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THE ORIGINAL MYSTICISM IN AMERICAN-ROSICRUCIAN MASONIC SPIRITUALITY & METAPHYSICS: THE SECRET LODGE OF NEW ORLEANS

Part I. - Loge de Parfaits 1764 - History, Doctrines and Tenets

The Louisiane Territory was first claimed by French explorer de LaSalle in 1682, It was named
Louisiane for King Louis X1V of France. This was 133 years after the Mississippi river had been
first sighted by a European; a Spanish adventurer named de Soto. The old colonial city of New
Orleans was founded in 1718 and by 1764 had grown to such importance that a group of Dutch,
French, Spanish and Central Europeans founded the secret “Loge de Parfaits” or Lodge of
Perfection which was the first organization in the Americas to offer the 25 higher initiations and
degrees of Mysticism, Masonry and Rosicrucianism sometimes referred to as “The Rites of the Royal
Secrets or Rose Croix” or Loge de Parfaits d' Écosse. Later in New Orleans, Hellenistic Oriental
religious bodies, Italian Brotherhoods, African magical cults, and secret orders would be founded,
such as the Mystic Greek Orthodox Church USA, the Italian Mafia, the Arts of African Voodoo,
American Pagan Carnival, and Mardi Gras. In the city that allowed America to be finally freed from
European domination at the Battle of New Orleans, a spiritual renaissance had flowered secretly
under the influences of France, Spain and England, along with massive immigrations from Italy,
Germany, Ireland and many other central European powers. The Louisiane Territory was
purchased by the USA in 1803, but before this event, the mystical rites of the Secret Loge de Parfaits
were already deeply established in New Orleans. To this day, New Orleans is rich in culture,
mythology, and spirituality as evidenced in the secret krewes, clubs, and orders related to Mardi Gras
and carnival. Some of the largest fraternal and societal cemeteries in the world are located in New
Orleans. Below, we will examine some of the earlier influences on the Rosy Cross Philosophy and
Brotherhoods which led to the Sovereign Body in the Americas. Throughout this book, the
followers of the Rose Croix may be referred to as the: The Brotherhood, The Society, The
Fraternity, The Lodge, The Craft, or The Fellowship. "The Brothers of the Rosy Cross."

The modern interest in the Rosicrucian Teachings dates back to the early part of the seventeenth
century--about 1610, to be exact. As we would anticipate, the mysteries and secret wisdom that had
been around since before Cesar was now resurfacing during the era of Martin Luther, Religious
Change, and the Renaissance. During this period, there were rumors of the existence of a society
known as "The Brothers of the Rosy Cross," the officers and meeting places of which were not
known to the public. The mysterious society was severely attacked by the ecclesiastical authorities
and others, and was as vigorously defended by those who were interested in the general subject of
mysticism and the esoteric teachings. During the 1700’s., many of the original teachings of the
Rosicrucians have also existed within the higher degrees of Masonry. Thus, there is still curiosity
about the cross pollination between them during the establishment and growth of both fellowships.
The legend concerning Esoteric Rosicrucianism is as follows: That a certain Christian Rosenkreutz,
a German nobleman who had donned the robes of a certain order of monks, had visited India,
Persia, and also Arabia, and had returned bringing with him a certain Secret Doctrine obtained from
the sages and seers of those Oriental lands. He was said to have established the original Rosicrucian
Brotherhood about 1425 in the German French Border Regions, its existence not becoming
generally known until nearly two hundred years afterward. * Furthermore, The Loge de Parfaits d'
Écosse in New Orleans of 1764 was also based on the Lore of the Knights Templar or The Poor
Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon who also had held the secret knowledge
and faith of the Orient. The legend is that the Knights took refuge in Scotland and operated in a
clandestine way until their resurgence as the Lodge of Perfection of Scotland. The present writer
does not care to prove up the nexus of Rosicrucianism, templar wisdom and masonry because it has
been in existence for over almost 250 years in the New World.

