The pen is mightier than the sword

As we have witnessed in the previous article, complex concepts can be weaved into simple stories and made believable by the eloquence and contemplation of the author. Our history as human beings has been influenced more by the words of authors than it has by our ability to fight among ourselves. Actions are a result of psychological impressions we hold true. These impressions are either a result of what we have heard, seen or felt. According to Mr. Hubbard, traumatic experiences in our lives create negative “engrams” in our brains. These engrams are traces of memory that have been programmed into our brains as a result of painful occurrences and force us to react in a specific way. Engrams are below the surface of the conscious mind and we cannot normally access them (unless you pay Scientologists to show you how). He labels what is commonly referred to as the unconscious mind as the “reactive” mind. This part of our mind reacts to our thoughts or stored programs (traumatic events) and creates ailments both mental and physical. In Dianetics, Hubbard further claims that most ailments are psychosomatic; "What can it do? It can give a man arthritis, bursitis, asthma, allergies, sinusitis, coronary trouble, high blood pressure and so on, down the whole catalog of psychosomatic ills, adding a few more which were never specifically classified as psychosomatic, such as the common cold.”

On the surface this seems logical and it makes sense. In his writings, Mr. Hubbard speaks with authority and conviction and presents a convincing argument. It is believable. It resounds with truth, but is it valid? Remember, validity requires that we test and retest a concept and that similar results are yielded every time. Are Mr. Hubbard’s observations based on a 360 degree view? No! We live in a universe of polarity. Ask your local quantum physicist. They’ll tell you. We receive programming into engrams from not just negative traumatic events, but positive ones as well. Remember that special gift that someone gave you when you were a child? Do you remember how you felt? When you think of this event do you rehear the music or smell the smells again? Why does this occur? Your memory is a result of emotionalized events whether traumatic or joyful. Every thought in your mind is a result of chemical interactions in your brain. Whether you react or pro-act, it is a result of an emotionalized action that is either fight or flight. We are not separate from our environment. We are immersed in it and either react or pro-act to it. It is just not one-sided as Mr. Hubbard proposes.

Mr. Hubbard is correct in his statement above concerning the initiation of psychosomatic problems. What we think about we create. But only after many successive years of non-productive thinking and emotionalizing of negative reactions. Your immune system is chemically based just like your thoughts are. Year after year of generating chemicals that are not supportive of health don’t strengthen your immune system, they weaken it! We can turn our immune systems around by generating thoughts that are productive and life-giving; and we don’t need to pay an expert to show us how. By making the time everyday to relax and let go of the stresses of the outer world, we can jump start programming our brains for health and balance.

A good salesman identifies a problem to the prospect and then offers him the solution; for a price. A warrior attacks the enemy because he reacts to what he perceives the enemy has done to him. A wise man pro-acts by accepting the way things are, and using his brain to better his life. Words can be weapons more than physical things. They can give life or take it away. What are you reading? A murder-mystery novel, a self-help book, a cooking book? Whatever it may be recognize that the concepts presented can affect your brain when you emotionalize what you believe to be true. Don’t forget; always test the validity of what you believe. It is the only way to truly program your brain to create chemical interactions that are based on facts and not half-truths. Mr. Hubbard’s engram theory is a half-truth. It only takes negative results into account. His pen was mightier than the sword because Scientologists believed what he wrote and followed what he said as gospel truth. The statement “the blind leading the blind comes to mind.” His writings influenced many people even though his concepts were not completely tested for validity. All people must eventually come to the realization that a 360 degree viewpoint on life is necessary in order to observe facts, seek the truth and test validity.

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.

Sleight of Hand

In my previous article I stated that a wise person is one who has the power of discernment, proper judgment and discretion. I gave an example of both deductive and inductive logic and how they are used to test not only the truth of something, but the validity as well. In the deductive logic example, Sherlock Holmes concludes that a woman was recently in the room because of the burning cigarette with lipstick on it. But what if a gentleman recently lit a cigarette that previously had lipstick on it and set it there to fool Mr. Holmes? His conclusion would be true and valid, but his logic would be faulty because he did not test his conclusions. Advertisers know this and that is why they continue to sell products to the masses because they invent, re-introduce or re-evaluate a problem and then offer their product or service as a solution to that problem. Religions do the same. If it isn’t salvation, fear of being left out or simply, “I want more in my life”, it is all about getting something that you perceive you currently don’t have. The solution is offered in the best light possible and you either buy their wares or not.

In evaluating the truth and validity of a religion, we must use a critical eye. This begins by considering the source of the religion. Is it truly from God? Is it valid enough to provide common everyday solutions to my problems? Who founded this religion and why? What were their motivations in starting this religion? Was there a need or an apparent problem with their previous religion? By considering who founded a religion we can begin to see why the religion was formed and what its ultimate goals were. In our first example we are considering the founder of the Church of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard. Many things, both good and bad have been said about this man. But let’s examine the man with a critical eye. Visit the Scientology website and view their version of his accomplishments. In subsequent articles we will examine his revelations in his book “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.” Many of the research and findings Mr. Hubbard revealed were true based on his observations, but were they valid? For some they were because they BELIEVED in his principles and conclusions. However, without belief in his principles their validity falters.

What was L. Ron Hubbard’s purpose in founding Scientology? In a previous article I stated how he once repeated and modified the Orwellian statement of “You don’t get rich writing science fiction. If you want to get rich, start a religion. I was slammed with emails from Scientologists claiming that I needed to get my facts straight. My facts are straight. Witnesses heard Hubbard making this statement and he had also written it in a letter. Let’s look at the demeanor of Mr. Hubbard. When he spoke he did so with confidence. A knowing that is either based on a true revelation from God or just sheer arrogance. Again, I invite debate on this subject because the conclusions I will draw will be based on observation and not subjective malarkey.

In my previous article I mentioned I was taken aback by his pseudo-science and hypnosis of his followers. A magician performs tricks called the sleight of hand because he gets you to focus on one thing while he does another. You are minimally hypnotized (susceptible to suggestion with diminished peripheral awareness) by the magician who directs your awareness by the motions of his hands. After reading a great deal about Scientology it appears to me to have all the buzz words associated with the Law of Attraction but not the substance. You are attracted to the principles they suggest that they embody, but their ultimate goal is to rent a great deal of space in your head. Any organization that elevates their needs above their constituents is not out for the good of their people. More to come…

For more info: Download my free Wilmington Spirituality Examiner toolbar. “Life is a gift. Be thankful for it and it will be replete with abundance. Encourage others to express creativity, release negativity and embrace pro-activity." Dean A. Banks, MCIWD, DD can be reached at webproducer@hotmail.com or banksnet.com. Download my free eBook on Articles 1-10 here.