Reference: Subject: Scientology Fundamentals
Here are Hubbard’s definitions related to the 8th Dynamic, which are taken from the Technical Dictionary of Scientology. Let’s look at each definition carefully.
“DYNAMIC, 1 . any one of the eight subdivisions of the dynamic principle of existence—SURVIVE.”
The concept of DYNAMIC starts with the idea of SURVIVE.
“SURVIVE, the dynamic principle of existence is survive. At the opposite end of the spectrum of existence is succumb.”
This definition provides us with the duality of survive-succumb. The regular English dictionary provides the definition, “to remain or continue in existence or use.”
“SURVIVAL, 1. is a condition susceptible to non-survival. If one is “surviving,” one is at the same moment admitting that one can cease to survive, otherwise one would never strive to survive.”
There is a basic impulse to survive. One may say that reality is surviving because it is simply there. But Hubbard focuses on survival in the context of the individual.
“SURVIVAL, 2. survival might be defined as an impulse to persist through time, in space, as matter and energy.”
Again, Hubbard’s focus is on the survival of the individual. But one may see that MEST is also surviving.
“SURVIVAL, 3. survival is understood to be the basic single thrust of life through time and space, energy and matter. Survival is subdivided into eight dynamics.”
The eight dynamics are the subdivision of survival.
“DYNAMIC, 2 . dynamic is the ability to translate solutions into action.”
The idea of dynamic boils down to resolving anomalies. That is how one survives.
“DYNAMIC, 3 . the tenacity to life and vigor and persistence in survival.”
Dynamic is tenacity and persistence. This introduces the idea of effort in surviving. But all that effort is directed towards resolving anomalies. Note that before life and the individual emerged on the scene, anomalies were resolved through trial and error. That is how the universe evolved.
“DYNAMICS, there could be said to be eight urges (drives, impulses) in life. These we call dynamics. These are motives or motivations. We call them the eight dynamics. The first dynamic —is the urge toward existence as one’s self. Here we have individuality expressed fully. This can be called the self dynamic. The second dynamic—is the urge toward existence as a sexual or bisexual activity. This dynamic actually has two divisions. Second dynamic (a) is the sexual act itself and the second dynamic (b) is the family unit, including the rearing of children. This can be called the sex dynamic. The third dynamic—is the urge toward existence in groups of individuals. Any group or part of an entire class could be considered to be a part of the third dynamic. The school, the society, the town, the nation are each part of the third dynamic, and each one is a third dynamic. This can be called the group dynamic. The fourth dynamic—is the urge toward existence as mankind. Whereas the white race would be considered a third dynamic, all the races would be considered the fourth dynamic. This can be called the mankind dynamic. The fifth dynamic—is the urge toward existence of the animal kingdom. This includes all living things whether vegetable or animal. The fish in the sea, the beasts of the field or of the forest, grass, trees, flowers, or anything directly and intimately motivated by life. This could be called the animal dynamic. The sixth dynamic—is the urge toward existence as the physical universe. The physical universe is composed of matter, energy, space and time. In Scn we take the first letter of each of these words and coin a word, mest. This can be called the universe dynamic. The seventh dynamic—is the urge toward existence as or of spirits. Anything spiritual, with or without identity, would come under the heading of the seventh dynamic. This can be called the spiritual dynamic. The eighth dynamic—is the urge toward existence as infinity. This is also identified as the Supreme Being. It is carefully observed here that the science of Scn does not intrude into the dynamic of the Supreme Being. This is called the eighth dynamic because the symbol of infinity oo stood upright makes the numeral “8 .” This can be called the infinity or God dynamic.”
The dynamics are an excellent concept that is universally applicable. But Hubbard describes the dynamics from the viewpoint of the individual. This limits the concept.
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Anomaly
In Scientology, these dynamics are viewed in the context of the survival of the individual. Dynamics exist by themselves in the Universe. Why should Dynamics be limited to the survival urge of the individual? This limitation seems to be the result of Hubbard’s fixation on individuality. This is an anomaly because these dynamics are broadly applicable in the context of the universe.
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Resolution
In mathematical terms the universe is the overall set. It will include all life and individuals. From this viewpoint may define the UNIVERSE as follows:
The universe is not just physical; it is metaphysical too. The universe includes everything whether physical, metaphysical, real, imaginary, postulated or speculated. Nothing is excluded from the universe.
We may express these dynamics from the viewpoint of the universe as follows:
“The basic dynamic is not only SURVIVE but also EVOLVE. The universe cannot help but survive; so, it must evolve. This is the overall dynamic of the universe called the eighth dynamic. The universe, obviously, has an inherent impulse built in it. Therefore, we may say that the eighth dynamic subdivides into the inner impulse and the outer appearance as the seventh and sixth dynamics respectively.
“As the universe evolves from gases to liquids to solids, to minerals, to animated life, to reacting organisms, to thinking mammals, and finally, to self-aware humans, we get life or the fifth dynamic. The humans are such a major step in evolution that they are called the mankind or fourth dynamic.
“The human awareness has evolved under different geographic conditions and locations into different cultures, thinking patterns, abilities, etc. Thus we have subdivisions into many different groups, and each group is seen as a third dynamic. The keynote of a group is its common purpose and cooperation. Within the third dynamic we have the evolution of families to take better care of future generations. This is seen as the second dynamic. There is sexual activity within the context of second dynamic. The keynote here is taking responsibility for the future.
“The second dynamic then provides an environment in which children develop their potential fully as individuals. The problem solving ability of an individual is the highest achievement of evolution. This is the first dynamic.”
Looking at the above, we may that
The EIGHTH DYNAMIC is the universe and beyond. It includes all the lower dynamics.
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