What would be the point? Serious question.
For me, the point is exploring what our true nature is, and the nature of the universe in which we occupy.
Scientology utilises a sci-fi narrative to strengthen the therapeutic value of the placebo effect. That value is subjective, rooted entirely in self belief.
To a large extent I agree with this.
But there are
some benefits that are objective. If someone clearly improves their ability to communicate, then others
can see that. It's not just purely subjective.
There are other benefits that are promised that can be objectively verified via the scientific method, but Scientology is allergic to the scientific method.
It would really be easy though to test whether:
1) People can increase their IQ by 1 point per hour of auditing
2) Improve their ability to find parking spaces as a result of completing OT levels
3) Discarding one's glasses as a result of auditing (as Hubbard assured us we can do.
And many other promised benefits as well.
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And we are vulnerable to our own deception.
Yes, we are vulnerable to our own deception. And our ability to understand the universe is quite limited because we don't yes possess the tools as of yet to apply the scientific method to many questions. Plus our perception is extremely limited. We're only able to perceive a tiny fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum via our senses. What
we perceive as reality is an illusion in a sense. Our concept of reality is not true just because that's how
we perceive it.
Despite all the many things that can hinder us from this type of exploration though many still choose to explore and find benefits from it.
And maybe THAT is the point.
We live in a world where peak experiences can be implanted through suggestion and manipulation. Where a placebo has comparable therapeutic value to a number of psychoactive substances. Where a nocebo can induce physical illness, even resulting in death. With this in mind, particularly with regards to "spiritual" pursuits, I'd argue the assignment of other-worldly causes to therapeutic results is now rather quaint and outmoded.
There's a world of trouble one can get into as well from getting involved in romantic relationships with others. You can expose yourself to all kinds of deception, betrayal, and run the risk of hooking up with a sociopath or other types one shouldn't partner up with.
Should we discontinue that pursuit as well to avoid the pitfalls one can experience?
Is "consciousness exploration" just another way of interpreting the illusive to empower the self?
Can we not empower ourselves without deviating from logic and reason?
When I was about 17 years of age and still in high school I took a series of tests to determine what my IQ was and my aptitude was in various areas. It was preparation to determine what career I should pursue, and to help determine what major in college to choose. The test for logical thinking showed I was in the top 1% for my age group for that.
Several years later is when I got involved in Scientology. My IQ (which also tested high) and logical thinking didn't help me avoid the danger of getting sucked into a cult. There are other kinds of intelligence besides those two things. My EQ (emotional intelligence) was horrific, and was a contributing factor as to what made me vulnerable to scientology manipulative recruitment tactics. There were other factors as well. But my point is that logic and reason, while they may be critical in making correct decisions in life, they are not the total answer.