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1) G e n e r a l   o v e r v i e w / i n t r o d u c t i o n :   M i s s i o n   s t a t e m e n t ,   o v e r v i e w ,   r e s e a r c h   s p e c i f i c s I n t r o d u c t i o n   t o   S c i e n t o l o g y   a n d   L R H K e e p i n g   S c i e n t o l o g y   W o r k i n g ,   f u n d a m en t al s S c i e n t o l o g y   i n   m e d i a   a nd   I n t e r n e t   ( +   f o r u m s ,   W i k i p e d i a ) S c i e n t o l o g y :   I t s   t r u e   h i s t o r y   e x p o s e d ? S c i e n t o l o g y   Q & A   ( F A Q ) E x t e r n a l   l i n k s M a t e r i a l s   w a n t   l i s t R e c o m m e n d e d   l i s t   o f   m a t e r i a l s 2) R e s p o n s e s   ( w i t h   a n n o t a t i o n s ) : A p p r e c i a t i v e   r e s p o n s e s   t o   m y   p a g e s C r i t i q u e   r e c e i v e d   ( 1 )   f r o m   c h u r c h g o i n g   S c i e n t o l o g i s t s C r i t i q u e   r e c e i v e d   ( 2 )   f r o m   o u t - o f - c h u r c h   S c i e n t o l o g i s t s C r i t i q u e   r e c e i v e d    ( 3 )   f r o m   a n t i - S c i e n t o l o g i s t s 3) T o p i c s   o f   p a r t i c u l a r   i n t e r e s t : (a): G e n e r a l   t o p i c s H o l y   S c r i p t u r e s   v s   S c i e n t o l o g y L R H   v s   D i c t i o n a r i e s L R H   v s   t h e o r y   o f   e v o l u t i o n L R H ' s   w o r k s   o f   f i c t i o n (b): O r g a n i z a t i o n a l   t o p i c s A   p r i n t i n g   h i s t o r y   o f   t h e   m a t e r i a l s   o f   S c i e n t o l o g y S c i e n t o l o g y   M e m b e r s h i p :   H A S I   v s   I A S L R H   v s   p r i c i n g   p o l i c i e s T h e   c o p y r i g h t s   i s s u e   a n d   l i c e n s i n g (c): T e c h n i c a l   t o p i c s H i s t o r y   o f   G r a d e   C h a r t :   a )   G e n e r a l H i s t o r y   o f   G r a d e   C h a r t :   b )   D e t a i l e d ‘ C l e a r ’   d e f i n e d N E D   f o r   O T s T h e   ‘ P r i m a r y   R u n d o w n ’ 4) C o n t r o v e r s i a l   t o p i c s : M i s t a k e n   i d e a s   o f   ‘ E t h i c s ’   c l a r i f i e d T h e   F a i r    G a m e   L a w P r a c t i c e   o f   D i s c o n n e c t i o n S e c u r i t y   C h e c k i n g F r e e l o a d e r s   v s   E x - s t a f f   m e m b e r s T h e   ‘ R e h a b i l i t a t i o n   P r o j e c t   F o r c e ’   ( R P F ) 5) C h a n g e s   i n   t h e   f l o w   o f   ‘ i n f o r m a t i o n ’: (a): A l t e r a t i o n s   ( L R H   o r   n o n- L R H ? ) L R H   v s   A l t e r a t i o n s N o n - L R H   t u r n s   i n t o   L R H ?   &   P r o p o s a l   t o   s o l u t i o n T h e    ‘ C r a m m i n g   S e r i e s ’   -   L R H   o r   n o t   L R H ? B a s e d   o n   L R H   p u b l i c a t i o n s (b): G e n e r a l   o v e r v i e w L R H   v s   A   N e w   O r d e r   ( i n t r o d u c t i o n ) → A d m i n i s t r a t i v e   a n d    o r g a n i z a t i o n a l   m a t t e r s S e t u p   o f   t h e   p r i n t e d   m a t e r i a l s   ( 1 9 7 3 - 8 6 ) T h e   R T R C ,   t h e   u n i t   t h a t   w r o t e   L R H   i s s u e s   ( 1 9 7 3 - 8 2 ) T h e   d a w n i n g   o f   R T C   a n d   n e w   m a n a g e m e n t   ( 1 9 8 2 - 8 3 ) → T e c h n i c a l   m a t t e r s I n t r o d u c t i o n   t o   t h e   e v e n t   o f   l o s i n g   a   B r i d g e ) A n a l y s i s   o f   H C O B   “ T e c h   C o r r e c t i o n   R o u n d - u p ” L o s t   B r i d g e :   T e c h   c h a n g e s   d u r i n g   1 9 7 8 - 8 2 T h e   h i s t o r y   o f   t h e   o r i g i n a l   O T   V I I I ‘ G o l d e n   A g e   o f   T e c h ’   ( G A T )   a n a l y s i s D r i l l i n g   i n   S c i e n t o l o g y (c): T h e   m a t t e r   o f   D a v i d   M a y o S t o r y   o f   D a v i d   M a y o ‘ S O   E D   2 3 4 4   I n t’   a n a l y s i s T r a i n i n g   d r i l l s   ( T R s ) M a y o   r e f e r e n c e   l i s t 6) C o n s p i r a c i e s   -   I n   L .   R o n   H u b b a r d ' s   f o o t s t e p s S c i e n t o l o g y   v s   a   N e w   W o r l d   O r d e r → W h e r e   i s   L .   R o n   H u b b a r d ?   ( c h r o n o l o g y   o f   S c n   h i s t o r y ) W h e r e a b o u t s   o f   L .   R o n   H u b b a r d   c h r o n o l o g y T h e   e r a   o f   a d o r a t i o n ;   P r e s e n t a t i o n   o f   L .   R o n   H u b b a r d L .   R o n   H u b b a r d   i n t o   a r t i s t r y :   M u s i c   &   F i l m → W h e r e   i s   h i s   w i f e   a n d   f a m i l y ? S t o r y   o f   M a r y   S u e   H u b b a r d T h e   l a s t   s t a n d :   T h e   G u a r d i a n   O f f i c e 7) S c i e n t o l o g y   u n d e r   a t t a c k (a): A   p r e m e d i t a t e d   s e r i e s   o f   o c c u r r e n c e s ?   ( ’ 8 0 s   c o n s p i r a c y ) I n t r o d u c t i o n   &   R o n   D e W o l f G e r r y   A r m s t r o n g   ( ‘ a f f i r m a t i o n s ’ ) R u s s e l l   M i l l e r    ( ‘ B a r e - F a c e d   M e s s i a h ’ ) A   r e l i g i o n   c r e a t e d   f o r   t h e   m o n e y ? (b): B a t t l e s   f o u g h t   a n d   t h e   i n t e r n e t   ( 2 0 1 6 -   ) L e a h   R e m i n i :   S c i e n t o l o g y   a n d   t h e   A f t e r m a t h   ( T V   s h o w )

>> Do you want to help with preserving the original technology? <<  Consult my want list here!

Please note that words with an asterisk (*) are defined at the bottom of this page! Only first appearances are indicated.

History of the Grade Chart - b) Detailed analysis  (page 2)

Go to “‘The Bridge to a New World’ - b) Detailed analysis” index page

(Dec) 1978:  ‘NED’ and ‘NED for OTs’ appear on the chart

• Chart only available in book ‘What Is Scientology?’ (Dec 78) ?
• ‘New Era Dianetics’ (NED) (Jul 78)  &  The ‘Student Hat’ as a prerequisite
• ‘NED for OTs’ (NOTs) (Sept 78)
• Expanded Grade Processes (0-IV):  ‘Triples’ turn ‘Quadruples’ (Nov 76)
• The ‘Alternate Route to Clear’ (Sept 78) (complete overview)  (on different page)

The most significant additions to this chart obviously had been the release of New Era Dianetics (NED) and NED for OTs (NOTs) respectively released in July and September 1978. More remarkable however may be that there is not known to have been issued a poster sized map of this Grade Chart that physically could be put on a wall.

But not less remarkable is that this chart including its sequel chart issued in 1980 failed to implement HCOB 24 Sept 78 III “Dianetic Clear” that directed that “The Dianetic Clear, ... . On completing Grades 0-IV, he is not run on Power, R6EW or the Clearing Course but goes onto OT I, after doing the Solo Auditor Course.”. Paving the way for a later materialized ‘Alternate Route to Clear’.

 
Chart only available in book ‘What Is Scientology?’ (Dec 78) ?

Strangely enough however this particular chart is only found in ‘What Is Scientology?’ (1978 edition), chopped in pieces and spread out over pages 30-47 (Training side) & 56-65 (Processing side). I have failed to get it confirmed if this existed also as a poster that could be put on the wall. On the contrary, the indications that I have found may point at that there never was! There are 2 issues of 2 different Scientology periodicals published about mid-1980 that picture a Grade Chart that dates back to 1975. If there would have been a chart for 1978 or thereabouts it's quite likely that a recent chart would have been pictured instead. A chart that can be viewed at once in its entirety does provide for a certain clarity, whereas a chopped up chart spread out over a variety of pages –as found in ‘What Is Scientology?’ (1978 edition)– would not.

