Our many international readers no doubt understand what an exhausting election season this has been. For nearly two years, the presidential election has torn us apart in ways we’ve never experienced before. The carnage on Facebook alone has been pestilential. We’ve never seen so much end-of-the-world prophesying and cutthroat denunciations, and that’s between friends.
Anyway, we hope our American readers all go out and vote today, however you plan to cast your ballot, and tonight we’ll do our best to bring you the results in a businesslike way with some live-blogging in the comments section. We hope you can hang out with us.
In the meantime, we wanted to distract you from all of the political hair-pulling with something sent in by one of our great tipsters. It’s an article in the new Italian language edition of Freewinds magazine, and it features Chick Corea’s success story about OT 8.
We mentioned previously that this is the second time Chick has achieved OT 8, which is expensive enough the first time around. Marc Headley has estimated that a Scientologist will spend, in course costs and other donations, between $500,000 to $2 million to reach OT 8, which is the top of Scientology’s Bridge to Total Freedom.
By that point, you’re supposed to be an “Operating Thetan,” able to leave your physical body at will and affect matter simply with the power of your mind. Now, you might think that superpowers like that, and at those prices, would stick the first time! But for whatever reason, Chick went for a do-over.
Now, there are jazz fans who will tell you that Chick Corea is already pretty superhuman, and we have no reason to doubt them. But it’s interesting to hear Chick give his own explanation for what he got out of this level, which on its own costs tens of thousands of dollars and can only be delivered aboard the Freewinds as it plies the Caribbean. Here’s what he said…
This whole experience, from beginning to end, has been magical … full of wins, wins and more wins. As I advanced on my auditing, I found myself more and more certain that in reality I can actually accomplish things I had only dreamed of.
In a recent graduation on the Freewinds I saw a video on an LRH quote regarding an independent attitude towards existence. I thought to myself: “This is my personal goal: to achieve an independent attitude in relation to existence and not be influenced by someone or something.”
Well, now this has happened, big time. Many of the postulates and dreams that I had imagined and wanted to achieve had been quietly put aside. I found myself thinking: “Maybe someday…”
I knew I was pulling back, but I did not know how to resolve it. This beautiful and simple level has helped resolve that consideration. I accomplished an independent attitude in relation to existence!
I can be totally sure who I am and what I think, as I continue to play the games of life.
In the middle of all the randomity that life can present, I now know that I can absolutely reach the goals and the dreams that I had put aside for a while. I can also reach all the new ones that I create.
Another benefit of having completed New OT VIII is the factor that fun in my daily life has increased significantly. I like the physical universe a lot more. I’m more deeply interested in music … another big win. I would never have thought it could have happened, but it did.
What do you think? Does that sound like Chick got his money’s worth?
Makes you wonder why they don’t advertise this kind of thing to the newcomers. Hey, kid, got a spare couple of million dollars? For that money, Scientology can give you “an independent attitude in relation to existence!”
Such a bargain!
Well, we’re happy for you, Chick. And we hope you keep on performing for many more years.
And for a few minutes, anyway, it’s nice to take our minds off of this ungodly political mess.
OK, get on out there and vote, and we’ll see you back here at 7 pm Eastern as the results start coming in!
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Grim news from Oklahoma
We’re not happy that former Sheriff Joel Kerns of Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is running for a state senate seat in today’s election after the way he did nothing about the deaths of patients at a Scientology drug rehab he was assigned to investigate in 2012. And we made our displeasure pretty plain yesterday.
That said, we sure didn’t wish upon Mr. Kerns what he’s going through today after his 28-year-old son, Jaelon, died early this morning after he had been arrested and released by police on a marijuana possession charge. While he was in jail, Jaelon went into convulsions, and he was released to his father and was taken to a hospital, where he died. An autopsy will try to determine what caused his death.
Joel Kerns loved his son, and we feel terrible about his loss.
We asked Robert Murphy, whose daughter Stacy died at Narconon Arrowhead in 2012, for a statement he sent us this:
“Addiction is a serious disease and needs to be treated by professionals. My prayers are for the family and may their grief be brief.”
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Posted by Tony Ortega on November 8, 2016 at 07:00
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Our book, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information about the book, and our 2015 book tour, can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
Learn about Scientology with our numerous series with experts…
BLOGGING DIANETICS: We read Scientology’s founding text cover to cover with the help of L.A. attorney and former church member Vance Woodward
UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists
GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice
SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts
Other links: Shelly Miscavige, ten years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | Scientology’s Private Dancer | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | Scientology boasts about assistance from Google | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Our Guide to Alex Gibney’s film ‘Going Clear,’ and our pages about its principal figures…
Jason Beghe | Tom DeVocht | Sara Goldberg | Paul Haggis | Mark “Marty” Rathbun | Mike Rinder | Spanky Taylor | Hana Whitfield
