The Square and the Lens: Depths of Focus in the Craft
Download MP3Focus is often misunderstood as an on-or-off switch—something you either have or don’t. In this episode, we reframe focus as a spectrum of depth: near, mid, and distant, across both time and space. Freemasonry teaches us to bring the Square to our focus, aligning our attention not just on what is immediate, but on what lies ahead, ensuring our work is measured, balanced, and rightly directed.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Focus is not binary but layered across depth and distance
- Near, mid, and long-term focus all demand attention in different ways
- The Square reminds us to measure focus rightly, balancing present tasks with future vision
💬 Featured Quotes
- 0:00:00 – “A lot of folks are confused about what focus is because we usually describe focus as a true false—you’re either focused or you’re not.”
- 0:00:15 – “Focus can be done at different depths. You can focus on objects near to you, in the middle ground, or far away.”
- 0:00:32 – “You can focus on things in time… what’s happening right now, what’s happening in the future, what’s happening in the distant future.”
- 0:00:45 – “When we talk about focus as a tool that works together with attention, we can really start to make meaningful ground.”
🔗 Explore Related Episodes
- The Level: Walking the Line Between Life and Death
— Explores time, mortality, and the present moment as focal points. - The Point Within the Circle: Reconciling Expressed Identity and Lived Belief
— On the tension between identity, belief, and behavior, requiring careful attention. - The Lodge and the Open Space: Making Room for Growth
— Shows how creating space sharpens focus for what matters most.
Creators and Guests
Host
Brian Mattocks
Host and Founder of A Mason's Work - a podcast designed to help you use symbolism to grow. He's been working in the craft for over a decade and served as WM, trustee, and sat in every appointed chair in a lodge - at least once :D
