Scientology Volunteer Ministers of Kolkata use Technology of L. Ron Hubbard

I've been following the work of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers of West Bengal.

These men and women are really dedicated to improving conditions in Kolkata, and they are using the technology of L. Ron Hubbard, as covered in the Scientology Handbook to do so.

When I read what they are doing it strikes me how much I take for granted and what a boon this technology is to the people of India.

One of my favorite quotes of LRH is on the L. Ron Hubbard web site:
"I have lived no cloistered life and hold in contempt the wise man who has not lived and the scholar who will not share. There have been many wiser men than I, but few have traveled as much road. I have seen life from the top down and the bottom up. I know how it looks both ways. And I know there is wisdom and that there is hope.”

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers worldwide help movement delivers RESULTS to people, living the motto: Something can be done about it. Here is a video showing them in action.

There is an interesting article on the East Grinstead Hall of Fame web site, about LRH:

L. Ron Hubbard [March 13, 1911 - January 14, 1986] lived an extraordinary and adventurous life. Although best known as the founder of the Scientology religion, he was also a Master Mariner, Pilot, Photographer, Musician, Author, Explorer, Philosopher and much more besides. He lived at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, between 1959 and 1967 during which time he greatly contributed to the local community. He was the East Grinstead Road Safety Committee organiser, an East Grinstead Parade Marshal and he sponsored children's cycling competitions. He was Vice President of the East Grinstead Horticultural Society and carried out revolutionary horticultural experiments at Saint Hill. He was also involved with and contributed to numerous community events and local organizations such as the St Johns Ambulance brigade and the Adeline Genee Theatre to which he was an original donor.>> continued

One of my Favorite LRH Quotes

I love The Way To Happiness. Written by L. Ron Hubbard, it is such a simple book, but it is packed full of the most useful guidelines I've ever encountered.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:

Respect the Religious Beliefs of Others

"Tolerance is a good cornerstone on which to build human relationships. When one views the slaughter and suffering caused by religious intolerance down all the history of Man and into modern times, one can see that intolerance is a very non-survival activity.

"Religious tolerance does not mean one cannot express his own beliefs. It does mean that seeking to undermine or attack the religious faith and beliefs of another has always been a short road to trouble."

When I was growing up, my father's "religion" was no religion. He was convinced that religious was responsible for most of what is wrong in the world.

But his was a very short view.

No. Religion has provided the moral cornerstone of society. Literacy, at least in the West, was kept alive in monasteries that were trying to preserve their holy scriptures. Art, music, sculpture -- inspired to the highest pinnacles by religion.

What was wrong was not religion. It was religious intolerance.

And we are faced with so many problems again today coming from that same source.

But if we, as a civilization, want to thrive, this is one precept it would behoove us to adopt.

Factually, the society runs on men and women of good will. Public

L. Ron Hubbard: Shaping the 21st Century with Solutions for a Better World

This is an excerpt from the web site at lron.hubbard.org
Ron Hubbard is known world over as the founder of the Scientology religion. A truly international figure, he reached out to people in all lands and all cultures with his philosophy, and Scientology missions and churches now span five continents.

That international growth began at a pivotal time inMr. Hubbard’s life when he called Europe home. Throughout the 1950s, as the vanguard of the Scientology movement, he would regularly traverse the Atlantic to Europe, touring the continent, establishing new centres and delivering lectures. In 1959, when expansion in both Europe and abroad created the need for a truly international training and administrative centre, Mr. Hubbard purchased the southern England country estate of Saint Hill. It was from here he directed the worldwide expansion of Scientology and established the Saint Hill College, offering ministerial graduate courses.

L. Ron Hubbard - Trust

I think the LRH quote on trust is particularly apt at Christmas season: "On the day when we can truly trust each other there will be Peace on Earth."

In Honor of Human Rights Day

Here is one of my favorite L. Ron Hubbard essays, in honor of Human Rights Day 2006.

W hen things are not running right, when the public, unable to perceive why, drift down to an apathy below perception, when a culture, already misguided, drifts further and further toward ruin, the nation is fortunate indeed that it has men with the genius to recognize approaching doom and the courage to speak out.

Fought, discredited, reviled by a blind system in the hands of a power elite careless of all destinies but their own short span, contemporary philosophers are called “Revolutionaries,” “Communists,” “Agitators,” “Malcontents,” “Rabble-rousers” and any other harsh word which the captive press and the arrogant pompous and blind Establishment can find in their dictionaries.

Heedless, deaf to all reason, psychotic in their righteousness, the “pillars of society,” the “safe men,” like the treacherous rams of the stockyard who lead the sheep to the slaughter pens, refuse to hear any faintest criticism of their senselessness and fight back with an underhanded ferocity that seeks by any discrediting means to still any and all new thought.

Yet a nation should be warned. When times decay and the death march for the system can be heard still faintly but growing stronger, there are strong voices in the land. >> Continued

Something to Think About

You can sometimes forget, when you read the news, that most people are actually decent and caring.

Here's something by L. Ron Hubbard from The Way to Happiness that summarizes that thought:

"The violent criminal, the propagandist, the sensation-seeking media all tend to distract one's attention from the solid, everyday fact that the society would not run at all were it not for the individuals of good will. As they guard the streeet, counsel the children, take the temperatures, put out the fires and speak good sense in quiet voices, one is apt to overlook the fact that people of good will are the ones that keep the world going and Man alive upon this Earth."

Here is an example of the kind of opportunity L. Ron Hubbard provided when he started his "Writers of the Future" contest.

By the way, I've read the latest edition, and the short story by the woman described below is quite an amazing piece of writing.

Diana Rowland, one-time street cop, detective and currently a forensics investigator, has lived a life most people only get to write about. But now, she's writing about what most people only dream of, and as a result she's one of the first place quarterly winners in the Writers of the Future Contest. Her winning story, "Schroedinger's Hummingbird," is a haunting tale of one woman's desperate attempt to alter time in order to save someone she loves—only "time" turns out to be a formidable adversary.

Diana recently spent a week at the Writers of the Future workshop, culminating in a gala awards ceremony at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. On returning home to Louisiana, she had these words to share:

"I just want to say that this past week has definitely been one of the most amazing weeks of my life. Not only was it a really great chance to meet other writers who are at about the same level as I am, but it was a chance to meet renowned authors who are light years ahead of me in talent and success. And not only did I get to meet them, but I got to actually converse with them, get to know them as real people and learn their secrets (as well as the super-secret handshake that is the key to publishing!).

"My winning story was the first entry I'd ever made to the contest, and I'm kicking myself for not having entered it years ago. I learned SO much in just one week that it's going to take me weeks more just to assimilate it all—I'm glad I took good notes! The whole focus of this workshop—that we're already professional writers and just need that extra push—is one that can't be found anywhere else, in any other workshop. I also have to say that having some of the giants in the field come up to me and tell me how much they liked my story was something that I will never forget, and something that will definitely keep me writing.

