. 2: Manly P. Hall - The Explorer of the Mysteries
Manly Palmer Hall (1901-1990), the runner-up in our poll, is arguably the best known esoteric author—among non-Masons as well as Masons—based on the well-deserved fame of his 1928 magnum opus bearing the ostentatious title: The Secret Teachings of All Ages—An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy; Being an Interpretation of the Secret Teachings Concealed Within the Rituals, Allegories and Mysteries of All Ages. This classic work is one of speculative histories; as surely as ours is a fraternity of speculative Masons. It is a truly spectacular tome, available in a wide variety of editions. Its 45 chapters are lavishly illustrated throughout, including many diagrams and drawings from various classical sources, as well as original drawings by J. Augustus Knapp (in full color in its deluxe editions). There is hardly any other work as comprehensive in the scope of its examination of esoteric traditions, from antiquity to modernity, nor as creative in linking them to Freemasonry. Along the way, he promotes the mythologies of such personages as Counts Cagliostro and St. Germain, and “reveals” the true author of the plays attributed to William Shakespeare as none other than Sir Francis Bacon—proven by a layover transparency of their portraits (see Chapter CLXV). Surely, no Masonic, or Esoteric, library can be considered complete without a copy!
While his masterpiece was written when MPH was only 27 years old, it was not his first book on Masonry, as he had published The Lost Keys of Freemasonry, or, The Secret of Hiram Abiff, five years earlier, in 1923. Hall concluded his introduction with this description of the unique esoteric role of our Fraternity: “Freemasonry is a philosophy which is essentially creedless. It is the truer for it. Its brothers bow to truth regardless of the bearer; they serve light, instead of wrangling over the one who brings it. In this way they prove that they are seeking to know better the will and dictates of the Invincible One. No truer religion exists than that of world comradeship and brotherhood, for the purpose of glorifying one God and building for Him a temple of constructive attitude and noble character.”
His other specifically Masonic books are: Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians (1937) and Masonic Orders of Fraternity (1950). Another of his best known books, also of particular interest to Masons, The Secret Destiny of America (1944), asserts that a secret brotherhood of adepts, existing since ancient times, were the inspirers of the founding fathers of the United States, which was created as part of a plan—and a vision dating back at least to Francis Bacon’s visionary utopia, New Atlantis (1627)—to establish a nation that would bring the spiritual light of democracy to the world. Writing near the end of World War II, Hall expanded on his 1942 lecture at Carnegie Hall to assert here that mankind’s selfishness and greed were the cause of our history of perpetual strife and wars; and could only be overcome by seizing this unique opportunity to create worldwide democratic institutions based on the American model.
All of these were written prior to MPH becoming a Mason himself! He was raised at Jewel Lodge No. 374 (now United Lodge), in San Francisco, November 22, 1954. He was made K.C.C.H. in 1961 and an honorary 33° Scottish Rite Mason in 1973. In 1934, he founded the Philosophical Research Society, near Griffith Park in Los Angeles, that still contains his extensive esoteric library (except his rare alchemy books, acquired in 1995 by the Getty Research Institute), as well as his 150+ books, thousands of lectures, and many essays and magazine articles. A man of many talents, Hall’s sculptures—bronze busts of his esoteric predecessors, Albert Pike and Madame H. P. Blavatsky—also grace the PRS Library.
No. 3: Arturo De Hoyos - The Grand Historian & Archivist
Brother De Hoyos, Past Master of McAllen Lodge No 1110 A.F. & A.M., in Texas, has been a Mason since 1987. He currently serves as Grand Archivist and Grand Historian of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, and Director of the Archives, Library, and Museum at the House of the Temple in Washington D.C. He holds the highest Scottish Rite honors of being a 33° Mason and recipient of the Grand Cross. He is the author, editor, and translator of over 50 articles and books on Freemasonry. His ability to do in-depth research is enhanced by his ability to read and translate at least seven languages, which include Latin and French, Greek and Hebrew.
Brother De Hoyos is renowned as editor of the 2011 annotated edition of Morals and Dogma. This book is a profound exploration of the historical background, philosophy, and symbolism of each of the 32 degrees of the Scottish Rite—in 32 chapters—by the great 19th century Masonic scholar Albert Pike. In his book, Pike characterizes various degrees as inspired by the Ancient Mysteries, by the Jewish mystical Kabbalistic tradition, and by Hermetic philosophy—described in De Hoyos’ introduction as the “core of the Western Esoteric Tradition.” At the beginning of Morals and Dogma, De Hoyos tells the fascinating story of how he created this annotated version by reverse-engineering it over a 20-year period. In Pike’s original, there were many long quotes from a variety of sources, but he didn’t provide footnotes or citations. This was not unusual, according to nineteenth century standards of scholarship. The sources of many of these quotes had been translated into English by Pike himself. To track down those sources, Brother de Hoyos, among other things, spent 2-1/2 years searching through 2,600 pages of Latin text, making comparisons to the 861 pages of Pike’s English text.
