Do you know yourself? Really, think about it... Do you really know yourself?
http://www.TheWindingStairs.com/KnowThyselfBook

I had the pleasure of sitting with Bro. Michael "The Voice" Schiavello to speak about the proper way to use the lessons of Freemasonry (What some may call the Secrets of Freemasonry) to improve one's life.

The lessons that have been part of Freemasons for centuries have left an indelible mark in our society, and to incorporate those lessons into our lives should be one of our top priorities. But, why?

Listen in on this conversation and open your mind to getting to know yourself better and unlock the potential within you to live your best life today.

Are you on Facebook?
Make sure to join Bro. Schiavello's Masonic group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemasonryinsideout/
Where you can find lively discussions about Freemasonry and its lessons.

Subscribe to our channel to stay informed of other stimulating conversations with men who have made the lessons of Freemasonry a part of their lives and be a witness to the great power behind these timeless lessons.

To listen to our Masonic Podcast and to see our growing collection of Masonic Art and Apparel, visit: http://www.TheWindingStairs.com

22 Months | A Conversation with Bro. Jon Ruark

On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we finalize our conversation about One Day Classes by confronting our opinion with hard facts. Bro. Jon Ruark conducted a comprehensive survey of Freemasonry Membership and participation for this very purpose. On this episode, we will discuss reasons why One Day Classes may not work, When are ODCs appropriate and what can be done to increase participation and a sense of satisfaction from the members of the Craft. 

I hope that you find this episode edifying.

Mentioned in this episode

• The Masonic Roundtable
• Thank you to Billy Mays III for his music. Listen to his masterful work by visiting: http://music.infinitethird.com/
• This episode of The Winding Stairs was sponsored in part by Masonic Revival.
• Subscribe to The Winding Stairs' YouTube Channel

Create Your Own Lodge Shirt FREE

To get started, visit www.TheWindingStairs.com/MyLodgeShirt

 

Blue Lightning | A Conversation with Bro. Chris Hodapp

On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we tackle a very contentious topic, One Day Classes. I recently asked The Winding Stairs Facebook Group Members "What is your opinion about One Day Classes in Freemasonry?" and the result was shocking. Not only did I discover that the majority of respondents had a negative opinion regarding One Day Classes, but many held some sort of animosity towards Brothers who have joined the fraternity in this manner. Dismayed by this negativity, I contacted Brother Chris Hodapp, author of Freemasons for Dummies, to learn more one-day classes, their effectiveness, and how Brothers should handle discussions about this topic. In this candid conversation, you will learn:

I hope that you find this episode edifying.

Mentioned in this episode

• Visit Bro. Chris Hodapp's Blog Freemasons for Dummies
• Thank you to Billy Mays III for his music. Listen to his masterful work by visiting: http://music.infinitethird.com/
• This episode of The Winding Stairs was sponsored in part by Masonic Revival.

Create Your Own Lodge Shirt FREE

To get started, visit www.TheWindingStairs.com/MyLodgeShirt

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Image Credit: "Chris Hodapp" Chalk & Charcoal Drawing by artist Travis Simpkins.

Behave Like a Mason

The 4 Places you are expected to behave like a Mason

Where should we behave like a Mason? The answer should be simple, Everywhere. However, I selected four places where your behavior as a Mason can have a rippling effect. The benefits derived from behaving as a Mason in these specific circumstances will yield exponential benefits to your life. During this episode of The Winding Stairs Freemasonry Podcast, I reveal the project that has kept me busy for the best part of this year. Please make sure to listen to the program on its entirety and share it with like-minded men.

Mentioned on this episode:

• Join the new community of Men who value common courtesy and manners. Join The Gentlemen's Brotherhood
• To see my personal collection of Masonic Art visit FreemasonryArt.com
• Listen to The Masonic Roundtable for Masonic News and Discussions by 5 Brothers from around the U.S.

To Support The Winding Stairs visit www.FreemasonryArt.com

We are very proud to present a new collection of apparel, available exclusively through The Winding Stairs Masonic Store. Original designs related to Freemasonry and emblazoned on T-shirts, Sweaters, and Hoodies. To see the collection, visit FreemasonryArt.com or click on the image for more information.

Do you have examples where you have seen Brothers not behaving as Masons? What lessons did you learn then?

-Please share your story in the comments section below. Image Credit: “Scream” by Crosa, Licensed by CC BY 2.0

On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we tackle a very contentious topic, One Day Classes. I recently asked The Winding Stairs Facebook Group Members "What is your opinion about One Day Classes in Freemasonry?" and the result was shocking. Not only did I discover that the majority of respondents had a negative opinion regarding One Day Classes, but many held some sort of animosity towards Brothers who have joined the fraternity in this manner. Dismayed by the negative dynamics that I witnessed within the threads, I contacted two Brothers who I admire greatly. Brother Chris Hodapp, author of Freemasons for Dummies and Bro. Jon Ruark, my co-host on The Masonic Roundtable. Both of these Brothers are Past Masters in their respective States, but they have gone above and beyond in their attempt to understand and offer solutions to the One Day Conferral Conundrum. I hope that you find this episode edifying.

