Here is how the concept of reality is twisted in Scientology.
Reality is not looked at as “objective” by Hubbard. It is certainly observable, yet not necessarily objective. Each observer takes his own viewpoint… In any case, when we talk about reality, we talk about agreement. “Reality is the agreement upon perceptions and data in the physical universe. (All we can be sure is real is that on which we have agreed is real. Agreement is the essence of reality.” (Dn Ax. 113)
But…
The reality is what is out there. It does not consist of agreements or disagreements.
Hubbard equates reality with agreement, because reality can be changed by changing one’s agreements. Hubbard drew this conclusion from his experience with black magic. He could change a person’s reality by hypnotizing him.
But this is similar to changing the properties of light by filtering it. Hubbard was changing the reality of a person by installing agreements that acted like a filter.
Whether agreements are generated through hypnotism, or in more subtle ways, they act like filters. They take the form of beliefs, speculations, biases, prejudices, fixed ideas, etc., and they filter the reality.
The common denominator of such filters is that they generate inconsistencies in what is perceived. By becoming aware of inconsistencies one may then track down the filters that are influening one.
The true reality is the unfiltered reality. It does not consist of agreements or disagreements. And it is achieved by becoming aware of one’s filters and reducing their influence.
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Comments
All physical perceptions must be consistent with each other for something to be real. Mental visualization must also be consistent with physical perceptions to be real.
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In my view, reality has to start from some reference point. That reference point cannot not be some arbitrary hypothesis, such as, that of a thetan, or somebody’s “personal” universe. That reference point has to be the physical universe because it can then be verified by physical perceptions.
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All our physical and mental perceptions must be consistent with each other for anything to be acknowledged as real. Even abstract subject, such as mathematics, can be shown to be consistent with physical reality because it starts with counting of physical objects. One can then build up on the subject by maintaining consistency.
Therefore, any information, hypothesis, or assumptions, speculations, imaginings, etc. will be unreal to the degree they are actually shown to be inconsistent with the physical perceptions.
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I have no quarrel with somebody’s personal “reality”, such as, the reality expressed in the form of fiction novels, as long as it is acknowledged that it is one’s personal visualization or imagination. I find the realities in novels, such as, DUNE and FOUNDATION to be wonderful and consistent within themselves. But they are acknowledged to be fiction as they should be, because their connection with the physical universe has not been established.
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But if somebody calls these work of fictions as “truth” and imposes it on others without showing how they are consistent with physical reality, he would be rejected outright as hallucinating at best.
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It is better to keep one’s personal reality to oneself. But if you want to impose it on others by forceful assertions then be prepared to show its consistency with physical reality. You should not be getting upset if you are questioned on it.
Hubbard neglected to do that. He used to get very upset on being questioned on the reality he wanted to impose on others. Look how he is being laughed at about his work on OTIII. He brought this upon himself by not clearly establishing the exact elements that produce the result in auditing. He should have stuck to AXIOM 11 and build upon it with mindfulness.
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When questioned, just saying it is “my reality” and “you have a different reality” is quite lame. One should not be insisting on one’s reality in the first place if one cannot answer questions on it.
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