I was Born a Ramblin' Man
There is much that Markus, Blue Spirit. Lakey and Carmelo have posted here in the last couple of days that has been good for me to read and twangs my heartstrings with humanity and truth.
I was Flag Crew in 1973 so perhaps I’ll get a “pass” if I free-form ramble re: recent posts fostered by Markus.
Markus, I hear you…without going into the "gory details" I hear you. Lakey, you’ve done so well with this thread…thank you. Blue Spirit and Carmelo you bring the salt and pepper of “perspective” yielding good seasoning to the kettle that’s now on the stove (by the way Carmelo, great pics).
I knew Hanna, Rinder, Heber.
And, I knew El Ron.
Why each one of us that got “in”, stayed for awhile (or still stays) is a singular reality to each of us.
I was not on the ship during the chain locker incidents or the overboardings but I was told about them by creditable people--in the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s--that were there. The fact that it happened is irrefutable.
Hanna was (is) a good and decent human being…she was plagued by horrid headaches in her final days in the SO. Her soul was dying, IMO, and she somehow summoned the courage to walk away. Rinder was (is) very gifted with “presence under fire”. He is “Children of the Corn”. His soul was dying, IMO, and he somehow summoned the courage to walk part of the way away. Heber was (is) a very complex, brilliant and selfless man. His soul is dying, IMO, but not dead. He does not lack courage to walk away—even part way—he lacks only opportunity and physical reserves.
Why is this so?
I’m going to tell you a little story. Once upon a time there was a Flag Crew Member named afaceinthecrowd. One day El Ron created a new post (he was fond of creating new posts) and decreed that afaceinthecrowd shall be immediately posted to his new creation. Being a dedicated Sea Org Officer, and fervently certain Scientologist, afaceinthecrowd snapped to, “Aye, Aye Sir”, he responded. Over the next few months afaceinthecrowd brought the new post to points of such high statistics and viable products that El Ron, hisself (sic) asked for a complete hat right up, summarily and forthwith. Afaceinthecrowd responded with a very detailed write-up quoting this HCOPL, that HCOPL, this HCOB, that HCOB, this El Ron book, that El Ron book, etc, etc. A few days later El Ron issued HCOPL’s with his signature (not BPL's) that contained parts of afaceinthecrowd’s write up but also made fundamental changes that “gutted” the essence of what it was that had produced the long-term high statistics. El Ron’s HCOPL was void of little things like not sacrificing long term viability for short term upstats, granting beingess to others and the importance of true admiration, two way comm…silly stuff like that. El Ron liked stuff that was “enforceable” on an immediate basis, required no need for independent judgment and, more than anything, no need for any fundamental understanding of Scientology basics.
So what’s my point?
El Ron was the Founder of Scientology but he was not a Scientologist, per the actual definition. What is good about any of this came from the legions of Dart’s, Alan’s, John’s, Yvonne’s, Hanna’s, Heber’s, etc. over the years and what made it something worth being a part of was us…each and everyone of us that gave our hearts to help others, face our own demons and continue our paths, unflinching, “into the breach”. What is bad about any of this is irreversibly on its way down the rabbit hole.
Scientology is a cult. El Ron may well have been Mystic’s Tulpa. So be it. I, myself, don’t regret having been in…my path is my path…but I’m sure as hell glad it’s all over and I wish I had the silver bullet for those still in.
We are all on our path…some have great burdens right now like Markus’, Heber’s (who's walk has already begun, IMO) and yes, Rinder’s (who's got a long, long way to walk)…but I for one am thankful to be here with you all on ESMB instead of racing, pall mall, towards that rabbit hole.
Oh, and thank you, Emma! Three cheers and all that jolly good rot.
It has enduring value.