"And, of course, then there was the book signing. As I told my husband afterwards, 'Okay, that was the coolest thing I've ever done, and now I have to go write more books so that I can do it some more!' In fact, before we left San Diego I came up with an idea for a novel, and my husband and I spent much of the time that we were waiting for our homebound flight brainstorming the plot out.

"This contest is the real deal. It's the best and biggest chance that an up-and-coming writer has to break in. And on top of it, you get a really nifty award ceremony and a gorgeous book! (I mean, really, how many times does the average person get the chance to go to a full-tilt formal event? Especially as an honoree!)

"Thanks again for a fantastic week. I hope to come back in a few years as a judge."

Writer Diana Rowland at the Writers of the Future awards ceremony with Dune prequel co-writer Brian Herbert		The illustration to Diana's story, "Schroedinger's Hummingbird" by Daniel Harris

L. Ron Hubbard -- My Philosophy

Here is just one more example of why I love LRH.

This is what he states as his philosophy of life:


"The subject of philosophy is very ancient. The word means: “The love, study or pursuit of wisdom, or of knowledge of things and their causes, whether theoretical or practical.

"All we know of science or of religion comes from philosophy. It lies behind and above all other knowledge we have or use.

"For long regarded as a subject reserved for halls of learning and the intellectual, the subject, to a remarkable degree, has been denied the man in the street.

"Surrounded by protective coatings of impenetrable scholarliness, philosophy has been reserved to the privileged few.

"The first principle of my own philosophy is that wisdom is meant for anyone who wishes to reach for it. It is the servant of the commoner and king alike and should never be regarded with awe.

"Selfish scholars seldom forgive anyone who seeks to break down the walls of mystery and let the people in. Will Durant, the modern American philosopher, was relegated to the scrapheap by his fellow scholars when he wrote a popular book on the subject, The Outline of Philosophy. Thus brickbats come the way of any who seek to bring wisdom to the people over the objections of the “inner circle.”

"The second principle of my own philosophy is that it must be capable of being applied.

"Learning locked in mildewed books is of little use to anyone and therefore of no value unless it can be used.">> continued

Creation of Human Ability

I recently read the book Creation of Human Ability by L. Ron Hubbard.

I was so impressed with the book.

I found it incrediby enlighting, and it gave such a spiritual viewpoint on life.

Scientology Wedding Ceremony

There's been a lot of interest in the subject of Scientology marriages with Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes getting married this weekend.

Here's a web site that tells about Scientology Marriages

'Tis Almost the Season

Christmas comes early to Hollywood. The summer weather we have been experiencing belies the fact that Christmas season is about to begin, starting with the Hollywood Christmas Parade this coming weekend.

And so I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes by L. Ron Hubbard:

"On the day when we can fully trust each other, there will be peace on Earth."

And here's a public service announcement on YouTube on this theme:

LRH Books

I just finished reading a book by LRH last night -- Creation of Human Ability.

What an incredible book that is.

It never ceases to amaze me what a genius the man was.

When David Miscavige launched what he called the Golden Age of Knowledge in March 2005, with the release of all of L. Ron Hubbard's congress lectures on CD (and with absolutely the most incredible sound. What they did to create that sound quality, the Lord only knows!) I realized from listening to his speech that studying what L. Ron Hubbard wrote -- just reading his books and listening to his lectures -- is a very importan part of being a Scientologist.

Information on L. Ron Hubbard on the US Navy Chaplain Web site, Scientology page

The Scientology religion was developed by American author and humanitarian "Lafayette Ron Hubbard. It came from his lifelong passion to assist man to a higher plane of civilization and existence. Mr. Hubbard was not only a writer, one of the leading lights of the Golden Age of Science Fiction in the mid-1900s, but a full Renaissance man who was a recognized explorer with membership in the prestigious Explorer's Club, a captain of corvettes during World War II, and fully versed in 21 different professions.

Born in Tilden, NE on 1911-MAR-13, L. Ron Hubbard traveled extensively during his youth. He covered some quarter of a million miles by the time he was twenty years of age, including several trips to the Orient; directed two expeditions to the Caribbean, one of which was the first mineralogical survey of Puerto Rico.

It was during his travels in Asia where he viewed so much misery and want that he asked himself "why all this?" and "to what depths can man fall," and "what is he anyway?" He found that there was not much known about the true nature of man and became fascinated with this line of research which he made his life's work.

Information on L. Ron Hubbard on the Scientology Theology Web Site

On the site called Scientology: Theology and Practice of a Contemporary Religion is an excellent description of L. Ron Hubbard that I haven't seen elsewhere.

As the founder of the Scientology religion and the sole author of its Scripture, L. Ron Hubbard is respected by Scientologists throughout the world, and he has no successor. He is remembered not as one to be idolized or worshiped but as a man whose legacy is the religion of Scientology which still lives on. Some understanding of his background serves to illustrate how he came to discover the truths of the Scientology religion.

on of United States naval commander Harry Ross and Ledora May Hubbard,
L. Ron Hubbard was born March 13, 1911, in Tilden, Nebraska. Frequent travel was the rule rather than the exception for a military family, and shortly thereafter, the Hubbards settled in Helena, Montana. While there, Mr. Hubbard became friendly with the indigenous Blackfeet, and particularly a tribal medicine man, who was ultimately to honor the young Hubbard with the unique status of blood brother.

With his father’s posting to the U.S. naval station on the island of Guam in 1927, L. Ron Hubbard began a period of travel that would consume the next several years. Included were extended voyages throughout the South Pacific and South China Sea and treks across China to its western hills. >> continued

Scientology in England

With the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of London I thought I'd post a little bit on LRH's years in England, and how Saint Hill came to be the center for Scientology in the UK.

This is from the web site: L. Ron Hubbard - Shaping the 21st Century

(This is what David Miscavige was referring to when he said, "This day will go down in history. Of all the foreign lands where LRH lived and worked, he called England home.

"This is the city wherein he first defined the human spirit as an immortal being possessed of capabilities beyond anything predicted and so arrived at the axiomatic truths on which the whole of Scientology is founded."

Here's what the web site says:

In 1959, Mr. Hubbard and his family moved to England, where he purchased Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex. This was to be his home for the next seven years, and the worldwide headquarters of the Church of Scientology. There, in addition to his constant writing and lecturing, he began intensively training Scientologists from around the world so they, in turn, might return to their homelands and teach others. The mid-1960s saw him develop a step-by-step route for anyone to reach states of higher awareness. He also codified administrative principles for the operation of Scientology churches — work that brought about the expansion of the Scientology movement on every continent.

What a Day in London and What a Weekend! David Miscavige Dedicates New Church

L. Ron Hubbard's Dream for England

Mr. David Miscavige describes L. Ron Hubbard's dream for England in his speech at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of London yesterday.

