page_title: Affirmations (L. Ron Hubbard)
section_title: Course I
hierarchical_section_title: Affirmations (L. Ron Hubbard) / Contents of the Affirmations / Course I
caption_attribution_description: English: Sara Northrup Hubbard, also known as Sara Northrup Hollister; 2nd wife of L. Ron Hubbard
context_page_description: The "Affirmations", also referred to as the "Admissions", is a document written around 1946 or 1947. It does not list an author, but it is widely believed to have been written by L. Ron Hubbard, a few years before he established Dianetics, which formed the basis for Scientology. The document consists of a series of statements by and addressed to Hubbard, relating to various physical, sexual, psychological and social issues that he was encountering in his life. After the Affirmations became public knowledge in 1984, the Church of Scientology initially disputed their authenticity. However, they later effectively admitted the document's authorship, describing the work in legal papers as having been "written by" Hubbard and seeking to retain ownership of it.
  The Affirmations were intended to be used as a form of self-hypnosis with the intention of resolving Hubbard's psychological problems and instilling a positive mental attitude. They are closely linked to the occult philosophy of Thelema, devised by Aleister Crowley in the early 20th century, in which Hubbard participated for a while during 1945–46.
context_section_description: The first section sets out Hubbard's aim in writing the Affirmations. He describes it as an "experiment" whose purpose "is to re-establish the ambition, willpower, desire to survive, the talent and confidence of myself". He refers to his anxieties and insecurities, particularly relating to his writing and naval careers: "I was always anxious about people’s opinion of me and was afraid I would bore them. This injected anxiety and careless speed into my work. I must be convinced that I can write skilfully and well . . .  I must be convinced I have succeeded in writing and with ease will regain my popularity, which actually was not small." His naval career was a source of angst (a theme to which he returned in the other sections of the Affirmations); he wrote, accurately enough, that "my service record was none too glorious".
  Sex and relationships are a major theme in Course I. Hubbard writes that he is ashamed of his frequent affairs and his determination to succeed with the "young, beautiful, desirable" Sara, though he admits that he is hindered by impotence: "I want her always. But I am 13 years older than she. She is heavily sexed. My libido is so low I hardly admire her naked." He had suffered sexually transmitted diseases and was treating his impotence with testosterone supplements. He wrote: "By eliminating certain fears of hypnosis, curing my rheumatism and laying off hormones, I hope to restore my former libido. I must!"
  Hubbard appears to have believed that he could overcome his insecurities and physical weaknesses by focusing on a series of positive statements. Thus:
  "I can write."
  "My mind is still brilliant."
  "That masturbation was no sin or crime."
  "That I do not need to have ulcers any more."
  "That I am fortunate in losing Polly and my parents, for they never meant well by me."
  "That I believe in my gods and spiritual things."
  "That my magical work is powerful and effective."
  "That the numbers 7, 25, and 16 are not unlucky or evil for me."
  "That I am not bad to look upon."
  "That I am not susceptible to colds."
  "That Sara is always beautiful to me."
  "That these words and commands are like fire and will sear themselves into every corner of my being, making me happy and well and confident forever!"
caption: Sara "Betty" Northrup, Hubbard's "young, beautiful, desirable" second wife
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