This book is passing into Scientology history as one of the more, shall we say, less studied books of the whole canon. It's interesting to examine why. At the time this book was produced, people generally didn't have access to the kind of equipment needed to play lectures given by LRH recorded onto reel-to-reel magnetic tape in their homes. Research into Scientology periodicals produced in the late 1960's shows that at that time, lectures were typically being sold two to a reel, with each reel generally costing $30. $30 in 1968, accounting for inflation, is $195.30 in 2012. So it's easy to see why such a book would be produced out of the material comprising the 5th London Advanced Clinical Course. Your average Scientologist would not have any access to this material otherwise (generally speaking). This was done with a number of books which have now passed into a state of apocrypha as regards their canonical value, for example, The Phoenix Lectures. Books were far more affordable than lectures and professional/advanced courses, and accordingly, dissemination of material went in that direction.
As for the book itself and its content, it's certainly an interesting read. There were originally 42 case reports presented, as well as the name and training level of the auditor working the case. Most of them follow a similar format, consisting of both the preclear and the auditor's report of the past-life incident contacted as well as a brief summary of the case gain arrived at through the auditing. The 1989 edition, which is shown above, omits the names and training level of the auditors, as well as one of the cases, making a total of 41. It includes an article by LRH, "The Phenomena of Death" as well as two appendices, one on modern procedure and one giving a historical sketch of belief in past-lives.
It's an interesting read, and is best approached with an open mind and an understanding as to the origin and purpose of its content.
This book is passing into Scientology history as one of the more, shall we say, less studied books of the whole canon. It's interesting to examine why. At the time this book was produced, people generally didn't have access to the kind of equipment needed to play lectures given by LRH recorded onto reel-to-reel magnetic tape in their homes. Research into Scientology periodicals produced in the late 1960's shows that at that time, lectures were typically being sold two to a reel, with each reel generally costing $30. $30 in 1968, accounting for inflation, is $195.30 in 2012. So it's easy to see why such a book would be produced out of the material comprising the 5th London Advanced Clinical Course. Your average Scientologist would not have any access to this material otherwise (generally speaking). This was done with a number of books which have now passed into a state of apocrypha as regards their canonical value, for example, The Phoenix Lectures. Books were far more affordable than lectures and professional/advanced courses, and accordingly, dissemination of material went in that direction.
As for the book itself and its content, it's certainly an interesting read. There were originally 42 case reports presented, as well as the name and training level of the auditor working the case. Most of them follow a similar format, consisting of both the preclear and the auditor's report of the past-life incident contacted as well as a brief summary of the case gain arrived at through the auditing. The 1989 edition, which is shown above, omits the names and training level of the auditors, as well as one of the cases, making a total of 41. It includes an article by LRH, "The Phenomena of Death" as well as two appendices, one on modern procedure and one giving a historical sketch of belief in past-lives.
It's an interesting read, and is best approached with an open mind and an understanding as to the origin and purpose of its content.
Where I stand
I am a...
Independent Scientologist
Pros and Cons (optional)
Pros
One of the few published pieces of research material. Highly informative appendices.
Cons
Almost no LRH material. The high number of contributing writers makes for a wide variance in the skill and style in which it is written.
Self Analysis (August 1951): Possibly the best introduction to the subjects of Dianetics and Scientology. Self Analysis contains both a series of essays on the basic discoveries Ron had made up to this point in his research as well as an extensive auditing section that a person can do by themselves right at home. The book contains a special version of the Hubbard Chart of Human Evaluation and a series of tests one can do to discover where you're really at. Then, by applying the processes from the second half of the book, one is guided through a path of self-discovery. At the end, you will re-do the tests to confirm your improvement. How good can you get? These techniques have been in use for more than six decades and Ron referred to them again and again throughout his research, stating that the processes here were capable of curing any neurosis.
This is the starting point for anyone wanting auditing. You will be audited by L. Ron Hubbard himself through the pages of this book.
Find a copy in used bookstores or at Alibris.com, Amazon.com, eBay. Or you can buy a new copy from these Church of Scientology organizations (but once you give them your address they may continue to send you junk mail) Bridge Publications or New Era Publications.
