One aspect of L. Ron Hubbard's personal philosophy was to help people accomplish all they were capable of accomplishing. One aspect of his doing this was the Writers and Illustrators of the Future contest and the Science Fiction and Fantasy publication by that same name that appears is published annually.

According to the Writers of the Future web site, the contest was first established and sponsored by L. Ron Hubbard in 1983, " at discovering, and eventually publishing, deserving amateur and aspiring writers."

But his supporting of artists, and providing the means by which they could gain exposure or improve their skill began far earlier than that.

For example, in his essay "Search for Research" Ron begins with a familiar problem (familiar to any writer, that is):

"All of us want to sell more stories and write better ones. It is hard to believe that there exists a writer with soul so dead that he would not. But, from careful observation, I have come to the heart-breaking conclusion that while writers usually want to do this, they generally fail to try."

And the essay goes on to give some really helpful tips to writers and would-be writers, which apply as much today as they did back then (and you can read these tips online).


^{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.— Scientology Founder, L. Ron Hubbard}

L. Ron Hubbard's Own Philosophy

In an essay titled My Philosophy, L. Ron Hubbard once wrote: “I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself from the shadows which darken his days.”

I've always been impressed with L. Ron Hubbard's care and with how true he was to his own philosophy as stated above, but now that I'm studying the Scientology basic books and lectures this has come home to me even more.

Sometimes my friends ask me about LRH, and it's not unusual that I read this quote to them. Because I believe this typifies his attitude toward life and toward other beings. He combined this with a brilliant mind and the perseverance and integrity to document and publish all his research so that anyone can study it and use it to help themselves and help others.

And the release of the new editions of the Dianetics and Scientology basic books and lectures of L. Ron Hubbard, which was announced in late June by David Miscavige, is an incredible boon to anyone who wants to learn more about the mind, the spirit and life as it is all laid out in simple if incredibly perceptive words for anyone to read or listen to.

^{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.— ScientologyFounder, L. Ron Hubbard}

What Motivates Mankind?

While it is true that I'll go a long way to avoid pain, it's also true that I'll put up with an awful lot of pain and discomfort to accomplish a pleasurable goal. I remember one time staying up three days straight to finish an art project because "I was so close" and didn't want to lose my train of thought. And when I finished I was so tired I could hardly move, but I was so happy!

In Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health L. Ron Hubbard debunked the psychological model that man is motivated by the avoidance of pain, pointing out that he is equally attracted by the pursuit of pleasure. And that is certainly true for me.

"There is a necessity for pleasure, a necessity as live and quivering and vital as the human heart itself. He who said that a man who had two loaves of bread should sell one to buy white hyacinth, spoke sooth . The creative, the constructive, the beautiful, the harmonious, the adventurous, yes, and even escape from the the maw of oblivion, these things are pleasure and these things are necessity."

If you are a fan of Dianetics and you haven't picked up a copy of the latest edition of the book (released in late June by David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center) I urge you to order your copy (you can do so online here). This book is such an easy read now, with a complete glossary in the back that defines not only all the Dianetics and Scientology terms but virtually any English language word you might have to look up as well. As much as I loved this book before, and I did (it was my first Scientology book), I am inspired by in now!




^{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.— ScientologyFounder, L. Ron Hubbard}