THE SILENCE SUPPORTS OF WORDS

VÍCTOR MANUEL GUZMÁN VILLENA

The holistic worldview of humanity, as an unitary and totalizing conception goes back to the origins of mankind. The oldest and diverse cultures conceived that the movement of nature tends toward order and balance, considered the human being as an integral part of living nature in constant change. Therefore the oriental cultures learned the existence in this way, being perpetuated until today. In the West however this culture begins to fade while started the new increasingly fragmented and materialistic worldview of reality from the dualism of Descartes, and embodied in its fullest expression in the mechanistic paradigm of Newton. Taking into account what has been said the direction of this work aims to highlight the Zen doctrine.

The principles of Zen are: Perfection for everyone who commands, those who fights to be peaceful and not be angry; for those who want to win, must not fight; for that which is served by humans is to serve them. We must take things as they come, walk when you want to walk, sit when you want to sit. There is nothing to lose or win. Let things go, not to seek or flee, all afflictions are originate in the mind So why look elsewhere to get rid of them? as everything is within us, to trust ourselves and look inside our self, what is there, and remember that your life is here and now. This is the Zen spirit.

Zen is that which is closest to the innermost dynamics of creation because it causes enlightenment. With respect to the Zen experience is necessary to emphasize the fact that it is not a religion or a philosophy, but a great discipline of the trip we do since we came to earth to the great goal that every human being intended, which is lucidity against everything, against the universe.

Zen is experience, concentrated life, life always conscious or aware of everyday things, awareness of all times, all action, all inaction. The sense of Zen is fundamentally liberating impulse, mental trend diluted antagonisms, supports coexistence of opposites leads to detachment and articulates areas of the conscious and unconscious, so that stands in a bold attempt to emancipate the man for the abolition of the results of the dualistic mind, divisive, discriminating the rational and the irrational.

Zen is experience, live always conscious or aware of everyday things, awareness at all times, all action, all inaction. The sense of Zen is fundamentally a liberating mental impulse, mental tendency to dilute antagonisms, accepts the coexistence of opposites,leads to detachment and articulates areas of the conscious and unconscious, so it stands as an audacious attempt to emancipate the human being for the abolition of the results of the dualistic mind, divisive, that discriminates the rational and the irrational.

Eastern culture has a word for this process of rebirth, illumination, and in Zen Buddhism is satori. The satori (wu in Chinese) clarity there is in the things themselves, experienced from absolute overcoming all differences, all dualism is the transcendence of logical circle; but it is an experience that no conventional language can explain, the conceptualized satori is no longer satori. The opening of satori can give an inarticulate sound, an observation, an incident, trivial, ie, it is an act that occurs unconsciously when one's mind has matured. It is a new birth; intellectually is the acquisition of a new point of view.

The enlightened is indeed an awakening and therefore constitutes a new mental outlook, intuitive insight, an ability that matures as a result, a form of care that is becoming ever more deeply and slowly defines words, how to combine them, as opposed to intellectual and logical human understanding, revelation of a new world hitherto unperceived by the dualistic mind.

The discipline of Zen can become a way of life, a valuable means of knowledge, where silence enables a new space where the creative possibility emerges. It is possible to regain the conjunction of words and silence, "open something between worfs and silence" and attempt to recov silence, and from there being a presence that few languages ​​are capable of transmitting.

With respect to the union with nature by Eastern cultures, Zen maintains a perception and identification with what exists in it is sacred. The sacralization of nature touches the everyday, and by extension, daily life develops from, and in a predominantly natural environment. May also traced the presence of nature from the experience of non-dual consciousness of reality in our existence about what it is in our constitutive be and what can learn to live. This change of perspective produces a completely new sense of reality and values.

TRUE FREEDOM

Victor Manuel Guzmán Villena

 The Earth is not the center of the universe! To got this affirmation  as a completed truth has been surprising the conquest of the freedom of the humanity. When Copernicus presented his revolutionary theory for the first time, affirmed that the Earth on the contrary revolves around the sun rather to the contrary, people thought he was crazy. In fact, when Galileo used a telescope to prove the "Heliocentric theory of Copernicus", he was considered a heretic for challenging the prevailing religious beliefs with their scientific concepts; Galileo was prosecuted and ordered to renounce his beliefs. Before face torture, renounced to his affirmations and was placed under house arrest, where he remained the last eight years of his life. It is said that when he was on the verge of death, his last words were: "no matter what they say, the earth revolves around the sun."