Here's a description of the event, that I found on CreativExpressions blog:

What a Day in London and What a Weekend! David Miscavige Dedicates New Church

"We are about to drive home the message ‘This is Scientology ‘ like you have never seen," said David Miscavige , chairman of the Church of Scientology (sic.) [David Miscavige is actually the Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center.]

So reports Robert Booth on Saturday in the Sunday Times - a story that got picked up internationally.

And Sunday’s grand opening was everything Mr. Miscavige promised.

The Scientology Press Office announces the news as follows:

With thousands of Scientologists, local residents and officials in attendance, the new Church of Scientology of London opened its doors.

Mr. David Miscavige , Chairman of the Board of the Religious Technology Center and leader of the Scientology religion , stressed the historical importance of London. "This is the city L. Ron Hubbard himself [founder of the Scientology religion] selected as home to the first Scientology organization. This is also the city wherein he first defined the human spirit as an immortal being possessed of capabilities beyond anything predicted, and so arrived at the axiomatic truths on which the whole of Scientology is founded. Your early London organizations were also the original proving ground for the bulk of Mr. Hubbard’ s social betterment programs which are used to uplift neighborhoods just like this one."

L. Ron Hubbard's Legacy

Here is how L. Ron Hubbard is described in the book What is Scientology

"To say that L. Ron Hubbard was a remarkable man seems somehow incomplete. As any reader can see by now, Mr. Hubbard left an extraordinary legacy: an immense body of wisdom that leads man to spiritual freedom; the fastest-growing religion in the world today; and an extraordinary organizational structure which allows the religion to expand without limit.

"Furthermore, his works have touched the lives of millions, and not only the lives of those who are Scientologists. His study technology, his Purification Rundown, his administrative technology, his drug rehabilitation program, his nonreligious moral code and more, all have broad secular application. "

L. Ron Hubbard -- Research into the Mind

The Dianetics site goes into how L. Ron Hubbard came to discover the reactive mind.

It states:

As the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard’s discoveries on the subjects of man, the mind and spirit have helped people all over the world to better understand “To know life,” he once wrote, “you’ve got to be part of life. You must get down there and look, you must get into the nooks and crannies of existence, and you must rub elbows with all kinds and types of men before you can finally establish what man is.”

And throughout his long and adventurous pursuit of knowledge, L. Ron Hubbard did just that, in the process also becoming one of the twentieth century’s most influential authors, with more than 160 million copies of his works in worldwide circulation.

His abiding interest in the human mind was initially sparked when, at the age of twelve, he studied under Commander Joseph C. Thompson – an early student of psychoanalysis and the first United States naval officer to study with Freud in Vienna. Although Ron would ultimately reject Freudian theory as both impractical and unworkable, he nonetheless reached one pivotal conclusion: “Something can be done about the mind.” >>

One of my favorite photos of L. Ron Hubbard.

Code of Honor - Point 2

The second line of the Code of Honor by L. Ron Hubbard is:

Never withdraw allegiance once granted.

This doesn't include any conditionals.

It doesn't say "If you were right to grant it in the first place..." or anything like that.

So what if you find out that the person or group you granted allegiance to has gone off the rails or was wrong to begin with?

I guess you have to assume responsibility as a member of the group to get it back on the rails.

That's a tall order. But just think how much better this joint would be if we stood by that kind of commitment.

That means friend, family, group -- even country. No turning your back on it now that there's a problem. Roll up your sleeves and do something about it.

Loyalty and the Code of Honor

The first point in the Code of Honor by L. Ron Hubbard is:

"Never desert a comrade in need, in danger or in trouble."

Not always easy to do, especially under pressure, or when the friend is in serious trouble and association with him/her could "reflect" on you -- but this is a very black and white point, and it doesn't say "when you can" it says "Never."

I think it is a point of integrity and courage to be able to adhere to this point of the code.

And it is a measure of true friendship as well.

The Joy of Creating by L. Ron Hubbard

Force yourself to smile and you'll soon stop frowning.
Force yourself to laugh and you'll soon find something to laugh about.
Wax enthusiastic and you'll very soon feel so.
A being causes his own feelings.
The greatest Joy there is in Life is creating.Splurge on it!
-- L. Ron Hubbard

One of my favorite photos of LRH.

It's the friendliness that comes across, and that is one of his qualities that I love the most.

When you listen to one of his taped lectures or read one of his books, his friendliness shines through so clearly.

Scientology Today has an article on Guiness awarding L. Ron Hubbard 2 new world records last week at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Writers of the Future

I've been reading last year's Writers of the Future (I'm afraid I'm a year behind -- the latest edition just came out last month).

I am really enjoying it.

The first two stories were complete winners.

Sometimes I find SciFi short stories annoying - self-serving, a bit cultish. But these are the genuine article.

Leave it to LRH to have created such a terrific program. Not only does it give terrific opportunity for writers and illustrators in Sci Fi and Fantasy, but it's a truly great read.

L. Ron Hubbard on Freedom

"Freedom is for honest people. No man who is not himself honest can be free – he is his own trap."

L. Ron Hubbard in England

L. Ron Hubbard lived in East Grinstead, in Sussex, England from the late 1950's through the mid 1960s.

He purchased a manor called Saint Hill, and that name is a very famous one in the Scientology world. It was there that he developed not a tremendous amount of technology that all auditors (Scientology counselors) train on, but he also discovered and codified administrative technology used not only in Scientology churches but in organizations of all kinds, all over the world.

It seems so short a time for the immense amount of work he did while he was there.

While there he gave 2 hour-long lectures to students a special course he named the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course, describing the course of the technology he was developing.

The other thing Saint Hill is famous for is the Saint Hill Organization -- the Scientology church Mr. Hubbard created on his property while he was there. In a few short years that church expanded so much that it became a model for how every Scientology church should be.

In 1982, Mr. Hubbard wrote an executive directive to all Scientology staff, where he asked them to expand their churches to the size of Saint Hill in its heyday.

When a church reaches that point, it is called "Saint Hill Size" and the significance is that at the point a church is that big it is able to really service its community.

Since Scientology has so much to offer their communities, not only in terms of service to the individuals, which itself is priceless, but in the form of social betterment activities, that's a very important stage for every Scientology church to accomplish.

“A song can racket down the ages. It doesn’t corrode. It doesn’t have to be polished, maintained, oiled, shelved or put in a vault. It happens that a song is far more powerful than any blaster ever invented.”

L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard's Legacy

Bridge Publications has a really nice page on L. Ron Hubbard and his legacy to mankind.

The greatest testimonies to Mr. Hubbard's vision are the miracle results of his technology and the millions of friends around the world who carry his legacy forward into the twenty-first century.

Greatness

L. Ron Hubbard exemplified Greatness, and beautifully explained what it is comprised of in his essay, What is Greatness.

It starts with the following:

"The hardest task one can have is to continue to love his fellows despite all reasons he should not.

