This paper presents Section 28 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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Survival
One of the first principles in the MEST universe, and that principle which, when discovered, resolved the problems of the mind, is the lowest common denominator of all MEST universe existence; the goal of life in the MEST universe is survival and only survival.
“Survival” as a common denominator has the connotation of anxiety. A more appropriate rendition of the common denominator of existence is “evolution”. That is the main thrust in this universe. Life and death are part of that thrust. Nothing survives forever except for the universe as a whole. The activity associated with the common denominator of existence is “resolution of inconsistencies”.
MEST universe existence means existence of the body. Body is animated by a spiritual force. There is thinking ability that guides the actions of the body.
Survival equates behaviour in homo sapiens or in any life form. It also covers the wide field of ethics. The principle of survival was never intended to embrace theta itself for this has, of course, immortality and does not even necessarily move in MEST time.
Survival is same as the behavior and also the thinking behind it. The goal is to evolve. One moves towards that goal as one resolves inconsistencies. Survival is phenomena that can be fully viewed from the datum of emptiness (no phenomena).
Hubbard’s theta is a phenomenon because it has characteristics that are described in detail. It is, therefore, not excluded from the equation of survival. It is also “MEST” at a different level, just like field, in physics, is a substance at a different level.
Survival is nothing if not dependent upon havingness, action and beingness. It is most ordinarily viewed as the attempt in a life form to persist in a state of existence as long as possible.
Hubbard associates survival with a life form that has self-animation. But life is a spectrum of motion. Simple motion simply exists as studied in physics. Complex motion provides the appearance of decision-making, as studied in artificial intelligence. Extreme complexity of motion appears naturally as life.
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FINAL COMMENTS
The underlying purpose of all life is to evolve and this is accomplished by becoming aware of as many inconsistencies as you can; and resolving as many of them as you can. You may survive or die in the attempt.
You could be considered a unit made up of body, mind and spirit, but you are connected to everything around you. There is a system and you are the key part of it. If you are fully aware of all the laws that apply to this system then you can be in control of it.
This system consists of a spectrum of motion from the simplest to the most complex. As you resolve the inconsistencies, and discover the laws and understand them better, you gradually become in control of the whole system.
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