 We accept the truth of Copernicus and Galileo, but exists to this day beliefs that impede  a scientific truth about the universe and penetrate the deeper meaning in which each of us is the center of our own universe, and is not that what prevents the mental capacity but the loss of freedom to think and confront these truths and concepts that underlie beyond the mind.

True freedom is divided according to the philosophy, internal and external.

-The external is the power that we have to act according to our will, given our position and those of other human in the world.

-The internal is the power of thinking, appreciate human beings and their actions in accordance with the dictates of our conscience. On this base of appreciation we will divide the freedom in positive and natural.

We call positive to the first, because it is limited by the laws and customs that govern all the beings; and natural to second, because the national beings enjoy it in the sphere of their major or minor intellectual and moral development.

The positive freedom decreases or tends to decrease as human being advances through their knowledge, because the complicated duties and rights arising from the physical development, intellectual and moral in the world, recognize by limits and duties and equal rights, which must be respected and demand of others.

We may enjoy more freedom  in a pure state! True, we must contemplate the world free of illusion or distortion of the reality that surrounds us, see where there are pink roses, see thorns where there are thorns. We will see that ample and unlimited freedom in beings who know and who have developed the knowledge of the essence of the world around us, means knowing what it is, knowing how things operate and know ourselves and others. To show the contrary is when the spirit is lacking the light of knowledge, morality, respect for nature and lacks of true freedom, think or work in close circles of the material accumulations. Moreover, it is essential to exercise that individual freedom because it is essential to know and understand ourselves. 

When we opened our eyes to wisdom, we are not obliged to choose what we see, but we have to see exactly what it is. This may seem like a challenge, however, when we depart from fantasy and see really things how they are, we are free of illusion and we can begin to live more according to the reality. When organizations expanded that create a world of rights and multiple duties that offer to the spirit a vast field to act in the sense that considers more accurate. Then the moral responsibility is born, which is the most active element for progress, because having a more secure knowledge of good and bad makes us more able to reach freedom and full discernment; I suggests that always remenber when we violate the moral laws, the indictment of consciousness that is always the court that judged us, and positive laws can be applied with justice. 

Is ignorance mitigating circumstance? I have to explain why the humanity has progressed more but much more, in the twenty passed centuries, that in the historical periods previous to the Christian era. Because we followed a increasing progression, according to the times in that we developed our intelligence, conditions for developing our faculties in ampler field every day. The freedom is not another thing that the necessary consequence of the combination of the will and the intelligence, directed in varied sense. It is an effect of the free will, innate in all human being, genuine big effect, because it is the most active and powerful coefficient of the progress, and as well, it gives birth to another coefficient of not less importance, is called moral responsibility.

In summary: The freedom supposes a more or less clear knowledge of the acts that are executed and a will perfectly defined by the development of intelligence. use our will to act with knowledge of what is done, if we do not do that the freedom does not exist.  

The progress in all transcendental manifestations are important not only for the individual life but the development of the society as a whole, development degree which has needed centuries to reach the human greatness, and in spite of the passed time still does not manage all secrets of life and science.  Still are those who fight the great conquests of the humanity in our time,  those who do not believe in tequality, tolerance and  reason. Nevertheless that the tolerance is the precursor and the eternal companion of the freedom, and the equality is the best conquest of the humankind.

TRANSCENDENTAL CHANGES TO BE HAPPY

 

VICTOR MANUEL GUZMAN VILLENA

To achieve happiness our behavior should change, removed the negative and introducing positive attitudes. To do this we must have determination, action and effort, then we will develop our conviction. Key to do this is learn and education to help develop the conviction that we need to change, and increase our commitment to this internal process.

The conviction must be cultivated to convert it into determination. And then the determination is transformed into action, a firm determination allows us to make a sustained effort to implement a real change. This factor is decisive.

For example, if you want to quit smoking, you must first be aware that smoking is harmful to the body. Therefore, we have to educate ourselves on the harmful effects of the tobacco, that it has allowed to modify the behaviors of many people. But this education is not enough if we do not increase our awareness to lead to a conviction about how damaging it is to the health of the addict, and the environment. This strengthens the determination to change. Finally, we must make an effort to establish new habits. That is the process of change, whatever the purpose.

Regardless of trying to change any behavior, we need to develop a strong will or desire to do so. We need enthusiasm. In this aspect the sense of urgency is a key factor that helps to overcome the problems.  For example, the knowledge we have about the great effects of AIDS has created in many people the urgent need to change sexual behavior. Often when the adequate information is obtained, the seriousness and commitment arises.