Regardless of your feelings and prior knowledge as to this order, the Secret Wisdom of the Rose
Croix and Holy Knights is a body of mystic teachings, handed down for ages by wise men deeply
versed in the esoteric doctrines and metaphysical truth. This Insights of the Rosy Cross originally
came by way of Ancient Europe, The Middle East, Egypt & North Africa, and The Orient, and in
fact, even today, comprises part of the Inner Teachings of some of the highest Oriental
Brotherhoods. Its history is but another instance of the truth of the old Secret axioms, one of which
says “The open hands can receive the treasure”. For many years little or nothing was permitted to
be revealed to the general public concerning the Secret Doctrine of the Rose Croix, but during the
past one-hundred and twenty-five years there has been a greater, and still greater freedom in this
respect, until today many important Rosicrucian rites, initiations, exercises, and teachings form a part
of nearly all writings and teachings upon the subject of the Esotericism in general, and of the Higher
Metaphysics in particular. Theosophy and Theophysics, and the general interest in Oriental
Philosophies and Religions, have done much to bring into public notice some of the more
elementary points of the Secret Rites and Degrees.

The Higher Alchemy

The Rosicrucians, according to the public encyclopedias, and other works of reference, are held to
have been devoted to the subject of Alchemy. And, indeed, this statement is correct. But the
modern compilers of such reference books have fallen into the error of supposing that the Alchemy
referred to was performed wholly upon the Plane of Matter--and concerned wholly with the
Transmutation of Elements. They are ignorant of the fact that the Alchemy which attracted the
Rosicrucians, and which took up most of their time and attention, was Mental Alchemy, and
Spiritual Transformation --something quite different indeed, though having of course a
correspondence to the Material Alchemy, according to the Law of Cause and Effect. The student of
the present book will discover this fact, and will receive many valuable hints concerning the higher
forms of the wisdom teachings, providing he is prepared to read between the lines of the text, and to
reason by Analogy. The axiom "As above, so below," will be found to work out well in this
connection. TRUSTWORTHY information is unavailable concerning the actual philosophical
beliefs, political aspirations, and humanitarian activities of the Rosicrucian Fraternity. Evidence
points to the probable existence of several distinct Rosicrucian bodies: an inner organization whose
members never revealed their identity or teachings to the world. However, in FREE America, the
teachings were codified, taught, honed and actually practiced in allegory and in lecture to qualified
men of substance. As said by the ancients, “Many are called but few are chosen.” When
Rosicrucianism became the philosophical school of the seventeenth century, numerous documents
on the subject were also circulated for purely commercial purposes by impostors desirous of
capitalizing its popularity. However, the degrees, rites, ceremonies and lessons of this ancient
initiation have maintained their structure for hundreds of years.

Does the wisdom evolve? The answer is yes and no. Most historians and philosophers could argue
that the tenets are new but relate them easily to the greatest minds of history. The teachings in this
manuscript can be traced back to Aristotle, Hermetic Insights, Celtic & Druidic Mythology,
Hellenistic, Romanic Thought, Pythagoras, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, Vedic Wisdom, Nordic Eddas,
Mystics, Greco-Buddhism, and more. The process of including the wisdom that enhances life, joy,
and prosperity, and courage cannot be ignored. Furthermore, with the wisdom of the East and the
New Wisdom of the Native American Holy Shaman, eternal and global truths began to truly unfold
in the New World for the very first time in history.

The Secrets of The Rose Croix Brotherhood had found initial refuge in the Palatinate or Rhine of
Germany and also Strasbourg which is near the Northern French boarder in the 1500’s. This was
also a bastion of Lutheran, Calvinist and Free Celtic Catholic thinking and spiritual reform at the
time. Dynamic religious thinking had begun to flourish under King Frederick V (Elector of
Palatine of the Rhine) in the 1600s. Wars and battles over royal boundaries and Catholic
Orthodoxy plagued the central European, Bavarian, and Rhineland regions for over 100 more years
which caused a “Christian Holocaust” forcing huge emigrations out to the “NeuLand” or American
Colonies. In Europe, Masonic and Rosicrucian activities had been in existence for some years and
become more open since the liberations and philosophical-movements of Martin Luther and other
revolutionaries. Moreover, a number of new, enhanced and mystical degree initiations had been
established in Germany and France. Around 1744, a French trader, by the name of Estienne Morin
became involved in Bordeaux chapter of Masonry in France. Around 1747, Morin became
determined to found an "Ecossais" lodge (Scots Masters Lodge) in the new world. It is now
generally accepted that this Rite of twenty-five “haut or hautes” or high degrees was compiled by
Estienne Morin with help from Henry Francken, and these lessons are today titled "The Rites of the
Royal Secret".

