The Contemplative Lodge: A Manual for Masons Doing Inner Work Together

by C.R. Dunning Jr., Erik Arneson (Editor), Robert G. Davis (Foreword)

The Contemplative Lodge continues the work of C.R. “Chuck” Dunning, Jr. in providing thoughtful, practical, and accessible guidance for everyone interested in the utilization of contemplative practices, such as meditation, breath work, chanting, and visualization, within a Masonic setting and context. This book specifically addresses the needs of Masons seeking to facilitate or participate in group practices, learning, and support. Brother Dunning hands readers the working tools required to develop themselves as skilled contemplative practitioners, facilitators, teachers, and mentors. He provides many detailed scripts, exercises, and instructions that may be used by Masons in their Lodges or within private group settings. His three decades of experience provide wise and vital insight into the establishment and preservation of the right environment, the benefits and challenges unique to group work, and the most effective methods and approaches to ensure that participants get the most out of group contemplative practice. "Brother Dunning's The Contemplative Lodge picks up where his Contemplative Masonry left off, offering guided exercises to engage members in a meaningful lodge experience. His ideas focus on the inner, symbolic, and speculative aspects of the Craft, encouraging members to seek balance and develop an active, meaningful relationship between themselves and ‘the work’. This book provides techniques which transform the theoretical into the practical, showing how speculative and philosophical notions are actualized. Brother Dunning asks us to examine ourselves and our intentions, demonstrating that ritual and reflection (when properly understood and applied) address the needs of the individual, thus contributing to a better society." - Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, Grand Cross , KYCH, Grand Archivist and Grand Historian, Supreme Council, 33°, S.J. " The Contemplative Lodge is an essential read for every member of the Craft. Brother Dunning shows how contemplation lies at the heart of Freemasonry, providing clear, simple-to-follow instructions for Lodges that want to introduce contemplative discussion, group meditation, silent sitting, guided imagery meditation, and more. This book offers essential guidance to every Lodge seeking to encourage the exploration of its processes, symbolism, meaning, and implications for the life of the initiate. Strikingly, rather than adopting these practices from other systems, Brother Dunning looks within Freemasonry itself to find them." - Angel Millar , author of Foundation of The Western Esoteric Tradition "If your desired Lodge experience is limited to a hot meal, a reading of the minutes, and paying bills, then this is not the book for you. The Contemplative Lodge offers the reader a blueprint for a more spiritual, a more meditative, and a more Masonic Lodge. This is a book for those with a hunger to experience the deeper and more meaningful aspects of Freemasonry. In a nutshell, if you care about Freemasonry, buy this book and put it to use. You, and your lodge, will greatly benefit." - Michael R. Poll , author of Measured Expectations , A Masonic Evolution , and A Lodge at Labor

312 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2021

About the author

C.R. "Chuck" Dunning is an advocate, facilitator, trainer, and consultant in contemplative practice, with more than 30 years in the professional fields of higher education and mental health, as well as in Masonry, Rosicrucianism, and other currents in the Western esoteric traditions. Chuck’s consistent commitment is to the actual practice of contemplative disciplines to facilitate and enhance experiences of personal growth, social wellbeing, and spiritual initiation and transformation.

With that aim, he has authored A Rose Croix Oratory: Rosicrucian Reflections and Resources from a Knight of the Eagle and Pelican (2023), The Contemplative Lodge: A Manual for Masons Doing Inner Work Together (2021), and Contemplative Masonry: Basic Applications of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Imagery for the Craft (2016). Chuck was also a contributing author in The Art and Science of Initiation (2019). He is the founding Superintendent of the Academy of Reflection, which is a chartered organization for Scottish Rite Masons wanting to integrate contemplative practice with their Masonic experience. Chuck is also a co-founder, trainer, and facilitator for the Masonic Legacy Society, which freely introduces the inner work of Masonry through online documents and facilitated activities and training.

In 2021, Contemplative Masonry was recognized as third in the "Top 10 Masonic Books of the New Millennium (so far)" by the readers of Fraternal Review magazine. In 2019, the College of Freemasonry in Rochester, New York presented Chuck with the Thomas W. Jackson Masonic Education Award for fraternal leadership in Masonic research and esoteric study. In 2018, the Southern California Research Lodge recognized him as being among the Top Ten Esoteric Masonic Authors.

Chuck’s Masonic Craft Lodge memberships include Haltom City-Riverside #1331 (Texas), and Albert Pike #162 (Oklahoma). He is also an honorary member of Sophia #767 (North Carolina) and Ancient York #89 (New Hampshire). Chuck’s Scottish Rite memberships are in the Valleys of Fort Worth, Texas and Guthrie, Oklahoma, and his York Rite memberships are in Texas Chapter #362 and Texas Council #321, both in Fort Worth. He is also a Full Member of the Texas Lodge of Research, a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees, the Philalethes Society, the Masonic Society, and the Scottish Rite Research Society.

As a professional, Chuck recently retired from serving as a student affairs administrator and adjunct faculty member at Texas Christian University (TCU). His student affairs work at TCU focused on student development in leadership, mentoring, and holistic wellbeing. As an adjunct faculty member, he taught and supervised in the master’s program in counselor education. In 2017, Chuck’s work in dialogue training at TCU was honored with the prestigious Michael R. Ferrari Award for Distinguished University Service and Leadership. He currently works part-time as a counselor and psychotherapist in private practice. Chuck also still serves on the advisory committee for CALM (TCU Contemplative Studies), and is a member of the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education. He holds a master’s degree in counseling and a bachelor’s in psychology, both from the University of North Texas.