The working tools of the Entered Apprentice

As this series documents my spiritual workings, it seems appropriate to focus on the working tools of the Entered Apprentice, which are the Twenty-four Inch Gauge and the Common Gavel. The Common Gavel can be seen to symbolize force, or more specifically applied or directed force. Within the context of Kundalini yoga, working with Prana (energy) immediately comes to mind, which is perhaps the sine qua non of that tradition.

What force are we talking about here? Emotion is force, desire is force, thought is force, imagination is force, will is force. The Entered Apprentice, as with the Kundalini yogi, is taught to apply the various forms of force in the specific ways necessary to enact the desired goal.

The Twenty-four Inch Gauge can be seen to represent awareness and management of time. The Entered Apprentice is taught to make use of the Twenty-four Inch Gauge for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing his time into three equal parts; whereby are found eight hours for the service of GOD, and a distressed worthy brother; eight for our usual vocations; and eight for refreshment and sleep. Allocating time for our vocations and rest and refreshment need no explanation, however we are instructed to also set aside time daily for service (and devotion) to God and our fellow man (Bhakti and Karma yoga). A part of this service is performing the Great Work itself, and as with yogic practices, this requires discipline to set aside time for spiritual practices and to actually do the work, as man has only a few short years on this earth to accomplish his task. Discipline is the direction of the force of will, which brings us back to the Common Gavel.

Additionally, the Entered Apprentice is directed to always square his actions against the Square of Virtue. The yogi is taught the same, the foundational actions to be undertaken before one attempts the higher levels of yoga, as elucidated by Patanjali in his eight limbs of yoga, are Yama (abstentions from vice) and Niyama (moral observances).