Masonic Muscle

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...

Why is Freemasonry work ? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I interview Assistant Grand Lecturer Vic Ropac from Division 8 for a serious conversation about discipline, ritual excellence, lodge standards, California Freemasonry, and why the Craft cannot be treated like a casual hobby. Brother Ropac shares lessons from his father, who served during World War II, and the principles, morals, and wor...

Was King Solomon the richest man who ever lived? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I interview Neil D’Souza , creator of The Leadership to Wealth Podcast , for a conversation about life, money, leadership, the pandemic, fitness, Freemasonry, and the old question of whether King Solomon was the richest man in history. This episode solves one Masonic Muscle problem: How can a man think about wealt...

Did Cistercian monks influence Masonic ritual? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I continue reading from The Rule of Saint Benedict and Masonic Ritual: The Origin of Masonic Usages, Customs and Ritual by Alberto Moreno Moreno and ask whether Benedictine and Cistercian monastic traditions may have influenced Masonic ceremonies, customs, and ritual structure. But this episode goes beyond one theor...

Why must Masons put in the work — inside and outside the lodge? In this episode of Masonic Muscle , I talk about working out in my dungeon, friends and family visiting, and continuing to study and speak about Freemasonry while trying to live the lessons outside the lodge room. This episode solves one Masonic problem: How can a Mason claim to be improving himself if he is not willing to put in the...

Do all roads lead to Rome — and possibly to the heavens above? This episode explores Rome, sacred architecture, astronomy, ancient influence, symbolic alignment, and the question of whether certain patterns in Masonic symbolism may reflect older systems of sacred knowledge. This episode solves one Masonic problem: how can Masons study ancient influence, astronomy, and sacred architecture without m...

What can a serious research lodge teach modern Masons? In this interview, four-time Southern California Research Lodge Past Master Jeriel Smith discusses Andrew Hammer’s Observing the Craft , observant lodges, Masonic education, origin theories, South Pasadena Lodge, ghost stories, and favorite Masonic conspiracy theories. This episode solves one Masonic problem: how can Masons think critically ab...

Did Mason-monks influence Freemasonry? This episode examines the Tironensians, a reformed Benedictine order connected with master building, monastic houses, sacred architecture, and possible astronomical alignment. The claim is provocative and must be handled carefully — but it is exactly the kind of question Masonic Muscle exists to investigate. This episode solves one Masonic problem: how can Ma...

Why does Scotland matter in the search for Masonic origins? This episode continues the investigation into Benedictine and Cistercian influence, medieval masonry, Scottish traces, controversial origin theories, and the practical life of masons in the 1300s — including food, labor, and survival. This episode solves one Masonic problem: why should serious Masonic origin research pay attention to Scot...

What was the real source of power in the 1300s? This episode looks at secret societies, knowledge systems, the Trivium, medieval education, and the strength of the stone masons of that period. The power was not merely physical. It was also intellectual: grammar, logic, rhetoric, discipline, memory, craft, and control of knowledge. This episode solves one Masonic problem: how can Masons understand...

Is your body a Temple? This episode connects the Masonic idea of the Temple with Jack LaLanne’s philosophy of physical discipline, hard work, health, and personal responsibility. Freemasonry teaches symbolic construction. Fitness teaches physical construction. Both reveal the same truth: no man is improved without labor. This episode solves one Masonic problem: how does a Mason connect symbolic se...