“What courses to take? There are easily seventy or eighty major courses offered at Flag, and 150 or more of the great mini-courses. The Director of Training was a great help. She helped me to work out an exact, custom-made program of courses exactly tailored to my needs! This was my first contact with the individual care and attention that is a hallmark of Flag training.”

In ‘Source 27’, June-Jul 80 on page 10 we see a photograph where 2 persons are pointing at a Grade Chart that is hanging on the wall (see illustration here on the right with accompanying text).
Following in ‘Advance! 66’, [ca Sept 80] on page 12 we see a photograph where another 2 persons also talk about a Grade Chart that one of them is holding (shown here below in reduced size). On both of these photographs we see clearly that ‘New Era Dianetics for OTs’ is not listed anywhere on this chart, but it is listed on the chart that we find in the book ‘What Is Scientology?’ (1978 edition) and it is also listed on the in 1980 released chart. It appears that the chart that is pictured in both these periodicals are dating back to 1975.
Then we see that the 1980 chart only mentions the copyright years 1970, 1974 and 1980, it does not mention 1978 or 1979. This all seems to confirm that no actual updated Grade Chart –as a poster that you could hang on the wall– may have been produced between January 1975 & December 1980. Which actually is quite strange if you think about it as the changes introduced since July 1978 were quite comprehensive and far reaching! (July came with NED, September with NOTs). So how was the public shown which way to travel on the Bridge during this time period? After all this was the purpose of having this Grade Chart in the first place!

An on both sides printed large poster issued at AOSH EU lists a selection from a Grade Chart. It was promoting the Saint Hill Special Briefing Course (SHSBC*) that it “gives you the view from the top”. On one side it showed a nice reproduction of a painting where some person is standing high up on a mountain rock providing for a magnificent view over the landscape (by Carl W. Röhrig, dated 1980). On the reverse side it provides for various further information regarding: “Complete the Academy – Do the SHSBC at AOSH EU & AF”. Underneath this selection of the Grade Chart it then says: “The above chart only shows the levels you need to do in order to become a Class VI auditor. (The full chart is in the book What Is Scientology).”. This is quite interesting as the copyright year that is mentioned on this very poster is 1980. It should be rather noteworthy that it refers to this book and not to a chart available from the organization.

Another interesting notice can be found in ‘Scientology Publications Organization, International Catalogue No 4 (Autumn 1979)’. This is a periodically issued catalogue of a “complete list Dianetics and Scientology books and materials”. The following we find listed in the section “Posters and Charts” (page 44):

	“Classification, Gradation Awareness Chart
	A magnificent wall chart, aprox 1 meter X 1,20 meters, this chart gives extremely specific information about the results you can uniformly expect at every level of auditing and the capabilities you attain from every level of training. This is the best may you could get showing the Route to Total Freedom.		Two versions: Wall version made of heavy paper is shipped in a tube so there are no crease marks. Can go in up in the home or office. Flimsy version is made of light weight paper of the same size as the wall sheet, but folded to a convenient size for mailing. Also available in German.”

The question would be from which year this chart would be. Be it noted that the chart as we find it in ‘What Is Scientology?’ (1978 edition) does not carry “extremely specific information” whereas the previous 1975 chart more or less did. It also be noted that a German version of the 1975 chart was issued, it was copyrighted 1976. We may thus fairly safely assume that it was the 1975 chart that was being offered for sale in this catalogue.

 
‘New Era Dianetics’ (NED) (Jul 78)  &  The ‘Student Hat’ as a prerequisite

January 1975 (©1974)              (December) 1978 FOR DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY TRAINING   Auditor classes Certificate turns    Auditor classes Certificate ↑   ...   ... ↑   ...   ... ↑  Dianetic Case Supervisor  HDC C/S ↑  Validated New Era Dianetics Case Supervisor  Hubbard New Era Dianetics Graduate (Validated) ↑  New Era Dianetics Case Supervisor  Hubbard New Era Dianetics Graduate (HNEDG) (Prov.) ↑  Permanent HDC  HDC ↑  Validated New Era Dianetics Auditor  Hubbard New Era Dianetics Auditor (HNEDA) (Validated) ↑  Standard Dianetic Auditor  Hubbard Dianetic Counselor (HDC) (Prov.) ↑ New Era Dianetics Auditor  Hubbard New Era Dianetics Auditor (HNEDA) (Prov.) ↑ Not classed  Hubbard Scientology Student Course: Basic Study Manual (BSM) ↑  Not classed   Hubbard Graduate of Study Technology Course: Student Hat  ↑  ...   ... ↑ ...   ...

Noteworthy changes on the Training side (lower bridge):

January 1975 (©1974)              (December) 1978 FOR DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY PROCESSING   Auditor classes ... turns    Auditor classes Processes audited Subject Audited ↑   ...   ... ↑   ...   ...  ... ↑  Dianetic Case Completion  ... ↑  New Era Dianetics Case Completion  New Era Dianetics Rundown on locks, secondaries and engrams  ... ↑  Drug Rundown Completion  ... ↑  New Era Dianetics Drug Rundown Completion  New Era Dianetics Drug Rundown. Full and complete auditing of harmful effects from drugs, medicine & alcohol  Attitudes, emotions, sensations and pains (AESPs) connected with taking and prior to taking drugs, medicine and alcohol       ↑  New Era Dianetics Objectives (new)  New Era Dianetics Objective Processes  To orient pc in present time, drop out past and improve havingness  ↑  ...   ... ↑ ...   ...  ...

Noteworthy changes and additions on the Processing side (lower bridge):

New Era Dianetics (NED) has been researched and compared with Standard Dianetics (StDn) as part of my study “Overview of Tech changes during 1978-82 vs A lost Bridge”, chapter “(1) ‘Ring out the old, ring in the new’: ‘Standard Dianetics’ vs ‘New Era Dianetics’ (Jul 78)”. To consult click here (separate window).

 
‘NED for OTs’ (NOTs) (Sept 78)

January 1975 (©1974)                    (December) 1978 FOR DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY PROCESSING   Preclear grades ... turns    Preclear grades Name ↑   ...   ... ↑   ...   ... ↑  OT IV   ↑ OT IV   ↑  OT III Expanded   ↑  OT III Expanded   ↑  OT VII Processes   ↑ OT VII Processes         ↑ New Era Dianetics for OTs (new)  Cause over life ↑ OT III   ↑  OT III   ↑  ...   ... ↑ ...   ...

‘LRH ED 301 Int’, 17 Dec 78 “Ron's Journal 30, 1978—The Year of Lightning Fast New Tech” makes mention of it as follows:  (Note: OT III Expanded is in the wrong sequence, should be following OT VII!)

	“8.	OT III.  This is the big step and one has to allow time for it.
	9.	OT III EXPANDED.
	10.	OT VII.  This is an auditing step by a professional OT auditor. It can be given in any sequence after OT III and before OT VIII.
	11.	NED FOR OTs.  This is the big news of the OT world. AO auditors were specially trained at Flag and are just now on their way back to AOs to deliver it. The new Division 4A Flag is an AO now and had its gala opening and its first avalanche of pre-OTs on December 16. There is very wild excitement on the results of NED for OTs as, of course, they've never been seen before on this or any other planet. NED for OTs can be given any time after OT III and before OT VIII and is a prerequisite for OT VIII.
	12.	OT IV.
	13.	OT V.
	14.	OT VI.
	15.	OT VIII.  Although several upper OT grades have been researched, pre-OTs were not ready for them and so they were not released. The needed link which makes it possible is NED for OTs which is its prerequisite. The upper levels above VIII will probably be released from time to time into the future. OT VIII's release is a real cap for the tech breakthroughs of ’78.”

Forwarding also an explanation why OT VIII had not been released thus far. Nonetheless the original OT VIII in the end never got released. It got abandoned together with the original OT III, IIIX, IV, V, VI & VII so about early 1982 (see later chapters).

A detailed study about New Era Dianetics for Operating Thetans (NED for OTs or NOTs) and its consequences/inconsistencies is found as part of my study into David Mayo. See “David Mayo project (3b): Notes on NED for OTs and its relation to ‘Clear’”. To consult click here (separate window).

