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Operating Thetan

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In Scientology, Operating Thetan (OT) is a notional spiritual status above Clear. It is defined as "knowing and willing cause over life, thought, matter, energy, space and time (MEST)."[1] According to religious scholar J. Gordon Melton, "It’s basically a variation of the Gnostic myth about souls falling into matter and the encumbrances that come with that" with the exception in that instead of Divine intervention, there is Alien intervention.[2] The Church teaches Operating Thetan doctrine in eight separate stages, or Levels; however, the Church claims there are actually fifteen Levels, and critics argue the Church uses the missing Levels to incentivize believers into giving more money to the Church in order to be able to experience them once they are finally released. Sometimes the Church requires believers to retake, and therefore pay again for, previous courses in the meantime as they await the missing Levels. Each course costs a considerable amount of money, often thousands of US dollars.

On March 24, 2008, WikiLeaks obtained and placed the complete set of Operating Thetan Levels the church currently uses on their site. The Church of Scientology tacitly verified the authenticity of these documents when they threatened legal action for copyright infringement if the documents were not removed, but WikiLeaks refused and the courts ruled that it was legal to download, use, read, and practice these teachings outside the Church[3] thus making all 612 pages of the OT materials available for free.[4]

Description

OT Levels are part of "The Bridge", which is the set of ranks within Scientology. After having removed one's own "reactive mind" and thus attaining the state of "Clear", Scientologists may then go on to the OT levels.[5] Scientology doctrine defines OT as the "highest state there is".[6][7]

Operating Thetan is described within Scientology as a state of godliness, and Scientologists are taught they will have godlike control over "matter, energy, space and time" (known in Scientology jargon as MEST).[8] Hubbard claimed that thetans were tricked into following religions, which prevented them from using their own power to create and destroy universes.[9] The Church claims that the OT is not dependent on the universe and Scientologists who are at the Operating Thetan level claim that they have control over their lives and can "go exterior" from their bodies.[10]

While there are fifteen levels listed in Scientology teaching, the Church only offers eight.[10] According to former Scientologist and critic of the Church Mike Rinder, the promise of new levels has been used for decades to motivate church members to donate or repeat courses they have already taken in preparation. Rinder has said he doesn't believe these courses exist.[11][12]

The state of Operating Thetan is represented by a symbol consisting of the letters OT with the T inside the O and each of the points of the T ending at the O's circumference, which displays the level's initials, and is also intended to evoke the medieval O-T map representing the known world and, metaphorically, the entirety of the observable universe, over which a fully developed OT is believed to have immediate control.

Levels

0

Church.

OT I

"This Solo-audited level is the first step a Clear takes toward full OT abilities, and that first step is a fresh causative OT viewpoint of the MEST universe and other beings."[13] The cost to move to level OT I was $2,750 as of 2013.[14]

OT II

"By confronting hidden areas of one's existence on the whole track [that is, by confronting past incarnations], vast amounts of energy and attention are released. Those on this Solo-audited level experience a resurgence of self-determinism and native ability. OT II unlocks the aberrative factors on the whole track that have allowed the thetan to lose his innate freedom and ability and one achieves the ability to confront the whole track."[13] The cost to move from OT I to OT II was $5,225 as of 2013.[14]

OT III: Wall of Fire

Main article: Xenu

Hubbard announced discovering an important breakthrough within less than a month of founding the Sea Org, the religious order of the church that consists of its most dedicated members. He described it as a "means of erasing those mental factors that stand in the way of peace and toleration of mankind." The new material made up the new Operating Thetan III.[15]

"This Solo-audited level goes through what is called the 'Wall of Fire' that surrounds a previously impenetrable whole track mystery. What prevents a being from being himself? This level answers that question. Once complete, a being is free of the whole track overwhelm that has trapped him. Here he confronts and eradicates the fourth dynamic engram that has plagued this universe for millennia."[13] The cost to move from OT II to OT III was $8,910 as of 2013.[14]