The one man who was most important in assisting Morin in spreading the degrees in the New
World was a naturalized French subject of Dutch origin named Henry Andrew Francken. Francken
worked closely with Morin to produced a manuscript book giving the rituals for the 4th through the
25th degrees. During this time, The Les Loge de Parfaits d' Écosse was formed in 1763 and
established on 12 April 1764 at New Orleans, becoming the first high degree lodge on the North
American continent. Its public life, however, was short, because the Treaty of Paris (1763) ceded
New Orleans from France to Spain, and the Catholic Spanish crown had been historically hostile to
Freemasonry. Soon thereafter, Francken travelled to New York in 1767 where he granted a 2nd
Patent, dated 26 December 1767, for the formation of a Lodge of Perfection at Albany. This marked
the first time the Degrees of Perfection (the 4th through the 14th) were conferred in one of the
thirteen British colonies. Although the New Orleans Chapter of Perfection and Royal Secrets
remained clandestine, it never died. This book addresses the philosophies and teachings of the
Secret Lodge as delivered by its’ Supreme Magus. The fundamental symbols of the Rosicrucians
were the rose and the cross; the rose female and the cross male, both universal phallic emblems. We
observe that the rose and the cross typify the generative and constructive processes, but we must be
able to pierce the veil of symbolism; and realize that the creative mystery in the material world is
merely a shadow of the divine creative mystery in the spiritual world.

While it is quite true that the alchemical retort symbolizes the creation, it also has a far more
significant meaning concealed under the allegory of the second birth. As regeneration is the key to
spiritual existence, they therefore founded their symbolism upon the rose and the cross, which typify
the redemption and transmutation of man through the union of his lower temporal nature with his
higher eternal nature. The rosy cross is also a hieroglyphic figure representing the formula of the
Universal Medicine. [1] The rose is also an Egyptian symbol of rebirth; an attribute of the Hindu
Prosperity goddess Lakshmi; and a part of the Rosalia festivals associated with Dionysus who was an
important patron of the mysteries of Eleusis. [2]

The Philosophy and Origins of Masonic and Rosicrucian Organizations

One need only to read Aristotle and contemplate the Law of Correspondences or laws of “cause
and effect” to see the influences of the great thinkers of Socrates and Plato that exist in today’s
teachings in the mystical lodges and metaphysical societies of the world. Read the meditations of
Marcus Aurelius to capture the essences of the great virtues of the mighty pre-Christian warriors and
emperors. To seek more light, read the works of Meister Eckhart, Hegel, Shopenhauer, Descartes,
and Swedenborg to comprehend their views of creative intelligence, power, and prayer.

The essays and topics covered in this manuscript did not come into being from a vacuum. The
teachings of the ancient Babylonians, Assyrians, Mesopotamians, and Egyptians are clear influences.
The mysteries of the Ancient Persians, Greeks and Italians are also peppered throughout these
pages. It could be said that many of the teachings included have been gathered from Pythagoras,
Hermes, Plato, Amenhotep/Akhnaton, the Essenes, and the Great Nazarene Master. From the
beginnings of time, seekers have tried to cultivate their soul and latent powers along with improving
their peace of mind and connection to the spirit world. Much of this book is devoted to the
mysteries that would allow for spiritual growth in any person who seeks greater light.

From a historical perspective, the initiations, secrets, and lessons in this book were the beginnings of
“free thinking esoteric and mystical philosophy” in the new world. These higher teachings were the
first of their kind that were occurring in a place that was the first melting pot in the New World
“NEW ORLEANS”. Today, the consistory lodges of perfection around the world still adhere to a
somewhat similar structure as in 1764 in the New Colony of New Orleans. The first three degrees
are what brings a man into young adulthood as a mason, builder or creator. After that, the higher
degrees instilled wisdom, courage, insights, mysteries, and peace. These higher rites are the 1) 4°
through 14°- Lodge of Perfection 2) Parts of 15° through 28° Degrees are the Council of Holy
Knights and Kadosh or Prince of Jerusalem 3) Parts of Degrees 15° through 28° are Chapter of the
Rose Croix. Later, in the 1800’s, the new and enhanced list of supplemental or consistory degrees
going up to the 32° degree and 33° degree HONORS were being used around the world. Keep in
mind that the bulk of the original membership of this higher European fellowship were Roman
Catholics from Southwest Germany and Northern France. Because the new rites of perfection and
Loge de Parfaits was beyond Masonry, any Papal Bull did not apply to the higher degrees that were
originally Judeo-Christian. These essays or rites are steps to improving ones mental, spiritual and
physical life. Heed the teachings in this book to master a greater path. The strategies and lessons
herein are the higher mysteries that can propel the initiate into the 4th dimension of existence on this
Earth.

