Freemasonry and Meditation | Contemplative Masonry with Chuck Dunning

[@wrevels]

Greetings, Thanks for including your interview with Bro Chuck Dunning. I was an early member of his contemplative group on the internet. His early book "Contemplative Freemasonry, Basic Applications of Mindfulness, Meditation and Imagery for the Craft", Copyright 2000, rests in my Masonic Library. The reason Bro Dunning's study is important is that it reaches out to a contemporary society utilizing a timeless age-old method to understand the symbols taught in the degrees of Freemasonry. Rather than only memorizing our ritual there is a far greater lesson to be taught by reflecting on what is taught from within our conscious mind.

[@ajsseagrave]

I am extremely thankful to have both The Winding Stairs and the Masonic Roundtable. Thank you for everything you brothers do.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words. -Juan S.

[@tommykroghabrahamsen1522]

GREAT !

[@Thewindingstairs]

thanks Brother. Hope you've been well.

[@michaelmartin3585]

Love the video brother

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks.

[@robertkinkaid4732]

I have practiced meditation for a little more than a year and it provides me with a greater sense of calm. My lodge, Harmonie 699 OM (NY), does a lodge of introspection for 15 minutes before the formal opening of lodge. Lights are dimmed, incense is burned, and quiet contemplative music is played. No idle chat, but rather a quiet moment to transition from the profane world.

[@Thewindingstairs]

I absolutely love this. Thanks for sharing.

[@jmurrayathletics]

Where in NY is this? I'm in Scotia, ny

[@robertkinkaid4732]

@@jmurrayathletics Buffalo NY

[@Mikethealtarboy]

4 years later: That's really neat! Do you just set it up and those who are interested can migrate to the lodge room; with the rest to come right on time? Or do you give any sort of guidance or theme to it?

[@jeffmorehouse4936]

Cant wait to read this book!

[@Thewindingstairs]

Did you ever read it?

[@markrossignol9238]

Brother Chuck gave a presentation at Texas Masonicon and it was great.

[@Thewindingstairs]

He always delivers.

[@hialeahmasons8312]

Brother Chuck Dunning is great. Thank you Juan!

[@Thewindingstairs]

He's an inspiring Brother.

[@jamiehamilton8246]

Meditation and contemplative disciplines allow one to be a conduit for the universal life force and live and act in an authentic manner. Excellent discussion.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@BrianWHurlburt]

I believe that if we are to “become better men” it requires us to contemplate and meditate upon those things within, and without, that will be more likely to lead us in the right direction. So, this year, I plan to spend more time reading, writing, and meditating.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Congratulations Brian! Our random picker chose you as the lucky winner of the signed copy of "Contemplative masonry". Please send an email to juansepulveda @thewindingstairs .com with your shipping information. I hope you enjoy the book and are able to put into practice some of the wisdom contained therein. Thank you for being a part of The Winding Stairs family. -Juan S.

[@ChuckDunning]

Brian, I hope you find the book useful! Thanks for listening.

[@randy5897]

Great interview 👍, and a high quality podcast with no sound and stream errors !

[@Thewindingstairs]

I value the feedback. Thanks for watching/listening

[@ChuckDunning]

Greetings everyone! Thanks for listening to our discussion. I've been reading your comments and I'm happy to see you're finding it worth your time. I'd like to add a postscript to the topic of psychological approaches to contemplative practice. First, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) has a lot more to offer than just what I said about decision making. For example, CBT also says that our emotional reactions to our experiences are also heavily shaped by our atttitudes and beliefs. So, when we find ourselves having a strong emotional reaction to something, CBT encourages us to look within ourselves to examine those underlying factors to consider how realistic and logical they may or may not be. Second, another psychological school that highly values introspection is Jungian psychology, where active imagination and dream work are core methods. Finally, thanks again to Bro. Juan for a wonderful conversation. You certainly have significant experience with your own inner work!

[@Thewindingstairs]

Dear Brother, thank you for expounding on the topic. I am grateful for your time and wisdom. -Juan S.