Church dogma regards OT III as a dangerous process which can lead to pneumonia, to lack of sleep or even to death if not run correctly. In Church of Scientology of California v. Kaufman, it was noted that the defendant had been required to sign a waiver to the effect that "the Scientology Organization, its branches and members, and L. Ron Hubbard are not responsible for anything that might happen to my body or mind on OT III".[16]

Within OT III is the secret doctrine of the church. Members must be invited to "do it", and they sign a contract of secrecy.[17]

OT IV: OT Drug Rundown

"This level handles the hidden problems and stops in a being's universe caused by the effects of drugs and poisons on the whole track. This is the final polish that rids one of any last vestige of the effects of drugs on the spirit. Ministered at Advanced Organizations or Flag. Approximately 12½ to 25 hours."[13]

OT V: New Era Dianetics for OTs

"The Second Wall of Fire consists of 26 separate rundowns and has been described as dealing with 'living lightning, the very stuff of life itself.' This level addresses the last aspects of one's case that can prevent him from achieving total freedom on all dynamics. An audited level ministered at Advanced Organizations or Flag. Approximately 50 hours."[13]

OT VI: Hubbard Solo New Era Dianetics for OTs (Solo NOTs) Auditing Course

"The training one receives before starting to solo audit on New OT VII is so powerful that it actually constitutes an entire OT level. On Solo NOTs one is dealing with complexities intended to crush one's true power and abilities as a thetan. Solo NOTs auditors acquire a wide range of auditing skills to handle the vast phenomena that can occur on OT VIII. Approximately 3–4 weeks with the new Solo Auditor Course done."[13]

OT VII: Hubbard Solo New Era Dianetics for OTs Auditing

"On New OT VII one solo audits at home daily. This is a lengthy level, requiring a considerable amount of time to complete. It is the final pre-OT level, and culminates in attainment of the state of CAUSE OVER LIFE."[13]

OT VIII: Truth Revealed

Main article: OT VIII

OT VIII, the highest level in Scientology, is only offered aboard the Freewinds ship.[18] The original version of OT VIII was released in 1988 and was authored by Hubbard himself, while a second "revised" version was released in 1991 by an unnamed editor. Both versions were released after L. Ron Hubbard's death. The original contains a Doomsday Prophecy that the Galactic Confederacy will return soon and telepathically enslave the universe but Hubbard wrote that he will return after his death and in a Messiah like role "halt a series of events designed to make happy slaves of us all."[19] Early participants in this version balked at it and the church subsequently revised it into its current form. The church initially stated the original version found in the Fishman Affidavit is a forgery but later admitted it was copyrighted by the church thus establishing authenticity. The revised version they currently use also has an editor's note that states "it is not the original".[20]

The revised version is completely redacted from the original and states "This Solo-audited level addresses the primary cause of amnesia on the whole track and lets one see the truth of his own existence. This is the first actual OT level and brings about a resurgence of power and native abilities for the being himself. This may be done at the Flag Ship Service Organization."

Beyond Operating Thetan

Beyond the attainment of the state of Operating Thetan is that of Cleared Theta Clear, which Hubbard describes as such:

A thetan who is completely rehabilitated and can do everything a thetan should do, such as move MEST and control others from a distance, or create his own universe; a person who is able to create his own universe or, living in the MEST universe is able to create illusions perceivable by others at will, to handle MEST universe objects without mechanical means and to have and feel no need of bodies or even the MEST universe to keep himself and his friends interested in existence.

— L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology 8-8008, p. 114 (1st ed), p. 151 (1990 ed.)

