Dianetics

The fundemental basis for Scientology is the mental health novel **//Dianetics//** by L. Ron Hubbard. In his book Hubbard describes his guide to becoming happier, healthier and living a better life. But through this also stumbles upon his idea of the meaning of life and Prothero's problem and solution. Scientology is based off the idea (presented in //**Dianetics**//) that all humans posses abberations. These abberations are everything that is wrong with the world like sadness, boredom, blindness, sickness, and all other forms of maladies. These abberations are present in all human beings and the only way to get rid of them is to become "clear". This is the problem and the solution in Prothero's approach to religion, the problem is abberations the solution is becoming clear. Through becoming "clear" all of lifes problems can be solved. Diseases are cured, complete happiness is achieved, and in a "clear" clear state humanity has the ultimate chance of survival. //**Dianetics**// also tackles the state of the mind. It says the mind is separated into two parts, the analytical mind and the reactive mind. The analytical mind is all a "clear" possess's. This is the part of the mind that answers questions, tackles problems, and percieves the world around us. The reactive mind is basically our memories, it is populated by what are called "engrams". These "engrams" are experiences that are recorded in vivid detail while the being is either partially or completely unconscious. The reactive mind uses these to make decisions outside of the analytical mind which is what causes all risk and bad decisions. Through becoming "clear" all engrams are removed and can then be used by the analytical mind to make more responsible decisions without risk. Essentially all experiences recorded by engram's can be used by the analytical mind to solve and problem and keep the "clear" surviving at an optimal level. The difference between the Body, the Mind, and the Thetan (soul) is also illustrated in Scientology. The interconnection between these is what makes up a human. When an individual becomes clear the reactive portion of the mind is eliminated which then allows the mind to work more closely with the thetan to solve problems. Through counseling the indivual can reach a state known as an "Operating Thetan" which is a state where the individual is able to realize their true potential and begin to relearn all of the characteristics of what they were like before being abberated. L. Ron Hubbard claims that through following the practices and teachings in //**Dianetics**// humanity can overcome and abberation, sickness, sadness, and problem through becoming clear and making full use of the analytical mind to survive. This exponentially increases humanities chance at becoming an immortal being on the survival curve that will be discussed later.