Freemasonry: Initiation by Light (The Spiritual Freemasonry series)

Brings out historical facts of what we would not think of happening in light of today's lack of historical context in what we see and do

Earnshaw's book series is a well written tour of how Freemasonry likely began. This is a mysterious topic with a body of work that includes more questions than answers and more speculation than certainty. Many authors over many generations, have attempted to piece together the story that led to modern Freemasonry with varying degrees of success and popularity. Although I do not believe it is possible under the circumstances to guarantee complete accuracy, Earnshaw has gone to great lengths to consolidate historical perspective, background information and peripheral knowledge that provides one of the most reasonable explanations I have read. Although this does not qualify as a "quick read" because of the volume of information included, the insight you receive from the book is well worth the time and effort necessary to digest and process his perspective on the story of the Masonic Fraternity.Earnshaw also includes personal perspective on the initiation that most Freemasons have not had the opportunity to experience. His willingness to share his experience and his ability to describe the events provide a window from Freemasonry into other initiatic organizations that should be beneficial to any Mason who is trying to find his place in the Fraternity (and perhaps for non-Masons considering the Fraternity).

I went into Earnshaw's book, "Freemasonry: Initiation by Light" skeptical as what the layman might glean about the world of the mysterious Free Masons—something we all hear passing reference to in popular culture but get no answers of any substance. Here is substance. The book is packed with information accessible to beginners about how it all began in London and then developed over the centuries, with biographical accounts of the early leaders in Freemasonry.I was particularly drawn to the middle of book, where Earnshaw's research into the trans-national Chinese connection to Freemasonry is fascinating, citing the possible linkage of philosophical and religious thought in the Orient to that of the Freemasons in Europe (and has stirred a desire to rekindle what little I know about Confucianism, Daoism (the Daoist Light), and the forces of Yin-Yang."Initiation by Light" has surpassed my expectations and I recommend it to anyone—from master Masons to those with just a passing interest in Freemasonry. There is no doubt something in "Freemasonry: Initiation by Light" for everyone.

What an interesting book. I have been a freemason for 25 years and an Yi Guan Dao member for 15 and have always enjoyed the similarity in ideas and ritual. Other masons I have met that have been through an YiGuanDao enlightenment ceremony have commented the same.For anyone wanting to get to the roots of esoteric thought in freemasonry going through an YiGuanDao enlightenment ceremony is a good way to gain a first hand practical appreciation of what underpins some of this aspect of freemasonry. The author notes that YiGuanDao is not a religion the same as freemasonry.I am looking forward to reading the book on the Royal Arch in due course as that also struck me as having a lot of things in common with the Dao.Freemasonry being a speculative pursuit I enjoyed the speculation in this book. While I have never carried out my own research to see if the first degree really was influenced by Chinese thought i can see the similarities.The Author references a Dao Master Dong from the LinYin Temple who would have to be acknowledged as one of the leading experts in the Dao De Jing from both an academic and daily life perspective.For anyone wanting to learn more about the Dao De Jing, The translation by Derek Lin is very good. Also Wayne Dyer has some interesting insights.

“Initiation by Light” answers a 100-year puzzle about Freemasonry, first asked by Victorians; is there a Chinese philosophical connection with the First Degree? Like the best investigative reporting, Earnshaw has done some original in-depth research to answer this question. This book brings a totally new way of understanding Freemasonry’s rituals, and especially the motivation of the first three Grand Masters. There is so much fascinating detail about the life of Londoners at the time of the Revival of Masonry, such as the rivalry with the Gormogons, that I felt like I was there! This book has inspired me to rethink the importance of the First Degree ritual. “Initiation by Light” has surpassed my expectations! It is a great addition to any Lodge’s library.

As a Master Mason, this book provided me with information that I never knew about the Craft. It is an excellent book, a must-have for all Mason's libraries.I couldn't put it down; and found myself wishing I had read it before being raised.Earnshaw gives you additional information about the objectives of Masonry that normally aren't written down. He explains the origin of Freemasonry and the meaning of the First Degree ritual - it's packed with interesting information. It reads very well and will be a resource for years to come.The completely new presentation about the Chinese connection to Masonry is compelling! I recommend Initiation by Light for all Master Masons’ bookshelves.

I really enjoyed the evidence presented comparing and linking Eastern and Western rituals. The book gives interesting background to the genesis of modern Freemasonry ritual which I was not expecting but thoroughly enjoyed.

As with all Mr Earnshaws books there is so much compact knowledge it is amazing this book and the others in this series will provide all necessary info for daily Masonic advancement for years as a source of organized knowledge and for additional suggestions for other necessary books to facilitate deeper study in a word invaluable

Excellent balanced and thorough book that goes out to explore the craft. Would recommend to anyone interested in freemasonry .

Christopher Earnshaw versteht es in seinem Buch, "Freemasonry - Initiation by Light", brilliant neues Licht auf die Freimaurerei und das Ritual des Lehrlingsgrades zu werfen. Die Verbindung von historischen Fakten mit den darauf basirenden Interpretationen des Autors bilden die Grundlage für neue Erkenntnisse, die dem Leser in diesem Buch vorhelegt werden. Insbesondere der Vergleich von Freimaurerei und Daoismus und die dabei zu Tage geförderten Parallelen beider Initiationsgemeinschaften werfen ein neues Licht auf die Freimaurerei. Alles in allem ein gut recherchiertes und mit profunden Thesen geschriebenes Buch welches für den geneigten Leser einen Erkenntniszuwachs bereit hält. Sehr zu empfehlen.

i had high expectations for this book, because it had a 4,8 amazon customer rating and it is part of a four-part book series, which has the garb of a research work; but my expectations were disappointed, because the book and the series are in my eyes less the "researching" of the early days of Freemasonry but rather very superficial. maybe i could have known it, if i had thought about the chapters and their length; the chapters about people and interesting things consist often of only circa 1 page like the chapters about "queen sophia charlotte", "anthony sayer", "the holy saints john" or less than 1 page like the chapter about "the mosaic pavement". It is already therefore questionable how profound these chapters can be. And indeed, the chapters are giving often only a very, very superficial overview. and some chapters have a very loose link to freemasonry and could appear a bit meaningless (the chapters about "shakespeare" and "spear-shakers" are my favorite examples [in vol. 2]; every chapter consists of less than 1 side and they are only about some speculations and possible loose links to freemasonry).however, i want to say that the book has some interesting aspects (especially about far eastern philosophies) and with a bit good will it can be inspiring. And of course, also the superficial overviews can be helpful if it's your start into the topics of freemasonry or spiritual freemasonry or pop-cultural speculations about freemasonry (made known by dan brown and others).

Dr. Christopher Earnshaw does it again. I have been studying Freemasonry and its history for a number of years, without being part of a lodge and am amazed at the depth of detail and useful information presented in these volumes. These books are eminently readable and a must for Freemasonic study and those just interested in 'secret' societies, or should I say 'societies with secrets'.

Fantastic book, well written and researched.