Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief

As we begin this journey into the intricate world behind a modern religious movement, it is essential to understand the man whose life was as labyrinthine as the doctrines he created. Born into a Methodist family with a penchant for adventure and storytelling, he grew up fascinated by the mystical and the unknown. His early years were marked by a restless spirit, a hunger for exploration, and a vivid imagination that found expression in the pulps—those cheap, sensational magazines of the era. His capacity to produce an astonishing volume of work, often under multiple pseudonyms, speaks to an intense creative drive that few could match.

Yet, his life was not without contradictions. His military career, often recounted with heroic flair, is at odds with official records revealing a man struggling with authority and plagued by health issues. Stories of daring escapes and battles lost in the jungles of the Pacific mingle with documented reprimands and a reputation for embellishment. This duality between myth and reality is a recurring theme, reflecting a deeper psychological complexity.

Adding another layer to his persona was his immersion in occult practices. His association with a renowned rocket scientist and occultist introduced him to ceremonial magic and esoteric rituals, experiences that would later echo in the symbolic language and secret teachings of his church. These experiences, combined with his near-death dental anesthesia episode, where he claimed to glimpse the mysteries of existence, became the cornerstone of his spiritual narrative. The idea that survival is the fundamental command of life emerged from this profound moment, setting the tone for all that followed.

In understanding this man, we glimpse the seeds of a movement that promised clarity, power, and transcendence to those who would follow. His charisma drew others into his orbit, offering a path away from the chaos of life toward a promised freedom. Yet, beneath the surface lay tensions and contradictions that would shape not only his life but also the organization he founded. This complex foundation invites us to explore further, as we move into the origins of his teachings and the birth of a new spiritual technology.

Let us now turn to the genesis of Dianetics, the breakthrough that would launch a revolution in thinking about the mind and spirit.