 
Expanded Grade Processes (0-IV):  ‘Triples’ turn ‘Quadruples’ (Nov 76)

	“S:  EXPANDED GRADES BEING REDONE
	It has been found that some processes were left out of Expanded Grades 0 to IV and that in some cases these grades had been quickied. Therefore, all Expanded Grades checklists are being reissued and will contain more extensive processes.
	Until you have the new Expanded Grades checklists, the ones you are using are still OK.” (from HCOB 24 Jan 77 “Tech Correction Round-up”)

January 1975 (©1974)             (December) 1978 FOR DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY PROCESSING   Preclear grades ... turns    Preclear grades Processes audited ↑  Expanded Grade IV Release  ... ↑  Expanded Grade IV Release  Additional ability processes ↑ Grade IV Release  The major process of Grade IV run on all four flows (minimum) ↑  Expanded Grade III Release  ... ↑  Expanded Grade III Release  Numerous additional processes on change and ARC breaks ↑ Grade III Release  The major process of Grade III run on all four flows (minimum) ↑  Expanded Grade II Release  ... ↑  Expanded Grade II Release  Numerous additional confront and overt & withhold processes ↑ Grade II Release  The major process of Grade II run on all four flows (minimum) ↑  Expanded Grade I Release  ... ↑  Expanded Grade I Release  Objective processes, help processes, and additional problems processes ↑ Grade I Release  The major process of Grade I run on all four flows (minimum) ↑  Expanded Grade 0 Release  ... ↑  Expanded Grade 0 Release  Numerous additional communication processes ↑ Grade 0 Release  The major process of Grade 0 run on all four flows (minimum) ↑  Dianetic Case Completion  ...       ↑  Expanded ARC Straightwire Release  ... ↑  Expanded ARC Straightwire Release  Numerous additional processes regarding recall ↑ ARC Straightwire Release  The major process of ARC Straightwire run on all four flows (minimum)       ↑ New Era Dianetics Case Completion  ...

Further up-to-date regulation for use were laid out in HCOB 5 Apr 77 “Expanded Grades”.

[Dec] 1980:  ‘Solo NED for OTs’ and additional services listed

• Overview of noteworthy changes
• First mention of an ‘Alternate Route to Clear’ on the chart

Offered for sale as a large chart, and in handy small size (folded) in ‘Ability 344’, [Dec 80].

 
Overview of noteworthy changes

(December) 1978             [December] 1980 FOR DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY PROCESSING        Preclear grades      ... turns    Preclear grades Prerequisites ↑   OT IX and Above   ... ↑   OT VIII and Above  ...       ... ↑    NED for OTs Completion  Solo NED for OTs (new)  Purification Rundown Completion, NOTs OT Drug Rundown (or OT DRD) Completion and well advanced or complete on NOTs Audited Processes with NOTs C/S OK  Audited NED for OTs OT III in Completion or above. NED for OTs can be done after OT III or after any subsequent OT level as determined by the C/S       ↑   NOTs OT Drug Rundown Completion  (new) Purification Rundown Completion. Must be in progress on NED for OTs (does not have to be a full NED for OTs Completion) ↑   OT IV-VII  ... ↑   OT IV-VII  ... ↑   OT III Expanded  ... ↑   OT III Expanded  ... ↑   OT VII Processes  ... ↑   OT VII Processes  ... ↑   New Era Dianetics for OTs  ...             ↑   OT Drug Rundown Completion  (new) Purification Rundown Completion. OT III or above (with the exception of NOTs pre-OTs who would be given the NOTs OT Drug Rundown) ↑   OT III  ... ↑   OT III  ... ↕   ... ↕   ... (Grades, XDN, OT I-II etc.) ↑   Expanded ARC Straightwire Release  ... ↑  Expanded ARC Straightwire  ...       ↑   Scientology Drug Rundown Completion (new) Purification Rundown Completion Survival Rundown Completion ↑   New Era Dianetics Case Completion  ... ↑  Dianetic Case Completion Name of state: New Era Dianetics Case Completion  ... ↑   New Era Dianetics Drug Rundown Completion  ... ↑  New Era Dianetics Drug Rundown Completion  ... ↑  New Era Dianetics Objectives  ... ↑   Survival Rundown (new) Purification Rd Completion. Conditional review of past auditing and/or cramming       ↑  Purification Rundown (new) Medical examination and okay to do the Purification Rundown

Is intended for Clears who have gone Clear at some point earlier on Grade Chart materials but who have not had a Dianetic Drug Rundown.

 
First mention of an ‘Alternate Route to Clear’ on the chart

“The Dianetic Clear, on achieving this state, can be audited on Scientology Grades 0-IV. He would not be run on the R3RA section of service facs, however. On completing Grades 0-IV, he is not run on Power, R6EW or the Clearing Course but goes onto OT I, after doing the Solo Auditor Course.” (from HCOB 24 Sept 78 III “Dianetic Clear”)

Nonetheless this chart still lists these Grades V, VA & VI as if to be done after Expanded Grade IV as the next step. What we then find further higher up on the chart is a little notice at the position of “CLEAR” on the Processing side that reads: “CLEARING COURSE MATERIALS (Unless person has gone Clear at some point earlier on Grade Chart materials, with the stats fully verified by a Dianetic Clear Special Intensive.)”. Are we going to interpret this as if in spite of having been declared a Dianetic Clear that one as per this chart is to do Grades V, VA & VI after completing Expanded Grade IV (and Expanded Dianetics if directed by the C/S), but does not do the Clearing Course? If we follow that Grade Chart as it is laid out then this appears/seems to be the case!

It was not earlier than on the January 1982 release of the Grade Chart before more proper attention was given to this change on the chart. Here it created a whole Alternate Route section to Clear (see in later chapter “Jan-Mar 1982: ‘OT IV-VII’ replaced with ‘New OT IV-VII’”).

• First grades then Dianetics (1):  A first attempt in November 1969
          (quickly abandoned, never implemented, and effectively counteracted by L. Ron Hubbard in 1970)
• First grades then Dianetics (2):  A second attempt in Nov-Dec 1981
          - Dianetics moved to be received after the Scientology Grades
          - Reason provided for (‘undercut’)
          - New Era Dianetics (NED) processing requires at least a Class III auditor
• Additional referencing supporting that Dianetics is run before the Scientology Grades (3)
• A change in the Grade Chart in regards to an error in redefining Clear

“On the road to Clear individuals have a tendency to jump all the stepping stones, therefore do not be surprised if they often fall in the brook. The first stepping stone on the road to Clear and OT was and is Dianetics.”          LRH (from tape lecture “The Dianetic Program”, given on 29 May 69)

Sound snippet

Nov-Dec 1981 report some changes. A major change is that on both the Training & Processing sides of the in January 1982 released chart we see that Dianetics (referred to as NED) exchanged places with the Lower Scientology Grades in sequence. Now you were first to learn how to audit these Scientology Grades prior to becoming an NED (Dianetics) auditor. You also would receive these Grades prior to Dianetics processing wise. All this is quite a turnaround.

Although I am rather clouded about another reported change in regards to an error in redefining Clear. Simply because of lack of information.

First grades then Dianetics (1):  A first attempt in November 1969

(quickly abandoned, never implemented, and effectively counteracted by L. Ron Hubbard in 1970)

We see that a copy of the original mimeo print-off* was attached to the weekly issued periodical ‘Clear News 4 (AOLA edition)’, 28 Nov 69. This magazine was freely send to those that were Clear or above. The early run of this magazine always had some newly issued reference attached to it. It is also quoted in full in the periodical ‘Advance 7’, [Dec] 69. Then we find this reference also included in ‘The Organization Executive Course: HCO Dissemination Division 2’ (1971) & ‘The Organization Executive Course: Technical Division 4’ (1972).

Where in the HCO PL this is followed with:

I am not sure though what this got to do with that “Dianetics is not a prerequisite for pcs to be audited on Scientology grades.”. Somehow however this seems to have been interpreted as if it would be easier if you just place Dianetics to be run after the Grades? You are offered a finger and you take the hand (or even arm), kind of thing. However the quotation from the LRH ED is promoting to “not abandon Scn actions” rather than promoting an actual sequence change. The deal here with this policy letter is that it opened the door to start on Scientology Grades right away with no necessity to first get involved with Dianetics. The policy letter though is however only providing for various reasoning and an argumentation in favour of this sequence change rather than giving source (L. Ron Hubbard) specifications.

	Sound snippet
	((The above sound snippet is longer than the printed text that you find here above.)

I was unable to find any reference that is actually cancelling the policy letter. It is however listed as cancelled in HCO Policy Letter Subject Index (issued March 1976). In ‘Appendix D: HCO Policy Letter Cancellations’ on page 315 we find the policy letter. It makes a referral to 4 other technical bulletins (HCOBs) of which only one is issued at a later date than HCO PL 17 Nov 69. This referenced HCOB 31 Aug 74 “New Grade Chart” is basically superseding the HCO PL 17 Nov 69 with informing us about an upcoming New Grade Chart that will then lay out the sequence to be followed. This chart was finally released in January 1975. In addition the fact that the Grade Charts that were issued during 1970 (March, June & December) did not reflect back to this HCO PL 17 Nov 69. The sequence as it always had been was first Dianetics and then the Scientology Grades, no alternate route or indications (notes) thereof are found on either of these 3 Grade Charts. This seems to confirm that the proposed change was abandoned very quickly and not even implemented on the Grade Chart, Not in March, not in June and not in December 1970, which either of these charts prove!