Another of de Hoyos’ books is Albert Pike’s Esoterika. Pike wrote Esoterika based on his belief that symbolism is the “soul of Masonry.” In a detailed look at many of the basic Masonic symbols, Pike sees direct influences from such esoteric traditions as Rosicrucianism, alchemy, and Gnosticism. De Hoyos provides endnotes—many of them a paragraph or more long—containing supplementary information on authors that Pike mentions, resources for doing further research, explanations of Masonic terms that Pike uses, comparisons of statements by Pike to others of his writings, historical context, explanations of Greek and Latin words that Pike uses, and corrections of some of Pike’s errors. Also included are five appendices of additional Pike writings, and four 18th century exposures of English Masonic ritual are reproduced in full.
Brother De Hoyos co-wrote a non-esoteric book with another world-class Masonic scholar, S. Brent Morris, Is It True What They Say about Freemasonry? (2010), defending Freemasonry against the attacks of anti-Masonic critics. Brother De Hoyos’ work does not exactly make him an “esoteric Mason”; rather, he might best be considered the pre-eminent Masonic scholar/historian of his generation, whose work has been to follow the evidence wherever it takes him. He has certainly found or verified many connections between the traditions of Freemasonry and traditions of Western esotericism; additionally, he has clearly shown the great value of deepening understanding of the history of Freemasonry by the study of anti-Masonry. Masonic exposés are often written by former Masons to embarrass other Masons or to discredit Freemasonry. They have caused harm or misperceptions, but in some instances, they have also been the sole source of knowledge about certain details of our history and rituals. A good example is the 1730 exposure, Pritchard’s Masonry Dissected, which is the first clear indication of the development of a third degree in Craft Masonry. This brief essay on De Hoyos covers only a fraction of his work. In some of his books, he has brought forth every detail of many older Masonic ritual texts. His work may be considered “esoteric” in the sense that it has sought what is hidden and brought it to light. His contributions to Masonic literature will surely continue to support and enrich the studies of Masonic scholars for generations to come.
No. 4: W.L. Wilmhurst - The Masonic Mystic
At number 4 in our poll is Walter Leslie Wilmshurst (1867-1939), an English solicitor and Freemason, who was a Christian mystic and prominent 20th Century writer on Freemasonry. Raised a Master Mason at Huddersfield Lodge No. 290 on December 11, 1889, he later joined the Lodge of Harmony No. 275. In 1927, he founded and became Master of the Lodge of Living Stones No. 4957, Leeds, UK, which today remains dedicated to the study of Masonry’s esoteric roots. He is best known for his iconic work, The Meaning of Masonry (1922), that remains a much-valued exploration of the deeper meanings of our Craft. The scope of his esoteric focus is reflected in the titles of prior lectures that became his chapters: The Deeper Symbolism of Masonry; Masonry as a Philosophy; Further Notes on Craft Symbolism; The Holy Royal Arch; and The Relation of Masonry to the Ancient Mysteries. The purpose and value underlying this and Wilmshurst’s other Masonic writings is stated thus in the introduction to this seminal work:
“What seems now needed to intensify the worth and usefulness of this great Brotherhood is to deepen its understanding of its own system, to educate its members in the deeper meaning and true purpose of its rites and its philosophy. Were this achieved the Masonic Order would become, in proportion to that achievement, a spiritual force greater than it can ever be so long as it continues content with a formal and unintelligent perpetuation of rites, the real and sacred purpose of which remains largely unperceived, and participation in which too often means nothing more than association with an agreeable, semi-religious, social institution. Carried to its fullest, that achievement would involve the revival, in a form adapted to modern conditions, of the ancient Wisdom-teaching and the practice of those Mysteries which became proscribed fifteen centuries ago, but of which modern Masonry is the direct and representative descendant, as will appear later in these pages.” (1999 Barnes & Noble edition, pp. 16-17.)
