Please see TR0 with Mindfulness
TR0 is the very first exercise in Scientology. People get wonderful results on it, when they do it for the first time and apply the principles of mindfulness naturally. Unfortunately, Scientology instructions for TR0 do not mention mindfulness. This opens the door to misapplication of this exercise to control people, which is deliberately done in Scientology. This essay is written to correct that situation.
“TR” stands for training routines. TR0 is the very first exercise that one practices in Scientology. The first part of TR0 is called OT TR0. The purpose of OT TR0 is
“To train student to be there comfortably and confront another person. The idea is to get the student able to BE there comfortably in a position three feet in front of another person, to BE there and not do anything else but BE there.”
This exercise cannot be done correctly without the understanding of mindfulness. Mindfulness is attentiveness. The purpose of mindfulness is to recognize things as they are. In the context of assisting another, one should be able to deal with oneself, as well as with the other person, objectively and with full attentiveness.
Thus, in the context of assisting another person, one requires,
- Recognizing oneself for what one is.
- Being totally comfortable in proximity of another person.
- Recognizing the other person for what he or she is.
TR0 is a brilliant exercise. Its formula can be applied to confronting other things in life as well. The following instructions are provided for OT TR0.
“Student and coach sit facing each other with eyes closed, a comfortable distance apart—about three feet… There is no conversation. This is a silent drill. There is NO twitching, moving, confronting with a body part, “system” or vias used to confront or anything else added to BE there. One will usually see blackness or an area of the room when one’s eyes are closed. BE THERE, COMFORTABLY, AND CONFRONT… When a student can BE there comfortably and confront and has reached a major stable win, the drill is passed.”
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With an understanding of mindfulness, these instructions may be expanded as follows (with eyes closed).
Become aware of the body and stay aware of it without interfering with its natural movements, such as, that of breathing. Do not resist anything.
Become aware of the mind and stay aware of it without interfering with its natural processes, such as, thoughts and feelings. Do not suppress anything.
Become aware of what your physical and mental senses present to you, such as, visual forms, sounds, smells, taste, touch, thoughts, emotions, and impulses. Do not strain to perceive them.
Let the body move in response to the natural impulses from the mind. Do not try to control the body movements. Let them unwind and settle down on their own.
Let the mind respond naturally to the stimuli present in the environment. Do not try to control the mental responses. Let them unwind and settle down on their own.
Let physical reactions, such as, twitches in muscles, minor pains and aches, sleepiness, etc., come and go. Don’t resist them. Experience the body as a whole, thoroughly. Such reactions shall unwind and settle down on their own.
Let mental reactions, such as, embarrassment, guilt, anxiety, anger, fear, grief, apathy, and even sleep, come and go. Don’t suppress them. Experience the mind as a whole, non-judgmentally. Such reactions shall unwind and settle down on their own.
If you find yourself mentally doing something else, or getting lost in thoughts, then simply recognize it, and continue. Let the attention roam freely.
Let the “pictures” of the current and past events come and go. Let the feelings, emotions and sensations play themselves out. Do not speculate on anything. Simply be aware.
Let the realizations present themselves without you making any effort.
Once the above is accomplished one may then move to the next part of TR0, which is similar to this exercise but with eyes open.
So get a friend to do this exercise with you, and have fun.
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Note added 2/14/15:
It may be possible to do OT TR0 and TR0 sitting in front of one’s reflection in a mirror. This may help one become comfortable with oneself. There is no possible harm in doing this if one follows mindfulness instructions.
After doing this exercise with oneself, one may then do it with another.
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