Albemarle Tradewinds February 2020 Web Final

LOCAL FREEMASON WRITES SELF-HELP BOOK FEATURING EASTERN RELIGION, DIET, AND EXERCISE
Freemasonry, founded over 200 years ago, is the world’s
largest fraternal organization with over 6 Million members.
Right here in the Albemarle, nearly 700 of your friends
and neighbors are Masons. From Currituck to Gates,
Camden to Chowan, Pasquotank to Perquimans, eight different
lodges hold business and ceremonial meetings, host
fundraising events, and contribute to charity drives to benefit
those in need. In the United States alone, Masons give
more than $2.6 Million A DAY to charities1. Our local area
has such a strong Masonic history that the Museum of the
Albemarle recently held an exhibit on Freemasonry, “Blue
Lodges the Albemarle”.
It is not surprising, given our rich Masonic heritage, that the
Albemarle now has its very own Masonic author.
The Master of New Lebanon lodge #314 in South Mills,
Dwight Decoskey, recently wrote a book combining Masonic
ideals and Eastern traditions called “Look to the East:
Superintending the Craft through Eastern Practices” (2020,
PropOps Shop Press, ISBN: 978-0-578-62157-9)
Decoskey uses his background in world religion, existential
philosophy, global travel, physical fitness, and esoteric
studies to provide an introduction to near, middle, and far
eastern practices in exercise, diet, and thought. Although
Decoskey uses veiled references to several of the lessons
of the Masonic degrees, Look to the East is a book that is
readable for both Masons and non-Masons alike.
“I wanted to write an introductory self-help book that was a
culmination of my many years of gathering different ideas
and philosophies. Although I wrote it for my Masonic brothers,
I feel anyone looking to broaden their view of the world
can benefit from reading Look to the East. By focusing on
three areas – exercise, diet, and thought – I try to convey
usable eastern ideas – right here, right now – to better our
lives.”
Although Look to the East is not endorsed by nor does it
reflect the opinions of any governing Masonic body, Past
Grand Master of North Carolina Freemasonry, Speed Hallman,
who was also the Associate Dean of the University of
North Carolina, School of Journalism, applauds Decoskey’s
efforts. Hallman wrote the forward to Decoskey’s book. In it,
Hallman praises Decoskey’s ability to communicate complex
materials in an understandable manner and the need for
such a book.
“[Decoskey] is a gifted communicator… his new ideas and
energy have improved the flow of information [in NC Masonry]…
With this book, he has focused his prodigious talent…
on helping each of us learn…and improve”
Writing is nothing new for Decoskey. Professionally, Decoskey
is a Department of Defense contractor who manages a
team of technical writers supporting the U.S. Navy.
He is also the Editor of two Masonic newsletters: Plumbline,
New Lebanon lodge’s monthly newsletter; and The Hive,
distributed quarterly throughout the Albemarle to Masons.
Decoskey is on the Grand Lodge of North Carolina’s Board
of Directors for Publications, where he created and, for two
years, edited an eNewsletter, The Buzz… that was available
to all 37,000 Masons across the Tar Heel state. The
demands of that newsletter coupled with his other commitments
was too much and he recently stepped down as
Editor-in-Chief.
On why he wrote Look to the East, Decoskey cited concern
for his fellow Brethren. As Freemasons, we take several
obligations. First, we are bound by an oath to help one
another. If we see a Brother doing something wrong, we are
obliged to alert him to his error and aid a reformation. Look
to the East tries to do this. Second, we commit to bettering
ourselves and avoiding excess. Again, Look to the East
offers advice on this obligation. Finally, Masons are required
to treat others with respect. In my mind, respecting others
begins with understanding others. I hope Look to the East
helps initiate a practice for my fellow Masons – and my
neighbors across the Albemarle – to learn more about other
religions, cuisines, and ways of life.
On a final note, Decoskey is utilizing The Masonic Home for
Children at Oxford (MHCO), School of Graphic Arts in Oxford,
NC for printing the hardcopies of Look to the East. The
MHCO has been in operation since 1873, helping provide a
safe and nurturing place for children. The School of Graphic
Art provides on the job training for students and helps generate
operating revenue for MHCO.
Both printed and electronic copies of Look to the East:
Superintending the Craft through Eastern Practices are
available directly from Decoskey, using PayPal. You can
contact him via email at dwightdecoskey@gmail.com for
more information.
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