Thank you for joining me in this program. The Winding Stairs Podcast is intended to be a documentation of a journey, which we can enjoy together. This journey is one of discovery and growth. Who Am I? I am a professional artist and Master Mason, who is very interested in the history of Freemasonry and the application of its tenets for self improvements. What qualifies me to create a program about Freemasonry? Although I began my Masonic Career rather recently (2009) and I am in an early phase of my growth as a Mason, I have been diligent about acquiring Masonic Education and continue to study daily to become a better Man. I am creating this program as a friendly environment where we can meet to discover and discuss Masonic Topics. It is not intended to replace your personal Masonic research or the standardized Masonic education, which your Lodge may provide. We can simply consider it an additional source of Light in Masonry. Among the topics we might discuss in this program you will find: A Virtuous Life: Features a specific virtue and an example in which this virtue can be exercised or has been exercised by a prominent historical figure. Winding Steps: Here the focus is on one of the 15 steps of the Winding Stairs. This will anchor the conversation every week about one of the steps upon which we should be improving. The tone of the podcast is intended to be a friendly and informative one where we can grow together. As we explore the areas of our life that have room for improvement we will develop a road-map for growth. Who should listen to this program? This program is intended for everyone, from Master Masons to people curious about the Order. Hopefully it can provide answers and inspiration for individuals to familiarize themselves with Freemasonry. What is the format of the show? Considering that it is at it's infancy, the format is bound to evolve from it's current state, but only with your feedback will it reach its potential. How can you reach me? If you have any questions or comments, you are welcomed to share them trough this Blog, or through the contact information available above in the Contact Us tab. Let's continue this conversation here on the Blog through comments or by Liking Us on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/MasonicFundraiser ------- As part of the road map to success, we will explore different moral virtues and how we can become better at exercising them. Since I was working on this program through the Holidays it was appropriate to explore the delicate virtue of Patience. But, Is patience a virtue? After a little research, I found conflicting interpretations of whether Patience is a virtue or not. It is elegantly described in some sources as the result of carefully developed and correctly applied virtues. Among them: Prudence Fortitude Compassion Empathy Courtesy Courage Justice Don't feel guilty if you are not particularly patient; simply recognize that impatience might just be the symptom of other underlying conditions, which when understood, have a better chance of being corrected. E.g. Lack of sleep, lack of exercise, careless diet, emotional or spiritual neglect. "A Person's Wisdom yields patience; It is to one's glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 This means that your initiative to increase your wisdom, will result in increased patience. Thinking of your patience as a battery that needs to be fully charged in order for it to yield positive results. It also needs to be replenished frequently and as fully as possible. +++What tools can we use to replenish our Patience Battery.

Living Stones A conversation with Robert Herd On this episode of The Winding Stairs, we have a conversation with Brother Robert Herd, publisher of Living Stones Magazine. Bro. Herd discusses his early days in Freemasonry, the importance of the Liberal Arts and Sciences in Freemasonry. For those Brothers who may not be getting from their Lodge what they expected when they initially joined, there is sound advice to make your experience significantly better. On this episode we discuss Bro. Herd's participation in the origin of what we know as the Traditional Observance Movement. This is episode 2 of 2 from a very informative and motivating conversation I had with this incredible Brother. [clear] Do you enjoy The Winding Stairs? Please take one minute to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes: www.TheWindingStairs.com/iTunes Mentioned in this episode Brother Herd publishes one of the leading Masonic publications: Living Stones Magazine For more information about Bro. Herd's book visit: Initiatic.guru Join the new community of Men who value common courtesy and manners. Join The Gentlemen's Brotherhood To see my personal collection of Masonic Art visit FreemasonryArt.com Listen to The Masonic Roundtable for Masonic News and Discussions by 5 Brothers from around the U.S. To Support The Winding Stairs visit www.FreemasonryArt.com I am very proud to introduce my latest addition to the Liberal Arts and Sciences Collection. The piece is titled Arithmetic by Juan Sepulveda, Exclusively on The Winding Stairs Masonic Store. You should see this collection, It hold a special place in my life and I hope it will in yours as well.  Visit the collection page to see the deep symbolism that I have hidden in each and every piece. When you add these artworks to your collection, you will be exposed to symbols that remind you of the importance of having a well-rounded education. The Trivium and the Quadrivium hold the kind of wisdom that set minds free from bondage and directed them to leave a legacy of greatness. Surround yourself with this wisdom today. go to FreemasonryArt.com and order your collection. Are you getting from your Lodge what you expected when you first joined? Do you have any advice for Brothers who may not feel the same way you do? -Please share your story in the comments section below. Image Credit: “Strong Foundation” by Juan Sepulveda Licensed by CC BY 2.0