To develop the enthusiasm, the first step is to stimulate awareness, left aside the apathy to change our lifestyle, for example, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, abstain from alcohol, drugs, cigarettes helps keep the mind clear and alert. To overcome apathy and generate commitment and enthusiasm that enables us to change our behavior or negative mental states,

It is not easy because some negative behaviors and ways of thinking are deeply rooted, there is resistance to change, even though people want to make positive changes in your life, have healthier behaviors, but intervenes inertia or resistance. To do this we must try to overcome any negative conditioning and make positive changes, taking into account that these changes do not occur overnight, but comes through a gradual familiarization process. Only those with a strong will can do a immediately life change in a single act.

It is therefore essential for change and to achieve the objectives generate enthusiasm and decisions. as determinant factors in the art of attaining but develop as a clearer understanding of the factors that lead to true happiness. Consider that momentum and decision are not only used to search mundane success, but develop as a clear understanding of the factors that lead to true happiness. and are used in the pursuit of higher goals such as personal growth.

The effort is a decisive factor for establishing new conditions. The idea that we can change our negative thoughts and behaviors through a new conditioning is the fundamental today in conductive psychology, because people have learned to be as they are, so adopting new constraints can solve a wide range of problems.

Although science has recently revealed that the genetic predisposition of the person has a clear role in the individual responses to the world. Many psychologists believe that much of the way we behave, think and feel is determined by learning and conditioning, that is, by education, social and cultural forces. Since behaviors are reinforced by habit, we have the possibility of eradicating the harmful conditioning and reinstate a useful behavior.

Making a continued effort to change behavior is not only useful to overcome bad habits, but also to change our fundamental feelings. Experiments have shown that as well as our attitudes determine our behavior, commonly accepted idea, behavior can also change our attitudes. With a simple act of helping others we can develop genuine feelings of a true transformation, is necessary to perform this effort continuously since with these positive affirmations we discover our inner child.

When embarking on the path of change, it is important to set reasonable expectations, because if they are too high we would be heading for a disappointment, if they are too low can discourage our will to face limitations, and we will not be able to develop our potentials, is important to be sensitive and respectful to the reality of the situation as it progresses along the path of transformation. Is necessary to know the difficulties in which we are., and is essential to establish a clear distinction between the ideals and the methods by which progress is measured, perhaps time and consistent effort will be needed to overcome it. so always seek balance between expectation and hope, and we will modify the behaviors and negative attitudes to effortlessly eliminate what is harmful to our lives, so we get close to lasting happiness.

WHO ARE THE MASONS?

VICTOR MANUEL GUZMAN VILLENA

It is said, written and speculated a lot in the media and social networks about Masonry, Common questions are; What is Freemasonry?. What Masons do? What purpose pursued? Speculation has often been influenced by secular critics, the theme is extended due to popular imagination that creates picturesque legends, gruesome tales of the mysterious and occult rites, always presided over by the devil and inspired by evil geniuses, as a platform to a contrary group of religious doctrines that prevail in society, and in a number of gruesome stories that are forming a bad version in the popular mind, creating a great scene in which we are represented in various ways the popular imagination conceives the brotherhood.

Our enemies are surprised to learn that everything they say and do against the order does not affect us, and instead has served to meditate and reflect on it, to draw positive conclusions that reassures our strengthens and principles, providing themes  for delight philosophical work and depth understanding of the Order by theirs members.

t is unfortunate to note that many people who has a vast culture, but completely blind dominated by a load of superstition and bigotry, ingrained in their homes.And if we go through the list of Masons, be found to their surprise that Freemasons remain the best and most distinguished exponents of humanity, in all fields, therefore if they form part of the Order select persons of such high moral character and skills, scientific, political, economic. By deduction and logical reason that institution can never be what critics believe, or what they told them to, but quite another, a true reflection of the quality of the members,

There are also members who do not fully understand the Order, Without Masonic understanding they remain in the shadows without a glimpse of the sky, even if they are highly educated, scholars and professionals, a deep meditation could pave the way to a proper understanding and direct them to the white light.

Perfection is based on harmony, and boundless beauty of things, so we try to make everything around us within of this principle for a world of vast understanding, tolerance, balance of form and content, of love and peace, for the clear spring water that take the shape of the glass that we drink wisdom. Masons are dedicated to find the relative perfection and imperfection in our own person.

Lot of persons begin in the order trying to climb social, political and economic position, that is to say they hope to find the paradise for unscrupulous personal ambition, or they think that they are going to find a propitious field for thirs modus vivendi. But how disappointed they feel when they discover that in fact the authentic Freemasons come to give and not to ask.