Rosicrucian-Masonic Mysteries - 21st Century

The Rosicrucian’s [Orders and Societies of the Rosy Cross or Rose Croix] study the teachings of the
ancient masters, mysteries, and prophets along with the world’s most effective wisdom. The
Masonic Rose Croix and The Orders of Rosicruciana/Rose Cross philosophies attempt to gather
and harvest the most valuable, mystical, and “life expanding” philosophies that can allow individuals
to grow on a spiritual and mental level. Orthodox Rosicrucians tend to focus more on Hermetic,
Egyptian, Vedic and Taoist philosophical aspects of metaphysics, alchemy, reincarnation and
evolution. The Rose Croix Masonic Degrees also contained the Orthodox Rosicrucianism but also
encompass the Hellenistic, Roman, Celtic, Nordic, and Holy Land Rites. Both traditional
Rosicrucians and Masonic Rose Croix initiations degrees and orders have been well organized for
hundreds or even thousands of years, and both have educated multitudes of people on varying
aspects of spiritual and philosophical wisdom as well as teaching methods on how to obtain
enlightenment and inner personal growth. Masonry places great emphasis on “character building”
and “teaching by allegory” which means bringing people together to give lessons almost in the form
of an enacted skit or play to see and feel the actual lesson taught. [3] Traditional Rosicrucian and
Masonic teachings also include many mental exercises and for the practitioner.

Some core beliefs or practices would be:

1. To facilitate the awareness of harmony with the Supreme and to expel the mental
   separateness from God.

2. All people have great potential and latent powers. The teachings allow each participant to
   grow and tap into greater mental and spiritual abilities.

3. To improve the character of all members so that they may better serve society and humanity.

4. God is an impersonal Supreme Intelligence. Masons generally refer to God as the Supreme
   Architect or Creator.

5. Rosicrucians teach more information about life cycles what some would consider ancient
   methods of astrology and also believe in the general evolution of man’s mind, body and
   spirit using a “Law of Sevens”. Masons also believe in the cycles of personal growth and
   development of people but it is more devoted to grades of development as compared to
   “periods in you individual life path”.

6. Masons and Rosicrucians believe that all people have the right to a direct experience of
   profound attunement with the Supreme Intelligence. Therefore, each person has the right to
   spiritual harmony and a personal relationship with The God of their understanding.

7. Great reverence to all religions and their sacred scripture.

The Rose Croix Lodge of Perfection & the Original 25 Degree initiations from the 1750s.

These numbered initiations are each a lesson. Imagine each number being a college course or
seminar. The lesson or eternal truths of each degree below are reenacted by a group of people in a
small allegoric play of sorts. Thus, the individual sees and feels the lesson regarding each teaching.
The First Three Degrees are the Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Maaster.

1° Entered Apprentice - Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue.
Lesson: Teachings on the four cardinal virtues of: Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance and Justice

2° Degree FellowCraft - To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men..
Lesson: Truly commendable virtues of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth

3° Master Mason - Learning to be your best and enjoy a well spent life
Lesson: Virtue of Fidelity and Awareness. Among masons, there is no higher rank than that of
Master Mason.in the Masonic Fraternity. The rest of these degrees are to seek more light.

4 ° Secret Master – Duty to the Supreme, family and country.
Lessson: Duty is the essence of this degree. Being open to lead and to follow good examples.

5 ° Perfect Master - honesty and trustworthiness is the cornerstone.
Lesson: Live your life well and to you best.

6 ° Intimate Secretary - duty, charity, toleration & development of an accurate view of self, society,
and world. Becoming Non-Defensive.
Lesson: Be a zealous and faithful person while acting as a peacemaker. Be Mindful of others.

7 ° Provost and Judge - Judge with patience and impartially. Non-Judgment
Lesson: Let equity and justice of your heart be your guide

8 ° The Intendant of the building - charity, morality and kindness.
Lesson: If you take care of your temple, you will be better equipped to help others.