[@charlielambert1266]

Love the podcast, videos and emails! Thank you!

[@Thewindingstairs]

Glad to hear you have enjoyed them. Have you checked out some of the latest episodes? New ones now available.

[@didge23]

Thoroughly enjoying The Winding Stairs podcast. Thank you!

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks for listening and for the kind words.

[@MotoDUDEabides]

This could be really big for current masons in dull lodges. 💪👍

[@Thewindingstairs]

The kind of initiative that can spark life back into a Lodge.

[@djfmjones]

Very insightful thank you brother

[@Thewindingstairs]

Glad to hear it.

[@timlawson1545]

Always great information

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks, Brother.

[@robertlozon2972]

As DDGM of our District I will defintely share and put the book in our District library for reading

[@Thewindingstairs]

Outstanding, R.W. Thanks for watching.

[@steveahner8846]

Thank you for all you do for the Craft Brother. This is one of my favorite topics yet one of the things I most often fail at.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks for watching and for the openness. Travel safe

[@richarddeluna2113]

Thank you for your videos.

[@Thewindingstairs]

My pleasure. There are many new ones.

[@mhambrecht]

Awesome show!

[@Thewindingstairs]

Gracias

[@staylorjr1980]

This book looks amazing! Can’t wait to read and as a practicing Buddhist, I love when the Craft intersects with tenets of my religion!

[@Thewindingstairs]

I love that. Let me know what you think after you've read it. I am half way through and am enjoying it.

[@andypane5818]

I am looking forward to it..

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks for watching.

[@zenviking6691]

I hardly have space to expound on what I am doing personally to make my contemplative experience more profound, but I will say that I along with the help of another brother are continuing to hold meditation and contemplating meetings weekly at our lodge in order to help foster this practice among our brethren.

[@Thewindingstairs]

This is so great to hear. Thanks for doing your part.

[@Mgrimes517]

Love that you’re working on freemasonry in an important aspect to help mental health fire brothers.

[@Thewindingstairs]

A very important topic. Thanks for watching.

[@philthyphilly3125]

Cannot wait to listen and watch this podcast episode

[@Thewindingstairs]

I hope you found it edifying

[@russellharrell3555]

Excellent Video

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thank you

[@TheFrankbob62]

I plan on Working on mindful meditation this year I’ve been getting a little far out in my head and I think this would be a good thing

[@Thewindingstairs]

That’s good to hear. I can’t recommend it enough.

[@idotter05]

Another good video

[@Thewindingstairs]

Glad to hear it Brother.

[@bamezola]

The winding Stairs is great

[@Thewindingstairs]

I greatly appreciate the feedback, Brother.

[@raymaddox5670]

This is a wonderful video! Thank you guys for your hard work! Lots of good thought here.

[@Thewindingstairs]

The comment worked. Good luck and thanks for participating.

[@coldfusion1889]

Super awesome podcast! Thanks for everything you do brother! Hopefully I could get a copy of your book!

[@Thewindingstairs]

Glad you find it useful.

[@sixtusdabuoder2360]

Have being following you for some time now. I'm grateful to you for always bringing out that helps me and others to bring the best out of us. In Ghana we are doing and sometimes I share your messages with other brothers. Hope to receiving a pin from you as a confirmation

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks for following our content. I hope all is well. Be well.

[@JamesWheeler42]

This was an amazing discussion, I am actually receiving the 1st Degree this Saturday (Jan 11, 2020). I am using the tools I already have received and will receive to become more aware of my life and the effect I have on my surroundings.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Congratulations. May the rest of your journey be full of light. -JS

[@ChuckDunning]

Congratulations and best wishes, James!

[@russellharrell2850]

Excellent video! Thank You

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks

[@talldriver]

This was an excellent video. I will be sharing this discussion with others for their consideration. Please keep up the good work.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Glad you enjoyed it. I hope the Brethren received it well.

