From: isds11990012@memstvx1.memst.edu
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: Re: Scn Books (2).
Date: 10 Oct 92 18:18:14 GMT
Organization: Memphis State University


    I read a post earlier where someone (maybe it was phil?)  wanted to
have a book review for Scientology books instead of copies of Scientology
promotional materials.  So, I thought I should be the one to do it since
I have at least read them.  I think I have a pretty good understanding
of the books, but what you'll be reading is my point of view and NOT a
teaching of LRH or the Church of Scientology.

   I thought it would be best to take the post that Jerry made and put
little summarys following what the promo says.  There will be to parts 
to this.

>  
>    Scientology 8-8008 -- Get the basic truths about your nature as a spiritual
> being and your relationship to the physical universe around you.  Here,
> L. Ron Hubbard describes procedures designed to increase your abilities to
> heights previously only dreamed of.
> 

     A great book.  This book is the text book that goes with the 
Philadelphia doctorate course.  The chapter on "The Factors" is especially
awesome, try reading the factors and demoing them in clay for some cool
cognitions.  To be honest, 75% of this book is far, far, above my head
but there are many parts that can be applied immediately.  The book is
really for OTs, but a good study of the book would be good for anyone.  I
think I'll do the extension course.  Also, this book is best understood
if you already have a good understanding and ability to apply the more
basic principles found in the basic Scientology books.

     One other point I would like to make about the title.  8-8008 has
special significance.  The 8 is infinity stood sideways.  8-8008 means
that infinity is attained by reducing the apparant infinity of the 
physical universe to zero, while increasing one's own ability to create
his own universe from zero to infinity.   Most likely, that doesn't
make much sense to you, if you haven't studied Scientology, but it might
be more accurate to say that is generally how Scientologists view
salvation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>    Scientology 8-80 -- What are the laws of life?  We are all familiar with
> physical laws such as the law of gravity, but what laws govern life and
> thought?  L. Ron Hubbard answers the riddles of life and its goals in the
> physical universe.
> 

     This book is more technical than Scientology 8:8008.  Most of it
is not going to make sense to a new person.  The chapter about "What
is Scientology?" is a good description of the subject, even though
Scientology:  The Fundamentals of Thought is more appropriate for a
beginner.

     The chapter called "The Auditor's Code" will probably clear up any
confusions or wrong ideas that you might have about what auditing is, and
what an auditor does.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
>    Scientology: A History of Man -- A fascinating look at the history of the
> human race -- revolutionary concepts guaranteed to intrigue you and challenge
> many basic assumptions about man's true power, potential and abilities.
> 

     This book is intensely interesting.  It used to be called "What to
Audit" and it contains lots of descriptions about what you will find on
someone's time track.  This whole track stuff can really seem far out!
Believe me, this is infinitely more bizzare sounding than the Xemu story.
We don't suggest that you believe that all this stuff actually happened.
What I do suggest to you is that, if you audit someone this is the kind
of stuff that will come up!  Did it happen to you or not?  I cannot say,
but you can answer that for yourself.

     This book describes many different types of theta traps and implants
that have been used to control thetans for a long time.  I can't really
say for certain wether this stuff is real or not, but it is ineresting.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------    
>    The Phoenix Lectures -- An in-depth look at the roots of Scientology
> religious philosophy and how it was developed is contained in this work.  The
> influence of earlier great philosophies and religious leaders is covered in
> detail.  This is followed by a complete discussion of the nature of existence
> and reality, and exactly how man interacts with his environment.  An
> enlightening look at the infinite potentialities of man.
>

     This book is no longer in print, but the lectures are available on
cassette.  The book was just a transcription of some of the lectures anyway.
The lectures discuss a lot about the different sources LRH drew from in
developing Scientology.  

      The "complete discussion of the nature of existance and reality" is
really what it says.  These lectures cover the considerations of As-isness,
Is-ness, Alter-isness, and Not is-ness and how the relate to thetans,
cycles of action, ARC, and other things.  Most likely that doesn't mean
much to you, but these lectures demonstrate many exciting things about
the effects of thought and how it can trap you.  

      The first couple of lectures about the origins of the philosophy
you will probably find interesting, the rest of it will just confuse you
if you don't already have a really good grasp of the basics.

----------------------------------------------------------------------  
>    The Creation of Human Ability -- Improve your life, and the lives of
> others, far beyond current expectations.  Learn simple yet powerful techniques
> you can use to help somebody increase his ability and operate more
> successfully in life.
> 

     This book covers topics such as Standard Operating Procedure 8-C, and
different methods of Opening procedure.  Basically it is a book of 
processes that can be used to help someone get exterior and maintian the
state.  SOP 8-C, is the procedure for making a "theta clear".  That's a
person who can go exterior and maintain the state at will.  

     This is pretty mind-blowing stuff.  If you want to play around with
it, go ahead.  It can't hurt you if you follow the auditors code.  It
will work a lot better if you learn TRs first.  I don't recommend doing
this, but the first time I went exterior it was because I tried running
one of the processes on myself out of the book.  If you use this book 
exactly like it says, you'll discover a lot of things you might never have
expected about yourself.

------------------------------------------------------------------------     
>    Handbook for Preclears -- This personal workbook contains easily done
> exercises to help you improve your life and find greater happiness.
> 

     I've read the book, but not done all the exercises.  The exercises,
I can't speak for, but the book is mostly just a re-statement of 
things you can learn from other Scientology books.

--------------------------------------------------------------------- 
>    Advanced Procedure and Axioms -- For the first time the basics of thought
> and the physical universe have been codified into a set of fundamental laws,
> signaling an entire new way to view and approach the subjects of man, the
> physical universe and even life itself.

     If you really want to learn the meat of Scientology, this is a good
place to start.  The axioms are supper cool, and they work.  This book
describes how and why we think.

     Mostly, this book is just a reference book.  There is not a lot
of really interesting reading in here, but it is packed full of useful
information.  Try demoing the axioms sometime, and use the data to get
more control over what your doing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Maybe that will help.  

Best Regards,
John Holifield
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology