A Rundown of Scientology's Basic Beliefs

[CosmicWisdom323]

Scientology is often portrayed as a "cult" or a "scam" or a pyramid scheme. For the most part, it is these things. However, the Tech, as it is called, has some valuable insights to offer. In this post I will present a very brief outline of the beliefs and principles of Scientology and its predecessor Dianetics.

Scientology begins with what is known as The Dynamic Principle of Existence. The Dynamic Principle of Existence is: SURVIVE! All forms of life want to survive. LRH (Short for L. Ron Hubbard) proposed that Survival Dynamic is the singular urge or drive that drives all other urges and drives.

The Dynamic Principle of Existence: SURVIVE! Then divides into 8 interrelated sub-dynamics. They are known as the Eight Dynamics:
1. First Dynamic = Self: The urge to survive as an individual (air, water, food, shelter, etc.)
2. Second Dynamic = Sex & Family: The urge to procreate, rear children, parent and marry
3. Third Dynamic = Group: The urge toward survival as a member of a group (tribe, nation, culture, organization, club, corporation)
4. Fourth Dynamic = Species: The desire/urge for the survival of all mankind.
5. Fifth Dynamic = Life Forms: The desire/urge for the survival of all forms of life (think vegetarianism, veganism, environmentalism)
6. Sixth Dynamic = Physical Universe: The desire/urge for the survival of the physical universe.
7. Seventh Dynamic = Spirit: The desire/urge for the survival of the spiritual life force, also known as Theta.
8. Eighth Dynamic = Infinity: The desire/urge toward existence as an Infinite Being, Becoming One with the All.
This dynamic division can actually explain every action that any being undertakes.
Genocide for example is when people follow only the Third Dynamic (group) at the expense of the Fourth Dynamic (Species/Mankind).
A parent who jumps in front of car to save their child is placing the Second Dynamic (Family) ahead of the First (Self). A parent that abandons the family is choosing Self (First Dynamic) over Family (Second Dynamic).
The goal of each life form is to increase its Dynamic Potential and Survival capabilities across all eight dynamics. The feelings of joy, happiness, pleasure and satisfaction are the result of acting in ways that increase dynamic potential and sadness, unhappiness, pain and dissatisfaction are the of acting in ways that decrease our dynamic potential.


In future posts I will outline the following aspects of Scientology that I believe to be beneficial including:
- Survival Suppressors
- Analytical Mind vs Reactive Mind
- Engrams and Psychosomatic Illness
- The Tone Scale
- Pre-Clear and Clear
- Theta and MEST

I will also discuss other aspects of Scientology that I believe are detrimental including:
- Auditing
- The E-Meter
- The Bridge to Total Freedom
- OT Levels, The Wall of Fire, and Xenu
- Past Lives

[CosmicWisdom323]

A Survival Suppressor is anything that suppresses or reduces the Survival Dynamic.
Suppressors come in many different forms:
- Natural World: natural disasters, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, meteor strikes, etc.
- Biological: viruses, germs, illnesses, diseases
- Physical: dangerous or risky behaviors, unsafe/unhealthy working conditions, injuries, physical violence, etc.
- Psychological/Emotional: stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, addictions, psychological disorders, etc.

A thorough examination of each dynamic in a person's life, as well as the survival suppressors being encountered on that dynamic is the start of the journey toward higher functioning and moving from mere surviving to thriving.

[CosmicWisdom323]

LRH described the human mind as being made of two minds, independent but yet connected.

The Analytical Mind:
The Analytical Mind is a computational device. It accurately analyzes and processes information data and makes decisions based on said analysis. Any mistakes or errors that are made are not the result of the Analytical Mind but due to a lack of information. The Analytical Mind computes based on the information is has access to. The Analytical Mind is the mind we all use on a daily basis to make decisions. It could also be called the rational mind.

The Reactive Mind:
Underneath the analytical mind is a more primitive mind that operates on a purely stimulus response basis. This is the Reactive Mind. The reactive mind is how a child learns not to put their hands in fire or on a hot stove. The pain of the burn registers in the reactive mind and the child learns to avoid the stimulus (fire/stovetop). There is nothing irrational about this, however, due to the primitive nature of the reactive mind, other things can become associated with painful stimulus that are irrational. An example could be child who gets laughed at while speaking at the front of the class. The embarrassment they experience becomes a painful stimulus. Later in life they may be shy, unable to speak publicly, or have difficulty meeting new people and forming relationships because the reactive mind wants to avoid the pain of embarrassment.

LRH proposed that the Reactive Mind is made of engrams: a type of cellular memory trace that is recorded by the body as a result of painful, traumatic experiences or moments of unconsciousness. (More on this in a future post).

Consciousness, Unconsciousness and the Analytical and Reactive Mind:
LRH avoided the psychological terminology of Conscious Mind vs Unconscious Mind. While we may think the Analytical Mind is "Conscious" and the Reactive Mind in "Unconsciousness" it is actually more complicated. The Reactive Mind is always recording data, and is always "conscious" of the information being received. The Analytical Mind wavers between moments of conscious and unconscious. When the Analytical Mind is in pain, under stress, or knocked out of consciousness, the Reactive Mind is in full effect. When the Analytical Mind is at ease, at peace, etc, The reactive mind is still recording, but not influencing choices, decisions or behavior.

The Awareness of Awareness:
LRH referred to the I or the experience of self as the Awareness of Awareness. It is the awareness of awareness that experiences both the Analytical Mind and the Reactive Mind.

When one has completed removed the engrams (painful emotional experiences or periods of physical pain/unconsciousness) from the reactive mind, one can then be said to have achieved the state of Clear. A Clear is someone who no longer has a reactive mind, and their analytical mind is capable of recording all experiences and analyzing and interpreting experiences in a rational way.

[Tobi]

Thank you CosmicWisdom323. What you have written may help to clarify the workings of Scientology, and be some assistance to viewing it with a little less negative conditioning. I read L. Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics" many years ago and found some value in the writings.

It may well not be for everyone however, and my only 'gripe' with the Church itself is why it costs so much for the learning and courses? Someone who has a gift to give to others should not be expected to live on fresh air in this world, so fair payment for a day's work is the way of this world and something we all have to live by....
But the incredible material cost of learning within the Church of Scientology is hard for many to be able to afford, even if they were quite dedicated to the methods of Scientology.

Well, that is just my ego's two penn'orth (2 cent's worth) But anyway, thank you for your elucidation.

[CosmicWisdom323]

Hi Toby,

You are right. Very expensive indeed. A person can learn about Scientology by reading the books and doing the course work (answering questions about what you read). This is learning the Tech. You can also Do Scientology by going up The Bridge To Total Freedom. This is the only way to become clear the church claims. This includes doing the Purification Rundown (8 hours a day in a sauna, fasting and taking vitamins for about a week) and a ton of auditing, all of course at a price.

The trick is that after the State of Clear, Hubbard discovered more and more higher states and dubbed these OT levels (for Operating Thetan). The bridge now goes up to OT XV I believe. Im sure soon it will go up to OT XX or XXVIII.

Many in the church believe that doing the Bridge and Auditing is the only way to remove engrams (and later, body thetans) and thus purify one's spirit. I disagree with that completely and believe a person can clear themselves simply with the power of their own consciousness.