Dianetics the Modern Science of Mental [Paperback]

Dianetics argues that the sources of human suffering are stored in 'engrams' in the 'reactice mind' - complete recordings, down to the accurate detail, of every perceptual experience. It also describes the way to rid yourself of these 'engrams' as a process called 'clearing'. It sounds reasonable until you dig deeper into Dianetics and Scientology (the Church of Scientology).

I bought 'Dianetics' in 1998 from a street recruiter from the Church of Scientology (L. Ron Hubbard was the founder of the 'Church'). Luckily, I only wasted 6 pounds. 'Dianetics' is an entry point into the 'Church' of Scientology - a blend of pseudo-psychotherapy, religion and science fiction which has bankrupted hundreds of people and led to some suicides (see Time Magazine, 6th May 1991). You can find scientologist recruiters on city streets everywhere. A popular trick (used on me) is to ask - survey style - "if you could change three things in your life, what would they be". Scientologists call this 'finding your ruin', i.e. a weakness or problem they can hook into. Alternatively, they use a 'personality (or 'stress') questionnaire' - with no scientific basis and no demonstrated psychometric validity (i.e. never validated in a scientific peer-reviewed journal). The Scientologist wrote my three answers down and mentioned a book which could help - 'DIANETICS'. I was taken to a basement beneath a pub, which was full of the books, and others by the Author Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Church of Scientology. I am a psychologist - not stupid - but was then persuaded due to my interest in psychology. I bought the book for 6 pounds, and was asked to give my name and address, in order to send out a "receipt". What I received was over 10 unsolicited letters from Scientology members asking if I had resolved my three issues, and offering 'help' in their local centre.

Hubbard describes a process called 'clearing' (called 'auditing' when performed by another person, which it has to be). This is a form of 'psychotherapy' performed by people who are not trained in psychology or counselling, and are not members of any professional psychological or counselling organisation. It involves aspects of hypnotism, social pressure and conditioning, though the church states that it is not psychotherapy. Auditing costs a lot of money. After some years of auditing, at great expense, one might reach an 'advanced level' known as OT III. Here you are told that...the cause of your (and everyone's) problems was that the world is full of the souls of space aliens murdered 75 million years ago. The alien galactic ruler Xenu was in charge of Earth and 75 other planets in this part of the galaxy some 75 million years ago and cured overpopulation by paralysing the people of the other planets, flying them to Earth in DC-8 space planes, arranged them round a volcano to murder them with H bombs. These souls of murdered people were gathered up and boxed, taken to cinemas and shown films for several days. The end result was that the souls clustered together and now inhabit people in their thousands. Scientology will help 'clear' you of this, at great expense. Sounds ludicrous? Well it's true. Check it out for yourself.

'Dianetics' is full of unscientific nonsense with no supporting empirical evidence that has been published in peer-reviewed psychology journals. The American Psychological Association denounced it as such. The language is deliberately complex to baffle and impress the average reader. Most would consider it unreadable.

The author was actually a science fiction writer, who saw that he could make more money by inventing a new religion - Hubbard stated: "Writing for a penny a word is ridiculous. If a man really wants to make a million dollars, the best way would be to start his own religion". Scientology has been exposed by many independent Judges and Governments, and by the press (famously by Time magazine, 1991). Scientology or its practices has been banned on and off in many countries and states. However, in order to silence its critics the it issues legal procedings citing copyright infringement against journalists, newpapers and websites that reveal negative information about Scientology.

As for the author, Hubbard the (Australian) Report of the Board of Inquiry into Scientology (Victoria) stated that "expert psychiatric witnesses" were of the opinion that Hubbard's writings indicated "symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia of long standing with delusions of grandeur" and came to the conclusion that Hubbard's "sanity was to be gravely doubted." Hubbard claims to have visited Venus, the Van Allen Radiation belt, and heaven (twice). Hubbard wrote the fair game policy - that anyone critical of scientology is fair game for abuse including violence. You can find his sci-fi books on Amazon - and science fiction is exactly what Scientology is. Hubbard claimed to have a Ph.D. from "Sequoia University" - a residential dwelling in Los Angeles which operated through a post office box and delivered mail order doctorates without exams, or attendance... Hubbard had no qualifications in psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, theology, or philosophy.

Still interested in reading it?

this is a work of fiction masquerading as science.

do not be fooled.

'Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health' was first published in 1951 by American science fiction writer and part-time philosophical thinker L. Ron Hubbard. The book was an instant hit, and spawned a movement that would evolve in Scientology only a few years later in the mid-1950s. Many of the Amazon reviews are posted by people who disagree with the Church of Scientology, but who have not read the book themselves. If you want the opinion of someone who has, read on.

Let me first say that this review is genuine. I've read the book, and I was also a member of the Church of Scientology and a member of staff at one of their missions. I can tell you exactly what this book is about and speculate with some accuracy where it leads people. 'Dianetics' is one of the most interesting books published in the 20th century, but not for entirely wholesome reasons. If anyone should choose to read the book, they need to be fully aware of the accuracy of its claims, and should not go blindly in search of the elevated states of being it promises.

Many people's first experience of Dianetics comes after wandering into a Church of Scientology building or possibly being accosted by a Scientology stress tester (you won't find the word 'Scientology' anywhere in their displays or literature, but that's who they are). Usually, a punter is hooked up to an 'E-Meter' which WILL indicate that a great deal of stress is present. The tester will then point out that 'Dianetics' can help. Some people buy a copy, many do not. A wise move would be to forget the whole thing and go on with your life, but if you must read the book, pick it up off Amazon for a tiny fraction of the £15 Scientology UK charges for it.

The book is comprised of Hubbard outlining his 'discoveries' regarding the human mind. He claims to have isolated the common principle of all life on earth (which you won't be blown away by, let me assure you). He also claims that humans are held back by nothing other than remnants of past experiences stored up in a previously undiscovered part of the mind. It's all shockingly simple, and sounds like common sense. Hubbard claims that a well trained 'auditor' (counsellor) can uncover these past experiences and help the person overcome them. Once all past experiences have been discharged, a person becomes 'clear' (Hubbard claims that 'clears' have total recall, perfect vision and never get the common cold). Once a person is 'clear', they have reached the highest state of possible existence (until, that is, they start reading Scientology books, which offer endlessly more attractive and expensive levels of brilliance).

As a former Scientology staff member, I can tell you will some authority that Dianetics is just a way of getting people through the door. It is written in a way that makes it sound believable and its claims attainable, but they are not. Even in the Hubbardian pseudo-psychological world of Scientology, one would have to undergo years of training and spend huge sums of money after reaching the state of 'clear' in order to TRULY reach the ultimate state of existence. Scientology is a world of ever-moving goals and boundaries, always placing total freedom a little further away for the person seeking it.

Here is my warning; Dianetics auditing achieves something similar to Catholic confession. Divulging painful details about your past to a stranger offers a powerful but temporary feeling of 'release'. This was not Hubbard's invention, but it worked well for him. Reading the book will do nothing, it is merely an extended advertising leaflet for costly 'auditing' sessions. If you absolutely must try Dianetics, buy the book, read it, understand the auditing techniques, explain them to a friend and have the friend act as your 'auditor'. Don't go into a Church of Scientology - the only thing they know how to liberate is the money from your wallet.