9 ° Masters of the Temple of 9 - Candor and generosity. Self Acceptance and acceptance of nature.
Lesson: Enlighten your soul and mind and in turn, help to educate others.

10 ° Master Elected of 15 - Freedoms of political and spiritual ideologies should be shared by all.
Lesson: Develop a command of speech in thought, word and deed.

11 ° Sublime Master Selected - Compassionate to brothers and to all mankind. Being Authentic
combined with having boldness and spontaneity.
Lesson: Being Contemplative in Action.

12 ° Great Masters Architect - Faith in morality and virtue and in God. "Life is what each man
makes of it.” Being creative and solution oriented where possible
Lesson: Learn to meditate and be aware of the opportunities and ideas in life.

13 ° Master Royal Arch - Liberty; in our mind and our hearts. A sense of Mission and Purpose
Lesson: Learning to be bold and engage right efforts and directing of energies.

14 ° Grand Elect Mason – Self Analysis and Prayer/Meditation; Reflection and detachment.
Lesson: Developing a Right Understanding is Key to Growth.

15 ° Rose Croix Degree - Knight of Sword - Fidelity to obligations and perseverance of purpose
under difficulties. Selfless service to the Family, Group and Community.
Lesson: Integrity and honesty will command respect from all.

16 ° Rose Croix Degree - Prince of Jerusalem - nobility of self-sacrifice and Patience

17 ° Rose Croix Degree - Knight of East and West – Loyalty to the Supreme is the primary
obligation.
Lesson: Maintaining a thankful heart, appreciative attitude in general.

18 ° Rose Croix Degree - Knight of the White Eagle or Pelican – Also Knight of St. Andrew. Life
and its strength come from God. The rose signifies the dawn and the cross is a sacred symbol of
antiquity in many cultures. Symbols: The Rose, Golden Cross, Pelican and Eagle. Duties: Practice
virtue. Rightly engage labor and avoid vice. Be tolerant of the beliefs of others.
Lesson: Faith in God, Mankind and ourselves. Trust in victory over evil, the advancement of
humanity and the hereafter. Charity and Tolerance.

19 ° Scots Master Grand Pontiff – Each person learns from the past and how it affects the present.
The law of Correspondences or Cause and Effect.
Lesson: To Master Right Thinking and Use of the Mind

20 ° Sovereign Prince of Masons or Master ad Vitam - helps one to comprehend Deity, forces of
nature, good and evil.
Lesson: The ability to see opportunity and good in all things.

21 ° Prussian Knight or Patriarch Noachite – Negative energy and thinking, arrogance, defamation
and cowardice are non-constructive attributes of a Master.
Lesson: Humility is the greatest power and it is one of the secrets to faith and peace of mind.

22 ° Knight of the Royal Ax or Prince of Libanus – This Degree is about ethics and character
building. Becoming a better person by making the most of yourself for the benefit of all.
Lesson: Right Livelihood can be the highest service and a labor of love.

23 ° Knight of The Sun, The Prince Adept, The key to Masonry - God manifests itself in our love
for truth, justice and nobility of soul.
Lesson: Realizing we are each unique but part of the whole.

24 ° Knight of Black Eagle and Grand Inspector – Holy Knight - To better comprehend Truth.
Lesson: The lesson of this degree is to be true to ourselves, to stand for what is right and to be just
in our lives today with a belief in God. To have the right view.

25 ° Prince of the Royal Secret – Looking for the good and best in all. Awaken to a world view of
opportunity and creativity and power.
Lesson: Arm yourself with Faith and Knowingness. Self Understanding and Reflection..
Transcending Self and Holding the Power to cultivate Love.

The Loge de Parfaits in New Orleans in 1764 had initiated the first use of the above degrees in
North America which was a colony of France, then the land was ceded to Spain, and then and the
land was later ceded and sold to the USA. The above Haut or High Initiatory degrees are
Rosicrucian, Masonic, Hermetic, Oriental, and Christian in their philosophical nature. This first
Continental American “Rite of Perfection” Loge was “In Essence”, the original American “Societe
des Illumines” or Illuminati of America. This Lodge and These degrees Existed in Sovereign Form
for the first time in History.

