It has also been symbolized and picturegraphed ’til the imagination ran riot, and ingenuity and fancy became lost, like ideas in a fantasy of words.
I know of but one place, one Institution, in modern times, where these essential truths of the Great Work have been preserved as a consistent whole, and that is in the symbolism of Free Masonry, but the craft long ago lost the real interpretation, though many to-day are on the lines that lead to it.
The whole symbolism and ritual of the Blue Lodge in Masonry is, from beginning to end, a symbol of the journey of the human soul on this earth, from darkness to light; from sin to righteousness; from ignorance to wisdom and understanding.
In other words, it is an exact theorem and solution of the Magnum Opus; a symbol of the philosophy and accomplishment of the GREAT WORK.
The science and the theology of the present day have been briefly contrasted. Neither of them pretends to give us any real science of the human soul.
Science says frankly she “does not know.” Theology bids us believe and obey; trust and hope. Philosophy speculates and reasons, while amusing itself with the kaleidoscope of “postulates” and “categories.”
Science must deal with facts, demonstrate their actuality, and classify them; that is, find their natural order and sequence.
In psychology, the facts are within the realm of consciousness, and therefore their demonstration is a matter of individual experience. This is why psychology differs from all other sciences.
No one can transfer his individual experiences directly to another. He can describe how he gained them, and give the result and conclusions, and here is where those who know nothing of the real problem, are often both incredulous and contemptuous. The only answer to these is, “they are joined to their idols, let them alone.” “They would not believe though one arose from the dead,” and yet we are told again and again that the “School of Natural Science” is the “school of personal experience.”
It may be well to reflect a moment, and ask ourselves, how it is that we really know anything? Is it not through personal experience? Real knowledge comes, and can come, in no other way.