In Scientology, Operating Thetan is a spiritual state above Clear. It is
defined as "knowing and willing cause over life, thought, matter, energy,
space and time". According to religious scholar J. Gordon Melton, "It's
basically a variation of the Gnostic myth about souls falling into matter and
the encumbrances that come with that". Description
Scientology doctrine defines OT as the "highest state there is". The OT is able
to "control or operate thought, life, matter, energy, space, and time" whether
he or she has a body and mind or not. The state of Operating Thetan is
represented by a symbol consisting of the letters OT with the T inside the O
and each of the points of the T ending at the O's circumference, evoking not
only the level's initials but also the medieval O-T map representing the known
world and, metaphorically, the entirety of the observable universe, over which a
fully developed OT allegedly has immediate control.
After having removed one's own reactive mind and thus attaining the state of
Clear, one may then go on to the OT levels.
Levels = OT I =
"This Solo-audited level is the first step a Clear takes toward full OT
abilities, and that first step is a fresh causative OT viewpoint of the MEST
universe and other beings." The cost to 'upgrade' to this level is $2,750.
= OT II = "By confronting hidden areas of one's
existence on the whole track [that is, by confronting past incarnations], vast
amounts of energy and attention are released. Those on this Solo-audited
level experience a resurgence of self-determinism and native ability. OT
II unlocks the aberrative factors on the whole track that have allowed the thetan
to lose his innate freedom and ability and one achieves the ability to confront
the whole track." The cost to 'upgrade' to this level is $5,225.
= OT III: The Wall of Fire = "This Solo-audited level goes through
what is called the "Wall of Fire" that surrounds a previously impenetrable
whole track mystery. What prevents a being from being himself? This level
answers that question. Once complete, a being is free of the whole track
overwhelm that has trapped him. Here he confronts and eradicates the fourth
dynamic engram that has plagued this universe for millennia." The cost to
'upgrade' to this level is $8,910. Church dogma regards OT III as a
dangerous process which can lead to pneumonia, to lack of sleep or even to
death if not run correctly. In Church of Scientology of California v. Kaufman, it
was noted that the defendant had been required to sign a waiver to the effect
that "the Scientology Organization, its branches and members, and L. Ron Hubbard
are not responsible for anything that might happen to my body or mind on OT
III". = OT IV: OT Drug Rundown =
"This level handles the hidden problems and stops in a being's universe caused
by the effects of drugs and poisons on the whole track. This is the final
polish that rids one of any last vestige of the effects of drugs on the spirit.
Ministered at Advanced Organizations or Flag. Approximately 12½ to 25 hours."
= OT V: New Era Dianetics for OTs = "The Second Wall of Fire consists of 26
separate rundowns and has been described as dealing with "living lightning, the
very stuff of life itself." This level addresses the last aspects of one's case
that can prevent him from achieving total freedom on all dynamics. An
audited level ministered at Advanced Organizations or Flag. Approximately 50
hours." = OT VI: Hubbard Solo New Era Dianetics
for OTs Auditing Course = "The training one receives before
starting to solo audit on New OT VII is so powerful that it actually constitutes
an entire OT level. On Solo NOTs one is dealing with complexities intended to
crush one's true power and abilities as a thetan. Solo NOTs auditors acquire a
wide range of auditing skills to handle the vast phenomena that can occur on OT
VIII. Approximately 3–4 weeks with the new Solo Auditor Course done."
= OT VII: Hubbard Solo New Era Dianetics for OTs Auditing =
"On New OT VII one solo audits at home daily. This is a lengthy level,
requiring a considerable amount of time to complete. It is the final pre-OT
level, and culminates in attainment of the state of CAUSE OVER LIFE."
= OT VIII: Truth Revealed = "This Solo-audited level addresses the
primary cause of amnesia on the whole track and lets one see the truth of his
own existence. This is the first actual OT level and brings about a resurgence
of power and native abilities for the being himself. This may be done at the
Flag Ship Service Organization." = Unreleased levels =
OT IX ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE OT X CHARACTER
OT XI OPERATING OT XII FUTURE
OT XIII KNOWLEDGE OT XIV ABILITY
OT XV FREEDOM OT XVI PSYCHIC TELEKINESIS THETAN
UNLEASHED OT XVII POWERS REALIZED
OT XVIII SUPREME BEING Beyond Operating Thetan
Once someone has completed the OT level XVIII SUPREME BEING, they can go on to
the ultimate powerful level of the Cleared Theta Clear state. Cleared Theta
Clear is beyond that of an Operating Thetan level and gives a person the
power to control MEST to an extent above that of an OT working outside of the
body using only mind, controlling any and all things within this universe and
beyond. Hubbard describes this way: A thetan who is completely rehabilitated
and can do everything a thetan should do, such as move MEST and control others
from a distance, or create his own universe; a person who is able to create
his own universe or, living in the MEST universe is able to create illusions
perceivable by others at will, to handle MEST universe objects without mechanical
means and to have and feel no need of bodies or even the MEST universe to keep
himself and his friends interested in existence.
Criticism Following its rise to prominence, a
growing number of former Scientologists have made public allegations that the
church encourages its members to complete very expensive courses and
expect wonderful results; when the improvements fail to be realized,
further courses are then promoted to facilitate the anticipated changes.
Criticism stems from a pattern of cycles wherein members continue to pay
increasing amounts for these courses, while some even put their families into
debt chasing the elusive life-changing results under the stewardship of the
"church". = Legal issues and copyright =
In March 2008 WikiLeaks leaked the Church of Scientology's Operating Thetan
documents. The Church of Scientology portrayed hosting the documentation as a
copyright violation implying that the collection is Church doctrine. A court
found that it was legal to download, use, read, and practice these teachings
outside the church. In 1997 Zenon Panoussis sent copies of
the NOT documents to various government authorities, thereby making the
documents public according to the Swedish principle of public access to
official records. The Church of Scientology responded by ordering
members to continuously borrow the available copies in order to prevent
non-members from reading them. The Church of Scientology also sued
Panoussis for copyright infringement, since he had also made the documents
available online without permission. See also
Body thetan Notes
References External links
"Operating Thetan levels". A description of the OT levels. Church of Scientology.
"What is meant by Operating Thetan or OT?". An answer to a commonly asked
question. Church of Scientology. "OT Hatting Courses". Special courses
and lectures related to OT levels. Church of Scientology. Archived from the
original on 10 January 2008. "OT Level Successes". Success stories
related to the OT levels. Church of Scientology. Archived from the original
on 8 October 2007. "The State of Operating Thetan". A
description. Church of Scientology. Summary of Operating Thetan levels 1-8
The Fishman Affidavit Operating Thetan Summary and Analysis
Operating Thetan Summary and Analysis at the Wayback Machine on Internet Archive
The NOTs Scholars Home Page Ariane JACKSON answers about OT8
The complete Fishman papers Church of Scientology collected
Operating Thetan documents