Several articles by Wilmshurst, also from an esoteric perspective, were published in the Occult Review, including: “Reason and Vision” (Oct. 1909); “The Hidden Church of the Holy Graal” (Mar. 1910); “Spurious Ecstasy and Ceremonial Magic” (Jul. 1911); “The Mystical Basis of Masonry” (Oct. 1911); and “Concerning Cosmic Consciousness” (Mar. 1924). Other such papers, before being published, were addresses delivered to the Masonic Study Society of London, including: “The Working Tools of an Old York Master” (1923) and “The Fundamental Philosophical Secrets of Masonry” (1925). For use by his Lodge of Living Stones, Wilmshurst also wrote detailed “analyses and commentaries” on the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft degrees entitled, respectively, The Ceremony of Initiation and the Ceremony of Passing. Wilmshurst also wrote poetry of some renown during his lifetime, including the Masonic poems, “The Way to the East” and “Songs of the Building Craft.” The Oxford Book of English Verse includes three of his other works: “Anima Naturae,” Nox Nivosa” and “Mystical Verse.”
No. 5: W. Kirk MacNulty - The Surveyor of Symbols & Psyche
Brother MacNulty has been a Mason for over 50 years. He has written three books on Masonry, with an emphasis on philosophy and symbolism. Two of his books are filled with beautiful high-resolution images that convey the depths of meaning in Masonic teachings and ritual that cannot be communicated by words alone: Freemasonry—A Journey through Ritual and Symbol, and Freemasonry—Symbols, Secrets, Significance The third book, The Way of the Craftsman, is a detailed look at both the ideas and the actual practices important to Masons who want to be engaged in the esoteric side of the Craft. His Masonic articles have been published in prestigious scholarly journals, Heredom and Ars Quatuor Coronatorum. These in-depth presentations relate esoteric traditions such as Kabbalah and Neo-Platonism to Freemasonry. A version of these discussions is available in a 45-minute YouTube lecture that has had 282K views, “The Philosophical Background for Masonic Symbolism.”
There are two outstanding themes in Brother MacNulty’s writings and the video. First, he sees Freemasonry as “a codification of the philosophical essence of the Renaissance.” He describes that essence as based on ideas of the Hermetic/Kabbalistic Tradition, in which the universe has four levels: a terrestrial or earthly realm, a celestial realm of the heavens, a super-celestial realm of divine qualities, and ultimately the One God. Man’s mind is a reflection of the Divine Mind. Man can experience the Divine directly through serious prayer and inner contemplation. Second, MacNulty sees the Masonic Lodge as a symbolic representation of each individual Freemason. The nature of man parallels that of the four realms of the universe, as man is also comprised of four aspects: physical, psychological, spiritual, and divine. The degrees of Masonry are a journey of mystical ascent from the first degree’s emphasis on virtuous behavior by circumscribing desires (involving body and psyche), to the second degree’s emphasis on mental development and contemplating God’s creation (involving psyche and spirit), to the third degree’s focus on the Letter G and being raised in consciousness to the level of Spirit itself, where the Divine Presence can be experienced.
An inspiring aspect of this view of Masonry is that the Masonic labor that our degrees encourage is inner work—of regular meditation both for raising one’s sights toward the Divine, and for a daily remembering of the brothers in your lodge and your loving connection to them. Setting aside some time each day for devotion and meditation of this sort is the work of building a temple to the Great Architect, the Great Geometrician of the Universe, which MacNulty describes as the work of a brother “building an edifice in consciousness in which he, himself, is an individual living stone.”
No. 6: Eliphas Levi - The Masonic Magician
Eliphas Lévi (1810-1875), born Alphonse Louis Constant, was a French author and magician. "Eliphas Lévi," the name under which he published his books, was his attempt to translate his given names "Alphonse Louis" into Hebrew. A prolific writer on Magical Freemasonry, he has been called, "the last of the Magi." Levi was the most notable occult French writer of the 19th century.
He felt the purpose of the magician was to become a more fully realized human being (sound familiar?). An ordained deacon, Levi’s career in the priesthood was short lived. He was imprisoned three times for his radical political views. He wrote a number of minor religious works: Of the Moral Customs and Doctrines of Rationalism in France (1839) was a tract within the cultural stream of the Counter-Enlightenment; The Mother of God (1844) followed and, after leaving the seminary, two radical tracts, The Gospel of the People (1840), and The Testament of Liberty (1848), led to two brief prison sentences. In 1861, he published a sequel The Key to the Great Mysteries. This was soon followed by A History of Magic, Transcendental Magic. Further magical works by Lévi include Stories and Images (1862), and The Science of Spirits (1865). In 1868, he wrote The Great Secret, or Occultism Unveiled published posthumously in 1898.
