Contemplative Practices of Masonic Bodies in the USA

This survey is intended to gather information about contemplative practices that are engaged as routine sanctioned activities by different Masonic bodies within the United States of America. "Sanctioned" indicates that the officers of the body approve of the practice(s) and permit relevant information to be shared in regular meetings, newsletters, and other official forms of communication. There is no need to report on bodies that do not engage in any contemplative practices. This information is being collected by C.R. Dunning, Jr., author of Contemplative Masonry, as part of his ongoing research in this field. C.R. Dunning Jr. reserves the right to make use of all information as he wishes, with the exception of responses to Question 2 and Question 8.

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* 1. What sort of Masonic body are you reporting on? (If you wish to report on more than one body, please separately complete the survey for each.)

Blue Lodge

Royal Arch Chapter

Cryptic Council

York Rite Commandery

Scottish Rite Valley

Allied Masonic Degrees Council

Grand Lodge Education Program

SRICF College

Other (please specify)

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* 2. What is the name of the Masonic body and in what city and state is it located? This information will not be made public or shared with anyone else without written permission from the body.

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* 3. In which venue(s) does this body engage contemplative practices?

In the meeting space (e.g. lodge room) during official meetings

In the meeting space prior to opening

In the meeting space after closing

In another room of the same building as the meeting space

Other (please specify)

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* 4. Which of the following contemplative practices are routinely engaged by a group of members from this Masonic body?

Silent meditation

Guided imagery

Chanting

Energy work (using imagery and/or breath to manipulate psychophysiological energies)

Contemplative discourse (engaging in dialogue after a period of meditation focused on a topic)

Mindful/meditative movement

Mindful/meditative music

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Which of the following contemplative practices are routinely suggested or assigned for solitary work by individual members or candidates?

Silent meditation

Guided imagery

Chanting

Energy work (using imagery and/or breath to manipulate psychophysiological energies)

Contemplative discourse (engaging in dialogue after a period of meditation focused on a topic)

Mindful/meditative movement

Mindful/meditative music

Other (please specify)

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* 6. What if any traditions/systems of contemplative practice are specifically used by this body?

Kabbalistic

Hermetic

Vedic (e.g. Kriya Yoga, Transcendental Meditation, etc.)

Taoist

Buddhist

Contemplative Masonry (by C.R. Dunning Jr.)

Academy of Reflection (Scottish Rite, Mother Academy in Guthrie, OK)

Other (please specify)

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* 7. What else might be helpful to know about this body and its use of contemplative practices?

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* 8. Who should be contacted for more information about how this body engages contemplative practice? If you do not know, please say so in the name field. This information will not be made public or shared with anyone else without written permission from the person named.

Name *

Email Address

Phone Number