NOTE: Important essays that address many of these degrees are explained in the rest of this book.
These above 25 degrees are reconstructions based on research of New Orleans Masonic and
Mystical Documents and the European/Scandinavian references to the original 25 Franken/Morin
Degree System. The Below Celtic Grades are included as a system of virtuous and localized secret
degrees that impacted the Loge de Parfait in New Orleans.

9 Secret Principles and Grades and Degrees of the Celtic Rose Croix Master

The Noble Grades or Virtues are the spiritual and ethical code gleaned from various sources
including the Poetic Edda iv (particularly the Hávamál), the Nordic Sagas, & Celtic Warrior Code
along with Hermetic Roman and Greek Spiritual Teachings. These degrees and virtues are included
because of the huge immigration into New Orleans in the 1700’s included the Celtic and Central
European Peoples. These are in theory “Pre-Christian” codes that existed before and during the
Roman occupation of Europe. These are the values and character building concepts that were
taught before Cesar and were later incorporated into the great religions. These lessons are very
important as part of the influence upon European and American Mystery Teachings.

1. Grade #1 – Apprentice - The Lesson for this degree is: Strength is better than
weakness. Strength is something earned. Many Times strength emerges from humility. It takes
willingness and effort to obtain strength. When we intentionally grow our strength or latent powers,
we are able to meet opportunities or challenges with preparedness. Weakness can be in the form of
mental, physical, or spiritual weakness. Upright living and balance can prevent most instances of
weakness.

2. Grade #2 – Illustrious Warrior - The Lesson for this degree is: Perseverance and
Courage is better than cowardice. Examples of courage are acting with boldness to help others or
even maintain your responsibilities. In today’s world, perseverance implies action. Taking action
and not procrastinating. Without action, an idea can not even begin any movement or obtain energy
that it needs to manifest.

3. Grade #3 – Master of the Legion - The Lesson for this degree is: Discipline and Joy
are better than guilt. Sooner or later, we must learn when to work and when to enjoy life in its
purest form.

4. Grade #4 – Noble Chief of the Lodge - The Lesson for this degree is: Honor which is
better than dishonor. What is Honorable? Being honorable involves your thought, word and deed.
A man of faith, service and charity and whose self control transcends all drama and hostility.

5. Grade #5 – Lord of the Order - The Lesson for this degree is: Self Reliance &
Freedom is better than slavery. As they used to say, the “industrial-revolution worker system” was
“Slavery by Debt.” Thus, we must learn to break free of over-dependence or being tied down to
anything that can cause self & family injury over the long-term. We must make the best of ourselves
from a standpoint of mind, education, health, body, spirit, harmony and so forth, to allow ourselves
to become free to express ourselves naturally and effectively. It is better, therefore, not to deny
others their natural hunger to learn, grow, earn, succeed, and work.

6. Grade #6 – Prince and Knight of the Rose Croix- The Lesson for this degree is:
Hospitality and Kinship is better than alienation. Hospitality was a word that implied helping our
brothers and sisters. The word Charity is most often used in our busy lives today. What is the key to
the concept of hospitality? Is it “loving thy neighbor” as ourselves? By helping those who want to
help themselves and being of service to those who can’t, we open the door for the universe to
shower us with opportunity and gifts.

7. Grade #7 - Master Architect - The Lesson for this degree is: Truth and Realism is
better than dogmatism. What is the truth? Do we know the facts? Should we try to learn more?
Do we have time to investigate? Do we need to take action? Is the meaning that we have attached to
the truth destructive or constructive or simply based on ego or delusional mind?

8. Grade #8 - Adept of the Rosy Cross - The Lesson for this degree is: Industriousness
and Vigor are better than lifelessness. As we know, doing 2 or 3 things per day effectively can add
to a mountain of advantages during a lifetime. If we can help ourselves and help others, the entire
family and community benefits and excels.

9. Grade #9 Magus of the Rose Croix – The Lesson for this degree is: Fidelity is better
than universalism. Being true to yourself and following your dreams leads to your happiness and
everyone else’s happiness also. We are all unique and qualified to be our best in whatever endeavor
we can achieve. We must make decisions, we must take positions, and we must take action.
Sometimes we must chose sides. With that having been said, we must be strategic with our
decisions while also trying to intelligently foresee the consequences of each of our individual
decisions. Fidelity flows to our family and duty and obligation to the clan or family group. Members
of the family who are open to suggestion and seek to better themselves to become self-reliant should
be assisted.

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