Revision: THETA-MEST THEORY
This paper presents Section 4 from the book SCIENTOLOGY 8-8008 by L. RON HUBBARD. The contents are from the original publication of this book by The Church of Scientology (1952).
The paragraphs of the original material (in black) are accompanied by brief comments (in color) based on the present understanding. Feedback on these comments is appreciated.
The heading below is linked to the original materials.
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Theta-Mest Theory
Scientology is essentially a study of statics and kinetics. If anything, it is more exact than what are called the physical sciences, for it is dealing with a theoretical static and a theoretical kinetic which are at the opposite ends of a spectrum of all motion.
Hubbard is correct in recognizing that there is a spectrum of motion, one end of which is STATIC and the other end is KINETIC. He is also correct in saying that STATIC and KINETIC are theoretical in the sense that they are not absolute. This is a great advance in the Philosophy of Science.
At physical level the spectrum of motion starts with “no physical motion”. This may be represented by undisturbed space of infinite wavelength and zero frequency. When disturbance occurs a frequency comes about and the wavelength becomes finite. Thus, we have a spectrum of motion in terms of frequency. At upper end of this spectrum the frequency becomes so high that it collapses into mass.
One of the most valuable contributions of Scientology to knowledge is the definition of a true static. A static has no motion; it has no width, length, breadth, depth; it is not held in suspension by an equilibrium of forces; it does not have mass; it does not contain wavelengths; it has no situation in time or space. Formerly a static was defined only as a motionless object which definition is not adequate, since an object—or a state of rest for an object—is attained only by an equilibrium of forces and all objects have in themselves, if only on a molecular level, motion, and exist in space which is itself an integral portion of motion. Hence we see we are dealing with a higher level static.
The ultimate STATIC is the concept of EMPTINESS as forwarded by Buddha 2600 years ago. (See EMPTINESS.) EMPTINESS is the ultimate reference point of “no phenomena” from which all phenomena can be understood objectively without any preconceived notion.
Hubbard assigns spiritual characteristics to his concept of STATIC. These characteristics are like “motion” in spiritual space. Therefore, Hubbard’s static corresponds only to “no physical motion”. EMPTINESS has neither physical nor spiritual “motion”.
The capabilities of the static are not limited. The static interacts with the kinetic which is considered to be the ultimate of motion. In Scientology, the static is represented by the mathematical symbol theta; the kinetic is called MEST.
Hubbard’s STATIC may be represented by “undisturbed space” that has the inner essence of pure awareness. Hubbard assigns arbitrary spiritual characteristics to this awareness and gives it a symbol “THETA”. This makes STATIC a spiritual phenomenon. The STATIC, when disturbed, becomes KINETIC.
Hubbard’s error is to isolate static by calling it THETA and sharply differentiating from MEST (the physical universe). There is no isolated phenomenon called “THETA” that interacts with another isolated phenomenon called “MEST”. In reality there is a smooth gradient scale from THETA to MEST, much like a temperature scale from “hot” to “cold”.
Theta can be the property or beingness of any individual and is, for our purposes, considered to be individualistic for each individual.
Consciousness (THETA) seems to come about when there is disturbance in awareness (STATIC). In a jungle you immediately become aware when there is disturbance in some bush.
Consciousness manifests itself as a field that displays many frequencies just like the electromagnetic field. These frequencies may be plotted on a spectrum. At the upper end of the spectrum the consciousness may condense into an individual identity (THETAN), similar to electromagnetic energy condensing into mass.
The spiritual and physical aspects of beingness are not separate and independent as Hubbard postulates. From THETAN to BODY there is, very likely, a continuum of frequencies. The consciousness and the body do not exist separate and independent of each other. The phenomenon of soul “detaching” from the body at death needs to be examined scientifically.
MEST stands for matter, energy, space and time, and is a composite of the first letter of each. The word MEST appearing all by itself denotes the physical universe. MEST with a designation word after it designates another’s universe.
MEST is not just something that appears all of a sudden at the kinetic end of the motion spectrum. There seems to be a spectrum of MEST in continuation with the spectrum of THETA between the STATIC and KINETIC of Hubbard.
Just as space condenses and its duration (time) increases, awareness also condenses and its duration (desire) increases per the Vedas. There seems to be a correspondence between time and desire.
Just as light travels as a disturbance through the electromagnetic field, perception travels as a disturbance through the consciousness field. There seems to be a correspondence between light and perception. Both are manifestations of energy aspect of substance. Just like physical energy condenses into mass, the spiritual energy condenses into identity.
The original of the Theta-MEST theory may be found in Science of Survival 1951. After the concept of the true static was reached, problems of processing began to solve much more rapidly, and the main proof of the Theta-MEST theory is its workability and the fact that it predicted an enormous amount of phenomena which, when looked for, were found to exist and which, when applied, resolved cases rapidly.
It is now considered that the origin of MEST lies with theta itself, and that MEST, as we know the physical universe, is a product of theta.
Physical and spiritual is a dichotomy. None produces the other. Hubbard’s claim that MEST is a product of THETA is arbitrary and unscientific.
I can see that physical is the outer form of the spiritual, and spiritual is the inner essence of the physical. Spiritual and physical are intertwined everywhere from the simplest to most complex reality. Spiritual and physical are a convenient way to describe two different aspects of reality. There is only one reality.
The physicist has adequately demonstrated that matter seems to be composed of energy which has become condensed in certain patterns. It can also be demonstrated adequately in Scientology that energy seems to be produced by and to emanate from theta. Thus it could be considered that theta producing energy condenses the space in which the energy is contained, which then becomes matter.
This theory of condensation is borne out by an examination of a state of aberration of many preclears who have been found to have descended down the tone-scale to the degree that their own space was contracted and who were found to be surrounded by ridges and who are thus “solid” to the degree that they are aberrated. Further, they can be found to be an effect in the ratio that they are so solidified. Further, a psychotic treats words and other symbols, including his own thoughts, as though they were objects.
It is not consistent to think that THETA would condense into MEST. It appears that both THETA and MEST would condense together as an individuality and a body. The condensation goes through various stages.
NOTE: Individuality is a form of identity. They are not two different things as Hubbard postulates in the section IDENTITY VERSUS INDIVIDUALITY.
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FINAL COMMENTS
The primary error that Hubbard makes is positioning spiritual and physical in a linear cause-effect sequence rather than describing them as parallel phenomena.
Spiritual and physical are the two dimensions of reality. Spectrum of motion has both of these dimensions. The basis of motion appears as space in physical dimension and awareness in spiritual dimension. Such correspondence may be listed as follows:
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