Reference: Scientology 8-8008
This paper presents Section 34 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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Truth-Hallucination
The highest one can attain to truth is to attain to his own illusions. The lowest one can descend from truth is a complete acceptance of MEST universe reality, for this below a certain level becomes scrambled and brings on the condition known as hallucination. Hallucination is not self-generated; it comes about only when a person is an effect to such an extent that he is almost dead.
Truth is neither the person’s illusions nor an acceptance of external reality. Truth lies in the consistency of all observations that a person makes. One approaches truth by resolving inconsistencies. Hallucination is total inconsistency between what is there and what one perceives.
What is commonly believed to be truth is agreement upon natural law. This would be the truth of the MEST universe which would be the lowest common denominator of agreement upon any one subject. Where the MEST universe is concerned, acceptance of such truths is dangerous.
Natural laws simply reduce observations into statements of common denominators. Truth is the awareness of consistency rather than some “agreement”. Physical reality is part of the overall reality. This external reality must then be made consistent with internal reality.
In Scientology one is studying the lowest common denominators of agreement which bring about an acceptance of the MEST universe and prohibit the creation of one’s own universe, which latter ability alone makes possible perception of the MEST universe which is itself an agreed-upon illusion.
A person creates his universe by resolving all inconsistencies. Scientology seems to give greater importance to internal reality over external reality. But it is not the question of which reality constitutes the truth. The actual truth lies in the consistency of the overall reality.
Truth in Scientology is the study of the lowest common denominator of agreement, plus the establishment of the true ability of the thetan. The true ability of the thetan is a truth much higher than the truth of the MEST universe itself and, if it has ever before been known, the difficulties of communicating it have been such as to inhibit its promulgation.
Scientology conceives MEST (external reality) and theta (internal reality) to be opposed to each other. It believes that the internal reality must vanquish the external reality. But there is no such conflict. There are simply inconsistencies to be resolved within internal reality, within external reality and between the two. Higher truth is arrived at as these inconsistencies are resolved one by one. The real ability of the individual lies in such resolution.
It can be seen there is truth above what passes for “truth” in the MEST universe. Scientific truths gained from deductive observations of behaviour of the MEST universe are themselves manifestations of agreements on the part of beings —thetans—who are capable of much wider creation and agreement than that represented in the MEST universe.
We have answered in Scientology a good portion of “what is truth?”
Truth lies not in agreements but in consistency.
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FINAL COMMENTS
Truth lies in consistency of all knowledge and not in “agreement” as believed generally. Higher truth is attained by resolving inconsistencies in what one perceives. A person’s ability lies in resolving inconsistencies.
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