“Values of Freemasonry in the 21st Century”
The reflection presented for today’s meeting is complex, as we embark on the 21st century, where predicting the future feels daunting.
We live in a hurried world with no space to anticipate future perspectives, where dialogue diminishes and moments of serene, lucid, and critical thought are scarce.
In this context, what values will prevail in Freemasonry in the 21st century? For me, the answer begins with something I read as a young man from the philosopher Salvador Pániker, which I did not fully understand at the time: retroprogression. He suggested that the path to greater progress leads back to the origin, to simplicity.
What does this expression mean in today’s context? It is simple to explain but harder to practice. One of the core values for future Freemasonry is communication, in the broadest sense we can understand. This connects to the idea that the transmission of values, knowledge, and emotions has diminished over time. Neither fraternity, nor the initiatory path, nor transcendence can resonate with us if there is no effective communication—not just through words but also through symbols.
We all suffer from a lack of depth and empathy in communication. The relentless pace of modern life robs us of the care needed for both emotional and rational understanding of what is communicated.
This affects Freemasonry, our initiatory path toward enlightenment. In our order, everything is symbolic, and these symbols communicate realities we must grasp. Poor-quality communication leads us further from the East, leaving us lost in our own rebirth. Masonic communication primarily involves ourselves—how deeply do symbols penetrate our reason, move us, and guide us? How do we avoid self-deception? The answer lies in profound, transparent, and continuous communication.
Words, language, and symbols are core to our species. Their elevated use has led to great progress, but their distorted misuse causes regression. There is no temple to build, fraternity to nurture, or tools to master without clear, profound, and transcendent communication. This transparency, especially with ourselves, is essential to reclaim the light on our path.
I once read that renowned psychiatrist Luis Rojas Marcos highlighted the importance of talking to oneself—even aloud. How often were we told as children that doing so was foolish?
In increasingly complex lives, simplicity is crucial. Voicing our thoughts and emotions aloud allows us to confront and refine them. This process enables us to continue building ourselves and our connections with others.
As I write this, I realize how difficult it is. Expressing everything I feel and want to convey in a serene and simple manner is challenging. Serious and profound communication demands courage and determination. Perhaps this is why I believe communication is one of the key values for 21st-century Freemasonry—and society at large. Before we lose our identity to algorithms that predict and decide for us, we must retroprogress, valuing the essence of humanity, which has been obscured by unnecessary complexity.
There is a phrase from the Gospel of Saint Mark that I have always loved: “One word from you will heal me.” This, in a way, summarizes what I wanted to express in my reflection.
—Rubén Prada
