Leah Remini on Finding Out About Xenu (from Joe Rogan Experience #908)
TLDRIn a candid discussion from the Joe Rogan Experience #908, Leah Remini shares her experience with Scientology, particularly her journey to the advanced levels of the religion. She describes the process of reaching the OT3 level, which involves a rigorous vetting process, signing non-disclosure agreements, and undergoing an intense personal audit. Remini recounts her skepticism upon learning about the concept of 'thetans'—beings that are believed to inhabit one's body—and the expectation to accept and work through this doctrine without necessarily believing in it. She also touches on the culture of secrecy within the Church, including the repercussions for discussing certain teachings outside of designated secure environments. Her account offers a glimpse into the inner workings of Scientology and the personal challenges faced by its members.
Takeaways
- 🚢 The Sea Org, a more dedicated branch of Scientology, was established when L. Ron Hubbard was on a ship, the Freewinds, where the highest levels of Scientology are delivered.
- 💰 To reach the advanced levels of Scientology, one must be wealthy, as it involves significant financial investment and sometimes even redoing parts at one's own expense.
- 📁 Before receiving advanced materials, a thorough review of a person's history with the church is conducted to ensure their eligibility, including their past actions and statements.
- 🔒 The process of accessing the highest level of knowledge in Scientology is highly secretive and involves signing confidentiality agreements with severe penalties for disclosure.
- 👩👧 Leah Remini's experience with her mother, who was also a high-level Scientologist, highlights the family involvement and the emotional significance of reaching these levels.
- 🧬 The concept introduced at OT8, the highest level discussed, is that one's body is composed of the spirits of other beings from 75 trillion years ago, which is a shocking revelation for believers.
- 🤔 Remini expresses skepticism and dissatisfaction with the information received, leading to a conflict with the church's expectations and her own quest for truth.
- 📋 The auditing process at this level involves using an E-Meter and communicating with these spirits within one's body, aiming to set them free.
- 🤐 There is a strict policy of not discussing the higher-level secrets outside of secured rooms, with severe consequences for breaking this rule.
- 😲 The church's response to skepticism is to insist that belief is not necessary, but participation in the process is, which raises questions about the nature of the experience.
- 🔁 The cycle of doubt and continued participation is fueled by the promise of ultimate understanding and the hope that further information will validate the process.
- 🚫 The strict control and secrecy surrounding the upper echelons of Scientology are maintained through fear, manipulation, and the threat of severe financial penalties.
Q & A
What is the name of the highest level of Scientology that is mentioned in the transcript?
-The highest level of Scientology mentioned in the transcript is OT8 (Operating Thetan Level 8).
What is the name of the ship where the highest level of Scientology is delivered?
-The ship where the highest level of Scientology is delivered is called the Freewinds.
What is the process like for a Scientologist to reach the advanced levels of Scientology?
-To reach the advanced levels, a Scientologist must be invited, have been a member for years, spent a significant amount of money, and often go through a process of being audited and having their past actions and beliefs scrutinized.
What is the significance of the e-meter in Scientology?
-The e-meter, also known as the electropsychometer, is used in Scientology auditing sessions to measure a person's reactions while they answer questions, with the belief that it can help identify and clear mental and spiritual distress.
What does Leah Remini describe as her reaction upon learning about the concept of thetan and body thetans?
-Leah Remini expresses skepticism and dissatisfaction upon learning about the concept of thetan and body thetans, questioning the validity of the information and not feeling happy or satisfied with the explanation provided.
What does Leah's mother's role in Scientology signify?
-Leah's mother's role signifies that she is highly trained and considered a high-level auditor in Scientology, which is a rare position of authority within the organization.
Why did Leah continue to progress through the levels of Scientology despite her skepticism?
-Leah continued to progress through the levels due to the allure of receiving the 'answers to life,' the pressure to continue, and the psychological manipulation that made her feel like she was in a leadership role as an auditor.
What is the term used for the beings that are said to be part of a person's body in Scientology?
-The term used for the beings that are said to be part of a person's body in Scientology is 'body thetans.'
How does the Church of Scientology handle the disclosure of confidential information to non-members?
-The Church of Scientology enforces strict confidentiality and requires members to lie or deny any knowledge of confidential information when asked by non-members, with the justification that revealing such information could harm the non-members.
