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I ran across the Dianetics book several years ago and have since read it several times. The book seemed to stress, though at first strange, concepts that helped somehow bring me into a closer relationship with myself as a living being. From time to time I have found other books by LRon Hubbard that helped enhance this awareness. I finally got to the realization of what it means to be "Aware of being Aware" and the "free" feeling that this allows. To be Clear seems to be an ideal, perhaps a perspective for self study. A perspective that clues you in to look for what seems to be a genuine manifestation of your real self as compared to some rote learned reaction that you utilize over and over as a defense mechanism to situational stress. Though these writings are by no means my only sources of self knowledge. The idea of a view point is intriguing.
Through the years I have noticed the various attacks on Scientology and Dianetics. I read these and mostly disregard the smoke from these attacks as being either the result of misinformed or bitter people or perhaps more sinister motives from competing interests. I have only visited a Scientology "store" a few times. I took their personality inventory twice. I improved my score dramatically the second time but not so much because I was "better" as so much as I realized how to game the test. Though that in itself must say something positive about my awareness though I can't honestly attribute that directly to Dianetics.
As for the "Church" of Scientology I will neither endorse nor criticize it as an Institution. But being an Institution or organization I'm sure that it finds similar shared pitfalls that come from being a social hierarchy. I'm not prepared to say that these Churches have never helped anyone. I'm sure they have or would this particular church be so big and successful? Just for me personally, I found just reading the books was enough to encourage the introspection to separate out a lot of the concepts.
For those curious but reluctant about joining any groups I will recommend to you that you read Dianetics and get a hold of the book Self Analysis, also by L.Ron. Bring any preconceived notions or cynicism you have to the reading and just start at the beginning. It won't take you long to find out if these books speak to you. Don't be in a hurry and just allow yourself to read.
As for the UFO's and the reincarnation writings I have no opinion as I have simply never been interested particularly in those possibilities. So I will leave those for others who may offer you more substance.
But the writings of L. Ron Hubbard stand alone and speak for themselves. So if you really want to know what it (Scientology and Dianetics) is all about, go and read them for yourself and then follow where YOU feel you might need to go. I still think that what you are and will become are largely up to you. But perhaps a few basics about being human made more simple for you will get you moving along. But for those who refuse to study and are unwilling to learn, their road seems longer and harder somehow.
