Scientology and the subconscious: A sneaky new approach?

We want to thank all of those readers who continue to forward us Scientology’s various come-ons and communications to its members. It helps us get a sense of how this struggling organization is dealing with bad press and dwindling membership.

The item we have for you today comes from a Scientology backwater that we don’t hear from much. But what struck us was the way it was pitching the usual L. Ron Hubbard “technology” to an unsuspecting public.

Sure, you’ve seen many different ways that Scientology tries to bring in “raw meat,” but we thought this item took an unusual approach that might indicate just how difficult it is to find potential recruits who haven’t already been warned away from Scientology.

First, take a look at how the flier presents a “mystery sandwich” by playing up how a lecture will explain the unexplainable, the human subconscious.

The first thing that struck us was the use of the term the “subconscious mind.” It’s not one you usually see in Scientology advertisements.

In a 1958 lecture, Hubbard explained, what “we know as the reactive mind in Dianetics, which Freud knew as the subconscious mind…”

Two years earlier, he had said, “There is no such thing as the unconscious subconscious but there is such a thing as a doped-off thetan.”

So in general, in Scientology the “subconscious mind” was a Freudian concept that had been superseded by Hubbard’s concept of the “reactive mind,” where traumatic memories are stored as “engrams,” but which could be removed through Hubbard’s talk therapy, “auditing.”

So it seems unusual to us to see a Scientology pitch began as “The Power of the Subconscious Mind,” and you might have also noticed that there’s no mention of Dianetics, Scientology, or L. Ron Hubbard in this flier so far.

So let’s keep going. Here’s the text of the next section:

THE POWER OF THE SUBCONSCIOUS OVER YOU

At the lecture “The Power of the Subconscious,” the speaker will clearly and understandably explain topics such as:

— What is the exact definition of the subconscious mind?
— How does it inflict unwanted feelings and anxiety in you?
— What determines how much pressure it exerts on a person?
— What exactly is the goal of the subconscious?

This is not just a lecture where you sit quietly and listen. It’s interactive and LIVE, so you can ask questions at any time.

And the most important topic:
How do you take control of your subconscious!

Reserve your spot today!

Places are limited, so sign up well in advance! Complimentary snacks and coffee will be served.

For us, the first hint we got that this was a Scientology lecture was the suggestion that it would enable you to “take control of your subconscious.” But still, it’s being exceedingly coy.

OK, so here’s the final section of the flier…

Ah, there it is. In the disclaimer at the very end. Yes, of course, this is a Scientology lecture, but you’d hardly know it except for that final line.

We’ve seen literally hundreds of Scientology advertisements over the years, and we don’t recall one precisely like this, or so shy about its Scientology association.

What do you think? Is this what Scientologists are reduced to in an environment of such a wary public which has been educated about Scientology by Leah Remini and so many other whistleblowers?

Let us know what you think.

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David Miscavige in South Africa today?

Scientology’s newest “Ideal Org” is scheduled to have its grand opening today in Gqeberha, South Africa, formerly known as Port Elizabeth.

The “Church of Scientology Eastern Cape” is located in the most dangerous city in a country that is struggling with high crime, and so we have our doubts that church leader David Miscavige will be on hand to pull the ribbon as he usually does.

Miscavige has been at nearly every Ideal Org grand opening, but he skipped the last one in South Africa, in Pretoria in 2013. He did show up for the “Advanced Org” opening in Castle Kyalami in 2019.

Will he make the scene in Gqeberha? We look forward to finding out.

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A special treat for our subscribers

Today subscribers will receive Episode 111 of our special podcast series, “Group Therapy.”

We discuss the week’s revelations with our gang of jokers and degraders, including our transoceanic friends Pete Griffiths and Alex Barnes-Ross, and in Colorado the genial Bruce Hines!

It’s all the enturbulation you could want!

We’re offering this series as thanks to our subscribers for helping to support the work we do here at the Underground Bunker.

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For the full picture of what’s happening today in the world of Scientology, please join the conversation at tonyortega.org, where we’ve been reporting daily on David Miscavige’s cabal since 2012. There you’ll find additional stories, and our popular regular daily features:

Source Code: Actual things founder L. Ron Hubbard said on this date in history

Avast, Ye Mateys: Snapshots from Scientology’s years at sea

Overheard in the Freezone: Indie Hubbardism, one thought at a time

Past is Prologue: From this week in history at alt.religion.scientology

Random Howdy: Your daily dose of the Captain

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