[@fierman47]

Always looking to improve myself. Thank you.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Great mindset. Thanks for watching

[@bobhall9247]

Very interesting

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks

[@willoliver9167]

Looking forward to this video.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks for checking it out

[@sherrialeshire4296]

Enjoy. Bob

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks for sharing.

[@H.E.R.Workshops]

Absolutely wonderful Bro. Juan! Excellent episode! I think more people need to take a contemplative look at even life in general.

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thank you for the continued support, Lucas. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@H.E.R.Workshops]

@@Thewindingstairs always! Your podcast always gives me so much to think about.

[@AdamHanin]

Always great insights from you!

[@Thewindingstairs]

I appreciate it Brother. New episodes now available.

[@d.b.teague755]

Great show and discussion. And nice lapel pin "Master of the Royal Secret"!

[@Thewindingstairs]

You have a good eye. I wondered if anyone would notice it. Thanks for the kind words. -JS.

[@lostknowledge6403]

Thank you for the podcasts Brother

[@Thewindingstairs]

My pleasure. Thanks for sharing my work. -Juan S.

[@donaldsacco2276]

Juan, love your art and podcast. Still waiting on another episode of "The Winding Stairs" podcast though!!

[@Thewindingstairs]

I am publishing this conversation there, so if you haven't finished the video, you'll have a chance to listen to it. Plus, I have a few other episodes in the editing room. Thanks for listening.

[@nathantweedie5150]

Great video!

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks, Brother. See you soon! P.S. Don't forget to share the episode to enter to win the signed copy. ;)

[@xenith_terrek]

Love the show, artwork, and podcast. /cheers

[@Thewindingstairs]

thanks for the kind words.

[@jmurrayathletics]

Great discussion brother, I want to try and bring more seminars to my lodge. We have these buildings and forums for growth, we should use them to educate and share more. Some lodges have kitchens, good space to do cooking classes. Some have space they could hold free fitness classes to help brothers stay healthy. In my short time as a mason, I've felt like we could share more among ourselves and that could open avenues for brothers to share without being imposing. Just a side thought and idea, of what you were saying early in the cast💡😃

[@Thewindingstairs]

That's a brilliant idea! I've never thought of the kitchen in that way. Perfect opportunity for community outreach. Thank you. (Will share this with my Lodge)

[@jmurrayathletics]

@@Thewindingstairs if you do, and something comes of it please let me know 💯🙌

[@genemitchell8394]

I am interested in this as years ago I wrote a course, intending to be a correspondence course, called Spiritual Masonry, which was basic lessons in the concepts of Freemasonry and symbolism plus a meditation with each one. It was patterned after the degrees and roughly followed the lessons in each degree. I don't know if I even still have it.

[@Thewindingstairs]

That sounds great. I hope you are able to dig it out and share it. Have a great day.

[@ryanbimshire]

Hi would like to read the book on “Contemplative Masonry” plz

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks Ryan, Don't forget to share the episode for a chance to win.

[@ryanbimshire]

@@Thewindingstairs i did sent it out via WhatsApp

[@ryanbimshire]

Sent you pixs to your facebook chat

[@ryanbimshire]

I'm reading "The Master Key" now

[@maeealey6965]

"Meditation and Freemasonry",

[@Thewindingstairs]

Thanks for watching. How's your journey going?

[@jenniferpollard591]

Greetings from Pearls of Wisdom #407, Orlando FL. Does your lodge have an OES chapter?

[@Thewindingstairs]

Greetings! Thanks for watching. No, we do not have an OES chapter in my lodge at the moment.

[@steam811]

"Freemasonry and Meditation"

[@Thewindingstairs]

Great combination. Thanks for watching.

[@zenviking6691]

Despite your description that your meditation practice is "Limited" to mindfulness meditation. It sounds like your practice is not Limited at all! It sounds very robust and expansive, and not at all limited. The man who does one meditation often, is doing way better than the man who does dozens of meditations only rarely.