We should contemplate little with that this HCO PL was (1) written and issued by someone else; (2) it does not carry an approval of L. Ron Hubbard, or indicates that it was seen by him: (3) it only claims about some LRH notes, but we do not learn what these notes exactly say; (4) the referencing to LRH ED 13 June 1969 also does not directly or indirectly support a sequence change; (5) it is also the only reference that I know about issued in the early days that suggest any such sequence change, which I personally find being suspect; (6) it was never actually implemented; (7) and yes things may have been published solely because some person took some initiative, you just need to get it approved and get it through this Board of Directors and that will be it, it get's printed. It wouldn't be the first time that some reference slips through anyhow. The conclusion that can be drawn here is that HCO PL 17 Nov 69 “Dianetics and Scientology Services” is an isolated proposal of how to go about something. It is not supported by any other reference, and it has not been implemented anywhere either. That its recommendations found no reflection on any of the Grade Charts released in 1970 should be a clear enough indicator that it was not implemented and not enforced. It is interesting to note that this HCO PL was evidently rushed to the public, attaching or quoting it in various scientology periodicals, but nonetheless it did not effect upon the Grade Chart nor anywhere else and the little fact that it was explicitly listed as cancelled in HCO Policy Letter Subject Index (issued March 1976).

HCOB 12 Jun 70 “Programming Cases”

	“The outnesses which have occurred surrounding this Chart are hard to believe. They consist of total abandonment of the Chart, degrading and losing all its lower grade processes, feeding a pc at Dianetic level data at Class VI and telling him, who has not made Dianetics yet, he is now Clear, cutting down all processes from the Chart bottom up to IV to be able to do them in 2½ minutes, neglecting all levels up to OT V and then trying to put in a few lower grades and sending on to OT VI, having the pc after one trivial session attest all abilities at once and many other errors.
	This is crazy driving. If a bus were driven along a road this way it would soon be wrecked and back where it started but in an ash heap.
	Genius in C/Sing is normally required only when some former driver wrecked the thing instead of driving it right in the first place.”          LRH

The full text of this reference can be consulted in either the 1976 or the 1991 release of ‘The Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology’ volumes. The full text of this reference (although very slightly adjusted) is also found in the since the late ’70s out of print publication ‘Dianetics Today’, (Mar 75) on pages 564-70.

Further considering that the Grade Charts released in March, June and December 1970 do not promote or indicate any sequence change whatsoever (first Grades then Dianetics) we should be able to put all this aside. Nonetheless we do find that ‘The Organization Executive Course: HCO Dissemination Division 2’ (1971) & ‘The Organization Executive Course: Technical Division 4’ (1972) do contain a copy of HCO PL 17 Nov 69 “Dianetics and Scientology Services”. But then these volumes are not being compiled by Tech personnel. Would this then have been something that had been missed and should not have been included in these volumes? The indications that we have do seem to support that. The miss may have been that this HCO PL was never being cancelled (as it should have been) and therefore was automatically included in these volumes as it was not marked cancelled in the master files. Then consider that the 1991 release of ‘The Organization Executive Course’ volumes does not actually include a copy of this reference, although we are still lacking any cancellation info to this day.

The proposal forwarded by HCO PL 17 Nov 69 “Dianetics and Scientology Services” still left you with an option. You still could first do Dianetics and then Scientology, but not so since November 1981 (see below).

 
First grades then Dianetics (2):  A second attempt in Nov-Dec 1981

• Dianetics moved to be received after the Scientology Grades
• Reason provided for (‘undercut’)
• New Era Dianetics (NED) processing requires at least a Class III auditor

 
Dianetics moved to be received after the Scientology Grades

[December] 1980             January 1982 DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY TRAINING                          ↑    Scientology Academy Level 0-IV turns  ↑    New Era Dianetic Auditor  (placed after academy levels) ↑  Hubbard New Era Dianetics Course ↑  Scientology Academy Level 0-IV             DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY PROCESSING                          ↑  Expanded Grade 0-IV turns  ↑  New Era Dianetics  (now placed after grades) ↑  Expanded ARC Straightwire ↑  Expanded Grade 0-IV ↑  New Era Dianetics ↑  Expanded ARC Straightwire

Interesting is that Dianetics always had been listed prior to the Scientology Grades and there is no reference to be found prior to 1981 and written by L. Ron Hubbard that advocates or suggests such a sequence change. This Grade Chart (Bridge) is something you are to walk on, and guides you in the correct sequence. This is the reason why this chart was developed and issued in the first place. You are not supposed to jump around on it. In addition there is no notice on any old Grade Chart issued prior to 1981 that the Grades may have to be done prior to Dianetics. The stable datum we had for so long was that you go through Dianetics first. And when we inquire about how this sequence change in those later years came about we find that David Mayo was first in actually directly addressing this sequence change. He did that by issuing HCO PL 12 Nov 81 “Cancellation of Class 4, NED Prereq”. This reference was clearly indicated as “Assisted by Snr C/S International”, and with the composer initials ‘DM’. (‘assisted by’ as per rules established by HCOB 24 Jan 77 “Tech Correction Round-up” deemed him being the actual writer of the reference). It reads:

	“NED training is no longer a prerequisite for Class 4 courses or Class 4 Interneships. This speeds Academy training.
	NED was made a prerequisite for Class 4 as it was required that R3RA be run during Grade 4. This is no longer the case.
	NED courses and interneships may be done before or after Class 0-4 courses and interneships, probably after the Class 4 interneship. NED now comes after Expanded Grade 4 on the Grade Chart and students may find it a better gradient to do NED training after graduating the Class 4 Interneship.”  (full text of the policy letter is given)

The especially noteworthy sentence is: “NED now comes after Expanded Grade 4 on the Grade Chart” (underlining is mine). This is the only sentence that indicates that it refers to the processing side of the Bridge, meaning the receiver of auditing.

There is also HCOB 12 Nov 81 “Grade Chart Streamlined for Lower Grades” that lists the lower side of the Grade Chart in the sequence in where the entries are numbered as 1-14. NED in this is placed following after Grade 4. However this sequence change is not explained or clarified in this HCOB itself instead it refers to the HCOB addressed directly here below.

One should realize here that this is quite a reversal of things! Please realize also that this change does not leave you with any option. The attempted November 1969 change still allowed you to do first Dianetics and then Scientology. You had an option, but this is not the case with the November 1981 change. The Scientology public was directly informed about this change through the periodical ‘The Auditor 172 (US Edition)’, [Dec] 81 with the title on the first page: “Ron Revises Grade Chart! Three New Bulletins From LRH!”, its first 3 pages are dedicated to this.

	“HCO PL 12 November 81, CANCELLATION OF CLASS 4, NED PREREQ is hereby CANCELLED. It stated that one could do NED (New Era Dianetics) training before or after Class 0-IV courses and internships.
	With the current Grade Chart line-up, NED training is only done after Class IV.” (from HCO PL 12 Nov 81 (Cancelled 26 Jul 86) “HCO PL 12 November 1981 ‘Cancellation of Class 4, NED Prereq’ Cancelled”)

It is noteworthy that it only makes mention of the training side, no mention is made about placing Dianetics after the Grades. It seems forgotten(?) as well that David Mayo had issued it, the cancelling issue makes no mention of that fact. Either way it does actually confirm a change, as prior to the issuance of this reference NED training was done before Class 0, which is nonetheless quite notable!

Reason provided for (‘undercut’)

	“In the final analysis, it is the individual who receives the benefits from this. Increased percentage of results, shortened time to obtain them, more stable gains, broader application.
	But it probably has not occurred to anyone that for the past thirty-two years, I have been researching DOWNWARDS. That's right. Remember that I myself was producing results thirty-two years ago. So what has been happening?
	As broader and broader numbers of people were being addressed, more and more types of cases had to be handled.”

	“The main change in the new Grade Chart is that Dianetics and Scientology have been switched around. One gets his Scientology, per this chart, before he gets his Dianetics.
	Chronologically, then, Dianetics came before Scientology; and it would seem natural that one would give Dianetics to a pc before he gave him Scientology auditing. But wait, Scientology ARC Straightwire and grades were developed as an undercut to Dianetics.”

“To flatten an incident Dianetically, you only erase it. To flatten it Scientologically you run it until pc has it back again fully and is total cause over it (you run it after it has erased).”          LRH (from HCOB 7 Apr 60 “A New Summary of Auditing”)

“A Dianetic Clear or any other Dianetic pc now goes on up through the grades of Scientology and onto the proper Clearing Course.”          LRH (from HCOB 25 Jun 70 II “Glossary of C/S Terms”)

Now, if you actually would place Dianetics to be received to after the Scientology Grades, then you may also have to assume that a person does not have a reactive mind*, as this reactive mind is dealt with while running Dianetics. Prior to 1978 a Dianetic Clear was considered just a release. In 1978 it was introduced that “... there is no such thing as Keyed-Out Clear (= a Release). There is only a Dianetic Clear and he is a Clear.”  (from HCOB 24 Sept 78 III “Dianetic Clear”). You see, it is pretty obvious that all the new approaches and ideas that were introduced during 1978-79 are in fact quite related and contributed to this Grade Chart sequence change. The year 1979 did introduce also for example the Natural Clear, assuming a person that does not have a reactive mind to start with. Although the existence of such a person is with stress contradicted by earlier statements from L. Ron Hubbard. (see for details here, separate page).