"And the true sign of sanity and greatness is to so continue."

Now, I agree that it takes a pretty special person to do this, and that this does define greatness, but I really never looked at why it would also be a gauge of Sanity.

But let's look at it. Let's say you were involved in a conflict with a person. Or a group. What if you were in conflict with a whole segment of you society as in a civil war. Or what about being at war with another country.

Is it really possible to love another when you are in mortal combat with them?

This is answered in part in another discovery by L. Ron Hubbard -- that each of us survives not just as an individual but as part of life. Each of us has the urge to survive and exist as 8 drives. They are called, in Scientology, the Dynamics. But they exist and have always existed and explain so much of life.

There is an excellent description of the Dynamics in Scientology: the Fundamentals of Thought -- a really fabulous book that lays out all the basic concepts of the Scientology religion.

Having read that book, this actually makes complete sense to me, and I can see, too, where I need to straighten out my own viewpoint to be really truly sane.

Making Marriages Work

Wrecked marriages and broken families create lifelong scars.

So the following little piece of wisdom is well worth learning and applying:

“Communication is the root of marital success from which a strong union can grow, and noncommunication is the rock on which the ship will bash out her keel.”

— L. Ron Hubbard

The Scientology Handbook has an excellent chapter and marriage, and several others that give very simple tools on how to improve communication.

Honesty

Here's another of my favorite quotes from L. Ron Hubbard:

“Freedom is for honest people. No man who is not himself honest can be free – he is his own trap.”

I remember a friend who was cheating on her boyfriend(s). She actually had two "steady" boyfriends who both thought they were the only one. She thought this was a lark, and just had a great time with it, but I saw her get into more trouble that year - and she never associated it with what she was doing.

She got into drugs, she "realized" that the dream she had to be a ballet dancer "wasn't realistic" because "she was too short" (yet she never agreed to this before she started fooling around), and in the end both relationships became hurtful, vicious relationships which upset her terribly.

She always thought she got away with cheating on these guys. But none of these things happened before she did this....

Code of Honor

There is one line in the Code of Honor by L. Ron Hubbard that I especially love.

"Never regret yesterday. Life is in you today, and you make your tomorrow."

There are many things one can regret, but that doesn't change anything. Yes, it's important to confront and take responsiblity for your actions, but what's the point in getting stuck in what you did.

Isn't it far more humanitarian to lean from your mistakes and get on with life?

There has been many a time when I've been down in the dumps, and I've just remembered that this is a point of honor - not to regret the past but to create the future.

It has made a big difference to me.

L. Ron Hubbard - the Dianetics Letters

There is a terrific compilation of letters and artifacts from the birth of Dianetics - the late 1940s and early 1950s - which give such a personal view of L. Ron Hubbard and provides a glimps of what it was like to be there at this exciting time.

L. Ron Hubbard -- Frequently Asked Questions

The Scientology Press Office has compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Scientology religion and has provided answers to those questions.

There is an excellent page about L. Ron Hubbard.

There is also a short biography of David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, which is excellent.

Prayer for Total Freedom

May the author of the universe enable all men to reach an understanding of their spiritual nature.

May awareness and understanding of life expand, so that all may come to know the author of the universe.

And may others also reach this understanding which brings Total Freedom.

At this time, we think of those whose liberty is threatened; of those who have suffered imprisonment for their beliefs; of those who are enslaved or martyred, and for all those who are brutalised, trapped or attacked.

We pray that human rights will be preserved so that all people may believe and worship freely, so that freedom will once again be seen in our land.

Freedom from war, and poverty, and want; freedom to be; freedom to do and freedom to have.

Freedom to use and understand man’s potential — a potential that is God-given and Godlike.

And freedom to achieve that understanding and awareness that is Total Freedom.

May God let it be so.

Giving People Another Chance in Life

The "Three strikes" law is based on the concept that men and women can't change. That once someone has demonstrated their criminal tendencies, and been caught for it, three times, they have proven that they can only be restrained - not reformed.

It is understandable, considering the fact that "rehabilitation" has been given to psychiatry to execute, and the psychiatric profession is the first to admit they can't "cure" anything.

But the fact is that criminals CAN reform. This has been proven time and again by the Criminon program, which uses technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard.

It is a crime indeed to deny the individual the opportunity to live a productive and contributive life in society if he or she can reform and become trustworthy.

And it is a tremendous drain on the rest of society, which not only suffers from the crimes of the antisocial but then has to pay billions of dollars to warehouse them for years on end.

L. Ron Hubbard's Philosophy

There are many definitions of the world "Philosophy."

For example:

• Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.
• Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.

and

• A system of values by which one lives

L. Ron Hubbard developed an applied religion philosophy called "Scientology." (fitting the second definition above)

But he also shared his personal "system of values" by which he lived in his essay called "My Philosophy.

And the first thing he wrote about it was this:


"The first principle of my philosophy is that wisdom is meant for anyone who wishes to reach for it. It is the servant of commoner and king alike and should never be regarded with awe."

And true to his word, although his works explore the very nature of man and the universe, he wrote up his research in terms anyone could understand.

As he explained it:

" Selfish scholars seldom forgive anyone who seeks to break down the walls of mystery and let the people in. Will Durant, the modern American philosopher, was relegated to the scrap heap by his fellow scholars when he wrote a popular book on the subject, The Outline of Philosophy. Thus brickbats come the way of any who seek to bring wisdom to the people over the objections of the 'inner circle.'"

David Miscavige Tribute to L. Ron Hubbard

As Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, Mr. David Miscavige is the ecclesiastical leader of the church even though as a member of RTC he is not involved in the management of the Church. (This is actually really well described in the section of the RTC web site that contains Mr. Miscavige's biography).

Every year, Mr. Miscavige gives a presentation on L. Ron Hubbard's birthday, which gives the news of how LRH's legacy has helped in society for the year just past. You can see these at www.lronhubbardtribute.org.

Biography of L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard was a prodigious writer. Yet despite the legacy of fiction and non-fiction works he left, he never wrote an autobiography.

He shed light on why in an essay titled "My Only Defense for Having Lived."

I first ran into this piece when I saw a video presentation of the essay, narrated by Mr. David Miscavige. The occasion was an LRH birthday celebrations (one of the Scientology holidays, celebrated every year - usually the first weekend after Ron's birthday -- the 12th of March).

Mr. Miscavige usually also acts as master of ceremonies for this yearly event and gives the keynote speech as well.

Here's an excerpt from the essay:

"The only tests of a life well lived are: Did he do what he intended? And were people glad he lived?

"People have often desired me to write an autobiography and while I would be perfectly willing to do so had I the time, I consider such a work, as I do myself, quite unimportant.

"I have led an adventurous life and it would possibly be entertaining to read, but I doubt such a work would shed any background light on my researches and would not clarify my intentions or why I developed Dianetics and Scientology.