Lévi was deeply influenced by the 18th Century French Occultist Barreck. He studied the Kabbalah, and became associated with the English Rose Cross. He was first to use the word astro-light, “It is through this astro-light that the signs and wonders of magik are mediated,” he explained. He played a significant roll in the creation of the Tarot by incorporating the Tarot cards into his magical system, and as a result the Tarot has been an important part of the paraphernalia of Western magicians. He was also the first to connect the Kabbalah to the Tarot.
In the 19th century, the name of Baphomet became associated with the occult. In 1854, Eliphas Levi published Dogmas and Rituals of High Magic, in which he included an image he had drawn himself which he described as Baphomet and ”The Sabbatic Goat,” showing a winged human-like goat with a pair of breasts and a torch on its head between its horns. This image has become the best-known representation of Baphomet. It was influenced by Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and Alchemy, among other sources. This work was later translated into English by another of our top ten list makers, Arthur Edward Waite of the Golden Dawn, as Transcendental Magic, its Doctrine and Ritual.
On March 14, 1861 Levi was initiated in the Lodge Rose du parfait Silence, under the Grand Orient of France. He had a deep impact on the magic of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and it was largely through this impact that Lévi is remembered as one of the key founders of the twentieth century revival of magic. Going so far as to becoming an influential figure on the writings of Bro. Albert Pike, among many others. – Dago Rodriguez, PM
No. 7: Timothy Hogan - The Modern-Day Alchemist
Timothy Hogan’s deep studies of Hermeticism, Kabbalah, Alchemy, and the Knights Templar, make his approach to Masonic studies unique and eccentric. He’s not just confined his studies to writing but has actually created an alchemical set in his home basement, making him the only practicing Alchemist in our list.
Worshipful Brother Hogan serves as an expert in cross cultural symbolism, and he regularly works as a consultant in the entertainment industry. He is a Past Master of East Denver #160 Masonic Lodge (AF&AM), under the Grand Lodge of Colorado, having served as Master in 2004 and 2006. He is a founding member of Pythagoras Lodge #1841 in Lebanon, under the Grand Lodge of Scotland. He has been a student and Past Master within several different esoteric organizations over the last 20 years. He has studied and served as a leader within various branches of Freemasonry: Rosicrucianism, Martinism, and Templarism, as well as other Orders of both Eastern and Western lineage. He is a former editor and writer for the periodicals L’Initiation, Ariadne’s Web, and Living Stones Magazine. Brother Tim has written the following books: The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual, The 32 Secret Paths of Solomon: A New Examination of the Qabbalah in Freemasonry, Entering the Chain of Union, Revelation of the Holy Grail, Novo Clavis Esoterika, The Way of the Templar: A Manual for the Modern Knight Templar, and just recently published The Elements of the Elements.
Brother Hogan currently serves as the worldwide Grand Master of the Order of the Temple of Secret Initiates (O.T.S.I), a Knights Templar lineage. He has been knighted in France into the Order of the Paraclete and the Dove, and knighted in Scotland into the Order of Saint Andrews, and into the Royal Order of Scotland. He has also been knighted as a Gold Star Sir Knight of the Knights of the Glen.
No. 8: Angel Millar - The Creative Spirit
Bro. Angel Millar is first and foremost an artist: a textile graphics designer by trade and a painter by night. A British import who has resided in the United States for a little over 20 years, he calls the East Coast his home. But don’t let the British accent, debonair smile and tailored suit fool you. Bro. Millar is a humble, kind, student of the universe. He’s inspired by art, spirituality, Western esotericism, martial arts, religion and, of course, Freemasonry. He was raised a Master Mason at Publicity Lodge No. 1000 in New York City in 2002. While many drop out of sight or start their journey as lodge officers on their way to the coveted seat in the East, Bro. Millar took a different route. He got published. Three years after being raised he published his first book Freemasonry: A History (2005), an insightful hardcover that traces the roots of our Craft. He followed it with a deeper work Freemasonry Foundation of the Western Esoteric Tradition (2014), an inner journey into the understanding of Freemasonry from the symbolic and spiritual perspective. This book, currently out of print, lit the torch to what would become his current focus of religious, cultural and spiritual symbolism in connection to our Craft. A little known fact is that Bro. Millar also co-wrote with his wife, Carla, and published, a graphic novel in 2015: Eutopia 2055, about a post-apocalyptic odyssey exploring the higher purpose within us all. Currently, The Crescent and the Compass Islam, Freemasonry, Esotericism and Revolution in the Modern Age (2017) is his most spiritual and successful book to date. He is currently working on two books: a short book of Masonic essays and another exploring the rituals, symbols, myths and teachings of spiritual and religious traditions related to the craftsman, warrior, and magician. He also publishes the website Phanes. Themed to spirituality, the website posts thoughtful articles on Sufism, music, mythology, self-development and the like. Without a doubt, such a young scholar as Bro. Millar has a future that is just starting to simmer. His unique perspective and approach with his esoteric studies and Freemasonry are sure-fire reasons why he landed on this list.