	“Dianetics came before Scientology. It disposed of body illness and the difficulties a thetan was having with his body. This was a Present Time Problem to the thetan. In the presence of a PTP no case gain results (an old discovery).
	When a thetan has body discomfort or upset solved, he could then go on with what he really wanted which were the improvements to be found in Scientology.”          LRH (from HCOB 22 Apr 69 “Dianetics vs Scientology”)

The above seems to utterly and totally defy the suggestion to always start with the Grades and then Dianetics. Noted is as well that this reference is still found in its original form in the 1991 release of ‘The Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology’ volumes. This is obvious clashing information.

“I would never never never audit a pc on grades if I found before me a sick person. I would simply change gears, get busy with good old Dianetics and use physical healers if necessary to get a well, happy pc before me. Then I would go on with grades.”          LRH (from HCOB 6 Apr 69 “Fundamental Auditing”)

“Having gotten the pc well by medical care and Dianetic auditing, then start out with Scientology. If he gets sick again before many grades, revert to Dianetics, handle it and then when he is well, resume Scientology where you left off.”          LRH (from HCOB 24 Apr 69 “Dianetic Use”)

	“The basics and fundamentals are stated early in the period of development and have not changed.
	The ‘newest and latest’ is usually a recovery of basics and better statements of them.
	That things which were true early in the subjects are still true.”          LRH (from HCOB 12 Jun 70 “Programming of Cases”)

“This idea that the ‘old’ is always cancelled by anything ‘new’ has its root in the idea that a later order cancels earlier orders, which is true. But orders are one thing and Tech basics another.”          LRH (from HCOB 30 Jun 70R (Revised 6 Mar 73) “VIII Actions”)

Is it logical to assume that L. Ron Hubbard would counteract so effectively an attempted sequence change as he did when he released HCOB 12 Jun 70 “Programming Cases” (see earlier section “First grades then Dianetics (1):  A first attempt in November 1969”), and then suddenly 11 years later would claim that the Grades always were meant to be some kind of ‘undercut’ for Dianetics and then placing them after the Grades? This is introducing contradictory elements and may also be interpreted as clashing with those in the above mentioned established basics.

A final argument can be made here with HCOB 12 Jul 65 “States of Being Attained by Processing”. It talks about a “FIRST STAGE RELEASE” which is circumscribed as “reducing locks as in Levels 0-IV”. This would be the Scientology Grades 0-IV. A following “SECOND STAGE RELEASE” was about having “secondaries and engrams reduced” which is done on Power Processes (Scientology Grade V), and so on. From this we get that Dianetics created a Release (“pulled OUT of his Reactive Mind”) after which the next step would be “reducing locks” (grades 0-IV), and so on to then finally wipe out the whole of the reactive mind at Grade VI. This would go in this given sequence and not the other way around! It would make for a rather heavy argument against the lower grades being an ‘undercut’ of some sort to Dianetics, if it was not for that the claim is that New Era Dianetics (NED) would release, reduce and wipe out all at the same time. But HCOB 12 Dec 81 “The Theory of the New Grade Chart” stating that the “grades were developed as an undercut to Dianetics” can not possibly be true while it was under development.

Does the explanation for this sequence change as found in HCOB 12 Dec 81 “The Theory of the New Grade Chart” justify it? You'll have to be the judge of that. Nonetheless it is quite a drastic change. One should however reflect on why L. Ron Hubbard would have come with this as late as December 1981. After all both Dianetics and Scientology had existed since late 1951. And this change in sequence a whole 30 years later? Examine the arguments given and then decide for yourself.

 
New Era Dianetics (NED) processing requires at least a Class III auditor

Either way, this technicality of that the NED technique requiring that Class III skill, must also have contributed to forcing Dianetics to be placed following Grade IV. And so the NED auditor came to be a Class V auditor.

Since the introduction of New Era Dianetics a person could not just start with giving Dianetics anymore. Whereas with Standard Dianetics you could take this course and learn the routine as your first course as a beginning auditor. Well, in that respect, do you remember this one: “No auditor will ever be worth very much unless he has come in the right way – through Dianetics.”  LRH   (from HCOB 3 Apr 66 “Dianetic Auditing Course”).

 
Additional referencing supporting that Dianetics is run before the Scientology Grades (3)

All of the below quoted references are found in the 1991 release of ‘The Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology’ volumes, and are till this day considered valid.

	“Literally millions of complications can stem from the simple fact that a preclear records experiences in mental image pictures and that these thereafter can affect HIS BODY adversely.
	Once one really understands that mental image pictures are all there is in the preclear's ‘mind’ one has understood the total of aberration. There is NOT something else there. No ‘id’, no ‘ego’. There are only mental image pictures.
	These, if you use the exact procedures of Dianetics, can be found and erased.”          LRH (from HCOB 23 Apr 69 “Basic Definitions”)

	“If a preclear or pre OT has physical difficulties, bad perception trouble, illness or physical disability HE HAS NO BUSINESS GETTING GRADES, POWER, CLEARING OR OT LEVELS.
	HE
	NEEDS
	DIANETICS
	Once that is completely understood it will end any and all ‘failures’.”          LRH (from HCOB 22 Apr 69 II “Somatics and OTs”)

	“If a preclear who is being audited or has been audited on Scientology Grades becomes ill one DOES NOT TRY TO MAKE HIM WELL BY GIVING HIM NEW HIGHER GRADES. That has been an error of great magnitude. Instead ONE REVERTS TO DIANETIC AUDITING until the pc is well and only then continues with Scientology.
	This is correct procedure because it works.
	People ‘come into Scientology’ to cure their headaches. Somebody starts them off on Grade auditing, several Grades later they still have their headache. It is a continual Present Time Problem to them and the auditor. It sometimes vanishes during Grade Processing. This gives an unfortunate win.
	The right thing to have done was give the person DIANETIC AUDITING, until he or she no longer had headaches and then begin to audit the person on Grades so as to put them well above ever again getting headaches.”          LRH (from HCOB 23 Apr 69 “Basic Definitions”)

“If they really haven't made all their grades, however, and are physically ill, the correct action is to do all possible to handle their case by Standard Dianetics and then rehabilitate or get done all the rest of the grades. What has happened here is that they were using Scientology to escape an uncomfortable body that should have been straightened out by Dianetics in the first place. The ‘out grade’ is in fact Dianetics, failure to use it before going on to Scientology.”          LRH (from HCOB 1 May 69 “Grinding Out Engrams”)

	“In HGCs, given Standard Dianetic Auditing, anything up to 25% of the pcs will not resolve on Standard Dianetics alone.
	The reason for this is that in Standard Dianetics one audits without ‘Rudiments’. Thus you get the pc coming in with life ARC Breaks, Present Time Problems and Missed Withholds.
	The answer is to send the preclear to a Scientology Review for a ‘Green Form’ (GF)*.
	If the person comes back to Standard Dianetic Auditing and still has a hard time of it or gives the auditor a hard time or gets sick, send the person back to a Scientology Review with this instruction:
	‘Give Green Form to F/N and then assess No. 40 GF* and handle.’
	The Class VIII will take it from there.”          LRH (from HCOB 24 May 69 “The Difficult Case”)

* Green Form, 1. used for general case cleanup particularly on an out-rudiment type preclear or when rudiments won't fly.  2. in HGC the Green Form is done on the order of the case supervisor to detect reasons for case trouble. * Green Form 40 Expanded, this detects and handles any reason why a case might be resistive to processing, thus handling any tendency towards slow gain and making it possible for such cases to make faster gains in future processing.

	“For some years it has not been appreciated fully that the ability to do DIANETIC AUDITING is the true fundamental background of a Scientology auditor. ...
	Dianetics operates at the level of the human being and is addressed mainly to the body and mind. It does not attempt and should not be confused with the end product of Scientology which is spiritual freedom. The end product of Dianetics is a well, happy, high IQ human being.
	Dianetics is itself and has its place. When one can handle Dianetics so as to make people well and happy, one can then begin to think of and work on the higher aspects of Scientology. ...
	The Scientology auditor is all too often balked by the fact that his preclear comes to him already ill. His preclear is below being a well human being. That is part of the gradient. If the Scientology auditor is not also a good Dianetic auditor he tends to ignore the fact that his preclear is not yet up to being a well human being.
	Applying Grade Processing the Scientology auditor has already skipped a grade–a well human being. He therefore fails to understand that his preclear is simply seeking to escape as a thetan the gradient of being a well being. ...
	When we get a sick human being being handled to make him spiritually free we get a confusion and are likely to fail. ...
	And when a Scientology auditor finds himself with a Dianetic preclear on his hands and if that auditor learned his Dianetics well, then he will apply Dianetics and when the preclear is ready for it, only then will he apply Scientology.
	Any Scientology failures are totally owing to the auditor not learning his Dianetics in the first place.”         LRH (from HCOB 6 Apr 69 “Fundamental Auditing”)

HCOB 31 May 71 “Best Advance Program (As often done on Flag)” and its revision HCOB 31 May 71R (Revised 21 Oct 71) “Standard 12½ Hour Intensive Programs” also continue to list Dianetics as a first action. And also in HCOB 3 Feb 72 “R6EW–OT III No Interference Area”.