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What is the penalty for revealing confidential information about Scientology without authorization?
-The penalty for revealing confidential information without authorization includes a fine of $100,000, as indicated by the documents Leah was made to sign.
What is the term used for the auditing process where one communicates with the body thetans?
-The term used for the auditing process where one communicates with the body thetans is 'auditing on the meter.'
What does Leah Remini imply about the psychological impact of the auditing process?
-Leah Remini implies that the auditing process can be psychologically manipulative, playing on individuals' desires for answers and their willingness to believe in order to continue progressing in the organization.
Outlines
🚢 Sea Org Members and Scientology's Advanced Levels
The first paragraph discusses the Sea Organization (Sea Org) members within Scientology, distinguishing them from average Scientologists. It delves into the history of Scientology's founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and his evasion of taxes, which led to the establishment of the ship 'Freewinds'. This ship is significant as it is the location where the highest levels of Scientology, specifically OT8, are delivered. The paragraph also touches on the financial aspect of reaching these advanced levels, emphasizing the need for wealth and the potential for members to be asked to redo parts of their progress at their own expense. It highlights the secretive nature of the process, including the requirement to sign documents with hefty penalties for disclosure and the intense scrutiny members undergo before being granted access to the advanced materials.
👽 The Concept of Thetans and Scientology's OT3 Level
The second paragraph provides a detailed account of the individual's experience with the OT3 level of Scientology, which involves the concept of thetans—spiritual beings that are believed to inhabit the bodies of humans. The speaker describes the process of being invited to a secure room, where they are required to draw and understand the concept that their body is composed of these thetans. The session is monitored by a supervisor to ensure comprehension and compliance. The individual expresses skepticism and discomfort with the material, leading to a discussion about the expectations and the pressure to accept and act on the teachings without necessarily believing in them. The paragraph also mentions the auditing process, where one must communicate with these thetans using an E-Meter, a device central to Scientology's counseling practices.
🤔 The Role of Auditor and the Ethical Implications
In the third paragraph, the speaker reflects on their role as an auditor within Scientology, which involves guiding individuals through their spiritual journey within the organization. The paragraph highlights the psychological tactics used to make individuals feel responsible for the well-being of the thetans within them. It also touches on the personal struggle of the speaker, who grapples with doubts about the validity of the teachings while still seeking answers to life's questions. The narrative includes an anecdote about the strict confidentiality surrounding the teachings, with severe consequences for discussing certain concepts outside of designated secure rooms. The speaker describes the culture of secrecy and the pressure to conform, even in the face of personal incredulity.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Xenu
💡Sea Org
💡E-meter
💡Operating Thetan (OT)
💡Ethics
💡Clear
💡Auditor
💡Knowledge Report
💡L. Ron Hubbard
💡David Miscavige
Highlights
Leah Remini discusses the secretive nature of the Sea Org members within Scientology.
The Sea Org was established when L. Ron Hubbard was evading taxes and was on a ship called the Apollo.
The Freewinds is a ship where the highest level of Scientology, OT8, is delivered.
To reach the advanced levels of Scientology, one must be invited and have spent a significant amount of money.
Scientology has a practice of making members redo parts of the process at their own expense.
David Miscavige is mentioned as someone who rewrites Scientology materials, claiming to find them in a vault.
Leah reached the level of OT5, which is considered an advanced level within the organization.
Advanced level members are scrutinized through their past actions and transgressions.
Leah's mother, also a high-level Scientologist, was present during Leah's discovery of the OT8 materials.
The OT8 materials reveal that one's body is composed of other beings, which is a shocking revelation to Leah.
Leah was instructed to draw what she understood from the materials, indicating a visual representation of the concept.
The beings mentioned in the OT8 materials are said to be from 75 trillion years ago.
Leah expresses skepticism and dissatisfaction with the OT8 materials, which is met with a response that one doesn't need to believe it, just do it.
After understanding the OT8 materials, Leah is told to audit herself using an E-Meter, a device used in Scientology.
Leah describes the process as 'sick' because it appeals to one's desire for answers about life.
Scientologists are instructed to lie about the higher levels of the religion to outsiders to prevent them from learning about it.
Leah shares her experience of being reprimanded for discussing the OT3 materials outside of a secured room.
The interview concludes with Leah's reflection on the psychological manipulation within Scientology and its impact on her life.