Adages From the Rose-Croix Files: Be a Walking Question Mark Always! Part II

02/24/18

To continue our cognitive journey in arriving at an expedient understanding of the pragmatic usefulness of our Rosicrucian adage, we need to begin with determining whether or not a question is significant. For example, here are several common categories of questions:

[1] Simple factual questions such as: your name, your address, how to go from A to B, the sum of 2 + 5, and so on? Such questions are straightforward in construction and void of any ambiguities. Their significance is mundane, though necessary. Our adage is not a member of this subset of questions.

[2] Questions concerning the preferences of the questioner and the answerer given two or more possibilities. Questions, such as, “What flavor of milkshake do you prefer, what church do you prefer attending, what hobbies do you like, what religion do you prefer, and so on? Such questions are useful for mundane communications and choosing individuals to associate with. Our adage is surely not in this subset, either.”

[3] A frequent type of question arises in the mundane population when exposed to events which are disturbing to their existential state. As the population craves, psychic relief answers are readily provided by persons desiring to control the thoughts, feelings, and actions of others for the sole advantage of the manipulator. Oftentimes, these questions are subtly modified so too covertly reprogram the mindset of others. Such pyschoemotive manipulation, through providing misinformations as answers to questions of the listener is now called ‘spin.’ Again, our adage is not within this subset.

I am sure that each of you can extend the list of common questions types used in normal life. However, sufficient examples have been provided so to show that the adage does not fall within the world events of the mundane. It is not about our beliefs, desires, personals taste, survival, or reproduction. However, there is one important, dysfunctional category of questions very popular with our species, i.e., irrational, meaningless, and useless questions. If we are honest with ourselves, we will see that much of our metaphysical life is, and has been, riddled with questions that cannot be answered with any surety. Such surety arising from our lack of information, diligent questioning, study, and appropriate models. Some examples,

What is the nature of the afterlife? Do all humans reincarnate? Does everyone have a God-given soul which is fully developed? Does God have a beginning? These questions are typically answered by unverifiable conjecture, as most questioners are ignorant in their understanding of the nature of their mental and physical existence. Any preference(s) they possess is simply that gleamed from authorities and unverifiable scripture. In truth, most of the answers to such questions are simply psychological remedies to relieve existential anxiety.

I am sure that what I just said will not resonate well with many of you as to your own belief systems, unfounded and unverifiable as they are. Rather than take issue with what I just said and start justifying your opinions, I suggest you stop and read further. For your reaction is from egoism and not from rationality. For, often it is not the question which is truly useless, but how we go about providing rational and expedient answers which are refined as we continue our researches.

This is what the adage recommends for its readers.

Firstly, a Rosicrucian student must understand the nature of the metaphysical question he or she is asking before they ask it. Does the question make any sense if it is asked? Can this question be meaningfully answered by a more knowledgeable party? How will my spiritual growth be improved by hearing a rational answer, such answers being more of a hypothesis than a surety? What will I do if my current beliefs be challenged by the answer? Many more questions need to be considered prior to asking a metaphysical question.

Secondly, the questioner must be willing to consider that his or her current understanding is erroneous and incomplete. He or she must put aside his or her current belief and contemplate the factual and rational basis of the proffered explanation. Perhaps, they both are in error, but somehow when considered together they answer the question better (for the moment).

Thirdly, the questioner must train himself or herself so to fully realize ‘that all answers are half-answers, incomplete in one way or another,’ but still serve a grander purpose towards further understanding. What is important is NOT my answer, but coming to a more correct answer and understanding. A Rose-Croix has one compelling desire, “to know the truth so to use the truth for everyone’s benefit.”

Fourthly, being a walking question mark means accepting personal responsibility for your own life and metaphysical progress. Your success or failure is up to your own efforts! There is none to blame and none to shame.
Fifthly, read my post called the Library at Babel for a more complete understanding. Consider this a challenge and a call for improvement on the Rosicrucian path. As a ‘walking question mark,’ take what is useful and discard what is not useful for your spiritual growth. Start asking questions which can be answered truthfully and ponder said answers.

Personally, I find new answers to many questions I have been asking for nearly 70 years. I love how the answers change, sometimes drastically, as I see how they are have led to becoming a real Rosicrucian–maybe?

Ciao, Michael GCE