The central practice of the Scientology religion is auditing (from the Latin audire, “to listen") which is a precise form of spiritual counselling between a Scientology minister (left) and a parishioner (right). The minister applies the basic truths of Scientology to the parishioner toward the rehabilitation of the human spirit.

The primary means by which the basic truths of Scientology are applied to the rehabilitation of the human spirit is called auditing. It is the central practice of Scientology and is delivered by an auditor; both terms come from the Latin audire, “to listen.”

An auditor does not engage in some vague form of mental exploration, nor does an auditor offer solutions, advice or evaluation. One of the fundamental principles of the Scientology faith is the truism that an individual can improve conditions only if he is allowed to find his own answers to life’s problems. Scientology auditors help individuals to accomplish this goal by guiding them to examine their existence through a carefully structured series of steps that Mr. Hubbard developed. By following this gradient process, individuals can thereby improve their ability to face what they are and where they are — peeling away the layers of experience that have weighed so heavily upon them.

Auditing then is not something that is done to a person. Its benefits can be achieved only through active participation and good communication.

After all, Scientology is not authoritarian. There is no enforced belief. In Scientology, you learn to think for yourself — it is essentially a voyage of self-discovery.

Another fundamental practice of the Scientology religion is training, the study of the works of L. Ron Hubbard, the Scripture of the Scientology religion, which detail the spiritual nature of man and his relationship to the Divine.

Another fundamental practice of the Scientology religion is training — the study of Scientology principles and how to apply them successfully in life. Many courses of training are available in the Scientology religion because a person can, as stated, use the truths found in Scientology to improve conditions in every area of life. Because Scientology contains an understanding of human behaviour, training provides individuals with the means of dealing with real-life situations by understanding their causes. Training gives Scientologists the know-how to resolve situations that might otherwise appear unsolvable.

Taken together, auditing and training in Scientology comprise a precise path by which any individual may walk an exact route to higher states of awareness. Life is improved on a gradient. Similarly, spiritual advance occurs a bit at a time and one cannot expect someone to immediately leap to the highest levels. Because of this, Mr. Hubbard developed an exact route of successively attainable improvements, done in a proper progression, that enables one to ascend at a satisfactory pace to a very high state indeed.

L. Ron Hubbard spent more than half a century researching the mind and spirit. It should come as no surprise that his examination of nearly every aspect of life included discoveries that provide solutions to the widespread social ills that face our society today, including drug abuse, illiteracy, crime and immorality. And from his discoveries has come a host of social betterment programs that use his technology to achieve real and positive results.

In view of its impact on society, it is not surprising that Scientology has drawn the attention of the world’s leading religious scholars and sociologists, who have found it to be a bona fide religion. That view has been confirmed in hundreds of court decisions and governmental recognitions in the United States, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan and many other countries.

Today, as man moves through the 21st century, the need for such solutions is more urgent than ever. Scientology can provide them. It is a workable system. Evidence of this may be seen in the lives of millions of Scientologists and the positive effects they create. People improve their lives through Scientology. As Scientologists in all walks of life will attest, they have enjoyed greater success in their relationships, family life, jobs and professions. They take an active, vital role in life and leading roles in their communities. And participation in Scientology brings to many a broader social consciousness, manifested through meaningful contribution to charitable and social reform activities.

In half a century, Scientology has become an indelible part of this civilisation’s fabric. It is here to stay.