 
A change in the Grade Chart in regards to an error in redefining Clear

The above version of this reference does not either help us very much in understanding what this “error in it where someone else redefined Clear”. It however appears also addressed in HCOB 14 Dec 81 “The State of Clear”, we see that this has been issued on the same day as HCOB 12 Nov 81R “Grade Chart Streamlined for Lower Grades” was revised. A detailed overview of this can be consulted here (separate window).

Nonetheless to positively confirm matters I would like access to the ‘original’ version and the ‘R’ revision of HCOB 12 Nov 81“Grade Chart Streamlined for Lower Grades”. If by any chance you would have any of these then please contact me.

• Overview of various changes
          (Includes:  ‘Alternate Route to Clear’)
• The disappearance of the original OT levels
          (Includes:  A theory proposed about why we may have missed out on these original OT levels)

 
Overview of various changes
(Includes:  ‘Alternate Route to Clear’)

Here below some minor although noteworthy changes that indicate a sense of insecurity about them. They were introduced on the in January 1982 released Grade Chart (issued as HCOB 19 Jan 82 “New – Streamlined Classification and Gradation Chart”), but already the year following some of them were removed again (placed elsewhere or turned optional).

[December] 1980              January 1982 DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY TRAINING ↑  Expanded Dianetics Auditor               turns     Expanded Dianetics Auditor ↑    Class 0-IV Auditor ↑    New Era Dianetic Auditor  (placed after academy levels) ↑  New Era Dianetic Auditor ↑  Class 0-IV Auditor       ↑  Hubbard Basic Career Auditor Course  (new) ↑  The Student Hat ↑  The Student Hat Course               DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY PROCESSING     turns  ↑  Solo Auditor Course (Part Two) Graduate     ↑  OT Preparation (Solo Set ups)     ↑  Solo Auditor course, Part One      ↑  Sunshine Rundown  (new) ↑  Clear  (Grade VII Clearing Course) ↑  Clear  (gone Clear on NED auditing & DCSI) ↑  Grade VI Release   This chart implemented the new Dianetic Clear (=Clear) that deemed it not necessary to do Grade V, VI & VII. Those however who did not go Clear on Dianetics were offered the original route that from now on was referred to as the Alternate Route to Clear  (see explained later in this section) ↑  Solo Auditor   ↑  Solo Set-ups   ↑  Grade V-VA   ↑  Expanded Dianetics Completion    Expanded Dianetics Completion     ↑  New Era Dianetic Case Completion  (placed after grades)     ↑  New Era Dianetics (NED) Drug Rundown Completion ↑  Expanded Grade 0-IV ↑  Expanded Grade 0-IV ↑  Expanded ARC Straightwire Release ↑  Expanded ARC Straightwire       ↑  Method One Word Clearing  (new)       ↑  Happiness Rundown  (new) ↑  Scientology Drug Rundown Completion (new) ↑  Scientology Drug Rundown ↑  New Era Dianetic Case Completion     ↑  New Era Dianetics (NED) Drug Rundown Completion     ↑  Survival Rundown  (new)    Survival Rundown     replaced with:  Objectives (as required) ↑  Purification Rundown  (new) ↑  Purification Rundown

Noteworthy changes on the Training side:

 
‘Alternate Route to Clear’

A first notice about this was implemented on the 1980 chart. Originally established since October 1978 as per HCOB 25 Jun 70RA (Revised 6 Oct 78) II “Glossary of C/S Terms” (see previous chapter “1980:  First indication of an Alternate Route to Clear on the chart”). The January 1982 chart now shows a whole Alternate Route to Clear section in full detail, see illustration here (pop-up window). This implemented Alternate Route to Clear is basically as we see it still on today's Grade Chart. On the 1983 chart though it was moved to the right side of the map in a column outside of the Bridge itself (see further comments in chapter about 1983 Grade Chart).

 
The disappearance of the original OT levels
(Includes:  A theory proposed about why we may have missed out on these original OT levels)

“Announcing!

The Top of The Bridge is NOW at Flag!

RON streamlines the top of the Bridge with the release of
NEW OT IV  –  OT Drug Rundown
NEW OT V  –  Audited NOTs
NEW OT VI  –  Solo NOTs Auditor Course
NEW OT VII  –  Solo NOTs Auditing
These are Ron's newest and exciting technical breakthroughs. Together they form the new OT Levels section of the Bridge. This in itself is a major breakthrough. Ron recently streamlined the Lower Grade Chart: now he has done the same for the upper part of the Chart.
Your way to the heights of OT is more simple, fast and direct – straight to the top – than ever before. And the top of the Bridge is at Flag NOW.
Now that Ron has discovered the best route to OT is from OT III to New OT IV up through New OT VII, he wants all Scientologists to benefit from his upper level research right away!
New OT VI and VII are at Flag only. Turn the page* to find out why the Solo NOTs Auditor Course is now a distinct level of OT – NEW OT VI. Also find out about the extra big advantage that's yours if you're a Class IV or higher classed auditor when you reach this level.
Then go on to learn about how you can Solo Audit NEW OT VII – Solo NOTs – at home! Discover what a terrific savings in time, effort, and money this breakthrough is for your progress on the Bridge. New OT VII is the gateway to the upper OT Levels. The way to the top, and all to follow, is open – ALL THE WAY!”            (from ‘Source Special Edition’, folding insert, [Mar-Apr 82])

* Note: The only practical info given on that next page that directly answers to this is: “You'll do OT drills developed by Ron just for Solo NOTs that have been compared to a whole OT level just in themselves.”

The OT Drug Rundown was originally released on  29 January 1980, and only since March 1982 it was addressed as New OT IV.
NED for OTs (Audited NOTs) was originally released on 15 September 1978, then 3 months later on 16 December 1978 followed the Flag release hosted by David Mayo, but it wasn't addressed as New OT V until March 1982.
Solo NED for OTs (Solo NOTs) was originally released in September 1980, then a month or so later followed by the Flag release as well hosted by David Mayo, but they were not addressed as New OT VI (the course) & New OT VII (the auditing) until March 1982.

[December] 1980             January 1982 DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY PROCESSING ↑    OT VIII and above turns  ↑    Higher OT levels                      ↑  NED for OTs Completion  (Solo NED for OTs)  (new) ↑  Solo NED for OTs ↑  Hubbard Solo NOTs Auditor Course Graduate  (Audited NED for OTs)       ↑  Audited NOTs (NED for OTs) ↑   NOTs OT Drug Rundown Completion  (new)     NOTs OT Drug Rd Completion * ↑   OT VII     OT VII ↑   OT VI     OT VI ↑   OT V     OT V ↑   OT IV     OT IV ↑   OT III Expanded     OT III Expanded ↑   OT VII Processes     OT VII Processes ↑   OT Drug Rundown Completion  (new) ↑   OT Drug Rundown ↑   OT III ↑   OT III

* although it is not noted anywhere anymore on the Grade Chart since January 1982, it is still offered and apparently available as a service as can be seen on donation lists, it is referred to however as NOTs Drug Rundown. As such it appears on donation lists from January 1983, it was dropped in March 1983, it reappeared at least since April 1985, then it was dropped again from these lists since November 1989.

January 1982             (March) 1982 DIANETIC AND SCIENTOLOGY PROCESSING ↑    Higher OT levels turns  ↑   New OT XI  (new) ↑   New OT X  (new) ↑   New OT IX  (new) ↑    New OT VIII                ↑  Solo NED for OTs ↑  New OT VII (Solo NOTs auditing)* ↑  Hubbard Solo NOTs Auditor Course Graduate ↑  New OT VI (Solo NOTs course)* ↑   Audited NOTs (NED for OTs) ↑    New OT V (Audited NED for OTs)* ↑   OT Drug Rundown ↑   New OT IV (OT Drug Rundown)* ↑   OT III ↑   OT III

	* these turned to be named differently, although they are the very same service

This all at least explains why it says New on these Levels if you look at the present Grade Chart. They were simply replacing the old Levels OT IV to VII, which till that time had been delivered since 1968-70. We see that the higher OT levels above OT VII are also all of them listed as ‘New’, I am not clear about why this is! Presently these original OT Levels IV-VII appear not in use, and I don't know actually what happened with them. All the Church publications that I have consulted in fact are completely silent about this, although they had been in use for a good 12-14 years at least till early 1982, and now they were gone! They are discussed briefly in ‘LRH ED 301 Int’, 17 Dec 78 “Ron's Journal 30, 1978—The Year of Lightning Fast New Tech”. Let's understand this well. ‘New’ OT IV-VII had not existed prior to September 1978! They were something else, developed separately from the old Levels, and are not related to them! Then in March 1982 they were taking the place of OT IV-VII. So, where did these old Levels that were in use since 1968-70 ended up? Additionally what happened with OT VII Processes & OT III Expanded? They were not mixed in with the existing OT III as it did not turn into New OT III. So, why do we not learn what had happened with all of these?

