What is going on with the GLNF in France? Last summer, the UGLE suspended relations with them. Now, following recommendations by a committee of COGMINA, other Grand Lodges around the USA are also suspending relations with the French Grand Lodge. Why? What is all the fuss about? I’ve been trying to follow the story, but it hasn’t been easy. In this episode I try and unravel the story.

As always, I speak only for myself and my opinions do not reflect any official position of any body or group in Freemasonry.

What makes for compelling Masonic Education? In today’s episode I discuss my thoughts on creating an education program that won’t bore them to death, and may actually become useful for both your candidates and your lodge.

The book mentioned in the show is Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath

You may have noticed the new look. I’m in the process of moving the blog over to WordPress from Moveable Type. MT has been great, but the new platform will have many more features and abilities going forward. I’m still getting my feet wet, so check back often. Things will change and move around some, but eventually it will be a much better place to hang out.

To avoid an interruption in episodes, the best thing is to subscribe through iTunes. Just go to the iTunes Music Store and search on “X-Oriente” or follow this link to subscribe.

St. Bernard Commandery No. 35 is selling some of their Masonic treasures and it’s raised some interesting discussions. In this episode we talk to the Eminent Commander of St. Bernard No. 35 to find out what’s up.
We’re also experimenting with the format of the show, now that it’s back. What do you think?

Music: “Nothing At All,” by 3 Minute Pop Songs

When an ad agency picks up your idea you know you are trendy. Well, brothers, this evening I came upon this:

Betcha didn't know that Chivas was more than a whiskey…it's a fraternity. Clearly Chivas' "Live with Chivalry" campaign is hitting a chord with young men (Presumably the target of the campaign.) What I find kind of fascinating is that the campaign was done in Euro/RSCG's London office. You know London? That place where Masons seem to be portrayed as sinister characters who have nothing better to do than stalk Lindsay Lohan. (Note to Ms. Lohan: Speaking as a Mason, I can assure you that if I were in London, and if I were the stalking type, I can think of at least 30 women off the top of my head I rather stalk than you. So I think it is pretty safe to say your problem is not with the Brothers).

This is one of those markers that should be an indicator that young men are hungry for what Masonry has to offer. What is important to know is the aspirational quality of the images. Watch the ad:

What is important to point out here is that the images are lush. The experiential qualities speak to an authenticity. These are not the type of guys who are doing one-day classes because it is convenient. These guys aspire to fight fires, jump out of airplanes and go to formal parties. Not really the one day class aesthetic. Discuss.

Masonry will be nothing if it doesn't inspire men to aspire to something better. And if better means it is difficult, well that will make that sip of whiskey at the end of it that much more satisfying.

But I hope if the members of the "Chivas Brotherhood" seek out the real Brotherhood you'll welcome them after their first degree with a proper single malt.

We have a new co-host! Jason van Dyke, the Director of Media Projects (I probably got that wrongly worded, but you get the idea) at the House of the Temple in Washington DC joins me on the show. The audio is a little rough, and the show is completely unscripted, but we are in the field during Masonic Week. This episode is a discussion that continues a national discussion on the idea of civility and what the hell happened to it. We'll talk about how to disagree as Freemasons and still preserve harmony. 

Let me know how you like the change. We'll be fine-tuning as we go, and the show may indeed morph some more, but this is an exciting episode for me and the show.

Also, if you are here in DC for Masonic Week, come find me on Facebook or drop me an email.

The first in a series of shorter episodes on topical Masonic subjects, I'm calling "X-Oriente Dispatches." In this Dispatch, I comment on the recent verdict in the Frank Hass vs. the Grand Lodge of West Virginia case.

Just remember the disclaimer: I speak only for myself and not for any Lodge, Grand Lodge or any other Masonic body.

We conclude our tour of the sephirot from a Masonic perspective. In this episode we cover Chesed, Gevurah, Da'at, Tifaret, Hod, Netzach, Yesod and Malkhut.

In this episode, we continue our discussion on Kabbalah, on the creation of "light" and its many intersections into Masonic thought and symbolism.

Just when things were going so well. My Mac Pro, which is my studio machine, went to it’s eternal refreshment today. Difficult as it was, I went to the Apple Store only to find that they had no Mac Pros. Apparently, there are new ones in the pipeline, and they are due to ship sometime this month. I’m gonna try and run my life from my laptop for the time being, but all the X-Oriente production files and settings are on the internal drives.

Basically that means that production cannot resume until the new machine is in place. Hopefully this will be resolved soon and I’ll spend my time writing new material. But if you experience a delay in the next show (which was scheduled to go live on Friday) that’s why. Sorry, guys.