Officers of the Lodge – Junior Warden

Who is the Junior Warden – Spiritual Consciousness ?

This is a 4 of 6 part tutorial series on the Officers of the Lodge

Each part published monthly in The Square

Lodge Officers:  The Tyler, Inner Guard, Deacons, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, Worshipful Master

Junior Warden – Spiritual Consciousness

The aspiration of a Freemason is to be the best man he can be. To have a sense of peace and purpose in his life.

To be concerned with his spirit and his soul as opposed to material or physical things.

To be kind to all within his compass.

The International journal for the Psychology of Religion. Vol 10, 2000 – Issue 1, Robert A Emmons’s article “Spirituality and Intelligence: Problems and Prospects” he defines spiritual intelligence (or spiritual consciousness) involves five characteristics the fifth being “The capacity to engage in virtuous behaviour or to be virtuous, to show forgiveness, to express gratitude, to be humble, to display compassion.”

All these are virtues that a Freemason aspires to possess.

In the same journal, John D. Mayer says: “The idea of spiritual consciousness stems from the possibility of structuring consciousness, through meditation, contemplation and other means” The “other means” could quite easily refer to Freemasonry and the allegories.

The communication of those moral stories which draw your attention to virtuous behaviour and the contemplation of your inevitable destiny.

David Chalmers article in the journal, The Conversation, June, 6th 2019, headed, ‘Spiritual science: how a new perspective on consciousness could help us understand ourselves’ wrote, “Humans are fundamentally selfish”. However, the social instinct of “closeness” raises empathy and altruism.

Chalmers goes on to say, “The best way to understand the world is not through science or spirituality alone – but through an approach which combines them both.”

Referring back to W L Wilmshurst and his book “the Meaning of Masonry” he states that the Junior Warden represents your “Mind”, your Spiritual Consciousness.

Let us look at the role of the Junior Warden (the Mind) more carefully.

Duty 1

The jewel of the office, a plumb rule, being an emblem of uprightness points out the integrity of the measures you are bound to pursue in conjunction with your brother the SW (Your Soul) and myself (Your Spirit) in the well ruling and governing of the Lodge particularly in the examination of visitors.

Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles thus being your spiritual consciousness.

It is that part of you that vets messages from your Spirit and your Soul to keep your moral values true and your integrity secure.

Your “Mind” has an immediate connection with both your inner and outer senses (the Inner and Outer Guards) that constantly keeps you updated with messages about your situation and your environment, in order to keep you constantly aware.

You have an aspiration to be the best man you can be. To be kind and compassionate but you must be continually on your guard.

Duty 2

To sit in the South and represent the Sun at its meridian.

The Sun tracks your day, part to be spent in labour and refreshment, part in divine worship and part to be spent in helping a brother in time of need.

When the Sun is at its meridian it is the hottest part of the day, the mind therefore, receives messages from the senses of the dangers of working in such heat.

A decision is made in conjunction with your Spirit and your Soul as to a moral course of action to be taken based on the immediate environment identified by your inner and outer senses.

It is about living in the moment and enjoying every moment of the day.

Duty 3

The column of your office you will place horizontal when at labour (and perpendicular when at rest)…..

The Sun rises in the East to start the day and it continues its journey until it is at its Meridian representing the hottest part of the day.

A time of rest from the heat. The Sun sets in the West to signal that the day is over.

It is important to know when it is the appropriate time to work and when it is the appropriate time to rest.

It is about balancing your life.

….that profit and pleasure may be the result.

Duty 4

To hold in his hand a gavel.

The gavel represents the force of conscious that should keep down all vain and unbecoming thoughts throughout the entire day.

Action

Take a moment for yourself to stop and reflect. This present moment is the most important moment. Your past has gone and your future has yet to arrive.

Conclusion

Eckhart Toll asserts that “the hampering factor that prevents spiritual consciousness is the Ego”. He also states that “Awareness and Ego cannot coexist” Unless you know yourself, are at peace with yourself and are true to yourself you can never have a sense of peace and purpose in your life.