There comes a time when it well behooves one to review the bidding in the game called life.
What follows are some thoughts that some might find useful in such a review.
I have used the term ‘construct’ many times on this blog and in my books. This is the definition I have mainly been using:
Noun
1 b : a working hypothesis or concept <the unconscious was a construct that came from the daily effort to understand patients>
To date I have used the term mainly in reference to the space opera scenarios inculcated into Scientologists at the upper levels of the Scientology.
I believe that one reason some Scientologists have so hysterically reacted to the idea of considering such indoctrinations as constructs is that they are implanted to believe constructs to be unalterable truths from the get-go of their Scientology experiences. Consequently, they are living in a sort of parallel universe; an agreed upon and reinforced one that requires such firm policies and notions as ‘disconnection’, ‘squirreling’, ‘treason and enemy conditions’ and the like to protect its constructs from analysis against data of comparable magnitude . By adopting such self-constricting, voluntary-ignorance vows, Scientologist can be thoroughly dissociated from observation outside of their firmly believed constructs.
With that introduction, I am going float an idea that is liable to shock the sensibilities of the most liberal minded Scientologist. That is that just about everything one learns in Dianetics and Scientology is a construct; a working hypotheses or concept to hold in order to practice a ritual.
In fact, the very first unalterable law one learns is so thoroughly implanted as unquestionable fact that what I am about to impart is pretty much guaranteed to lose me friends and readers. But, I’ll go ahead and share the idea, confident that it will be of some service to some who have made honest efforts to integrate, evolve and transcend their Scientology experiences.
All of Dianetics and Scientology from one’s first introduction through the highest of OT Levels are utterly dependent upon this first construct. I will be the first to vouch for its workability to a certain level. I will also be the first to state that if not evolved and transcended from, continued adherence and reverence to it is the very glue holding a debilitating addiction in firm control of the individual.
That construct is the equation expressed as a fundamental law of the universe even three years before the publication of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. The equation is “the individual is lesser than bank (the reactive or subconscious mind). Auditor plus individual are greater than bank .”
If one were allowed freedom to experience the ‘state’ of Clear (the long-held goal of Dianetics and Scientology) one could not help but to soon realize that upon attaining Clear. But, that is not allowed in Scientology. Instead, the equation is re-stated with a great deal of false promise and threat of eternal damnation upon the attainment of Clear.
Some people who have moved on through solo auditing will understandably chafe “that’s bullshit, when I solo audit it is me against the ‘bank’.” And here is where the thought stopping theater of the absurd begins. First, what bank? It was supposed to have vanished at attainment of Clear. The reaction from the die-hard Scientologist of course is that he feels betrayed by this question because it is the ‘bank’ he has vowed never to converse about. So, the conversation ends there with some. And the solo-auditor will assiduously go on confronting the bank that no one can speak about, directed every step of the way by his solo C/S (case supervisor), solo D of P (director of processing), Master at Arms (Ethics Officer), ad infinitum. In other words, it is no longer ‘auditor plus individual is greater than bank’, it is more like ‘individual plus C/S, plus D of P, plus MAA, plus the Sea Organization, and the 5th Sector cavalry might have a fighting chance against the inter-galactic forces of evil that constitute what is wrong him.’
Few, it seems, stop to contemplate and recognize that the further one goes, the more formidable, and interminable his baggage becomes in Scientology. Fewer still, it seems, recognize the construct nature of the fundamental law that served as the glue to addict him or her to cult life in the first place.
‘The bank is great than individual’ or ‘the individual is lesser than the bank’ is an invented construct. It has its uses. But, it is not a fact.
Those who have achieved Clear in Scientology might learn a handy lesson from the man L. Ron Hubbard once claimed to be the architect of the heritage of Scientology, and once claimed to be himself, Siddhartha Gautauma. The Buddha has been reported as passing along this little parable:
A man walking along a highroad sees a great river, its near bank dangerous and frightening, its far bank safe. He collects sticks and foliage, makes a raft, paddles across the river, and reaches the other shore . Now suppose that, after he reaches the other shore, he takes the raft and puts it on his head and walks with it on his head wherever he goes. Would he be using the raft in an appropriate way? No; a reasonable man will realize that the raft has been very useful to him in crossing the river and arriving safely on the other shore, but that once he has arrived, it is proper to leave the raft behind and walk without it . This is using the raft appropriately.
In the same way, all truths should be used to cross over; they should not be held on to once you have arrived. You should let go of even the most profound insight or the most wholesome teaching; all the more so, unwholeseome teachings.
Moving On Up a Little Higher 