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Reference: Scientology 8-8008

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).

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 reasons that this universe of motion must be generated by something that itself has no motion. That something he calls “static” or THETA. In truth, there is only a scale of motion that extends to infinity in both directions. What is beyond that is Unknowable.

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 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. 

This postulate of Hubbard is an absolute. It contradicts Buddha’s postulate that there are no absolutes in existence. It contradicts even Hubbard’s own Logic #6: Absolutes are unobtainable. Thus, in his Theta-MEST theory, Hubbard is claiming an inconsistency to be a “breakthrough.”

Theta can be the property or beingness of any individual and is, for our purposes, considered to be individualistic for each individual.  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. 

Anything that manifests in this universe has motion. Differentiation exists only between different degrees of motion. Therefore, the beingness of any individual, or individuality, must consist of motion in different degrees. A beingness may best be described in terms of a “gradient of motion”, or, using Hubbard’s terminology, as some integration of Theta-MEST.”

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. 

The postulate of Unknowable and “gradient of motion” has been resolving the problems of processing since ancient times. Hubbard’s attempt is to communicate this processing in modern language.

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.

Hubbard’s consideration that MEST is a product of Theta is completely arbitrary. Instead, the Unknowable is gradually being converted into knowable motion through the action of postulates.

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.

In the subject of Physics, energy and matter may be described in terms of a Spectrum of Substance, where the substance condenses from space to energy to matter. The Law of Conservation in Physics talks about conservation of total substance (energy and matter), and the conversions of one form of substance into another. We may extend such conversions to include the cosmic conversion of Unknowable into Knowable.

In Physics, the definition of “space” is not really known. It may include the spectrum of thought and more. No doubt, Hubbard was on to something. He contributed much to laying out this spectrum of thought. In this spectrum, thought also condenses. Hubbard showed the possibility of describing aberrations in terms of this condensation of thought.

Hubbard made a great advance. But there is a lot more to be researched here.

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FINAL COMMENTS

Hubbard’s main contribution is the recognition that “space” is also a type of substance which includes “thought”. Hubbard laid out a spectrum of thought in terms of a Tone Scale. He showed a condensation of thought occurring on this spectrum and that it could be related to aberration. This is a great advance indeed.

However, Hubbard’s Theta-MEST theory contains absolutes, which is an inconsistency as explained above. This theory could become useful if absolute considerations are taken out from it.

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