by Nick Broadhurst

Created on: October 24, 2010

What is the difference between Scientology and Dianetics? Scientology simply means a study of wisdom or knowledge. It has to do with you, yourself. Dianetics, on the other hand, is about your mind, which is what makes you think the way you do. They are subtly different subjects.

You are a life force. You are the I, or me, that answers up to the question, who are you. I ask, “Who are you?” and you say, “I am me.” You are that me. You are your own soul. Scientology is a study about you. You are a life force and you are subjected to universal laws of nature. And if you know these laws you can control life instead of being effect of life. Scientology is a study about these laws of life and how to use them.

Dianetics, on the other hand, is about your mind. It is about that part of your mind that makes you react badly. Note your mind is not you. Our minds also follows certain laws and when you know these laws of the mind, you can be in control of your mind, thoughts and actions, instead of them controlling you.

Both Scientology and Dianetics have a practical side. When you know the laws of life you can counsel and be counselled so as to remove the adverse affects of living. You can restore your former vigour and zest. Scientology theory is important, but like all theory, it is there to be applied. In Scientology you apply the knowledge you learn and through the application of this knowledge you become more yourself and more able.

Dianetics and Scientology have counselling as their major practical application. Both have as their goal higher states of being for man. It is not necessarily true that Dianetics came before Scientology, as both subjects were in their research phases long before the book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was released in 1950. The word Scientology was first used by L. Ron Hubbard in 1932. But the book Dianetics was the first mass book on the subject. From it more Dianetics books were written and published until there was a larger body of data on the spirit, and life - Scientology. At that point Scientology books were published.

Today all these books and recorded lectures of L. Ron Hubbard are available. There are also full length movies on each subject. Through these books both subjects are easy to understand.  And if one were to read the books one would gain a great conceptual understand of not only Dianetics and Scientology, but a huge understanding of one’s own mind and life.

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