"My motives have not been fame. I tried to give Dianetics, the entire work, to the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association in 1949 and the AMA only said “Why should you?” and the APA said “If it is important we will hear of it.”

"I tried to avoid, until July 1950, saying I had personally done the research but then owned to it when I saw that unowned, it could be lost in its original form.">>continued

What follows is after this is an amazing tale of intrigue, and accomplishment in the face of formidable odds.

It is fortunate for all of us that L. Ron Hubbard lived up to the test he described above, because what he set out to do was to discover and lay out for us a truly workable spiritual technology that anyone can apply to gain greater ability and personal freedom.

I respect the work Mr. Miscavige has done to keep Scientology technology exactly the way Mr. Hubbard wrote it, thus ensuring its effectiveness.

Effective Solutions

L. Ron Hubbard was a visionary whose work as both spiritual and practical. One of his most important discoveries was that life survives through 8 associated urges, which he called "Dynamics."

Scientology technology helps the individual survive all all of these Dynamics.

As the Founder of Dianetics and Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard’s discoveries on the subjects of man, the mind and spirit have helped people all over the world to better understand themselves and others.

“To know life,” he once wrote, “you’ve got to be part of life. You must get down there and look, you must get into the nooks and crannies of existence, and you must rub elbows with all kinds and types of men before you can finally establish what man is.”

Religious Technology Center

Religious Technology Center under the leadership of Mr. David Miscavage amazing work at ensuring that the technology the Mr. Hubbard wrote and recorded is preserved and kept pure.

They have taken incredible care to make sure that the books, tapes and films of LRH are published with absolutely no alteration. The quality of the recordings that get produced by Golden Era Productions is a reflection of this. They produce amazing sound quality.

I really appreciate the leadership Mr. Miscavige has given the Scientology religion over the years.

Here's the second principle LRH gave as part of "My Philosophy" --

"The second principle of my own philosophy is that it must be capable of being applied.

"Learning locked in mildewed books is of little use to anyone and therefore of no value unless it can be used."

I remember how excited I was when I took my first philosophy class in high school when I was a senior. We were going to study the great philosophers so we were going to learn the wisdom that had been accumuled in our culture. And I WANTED this.

But I was sorely disappointed.

I was actually shocked.

If this was the high tide of human understanding, it sort of explained the state of the planet.

So it was with great relief that I fina lly found and read books and listened to tapes by L. Ron Hubbard because HERE were the answers. I remember what a relief it was to me to realize I'd finally found truth!

My Philosophy by L. Ron Hubbard

One of my favorite articles by L. Ron Hubbard is "My Philosophy".

He states:

"The first principle of my philosophy is that wisdom is meant for anyone who wishes to reach for it. It is the servant of commoner and king alike and should never be regarded with awe.

"Selfish scholars seldom forgive anyone who seeks to break down the walls of mystery and let the people in. Will Durant, the modern American philosopher, was relegated to the scrap heap by his fellow scholars when he wrote a popular book on the subject, The Outline of Philosophy. Thus brickbats come the way of any who seek to bring wisdom to the people over the objections of the 'inner circle.' "

This is so true. L. Ron Hubbard's books are available in stores, in libraries and can be purchased at Scientology churches or online. Unlike other philosophers I've read, these books are simple and are practical. They ANSWER questions -- they don't just post them. And they contain techniques that WORK!

One of my favorite books by L. Ron Hubbard is Self Analysis.

This is a really remarkable book because it gives anyone who reads it tools to improve his/her own life.

The processes in the book can also be applied to someone else. All you have to do is read the first few chapters where Mr. Hubbard describes the procedures and how to use them, and then grab a friend, a wife, husband, friends, child, neighbor... and dig right in.

I ran Self Analysis on my sister, who is not a Scientologist, and she had this realization. She had thought that her life in college was pretty awful, but after the session she realized she could remember vividly things about college that were really good - good friendships and good times. It gave her a whole new viewpoint and she felt much lighter and optimistic.

And it only took 1/2 and hour!

Scientology technology is so simple and so remarkable!

A series of paintings depicting L. Ron Hubbard's life, was done about 10 years ago by a friend of mine. These have since been used in publications. She is a very skilled artist.

Here is one to give you a flavor and the rest can be seen at the official Scientology website.

'L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest' Mentors New Talent in Speculative Fiction

This weekend is the Writers of the Future event. Here's a press release on it.

This is the best compilation of SciFi short stories on the market. I always pick up my own copy and I'm never disappointed.

HOLLYWOOD, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- August 14, 2006 -- Three out of every 10,000 manuscripts submitted to the publishing industry in the United States each year gets published. In the science fiction and fantasy genre, all publishing houses combined release only 1,800 novels annually, most of them written by established authors. So recognition seldom comes quickly to new writers, particularly in the genre of speculative fiction. Many aspiring writers facing those kinds of odds soon discover how hard it is to get published and give up on their dreams to see their novels and stories in print.

One program that has successfully helped talented new writers gain recognition and bring them to the attention of publishers is the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest, see www.writersofthefuture.com, now in its 23rd year.

Every quarter, three winners are selected by a judge's panel of leading authors of science fiction and fantasy including Anne McCaffrey, Tim Powers, Kevin J. Anderson and Robert Sawyer. With no entry fee and judging done on an anonymous basis, the criterion is strictly merit.

Besides first time publication in the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future -- the best-selling anthology series of its kind -- benefits include $30,000 in cash prizes and royalties, a writing workshop with top professionals of the genre, critiques of writing skills by well known authors as well as book signings, radio and TV interviews organized by the contest administrators to assist the new authors to get launched. Winners also form a strong community and stay in touch and support each other.

Fantasy writer Tim Powers and such other successful authors in the genre, as Orson Scott Card and Algis Budrys have conducted the workshop, which in addition to honing writing skills also covers public relations and marketing advice to help launch winner's careers. The intensive mentoring process works -- past winners of the Contest have had over 300 novels and more than 3,000 short stories published, creating sales of over 30 million books and a number of New York Times bestsellers.

This year's L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Achievement Awards Ceremony will take place August 18th at the San Diego Air & Space Museum with celebrity presenters, guests and winners from around the globe. Professionals and fans are invited to attend and can r.s.v.p. at 323/466-3310.

I found a new website I never saw before on L. Ron Hubbard. This man was not only a genius, but he is a very fascinating figure and someone who will go down the ages as the one who changed the course of this planet. Read more about him here:
http://aboutlronhubbard.org/

L. Ron Hubbard spent several years in Washington D.C. and was the Executive Director of the Founding Church in D.C.

His office was recently restored, and is open to the public as a museum.

Did you know that L. Ron Hubbard actually published a lot of his correspondence throughout his years. Not only during his travels but also from the early years of Dianetics and Scientology research.

