Masonic Muscle

What can Masonic history teach us? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I read an email from a Fellow Craft Mason at Wendell Lodge No. 565 in North Carolina , who shares part of his health journey and some Masonic connections. Then we move into Masonic history. I read from an article written in 1948 by Dr. Ross Hepburn, M.P.S. , of Christchurch, New Zealand, titled “Notes on Masonic History.” We al...

How do the 24-Inch Gauge and Common Gavel apply to daily discipline? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I use my little lizard brain and work through how two of the most familiar Masonic working tools can be applied to a workout, daily structure, self-mastery, and the work of becoming a better man. I also look at what W. L. Wilmshurst had to say about these two working tools and their deeper mean...

Did Benedictine monks influence Masonic ritual, symbolism, and lodge customs? In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we dig into the possible Benedictine connection to Freemasonry, including Jacob’s Ladder, monastic discipline, sacred symbols, and Alberto Moreno Moreno’s work on The Rule of Saint Benedict and Masonic Ritual . This episode solves one Masonic problem: how can Masons study possible monas...

Did the Rule of St. Benedict influence Masonic philosophy? In EP 39 of Masonic Muscle , I read and discuss an article from Philalethes Magazine written by Millard Lane Fretland, M.P.S. , titled: “Parallels Between the Rule of St. Benedict and the Philosophy of Masonry.” This article lays out several striking similarities between the Benedictine Rule of Order and Masonic philosophy. The question is...

Are the Knights Templar connected to Freemasonry? In EP 38 of Masonic Muscle , Worshipful Jeriel Smith, Past Master , returns to talk about one of his passions: Knights Templar history . We discuss the rise and fall of the Templars, the mysteries surrounding them, accusations made against them, their role in early international banking, and why the Templar question continues to attract Masons, his...

Did some of Freemasonry’s spiritual teachings come from China? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk with Brother Christopher Earnshaw , author of The Spiritual Freemasonry Series , about his research into the possible Chinese and Daoist influences behind Freemasonry’s spiritual teachings, symbolism, and ritual structure. We ask some serious questions: Where did the symbolic use of the Square...

Why don’t Masons get directed to better books? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I read from a 1946 article in Philalethes Magazine that promoted a little-known Masonic book with a limited printing of only 500 copies . That raises a serious question: When a man enters the Craft, why is he not guided toward books that help him understand how our ceremonies, rituals, symbols, and traditions evolve...

How did Masonic variants spread? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we continue the thread of the Masonic Variant coming out of England and ask how Masons, Grand Masters, and lodges tried to protect the Craft from dangerous variations in ritual, practice, doctrine, and organization. We ask: Did these Masonic variants reach America? Did they influence colonial Masonry? How did Grand Masters try to...

What is a Mason’s duty as a citizen? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I review the First Degree Charge and what it says about our duty as citizens, especially during times of public pressure, government restrictions, emergency powers, mandates, and rising public resistance around the world. The hard question is this: Does the First Degree Charge tell a Mason to obey blindly — or does it require...

Has Freemasonry dealt with variants before? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we use the idea of a “new variant” as a starting point for speculation, critical thinking, Masonic history, lodge safety, degree development, and physical training. The question is bigger than public health. Freemasonry has had variants before — variant degrees, variant rituals, variant practices, and different ways of...

What is the Regius Manuscript, and why does it matter to Freemasonry? In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we dig deeper into the Regius Manuscript and its connections to the Old Charges, Crusades, Knights Templar theories, Benedictine and Cistercian monks, Anderson’s Constitutions, and early Masonic origin debates. This episode solves one Masonic problem: how can Masons study the oldest Masonic doc...

Is weightlifting an art? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I read from Bill Hinbern’s Super Strength Training newsletter and then move into notes on the possible origins of Craft ritual . Where did Masonic ritual come from? Was it always the same? Has it changed over time? Has it evolved? This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem: How can Masons understand ritual as living work instead of j...