Criticism

A growing number of former Scientologists have made public allegations that the church encourages its members to complete very expensive courses and expect wonderful results; when the improvements fail to happen, further courses are then promoted to facilitate the anticipated changes. Criticism stems from a pattern of cycles wherein members continue to pay increasing amounts for these courses, while some even put their families into debt chasing the elusive life-changing results under the stewardship of the church.[21]

In March 2008, WikiLeaks leaked the Church of Scientology's Operating Thetan documents.[22] The Church of Scientology portrayed hosting the documentation as a copyright violation implying that the collection is Church doctrine. A court found that it was legal to download, use, read, and practice these teachings outside the Church.[3]

In 1997, Zenon Panoussis, a resident of Sweden, sent copies of NOT (New OT) documents to various government authorities, thereby making the documents public according to the Swedish principle of public access to official records. The Church of Scientology responded by ordering members to continuously borrow the available copies in order to prevent non-members from reading them. The Church of Scientology also sued Panoussis for copyright infringement, since he had made the documents available online without authorization.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ The State of Operating Thetan (Church of Scientology)
  2. ^ Verini, James (2005-06-28). "Missionary Man: Tom Cruise and the Church of Scientology". Salon.com. Spiegel Online. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
  3. ^ a b Metz, Cade (8 April 2008). "Scientology threatens Wikileaks with injunction". The Register. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
  4. ^ Metz, Cade (2008-04-08). "Scientology threatens Wikileaks with injunction". The Register. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  5. ^ www.whatisscientology.org, Grade chart of Scientology courses, training and processing
  6. ^ Technical Dictionary of Dianetics and Scientology; L. Ron Hubbard; Bridge Publications; ISBN 0-88404-037-2
  7. ^ The Official Scientology and Dianetics Glossary definition of pre-OT levels; accessed 2008-02-03 (mirror Archived 2007-10-21 at the Wayback Machine)
  8. ^ Westbrook, Donald A. (2017). "Researching Scientology and Scientologists in the United States: Methods and Conclusions". In Lewis, James R.; Hellesoy, Kjersti (eds.). Handbook of Scientology. Vol. Brill Handbooks on Contemporary Religion. Brill. pp. 30–31. ISBN 9789004330542. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  9. ^ Urban, Hugh B. (2011). The Church of Scientology: A History of a New Religion. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691146089.
  10. ^ a b "Climbing The Bridge: A journey to 'Operating Thetan'". tampabay.com. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  11. ^ Rinder, Mike. "New OT IX & X Are Closer Than You Think". www.mikerindersblog.org. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  12. ^ Jancelewicz, Chris (6 September 2017). "Leah Remini reveals what happens when you reach the top of Scientology - National | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g What is Scientology compiled by the staff of Church of Scientology International. c1998 published Bridge Publications Inc. ISBN 1-57318-078-5 pg. 840-841
  14. ^ a b c "Chapter 7 OT -- Through the Wall of Fire and Beyond". The OT Levels. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
  15. ^ Lewis, James R. (2009). Scientology. Oxford University Press. p. 2009. ISBN 978-0-19-533149-3.
  16. ^ Church of Scientology of California v. Kaufman, [1972] F.S.R. 591 per Goff J - in the Chancery Division of the High Court
  17. ^ Lewis, James R.; Petersen, Jesper (2014). Controversial New Religions. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199315321. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
  18. ^ "Here's what happens on Scientology's cruise ship, the Freewinds. It sounds pretty intense". CNN. 3 May 2019.
  19. ^ "Fishman Exhibit: OT VIII, Part 2". www.cs.cmu.edu. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  20. ^ "UP THE BRIDGE: We finally reach 'OT 8' — but was its first version really a hoax? | The Underground Bunker". tonyortega.org. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  21. ^ Atack, Jon [1990] A Piece of Blue Sky, Carol Pub. Group, Chap 3, ISBN 0-8184-0499-X [1]
  22. ^ wikinews:Church of Scientology's 'Operating Thetan' documents leaked online
  23. ^ Macavinta, Courtney (30 March 1999). "Scientologists settle legal battle". CNet News. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2015.

Further reading

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