Reading them you get an idea of the kind of man he was and why his work has been and still is, so popular.

Definitely worth a look.

Here's the website with them: Letters and Journals

L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology Organizations

Here's what L. Ron Hubbard said about our churches:

“The history of organizations in Dianetics and Scientology is a history of people. It is the history of a number of people finding their feet, finding their initiative and finding their way of life.”
– L. Ron Hubbard

Another Great Book by L. Ron Hubbard

One of my very favorite books by L. Ron Hubbard is Self Analysis.

When I was only in Scientology a few months, I got a copy of this book. You read it and there are processes you run on yourself. I remember how I spent a day off just reading through the book and using the processes, and at that end of the afternoon I felt better than I had in years!

It's pretty phenomenal how powerful that book is.

There are many very interesting stories connected with L. Ron Hubbard and his travels around the world.

From his experiences around the world, Mr. Hubbard developed tools that people can use to help each other and these are found today in the Scientology Handbook.

At the last Scientology event held on the Freewinds motor vessel, the biographical section of the event focused on Rhodesia.



At a prior grand opening event in Johannesburg, South Africa, the speech centered around L. Ron Hubard's first visit to South Africa. This can be seen here: South Africa Grand Opening.

For more information and news about the Scientology religion today see the Scientology Today website.

Profile of L. Ron Hubbard

There is a very good web site about L. Ron Hubbard called "L. Ron Hubbard Profile"

In it, there is a quote from LRH where he gives what he felt was the test of a life well lived:

"There are only two tests of a life well lived. Did one do as one intended? And were people glad one lived?"

I think these are excellent guidelines to live by.

For some of the things L. Ron Hubbard accomplished, This is Scientology a presentation by David Miscavige gives a very good overview.

Drug Education and Drug Prevention

In the late 60's L. Ron Hubbard did extensive research into how drugs affect the being mentally and spiritually.

In an article called "Drug Addiction" he wrote:

"In the absence of workable psychotherapy wide drug addiction is inevitable. When a person is depressed or in pain and where he finds no physical relief from treatment, he will eventually discover for himself that drugs remove his symptoms. In almost all cases of psychosomatic pain, malaise or discomfort the person has sought some cure for the upset.

"When he at last finds that only drugs give him relief he will surrender to them and become dependent upon them often to the point of addiction.

"Years before had there been any other way out most people would have taken it. But when they are told there is no cure, that their pains are “imaginary,” life tends to become insupportable. They then can become chronic drug takers and are in danger of addiction.">>>

Scientology churches are very active in drug prevention and support the Narconon program which is based on the work L. Ron Hubbard did to help persons overcome their drug dependancy.

Even though March is long gone, I still want to mention the celebration of L. Ron Hubbard's birthday.

Every year Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center is Emcee, hosting an evening that usually includes an interesting section about L. Ron Hubbard himself. It is information that is not commonly known and about the man, his life and his work. Sometimes there are people who worked with him many years ago sharing their experience of knowing L. Ron Hubbard and telling how he affected their lives. These stories are uplifting to say the least.




This tradition has been continued for many years and there are number of these tributes on the Internet:

1993

1994

1998

2002

East Grinstead is a beautiful Sussex town.

When I first visited there I felt as though I had just walked into the Lord of the Rings. With its Tudor era High Street and churches, the sheep, the rolling hills, winding lanes, the apple trees and blackberry brambles, I wouldn't have been at all surprised to encounter one of the little people on the road up from the town to Saint Hill Manor.

Into this idyllic setting arrived L. Ron Hubbard in the last years of the 1950s -- the decade when Dianetics: the Modern Science of Mental Health exploded him into the limelight throughout the English speaking world (and when unofficial hand-translated copies of the book made their way throughout Europe and even behind the Iron Curtain to Russia and China).

But L. Ron Hubbard made himself a very welcome part of the East Grinstead Community, contributing much to the lives of the local residents. Purchasing Saint Hill Manor, where he live and carried out his research, he set up the Saint Hill Organization which provided advanced auditor training to Scientology auditors from around the world (an auditor is a Scientology spiritual counselor) bringing Scientologists from all over the world to live in the town while they studies there.

Here's an excerpt from the East Grinstead Hall of Fame site which describes the impact Mr. Hubbard had on that community in the 8 or-so years he made the town his home.

"L. Ron Hubbard [March 13, 1911 - January 14, 1986] lived an extraordinary and adventurous life. Although best known as the founder of the Scientology religion, he was also a Master Mariner, Pilot, Photographer, Musician, Author, Explorer, Philosopher and much more besides.

"He lived at Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, between 1959 and 1967 during which time he greatly contributed to the local community. He was the East Grinstead Road Safety Committee organiser, an East Grinstead Parade Marshal and he sponsored children's cycling competitions.

"He was Vice President of the East Grinstead Horticultural Society and carried out revolutionary horticultural experiments at Saint Hill. He was also involved with and contributed to numerous community events and local organizations such as the St Johns Ambulance brigade and the Adeline Genee Theatre to which he was an original donor.

"The East Grinstead community has profited enormously from Mr. Hubbard's decision to make East Grinstead the place to further his research on the mind and life. Countless visitors have come from all over the world to study his discoveries here since 1959 when Saint Hill was Mr. Hubbard's home."

Church of Scientology of Pasadena

This weekend I went to an event at the Church of Scientology of San Diego.

I always love events where David Miscavige is the master of ceremonies, but this one really was a a treat for me.

I've been a Scientologist for many years, and I am thrilled with what is being done to get the perfect buildings located and purchased for all Scientology churches.

At this event there was news of so many new churches. The ones I remember were the of Scientology churches of Quebec, Orange County, Atlanta, Georgia and Pasadena, California.

If it is anything like what was done for the Church of Scientology of San Francisco or the Church of Scientology of Buffalo, this is going to be such a boost to the community, because these new churches have so many great community facilities and programs - conference rooms open to the community to use, tutoring programs (and of course the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program).

I'm not too happy with what I see in society today. There is so much potential with the Internet to unite people, but I see a level of dishonesty and unhappiness that is really disturbing. I've seen Scientology technology make so much difference in both of these and I find it so exciting that our churches are expanding the way they are.

L. Ron Hubbard -- helping others lead better lives

The Church of Scientology of San Diego shares the following:

"There are only two tests of a life well-lived, L. Ron Hubbard once remarked. Did one do as one intended? And were people glad one lived?"

I think this can be used almost like a "golden rule." If you were to work out what it would take for your to score well on both of these points, and then really stick to the plan, I think that would take care of most of the other issues in life.

In Honor of the 4th of July

In Honor of the 4th of July I thought I would share one of my favorite essays by L. Ron Hubbard, titled Strong Voices in the Land.

Mr. Hubbard wrote this in 1970, when the US was wracked by student revolt and inner-city riots. The Viet Nam war raged and a generation of youth were "not taking it anymore."