In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk about our lodge’s Winter Solstice celebration, which included a huge bonfire, food, music, conversation, and a brief presentation. The Winter Solstice fell on a Tuesday this year, and it gave us an opportunity to ask a deeper question: Does astronomy play a role in the degrees of the Blue Lodge? This episode solves one Masonic problem: How can Masons unde...

I’m back. In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I continue laying the foundation for a stronger body, mind, and soul by connecting family tradition, physical training, Masonic study, seasonal symbolism, and the duty of lodge officers to keep improving. I read an email from Brooks Kubik , talk about abbreviated training , share a family tradition connected to Día de los Muertos , and reflect on knowi...

What do Anderson’s Constitutions say about the origins of Masonry? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we return to Anderson’s Constitutions , Masonic origins, symbolism, ancient knowledge, and hard weightlifting. We discuss Brooks Kubik , Stuart McRobert’s Brawn , Hardgainer , and the problem that too many men — including too many Masons — do not want to put in the work. Then we move into Anderso...

Where did Freemasonry come from, and why do the old stories inside Anderson’s Constitutions keep raising more questions? In this episode of Masonic Muscle, we examine mysterious origin claims connected to Freemasonry, Dr. James Anderson’s Constitutions, and the need to keep both the mind and body strong. We also connect the investigation to Brooks Kubik’s Dinosaur Training philosophy: hard work, o...

What are the mysterious origins of Zinfandel wine ? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , sommelier Katie Finn brings serious passion, energy, and education as we explore the long and fascinating history of Zinfandel, tracing its story back thousands of years and following how it eventually made its way to California. And yes — we bring Freemasonry into the conversation too. This episode solves one...

What are the top 10 Masonic books of the millennium so far ? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk with Dago Rodriguez and Jeriel Smith of the Southern California Research Lodge about the latest issue of The Fraternal Review and its list of the top 10 Masonic books of the millennium so far. This episode solves one Masonic problem: How can Masons strengthen their education if they do not know...

Can Masonic ritual strengthen the body-mind connection? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I explore the relationship between Freemasonry, ritual work, concentration, focus, discipline, action, and the idea of entering your own personal Temple. I also read from Observing the Craft by Andrew Hammer , page 12 of the hardback edition, and use it as a starting point for another exercise in speculatio...

What are the two pillars of a strong man? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk about Freemasonry, exercise, consistent work, and the discipline required to make real progress in the gym, in lodge, and inside your own head. Progress does not happen by accident. You do not build muscle by thinking about training. You do not build a better lodge by talking about improvement. You do not build a...

Can Masons question authority? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we discuss the basics of how government works, the California Constitution , the recall process, the power of the people, and a controversy involving Alabama Masons pushing back against their Grand Master’s edict involving masks and social distancing. This episode solves one Masonic problem: How can Masons understand authority, law...

How do Masons govern their own lodges? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , we discuss Masonic law , lodge self-government, Grand Lodge legislation, and the responsibility every Mason has as a citizen of the Craft. Freemasonry gives Masons a rare opportunity: the ability to participate in the government of their own lodges and jurisdiction. But that opportunity means very little if Brothers do not...

How should Masons think for themselves? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk with Jim Ridley , Past Master and District Inspector of the 830th Masonic District of Southern California, about truth, the Three Principal Tenets, conspiracy theories, the pandemic, Grand Lodge decisions, and why Freemasons need to use more of the resources already available to them. This episode solves one Masonic...

Why should Masons return to lodge now? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk about the hard question every lodge must ask after the pandemic: What are we actually offering our members and prospective members? Society has been shaken. Men’s habits have changed. Work, money, family, health, time, and priorities have shifted. Freemasonry is facing the same problem many institutions are facing: p...

Is the body of man a temple? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I read from Observing the Craft by Andrew Hammer and reflect on what he says about the Temple, Freemasonry, and the individual Mason. Hammer writes: “The Temple is the individual Mason striving to be a better man, and that work on the Temple is the work that each of us, and only each of us can undertake on our own.” That line cuts st...