“Question: How should those who completed the earlier OT IV through OT VII Levels (before the re-numbering of the OT Levels in 1982) be referred to? In other words, what are these Levels called?   They are just what they were before. A Pre-OT who completed OT IV in 1975 IS an OT IV, and a person who completed the OT Drug Rundown in 1982 is a New OT IV. In some areas it has come up that those who had completed OT Sections IV through VII prior to the re-numbering have been referred to as ‘old OT IV’ or ‘old OT VII’ and so on. This is not only technically incorrect, it is a degrade of these fantastic levels. Those who have done them can tell you that there is nothing ‘old’ about them at all! That they are not part of the current streamlined lineup doesn't lessen their value in the least.”

It confirms that “they are not part of the current streamlined lineup”, although “their value” appears highly validated. Nonetheless it completely fails to explain about what actually happened with the old levels, and why they are not available as a service anymore!

Either way the discontinuation of the original levels appears to have been a rather silent process. We also do not find for example anything about this explained in ‘What Is Scientology?’ (1992 edition). The book also passes by the fact that during Sept 78- Feb 82 these ‘New’ Levels were not actually known as New OT IV-VII. And that they during that time existed simultaneously with the original OT IV-VII Levels. The 1980 Grade Chart is a clear enough evidence to that fact! This is also evidenced by ‘Source 33’, [ca Oct 81] that notes in its ‘Flag Completions’ list: OT IV, OT VI, OT VII together with Solo NOTs Course (in March 1982 the Solo NOTs Course turned New OT VI).

 
A theory proposed about why we may have missed out on these original OT levels

The ingredient in these happenings that bothers me personally is all the silence around it. Why not being straightforward about it? One gets suspicious as usually when some resort to be silent about something, it is because some don't want to draw too much attention to this. Now, why would that be unfavourable? Does one fear that questions are going to be asked about it? Questions that in their turn may be hard to provide a satisfying answer for? An obvious question is why they disappeared after having been delivered as it seemed successfully for at least a good 12 years? They could not have been all wrong then. An argument that could not be used is that the new replacing levels were a logical development of the old levels, and therefore they had become superfluous. Firstly the old and the replacing new levels were in no way related to each other. Each were developed in different time eras. Secondly during 1980-early 82 the original levels, the OT Drug Rundown, and the so-called NOTs materials were all delivered simultaneously.

Various persons report about experiments that were conducted at the Stanford Research Institute in their Remote-viewing Program during 1972. This particular program is later reported to have been financed by the CIA. Various persons that had gone to the Church of Scientology and done their upper OT levels participated in these studies. The experiments proved being very successful with remote-viewing. It is reported that submarines could be located while exteriorizing, that magnetic fields could be influenced, and that written materials could be read while being blindfolded or through walls. This involved being able to leave the physical body at will. It was found that these were interesting treats that could be used for espionage. In Scientology these are said to be OT abilities. Then the story goes that the CIA was very satisfied with these results but did not want others to have these abilities. The fact that Scientology had such a technology that could awaken such powers was considered a threat, and so these needed therefore to go.

The best way to get rid of something is to do it silently and get all the attention to some new other material. You also have to consider putting a time factor into it. Namely you have to give it some time to reduce the importance, and invalidate that which you wish to get rid of. Would you draw too much attention to it, or act too quickly, then some may get alarmed and say: “But wait here a minute, ... .”, and the ball starts rolling. You really don't want this ball to get rolling. Ten years later then these original OT levels were dropped and replaced by something entirely different, and no one was told about what had been dropped. And indeed, few seem to have asked about the original levels.

Oct 1983:  ‘The Bridge to Total Freedom’ - Some changes

• A change in the display of the ‘Alternate Route to Clear’ to think over for a moment

Noteworthy observed changes on the Processing side:

 
A change in the display of the ‘Alternate Route to Clear’ to think over for a moment

The previous March 1982 chart showed a whole Alternate Route to Clear section in full detail. On this 1983 chart though it was moved to the right side of the map in a column placed outside of the Bridge itself, where it had turned into a very brief summary. This Alternate Route to Clear since this in 1983 released chart is not noted on the Grade Chart itself anymore which is actually interesting as it seems to point into the direction that the common and regular way one was expected to go Clear was actually on Dianetics. Obviously it was deemed being of minor importance and hardly worthy of telling about. This would indicate that the expectancy apparently was that few were to travel this Alternate Route to Clear and actually were to run Grade V, VA & VI, which at one time (prior to September 1978) was the route that was travelled by all. At this interim in time (1983) everything points in the direction that it was about abandoned, as it was given remarkably little attention on this 1983 Grade Chart. It was not until the 1990 Grade Chart that we see this Alternate Route to Clear returning again to be listed on the Bridge itself.

In the same year (1983) we also see a new release of the ‘Dianetics and Scientology: Technical Dictionary’. This is quite interesting as this relays to us this new definition of the Dianetic Clear, and wiping out the previous one that was in use prior to September 1978 (the previous edition of this Technical Dictionary dates back to early 1978). So, we have the 1983 Grade Chart that puts the Alternate Route to Clear really in the background, at the same time as finally this new definition of Dianetic Clear is incorporated in the Technical Dictionary. You can read more details about all this here (separate window).

[mid] 1984:  Minor additions and changes

More data on the False Purpose Rundown can be found here (separate window).

Dec 1985:  Various minor changes

“Introducing   YOUR NEW STREAMLINED CLASS & GRADE CHART FROM RON! With the release of the fabulous Clear Certainty Rundown auditing action and other recent developments, your road to total freedom and ability as a trained, OT Scientologist is simpler and smoother than ever. Here are some highlights of this new edition of Ron's famous Grade Chart. THE PROCESSING SIDE At the level of CLEAR, the Clear Certainty Rundown counselling contains many new developments, including one based on discoveries made in upper level research. Clear Certainty Rundown counselling, Sunshine Rundown counselling and the Solo Auditor Course are now delivered by Saint Hills and higher level orgs. In his taped New Year's message, Ron's Journal 39, Ron announced the completion of the technical materials needed to release New OT VIII, named ‘Truth Revealed,’ and told us some of the things he discovered at this stellar level. And he named New OT IX ‘Orders of Magnitude’ - as shown on the new Chart. ... THE TRAINING SIDE LRH has just released six new checksheets for training and interning auditors and C/Ses. and at the same time re-numbered several levels of auditor training. These changes affect the levels just above Class IV, streamlining and smoothing the gradient of training for auditors and C/Ses in this band of the Grade Chart. As LRH says in HCO PL 29 Dec 85, NEW AUDITOR CLASSIFICATIONS ABOVE CLASS IV, ‘I have polished up the Training Bridge for you. So do something for me: GET TRAINED!!’ OVERALL DESIGN OF THE CHART The design of this new edition has been simplified and streamlined too, to make it even easier for you to chart your own progress upward! Major actions which can be done at different points on the Chart are shown at the bottom. Boxes on the previous edition listing services that can be delivered at different points on the chart have been removed from both sides in this new design, for a clearer view of your essential route. Routes for new public are clearly indicated on the new Chart below the level of the Hubbard Professional TR Course on the Training side and the Purification Rundown on the Processing side. Any of these routes may be taken. They are not mandatory before starting the Hubbard Professional TR Course or the Purification Rundown. WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR NEW CHART Read the ‘How to Use This Chart’ section near the bottom of your new Class & Grade Chart. Follow its directions. As it says, ‘Factually you've been travelling this universe a very long time without a map. ‘Now you've got one. ‘Put this chart on your wall. When you've taken some of the steps, mark them DONE - with the date. Find out your next step and mark it TO BE DONE, and WHEN. Then do it. There's plenty of expert help in the Churches and Missions of Scientology; don't hesitate to use it. ‘Keep track of your progress and keep moving. ‘You'll make it. All the way.’”

– The 1985 chart added in its listing a “Class IV Graduate Auditor” and a “Class V Graduate Auditor” following respectively the “Class IV Auditor” and the “Class V Auditor”.

‘Alternate Route to Clear’

On the 1983 chart a brief summary of this Alternate Route to Clear was found on the right side of the map in a column outside of the Bridge itself. On this December 1985 Bridge it's an equally brief summary, although now we find its location moved to the bottom of the chart, underneath the actual Bridge.

1990, 1991, 1994, 1995 & 1998:  Various minor changes

‘Alternate Route to Clear’

Starting with the in 1990 released chart we see the ‘Alternate Route to Clear’ actually reappearing to be listed on the Bridge itself. Here it is still a brief summary though. On the 1991 chart we then see that the full steps of the ‘Alternate Route to Clear’ are listed. On the 1995 chart (only the Printed in Spain & Swedish text version) we see that the regular Route and the Alternate Route are listed side by side on the chart, instead (as on the 1990 & 1991 chart) underneath each other. The 1998 chart appears identical in every aspect (design and all) to this Printed in Spain & Swedish text version.

