James,
I'm living comfortably in a happy medium, between work, play, Scientology and other things.
I spent a lot of time blanketed by my local Org, smothered in fact, by Scientology. This didn't work for me, and I stopped playing the game. discovered this place. And realised i'm not in-fact an "ex"
Since then, I'm back on course and I'm having fun. I'm taking on board the precepts, ideas and methodologies which pertain to my own survival, and acknowledging but not necessarily applying those which wont improve my own well being and those around me. . .
i don't believe in the ideal orgs. i believe that staff should be paid more. i believe that there's a lot of hype coming from DM. .
but i do believe that Scientology can improve your life. and it can simplify ideas about your existence, that one couldn't articulates, and brings about a certain "clarity" to your life.
but with all good things in life, there's always hoodlums trying to dominate.
gold, money, land, happiness, everything. . . . there's always profit. there's always power.
but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is valuable.