The Masonic help is especially spiritual and moral; since when a brother commits an offense, we do not hide or protect him against the laws and the morality, we are very far from all that, only we dismay ourselves that him has fallen from grace, hope that he should repent, helping in this case the family, but never supporting anyone in immoralities that inexorably have to lead to removing that person from the Institution and no keep traces of his step between us. This kind of brothers are admitted in the order from all parts of the world, is fortunately a very small number and they just got disillusioned to discover the truth, ashamed and even regenerated, but are separated by a natural Law, are definitely far from the Pillars of this Order of virtue and morality.

Pursuing spiritual perfection for ourselves; first of all of the humanity; the patient cultivation of the sciences, the supported practice of the virtues, the pure morality, tolerance, the implicit and absolute recognition of the value of any other person, so much like ours, the approach and cult to the friendship; with all the values of the human species and together to look for the biggest happiness in the world, pushing back egoism, envy, excessive ambitions, hypocrisy, constructing our spiritual cubic stone and that of other human beings in the universal love temple, giving well-being and peace to a humanity who eternally looks for this conquest that started with our first Big Masters.

Is necessary to enumerate some rules to better understand our order: To believe in the soul and its immortality. The question is: Where must we look for the soul? Inside the jumble of our actions, there is where the Freemasons we refine the Brute Stone with laboriousness of a perfect artist and turn in Useful Stone to construct our temple that will be permeable to the vibrations of  the virtues, in the morality and in love. Another question. What will we do when we find it? To polish it and to clean it of impurity with the chisel of the science and the virtue and with the sharp mallet of the reason and the love so that it is free, brilliant, beautiful and forceful. And that purpose chases with it? To do a useful piece as the cubic stone that fits in the big moral temple that we are constructing inside ours, where the freedom anthems are sung, hurras to the life, hosannas and hallelujahs to our own discoveries of our exceptional qualities that we possess to carry out the big work of love so that the peace and the love reigns especially.

How do we construct our internal temple? As the word Freemasons means bricklayers and everything in the Freemasonry is taught by means of symbols and allegory, our purpose has to be related to the office that we represent. The temple that we must construct is the temple of the Nature, in which the freedom must reign, the equality and the brotherhood dealt with the Masonic sense: temples in which there is taught the truth, the virtue, the morality and love. And we fight against the intolerance, fanaticism and ignorance.

Clarifying the term Nature, it means the ideal state of the man where the perfection and the happiness survives. That is to say to return to the human being these qualities all together with the freedom, equality and natural brotherhood.

Liberty:
The absolute and unlimited human independence to act as you think best, so it is accountable. Freedom has nature as a principle of justice by regulation, for safeguarding the law, the moral limits are contained in this sublime maxim "What you do not want for yourself, you do not want to another." Therefore freedom is identical to the sovereignty, where we cease to be subjects, and we respond to ourselves.

The Equality for the Freemasons is absolute in all kinds of rights be innate or acquired. “The human beings are equal in right and from any point of view they are of equal condition”.  No first or last, no strong or weak, big or small, but brothers. Por tanto en la Masonería hay la completa ausencia de privilegios, colocando al ciudadano en la misma categoría, bajo el concepto de los derechos. We recognize that all humans are born equal, therefore so we believe that there is no difference between commanding and obeying, between those who produce and those who consume between who pays and who charges: either formed by the same creative principle , subject to the same physical complaints and to the same causes of destruction. Only the merit of the knowledge, the talent, the virtue and the work are the only distinctions that adquiren voluntarily.  Without wanting to disorder the social balance, neither to equal fortunes, to deprive to some for the sake of all.

The brotherhood is the suppression of all inequality, of any distinction of rights, so that there does not have to be but only one universal family where the humanity will congregate to cultivate in brotherhood the most intimate and deep bond that the simple friendship,and the widest extension, should therefore include all those who recognize and profess, sharing ideals, goals and aspirations, even though their culture and ideas can be very different.

For this reason we must first shed the errors and false beliefs, to begin the path of truth, whose knowledge is understanding symbolically by a set of signs and allegories, that constitute the Masonic attitude and this way we will be qualified to be recognized universally like brothers, since we can only find the fraternity to the extent and degree to which we recognize and practice. Also we have in our bosom the brotherhood, in the sense restricted to the mutual help between the brothers.

Always trying that all brothers work to make the fraternity effective, be generalized and extend over the whole earth as a normal relationship between all human beings, peoples and nations. Everyone can be brother and must occur in the depths of our hearts.

That's the truth of the fraternity that much pronounced and little practiced. It is a communion with the principle of life, as a tool to bring down the illusory barriers that divide men. When the veil falls over the eyes of humanity, Masonry will spread its light on earth