THE LETTER OF THE Master of the Lodge

Equilibrium

Dearest Brother,
last month's letter prompted the reflection of a brother who pointed
inner balance (of thought, judgment and action) as the key to
improvement of the Freemason.
I agree with this vision, and I would like to resume the discussion here, looking into ours
Ritual and in the Emulation Readings the points where balance is expressly mentioned.
Without claiming completeness, we find for example:
- in the presentation of the tools of a Fellow Craft:
“level behavior and balanced intentions”
“observing the right balance”
“scales of justice”
- in the Elevation ceremony:
“so that at no time he may lose his balance”
- in First Grade Reading:
“keep the scales of justice in perfect balance” (section V)
“virtue is the highest exercise and improvement of reason; integrity, harmony and justice
balance of affection” (section VII)
- in Second Grade Reading:
“balanced intentions” (section I)
If you think that the path of the Freemason is a progressive transition from one
"raw" internal state to a "worked" one, I cannot understand "balance" as
to a state of fixity, a standing still so as not to get too close to extremes
they could disturb or destabilize me, give them a prudent but fearful equidistance
excesses. On the contrary, it seems to me more like an effort to distance myself from
conditionings that push me every day to live far from that
"center", which prevent me from finding inner peace and, as we see unfortunately
even in the sad events of these days, to seek peace with serene conviction
external.
Maybe to find the center you have to wander around the circumference a lot, maybe for
To find peace you have to face many battles, but still a way is necessary
exit, because everyday life is like a carousel that tends to make us spin around
always, like the hamster in his wheel.
And the hamster in the wheel seems to be balanced, but instead he is locked in a cage.

See you soon!
W.M. M.B. Master of Lodge