I would argue that Affirmations are part of Scientology and are mentioned in and are part of a process in the Creation of Human Ability and are the basis of positive postulates.
Having studied the use of affirmations extensively in various contexts, where VERY EXACT methodologies are delineated and provided to the student, and having studied much Scientology, including the PDC Course in full, I would argue that, IN FACT, Scientology provides NO TECHNIQUE at all, not in any form, and not on any checksheet, which describes HOW TO POSTULATE anything. Hubbard talks on and on about postulates, but never gives a "how to" guide in any form. That is one of the biggest flaws that I saw in Scientology.
But, you may be right that that they might be part of "one" (isolated) process in COHA. I am curious. Which process?
In my many years of experience with many Church members, and having also practiced many varieties of "magick" over the years where affirmations and visualization are key components of the "tech", I NEVER saw ANY Scientologist use or do anything even remotely similar to "affirmations".
Yes, Hubbard provided all sorts of "admin tools" to enable a person to "reach ones goals", BUT that is far different from the purpose of affirmations, which is to bring about a change in the consciousness of the practitioner, and thus a change in the experience of reality.
Also, there is no doubt that Scientology tricks people into agreeing with various things, and that this sort of agreeing "acts" like "affirmations", but it is NOT in the conscious control of the Church member. It "happens" to the Church member through involvement and indoctrination with the subject.
The "tech" of affirmations is often "open-ended", meaning that once any student learns "how to do it", then it it us to the student to decide what he or she wants to "affirm into existance". There is extensive free choice. In Scientology, you are TOLD what to agree with and what your goals are. Big difference.
I don't though doubt that Hubbard knew full well that he was tricking Church members into "affirming" a great many things through the slick indoctrination and enforced realities of Scientology participation. Also, yes, creative processing DOES get a PC to "affirm" various conditions through use of the creative imagination (i.e. rising scale processing). But again, the theory of the methodology and the exact nature of WHAT is happening is NOT shared with the PC.
If I took a good look at it, it is probably true that many religions mold and encourage agreement through manipulative use of affirmations (on others).
"Jesus is my Lord and Savior" repeat it over and over
"God shall be my light" repeat it over and over
Even in politics and sports, when team members group together and chant or yell in unison, "we will win" (repeat it over and over).
One affirms something to bring about a change in consciousness and awareness. It is going on all of the time, though below most people's awareness.
The idea of the subject of affirmations (and visualization) involves understanding a basic function of the human mind, the
creative imagination, and bringing this under YOUR CONTROL, instead of it largely remaining under the willy-nilly control of accidental life and goal-oriented groups. As I see it, Hubbard NEVER spelled out the working functioning of affirmations to his Church members, because he was using it to CONTROL them.
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