The anti-Iraq war marches remind me of the 70's and it is again an era of discontent as shown by results of a recent Gallop pole on President Bush's approval ratings hiting new lows.

The full essay by L. Ron Hubbard can be read online, but I thought I'd quote the first part as I believe it is so pertinent today. I believe it is part of our heritage in America to speak up about those things we feel should be corrected and thereby help the country acheive its potential both at home and as an international power.

"When things are not running right, when the public, unable to perceive why, drift down to an apathy below perception, when a culture, already misguided, drifts further and further toward ruin, the nation is fortunate indeed that it has men with the genius to recognize approaching doom and the courage to speak out.

"Fought, discredited, reviled by a blind system in the hands of a power elite careless of all destinies but their own short span, contemporary philosophers are called “Revolutionaries,” “Communists,” “Agitators,” “Malcontents,” “Rabble-rousers” and any other harsh word which the captive press and the arrogant pompous and blind Establishment can find in their dictionaries.

"Heedless, deaf to all reason, psychotic in their righteousness, the “pillars of society,” the “safe men,” like the treacherous rams of the stockyard who lead the sheep to the slaughter pens, refuse to hear any faintest criticism of their senselessness and fight back with an underhanded ferocity that seeks by any discrediting means to still any and all new thought." >> more

For more information on the application of the work of L. Ron Hubbard to improving society visit the Scientology Effective Solutions web site.

My Philosophy - By L. Ron Hubbard

One of my favorite quotes is from an essay titled "My Philosophy" where L. Ron Hubbard stated:

"I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself of the shadows which darken his days.

"These shadows look so thick to him and weigh him down so that when he finds they are shadows and that he can see through them, walk through them and be again in the sun, he is enormously delighted. And I am afraid I am just as delighted as he is."

Today is the UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. One very important way Mr. Hubbard freed people from the shadows which darken their days was through his research and discovery on the cause and rehabilitation of drug dependency.

Scientology churches around the world are very active in drug education, not only because of the fact that drug use prevents any spiritual advancement, but also because of the terrible consequences drug addiction has for the user and his or her family.

The Church of Scientology International European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights announced today the release of 10 million new booklets in 20 languages that will help youth avoid ever getting involved in taking drugs in the first place.

More information on the Church's anti-drug campaign is available at the Scientology Press Office.

San Francisco and its Role in the Heritage of Scientology

The Church of Scientology of San Francisco and the Church of Scientology of San Francisco Foundation were recently recognized as having acheived a very high level of expansion at an international event, filmed in Florida and shown in every Scientology church in the world. (At the same event, by the way, the Church of Scientology of Tampa was acknowledged as the fastest expanding Scientology church in the world over the past year!)

Two years ago, in his speech at the grand opening of the San Francisco church, Mr. David Miscavige laid out how San Francisco played a pivotal role in L. Ron Hubbard's research and work. The text of Mr. Miscavige's speech at that event is available online.

Mentoring Our Youth Through the Drug-Free Marshals Program

I just found this press release from the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles Drug Free Marshals program. It was inspired by the humanitarian work of L. Ron Hubbard on the subject of drugs and drug addiction.

The event described was a few months ago, but is a good example of how Drug-Free Marshals work to help in their communities throughout the year.

What better way to mentor youth than by helping them learn the effects of drugs and assisting them to make the right decisions to help them survive? That's exactly what happened at LA County Parks and Recreation at Roy Campanella Park, in Compton, CA. The Drug-Free Marshals handed out their “Truth About Drugs” booklets and swore in 65 new Drug-Free Marshals. Ten new clubs were also formed to help youth obtain this lifesaving information.

As one mentor said, "It is so important to get kids educated on what drugs do. They don't teach kids about drugs... These booklets can really make a difference. I want to find out about these things so I can teach others. Drug-Free Marshals is the only program that has this kind of education and pledge. I want a Drug-Free Marshal Club so we can help our kids."

Noelle North, the Drug-Free Marshal Coordinator for Los Angeles said, "There are a lot of people who want make sure their families and friends live drug-free. This program helps by giving them the information and resolve they need. You can't be free spiritually when you are addicted to drugs. The Drug-Free Marshals is dedicated to saving our kids. As humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard said, 'Save the child and you save the nation.'"

The "Drug-Free Marshals" youth drug-education was launched in 1993 by the Church of Scientology International to educate children on the effects of drugs. Children demonstrate their commitment as Drug-Free Marshals by pledging to remain drug-free and encouraging their peers to do the same. Since its inception, more than 3.2 million youth have been sworn in as Drug-Free Marshals in cities and towns throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Europe.

To obtain copies of the "Truth About Drugs" booklets or get more information on Drug-Free Marshals, contact Noelle North: Community Affairs at the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles at 323-953-3200.

There is also information on the Scientology anti-drug campaign at the Scientology Press Office web site.

L. Ron Hubbard in Washington D.C.

The David Miscavige blog has an excerpt from a speech Mr. Miscavige gave at the Grand Opening of the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington DC a few years ago.

The city of Washington played a major role in the development of Scientology.

Recently I've been listening to tapes Mr. Hubbard recorded in Washington. For about 10 years Ron held a Congress in Washington D.C. every year. This is where he summarized the most major accomplishments in his research and discovery line.

The original Founding Church has now been turned into a museum. It has been refurbished to look exactly as it was when L. Ron Hubbard was the executive director of this church. It is open to the public and from talking to people who have toured there it is a terrific exhibit. You learn a lot about the early days of the Scientology religion and it's well worth a visit if you are in DC.

L. Ron Hubbard and South Africa

L. Ron Hubbard loved South Africa and visited the Church in Johannesburg many times. He worked to overcome the injustice and racism in the apartheid government that was in power at the time, even proposing a new constitution that would provide equal rights to the non-White population of the country.

Mr. Hubbard once said "From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilisation."

I believe he would be very proud of the new Church of Scientology of Johannesburg, and all the work they are doing to make his dreams for this continent come true.

Related sites:

The speech by Mr. David Miscavige gave at the grand opening of the Johannesburg church is now online.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers Africa Goodwill Tour is also working closely with the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg to make Scientology technology available to the peoples of Africa.

L. Ron Hubbard in Washington D.C.

Several years ago, at the grand opening of the Founding Church of Scientology, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, spoke of the significance of Washington DC in L. Ron Hubbard's life.

Mr. Miscavige stated:

"It was November of 1923, when L. Ron Hubbard first moved to Washington, at the age of twelve. A few months later, he was not only America’s youngest Eagle Scout, but was shaking hands with none other than President Calvin Coolidge on the steps of the White House. It is also here that L. Ron Hubbard took his first steps into Terra Incognita with his good friend — Commander Snake Thompson."