No. 9: Robert G. Davis - The Masonic Mentor
Placing Ninth overall in our poll, and fifth among contemporary (i.e., living) Masonic authors, is Worshipful Brother Robert G. Davis, 33°, Grand Cross. He recently retired after thirty years of service as Executive Secretary of the Guthrie, Oklahoma Valley of the Scottish Rite, and is the current Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. A Past Master of three Masonic lodges in Oklahoma, he was the charter Master of the first traditional observance lodge in his state, Guildhall No. 553. His impressive Masonic resume includes: the Board of Directors the Oklahoma Masonic Charity Foundation; Chief Adept of the Masonic Rosicrucians; Past Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons and Past Grand Commander of Knights Templar in Oklahoma; Past Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine; Past Sovereign Master of the Allied Masonic Degrees; Past Chief of Knight Masons; Past Preceptor of Knight Templar Priests; Past Prior, Knight York Cross of Honor; Past President, Order of High Priesthood; and Past Governor of the Oklahoma York Rite College. He is also on the Board of Directors, and a Fellow of the Scottish Rite Research Society; Past President and Fellow of the Philalethes Society; Past President of the Masonic Restoration Foundation; and Past Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees in the United States. He is a Blue Friar and a member of the Nine Muses Council No. 13 in Washington, D.C.
An avid student of Freemasonry, the Western esoteric traditions, men’s studies, and the psychology of manhood, he is a popular speaker on, and has written about, all of these topics. He is the author of two outstanding books on Freemasonry: Understanding Manhood in America, Freemasonry’s Enduring Path to the Mature Masculine (2005), and The Mason’s Words: The History and Evolution of the American Masonic Ritual (2013). It is this latest book that merits his placement among “esoteric” authors as well as Masonic historians, as it doesn’t merely trace the history and evolution of our fraternity’s craft lodge degrees. As suggested by its title, The Mason’s Words also seeks to plumb those words’ meanings and usages. For example, we read that: “[T]he word lodge is a term that originated much earlier with the builders guilds, and can be found in documents as far back as the thirteenth century. We have established that, to the operative craftsman, it meant the workshop or hut that was common to all major building sites in which masons worked, stored their tools, ate their meals, and rested. We have confirmed that the long term nature of most building projects resulted in an extended meaning of ‘the lodge.’ It became any group of masons permanently attached to a particular construction undertaking.” (p. 13) Later, we learn that: “[T]here is no evidence that English lodges included passwords in their combined degree system which existed prior to 1785.” (p.79)
No. 10: C.R. “Chuck Dunning - The Contemplative Mason
Brother Dunning has been a Master Mason since 1988. He is a leader of Masonic education programs in two Scottish Rite Valleys—one in his home state of Texas, the other in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where he is also the founding Superintendent of the Academy of Reflection. The Academy is described on its website as “a chartered organization for Scottish Rite Masons wanting to integrate contemplative practice with their Masonic experience” (www.academyofreflection.org). The idea for the Academy came from the observation that in our degree work and writings, there are several instances where we are enjoined to contemplate, or reflect on, some Masonic idea, symbol, or allegory; but techniques of contemplation were not being taught within the Craft. Brother Dunning has created a series of courses on Masonic meditation or contemplation available to those who become members or associates of the Academy.
Brother Dunning defines Masonic esotericism as “the perception that there are mysterious depths within Masonry coupled with the effort to plumb those depths in our own lives.” His book, Contemplative Masonry (2016), is a treasure trove of practical tools, techniques, and guidelines for developing a thoughtful, reverent approach to participating consciously in every aspect of blue lodge meetings and ceremonies. He recommends meditating upon, and practicing, Masonic virtues “mindfully, reflectively, and most of all, lovingly.” He points out that the Craft itself encourages us to engage in the deeper esoteric dimensions and he shows us how to do that through inner work composed of “basic applications of mindfulness, meditation, and imagery.” His book recommends journaling after each of his meditation exercises. The bibliography includes the works of five of the brothers in Fraternal Review’s top ten list.