Vocabulary:

     ..R, ..RA, ..RB (etc) or #R, #RA (etc):
For example: ‘HCO PL 24 Sept 70R’ & ‘HCO PL 24 Sept 70RA’, etc. The given date denotes the first time it has been published in issue-form. The R, RA indication may also follow after an issue-number. The R stands for ‘Revision’ and would refer to that it has been revised since it was first published. If it is revised a 2nd time it is indicated as RA, a 3rd time RB, then RC, and so on.
     AOLA:
‘Advanced Organization Los Angeles’: A Scientology organization which services higher level auditing & training, located in Los Angeles, USA.
     AOSH EU (or AOSH EU & AF):
‘Advanced Organization Saint Hill Europe (& Africa)’: A Scientology organization which services higher level auditing & training, located in Copenhagen, Denmark.
     ARC Straightwire:
‘Affinity, Reality, Communication’. Basically these are procedures that have as purpose to establish a communication with the auditor in session in where one has the ability to recollect and communicate about it. This is a conditional action.  1. When we say straightwire, we're simply talking about stringing a line from cause to effect through the past. (5410CM07)  2. Straight memory is also called straightwire because the auditor is directing the memory of the preclear and in doing so is stringing wire, much on the order of a telephone line, between “I” and the standard memory bank. (Science of Survival, Bk. 2, p. 64)  3. A technique of direct memory. (5009CM23B)
     C/S:
‘Case/Supervisor’.  1. That person in a Scientology Church who gives instructions regarding, and supervises the auditing of preclears. The abbreviation C/S can refer to the Case Supervisor or to the written instructions of a case supervisor depending on context. (BTB 12 Apr 72R)  2. The C/S is the case supervisor. He has to be an accomplished and properly certified auditor and a person trained additionally to supervise cases. The C/S is the auditor's “handler.” He tells the auditor what to do, corrects his tech, keeps the lines straight and keeps the auditor calm and willing and winning. The C/S is the pc's case director. His actions are done for the pc. (Dianetics Today, Bk. 3, p. 545)
     Clear:
1. What we mean by Clear is an erasure of the mental mass which inhibits their thinking, postulating, and so on. (SH Spec 75, 6608C16)  2. An unaberrated person. He is rational in that he forms the best possible solutions he can on the data he has and from his viewpoint. He obtains the maximum pleasure for the organism, present and future, as well as for the subjects along the other dynamics. The Clear has no engrams which can be restimulated to throw out the correctness of computation by entering hidden and false data in it. (Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, p. 111)
     CS-1:
‘Commodore Staff-Division 1’. Mainly concerned with external Sea Org actions like handling Scientology Orgs, missions to be send for correction and Sea Org matters. The 1 refers to Division 1 (HCO division) of a Scientology organization.CS-1 is also referred to as ‘HCO Aide’.
     floating needle (F/N):
The idle uninfluenced movement of the needle on the dial (of an E-meter) without any patterns or reactions in it. It can be as small as one inch or as large as dial wide. It does not fall or drop to the right of the dial. It moves to the left at the same speed as it moves to the right. It is observed on a Mark V E-meter calibrated with the TA (Tone Arm) between 2.0 and 3.0 with GIs (Good Indicators) in on the pc. It can occur after a cognition, blowdown of the TA (Tone Arm) or just moves into floating. The pc may or may not voice the cognition. (HCOB 7 May 69 V)
     F/N:
‘floating needle’. See at that entry in vocabulary.
     HCOB:
‘Hubbard Communications Office Bulletin’. Color flash–red ink on white paper. Written by LRH only , but only so starting from January 1974. These are the technical issue line. All data for auditing and courses is contained in HCOBs. For more information go here (separate window).
    HCO PL:
‘Hubbard Communication Office Policy Letter’. Color flash–green ink on white paper. Written by LRH only, but only so starting from January 1974. These are the organizational and administrative issue line. For more information go here (separate window).
     HGC:
‘Hubbard Guidance Center’. The department of the technical division of a Scientology organization which sets you up for and delivers auditing.
     LRH:
An usual abbreviation for ‘L. Ron Hubbard’.
     Objectives:
Refers to a package of processes which are part of a step found somewhere at the bottom of the Grade Chart or Bridge (Classification Gradation and Awareness Chart of Levels and Certificates). Generally this consists of the CCH processes I-IV (see HCOB 1 Dec 65 “CCHs”).
(CCH: Control, Communication & Havingness. Several associated processes which bring a person into better control of his body and surroundings, put him into better communication with his surroundings and other people, and increase his ability to have things for himself. They bring him into the present, away from his past problems.)
     ‘The Organization Executive Course’:
Subtitled in the 1970-74 release: ‘An Encyclopedia of Scientology Policy’. This is a series of books that contain the HCO PLs, and any references that are primarily dealing with administrative matters. They are divided up division wise. The HCO PLs are printed in green ink on white paper, and the volumes themselves come in green bindings. These books may also be referred to as the ‘green volumes’ or even ‘OEC volumes’. The ‘old green volumes’ then would refer to the 1970-74 release, the ‘new green volumes’ instead to the 1991 release. See a listing of published volumes here (pop-up window).
     original mimeo print-off:
Individually printed issues and distributed from the Mimeo Section of the Scientology organization as opposed to those collected in volumes. These are the issues that you may regard as the real first prints. As a rule these are typed out, mimeographed and distributed as soon as possible after having been compiled or written. They are always legal-sized, 8½ by 14 inches (approx. 21,6 x 35,6 cm). If the issue had 3 or more sides, the pages were collated and stapled together in the upper left corner. More detailed information about this is found here (separate window).
     Operating Thetan (OT):
1. Willing and knowing cause over life, thought, matter, energy, space and time. And that would of course be mind and that would of course be universe. (SH Spec 80, 6609C08)  2. An individual who could operate totally independently of his body whether he had one or didn't have one. He's now himself, he's not dependent on the universe around him. (SH Spec 66, 6509C09)  3. A being at cause over matter, energy, space, time, form and life. Operating comes from “able to operate without dependency on things” and thetan is the Greek letter theta (θ), which the Greeks used to represent “thought” or perhaps “spirit” to which an “n” is added to make a new noun in the modern style used to create words in engineering. (Book of Case Remedies, p. 10)
     OT IIIX:
Short for ‘OT III Expanded’.
     preclear (pc):
1. A person who, through Scientology processing, is finding out more about himself and life. (The Phoenix Lectures, p. 20)  2. A spiritual being who is now on the road to becoming Clear, hence preclear. (HCOB 5 Apr 69)  3. One who is discovering things about himself and who is becoming clearer. (HCO PL 21 Aug 62)
     reactive mind:
1. That portion of a person's mind which works on a stimulus-response basis (given a certain stimulus, it gives a certain response) which is not under his volitional control and which exerts force and the power of command over his awareness, purposes, thoughts, body and actions. It consists of GPMs, Engrams, Secondaries and Locks. (Scientology Abridged Dictionary)  2. Stored in the reactive mind are engrams, and here we find the single source of aberrations and psychosomatic ills. (Scientology 0-8, p. 11)  3. ‘bank’: a colloquial name for the reactive mind. This is what the procedures of Scientology are devoted to disposing of, for it is only a burden to an individual and he is much better off without it. (Scientology Abridged Dictionary)  4. The reactive mind acts below the level of consciousness. It is the literal stimulus-response mind. Given a certain stimulus it gives a certain response. (The Fundamentals of Thought, p. 58)
     Saint Hill Special Briefing Course (SHSBC):
This was a course delivered by L. Ron Hubbard at Saint Hill, England during 1961-66 and comprises of 447 lectures. Its result is a very adept auditor and thorough know-how of Scientology itself. The materials are studied in chronological sequence so as to fully understand the development of the technology. This will make you a Class VI Auditor.
     Scn:
Short for ‘Scientology’.
     SH (org):
‘Saint Hill (organization)’. A Saint Hill organization applies to any organization authorized to deliver the advanced level Scientology services. May also be referred to as an AO (Advanced Organization). For example AOSH UK or AOLA. The first AO was located in Saint-Hill, England.
     SHSBC:
‘Saint Hill Special Briefing Course’. See at that entry in vocabulary.
     ‘The Technical Bulletins of Dianetics and Scientology’:
This is a series of books that contain the HCOBs, and any references that are primarily dealing with technical matters. The HCOBs are printed in red ink on white paper, and the volumes themselves come in red bindings. The references are arranged in chronological release order (per issue date). These books may also be referred to as the ‘red volumes’. The ‘old red volumes’ then would refer to the 1976-80 release, the ‘new red volumes’ instead to the 1991 release. See a listing of published volumes here (pop-up window).
     tone arm (TA):
1. Tone arm refers to the tone arm or its motion. (HCOB 13 Apr 64)  2. Tone arm action. A technical term for a quantitative measure of case gain in the Scientology processing of a preclear for a given unit of time. (Introduction to Scientology Ethics, p. 38)  3. The measure of accumulation of charge. (Class VIII No. 6)  4. A measure of the amount of encysted force which is leaving the case. (SH Spec 291, 6308C06)