L. Ron Hubbard relates the story of Snake Thompson and the significance of this friendship with him in a tape called The Story of Dianetics and Scientology which is available oneline at www.scientology.org

L. Ron Hubbard believed in the basic goodness of all people. Here is one of his thoughts on this:

"The soul is life, is the spirit, is the thinkingness, is the awareness or any such term which communicates to you the meaning of life and vitality."

This extended to men of all color, race and creed. While in South Africa in the 1960s, Mr. Hubbard spoke out for human rights, and not just for the white man. His work in South Africa has been honored at the opening of the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg, in a speech by Mr. David Miscavige.

While living Johannesburg, L. Ron Hubbard sat for a bust that was then copied and can been seen in Churches of Scientology around the world.

Democracy allows each man and woman to chose who should lead their city, state or country. To chose intelligently and responsibly one should know the qualities to look for in a leader. Here is one of the things I look for:

"In all great leaders there is a purpose and intensity which is unmistakable. Plus there is a certain amount of courage required in a leader." --L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard's book - Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental Health - continues as a perennial best-seller, and from the looks of the latest campaign this is just going get a huge boost this year!

This NASCAR car is the key element in a promotional campaign just launched at the American Book Expo in Washington DC.

Unveiled on May 19^th at the Book Expo America (BEA) in Washington, D.C., is the new "Ignite Your Potential" Dianetics Racing Team, headed by Kenton Gray, founder of Freedom Motorsports Group, Inc., and a top performing Southern California racecar driver.

According to a press release on the Scientology Newsroom:

"Gray has enjoyed success in using Dianetics in his career and personal life since first reading the book in 1996. "I'm proud and excited to now have the Dianetics Racing Team sponsoring my car," he said.

"Gray's edge is his concentration, which he says has greatly improved by the use of Dianetics techniques in gaining confidence and certainty behind the wheel. 'It's markedly improved my focus and my consistency," he said. "Through Dianetics I've handled stress and increased my performance and ability to compete—both on the track and in life.'"

What is wisdom?

"Wisdom is not a fixed idea. It is knowing how to use your wits." --L. Ron Hubbard

Why not be a dabbler in life?

"If you have the idea about anything you do that you just dabble in it, you will wind up with a dabble life. There'll be no satisfaction in it because there will be no real production you can be proud of." --L. Ron Hubbard

If you feel exhausted, here's why:

"It is only when something makes man unwilling, stops him too often and kills his interest in what he is doing that he becomes exhausted." -- L. Ron Hubbard

Here's how you can achieve your own power:

"You are an immortal soul. Through lies, treachery, deceit and pretense you can destroy yourself. By seeking truth and living a life of helping others, by being honest and decent you will be strong and achieve your power and immortality." --L. Ron Hubbard

How do you achieve happiness? Here's what L. Ron Hubbard wrote:

"Man is not happy unless he is honest. White black, red or brown, this is true of all times and all races."

One of the most important aspects of the work L. Ron Hubbard did is that with the application of Scientology technology people become more competent, brighter and more responsible.

Even just reading a book and using what you have learned in that book in your life can have the effect of improving your ability to cope and smooth out situations in your life.

This has ramifications on a societal level as well. As Mr. Hubbard wrote:

"You can't have a civilization without able citizens. It is impossible to have a working democracy without its ranks including only intelligent and capable individuals."

The Scientology religion has certain basic principles. One of them is that you don't have a spirit, rather you are a spirit.

"The individual himself is a spirit controlling a body via a mind." --L. Ron Hubbard

In his presentation at the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International known now as This is Scientology Mr. David Miscavige described this Scientology principle as follows:

"Contained in the body of Dianetics and Scientology are answers to those age-old questions — Who am I? What’s the purpose of all this? And, What happens when I die?

"The direct answers are: You are a spiritual being, distinct and separate from a body. You have lived lifetime after lifetime and will live again. You are seeking to survive for yourself, your family, group, mankind, the physical universe, and to survive as a spirit. And only when you have fully achieved that level of enlightenment can you truly understand the Creator."

A DVD of this speech by David Miscavige is available through the Bridge Publications web site or at any Scientology church of mission.

Here's another quote from L. Ron Hubbard:

"A family is a group with the common goal of group survival and achievement."

David Miscavige made a point in his speech This is Scientology that relates to this quote:

" Today we live in a world increasingly obsessed with science. Yes — we can send man to the Moon, explore the surface of Mars, and even survey the galaxy with NASA probes. With advanced computer technology, and satellites circling the globe, we can communicate to anyone, anywhere on Earth, and in an instant.

"Yet with all of that — everything science has brought us — there is a void. In fact, it’s a chasm. And at the bottom of that chasm are the humanities. So, it shouldn’t surprise any of us that with all the high technology of this 21st century, science can’t yet prevent war.

"What about the terror alerts that are a part of everyday existence? The upsets at home that are so common it’s considered part of the daily grind called life? That’s a Code Orange taking place in millions of households every day. Or what about raising a child today? If it’s not the drugs, then it’s the all too common worry that they’ll actually get an education. That’s the real terror alert and it’s at Code Red."

"Any problem, to be a problem, must contain a lie." --L. Ron Hubbard

"All answers are basically simple." -- L. Ron Hubbard

"A society can only survive when it is built by the shoulders and hands of willing men." --L. Ron Hubbard

"Knowledge, truth, secrets-- they are the guts and anatomy of life. They must not then be owned. They must not then be hidden or bent. They must be permitted to stand out in the bold sunlight for all to see, for only when they are to be seen are they safe things to have, to hold, to know." --L. Ron Hubbard

"Man's difficulties... are a compound of his cowardices. To have difficulties in life, all it is necessary to do is to start running away from the business of livingness. After that, problems of unsolvable magnitude are assured.

"When individuals are restrained from confronting life, they accrue a vast abiliy to have difficulties with it." -- L. Ron Hubbard

"The ideal state of being ... could be said to be wholly successful in all things.

"This is opposed by being so unsuccessful that one is dead." -- L. Ron Hubbard

"It could be said that life was made to be lived, not died out of; and that facts which encourage a high level of living would be, for man, the most truthful facts; and that those that encourage his demise would be the most untruthful facts." --L. Ron Hubbard

How does one better one's life?

"If we take a man and we keep giving him advice and giving him help and pushing him along and so on, we don't necessarily wind up with the resolution of his problems.

"But if, on the other hand, we put him in a position where he had higher intelligence, where his reaction time was better, where he could confront life better, where he could identify the factors of his life more easily, then he's in a position where he can solve his own problems.

"So he looks around, he starts solving his own problems and so he betters his own life."
--L. Ron Hubbard

"Many beings live lives of quiet correctness without ever being once making anything do anything. Things around them just happen to be orderly. The social system props them up.

"But someday--bang--the society gets into a turmoil which knocks out the props.

"Then we see that there were too few present who could make things go right and that is the end of the society.

"Thus died old civilizations." --L. Ron Hubbard