Editing Operating Thetan (section)

== OT levels ==

Although [[The Bridge to Total Freedom]] lists 15 OT levels above the state of Clear, only seven were released during Hubbard's lifetime,{{r|urban|page=101}} while OT VIII was released to the public in 1988, two years after Hubbard's 1986 death.{{r|rinder|page=126}}

Levels OT I through OT V can be delivered only at [[Church of Scientology]] Advanced Organizations. OT VI and OT VII can be delivered only at [[Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization|Flag Service Org]]. OT VIII can be delivered only at [[Church of Scientology#Freewinds|Flag Ship Service Org]] aboard Scientology's ship ''[[Freewinds]]''.{{r|thebridge}}{{r|rinder|page=126}}

{{anchor|OTI}}

=== OT I ===
"This Solo-audited level is the first step a Clear takes toward full OT abilities, and that first step is a fresh causative OT viewpoint of the [[MEST universe]] and other beings."<ref name="whatis">{{cite book |title=What is Scientology? (Based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard, compiled by staff of CSI) |author=Church of Scientology International |year=1998 |publisher=[[Bridge Publications]] |isbn=1-57318-122-6 |ol=16726573M |pages=676–677 }}</ref> The cost to move to level OT I was $2,750 as of 2013.<ref name=wakefield>{{cite book |title=Understanding Scientology : The Demon Cult |chapter=Chapter 7 : OT — Through the Wall of Fire and Beyond |url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Library/Shelf/wakefield/us-07.html |access-date=12 February 2013 |first=Margery |last=Wakefield |date=February 24, 2010 |author-link=Margery Wakefield |isbn=978-0-557-10926-5 |via=[[David S. Touretzky]] }}</ref>

{{anchor|OTII}}

=== OT II ===
"By confronting hidden areas of one's existence on the whole track [that is, by confronting past incarnations], vast amounts of energy and attention are released. Those on this Solo-audited level experience a resurgence of self-determinism and native ability. OT II unlocks the aberrative factors on the whole track that have allowed the thetan to lose his innate freedom and ability and one achieves the ability to confront the whole track."<ref name="whatis" /> The cost to move from OT I to OT II was $5,225 as of 2013.<ref name="wakefield" />

{{anchor|OTIII}}

=== OT III: Wall of Fire ===
{{See also|Xenu}}

Media attention has mostly focused on Operating Thetan Level III, which reportedly tells the history of the universe from 75 million years ago. This level is called the "First Wall of Fire" and claims to "reveal the cause of earthly human suffering". It is claimed that even Hubbard himself had difficulty attaining it.{{r|urban2017|page=18}}

Hubbard announced discovering an important breakthrough within less than a month of founding the [[Sea Org]], the religious order of the church that consists of its most dedicated members. He described it as a "means of erasing those mental factors that stand in the way of peace and toleration of mankind". The new material made up the new Operating Thetan III.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lewis |first=James R. |year=2009 |title=Scientology |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-533149-3 |page=2009|title-link=Scientology (James R. Lewis book) }}</ref>

"This Solo-audited level goes through what is called the 'Wall of Fire' that surrounds a previously impenetrable whole track mystery. What prevents a being from being himself? This level answers that question. Once complete, a being is free of the whole track overwhelm that has trapped him. Here he confronts and eradicates the [[Scientology beliefs and practices#The eight dynamics|fourth dynamic]] engram that has plagued this universe for millennia."<ref name="whatis" /> The cost to move from OT II to OT III was $8,910 as of 2013.<ref name="wakefield" />

Church dogma regards OT III as a dangerous process which can lead to [[pneumonia]], [[lack of sleep]] or even death if not run correctly. In ''Church of Scientology of California v. Kaufman'', it was noted that the defendant had been required to sign a waiver to the effect that "the Scientology Organization, its branches and members, and L. Ron Hubbard are not responsible for anything that might happen to my body or mind on OT III".<ref>''Church of Scientology of California v. Kaufman'', [1972] F.S.R. 591 per [[Reginald Goff|Goff J]] – in the Chancery Division of the High Court</ref>

Within OT III is the secret doctrine of the church. Members must be invited to "do it", and they sign a contract of secrecy.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hellesøy |first=Kjersti |title=Controversial New Religions |title-link=Controversial New Religions |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-19-515682-9 |editor-last=Lewis |editor-first=James R. |editor-link=James R. Lewis (scholar) |edition=2nd |location=New York |language=en |chapter=Scientology: The Making of a Religion |editor-last2=Petersen |editor-first2=Jesper Aa. |page=261}}</ref>{{r|reitman-rs}}

{{anchor|OTIV}}

=== OT IV: OT Drug Rundown ===
"This level handles the hidden problems and stops in a being's universe caused by the effects of drugs and poisons on the whole track. This is the final polish that rids one of any last vestige of the effects of drugs on the spirit. Ministered at Advanced Organizations or [[Flag Building|Flag]]. Approximately 12½ to 25 hours."<ref name="whatis" />

{{anchor|NOTs}}{{anchor|OTV}}

=== OT V: Audited New Era Dianetics for OTs (NOTs) ===
"The Second Wall of Fire consists of 26 separate [[rundown (Scientology)|rundowns]] and has been described as dealing with 'living lightning, the very stuff of life itself.' This level addresses the last aspects of one's case that can prevent him from achieving total freedom on all [[Scientology beliefs and practices#The eight dynamics|dynamics]]. An audited level ministered at Advanced Organizations or [[Flag Building|Flag]]. Approximately 50 hours."<ref name="whatis" />

{{anchor|OTVI}}

=== OT VI: Solo NOTs Auditing Course ===
"The training one receives before starting to solo audit on New OT VII is so powerful that it actually constitutes an entire OT level. On Solo NOTs one is dealing with complexities intended to crush one's true power and abilities as a thetan. Solo NOTs auditors acquire a wide range of auditing skills to handle the vast phenomena that can occur on OT VIII. Approximately 3–4 weeks with the new Solo Auditor Course done."<ref name="whatis" />

{{anchor|OTVII}}

=== OT VII: Solo NOTs ===
"On New OT VII one solo audits at home daily. This is a lengthy level, requiring a considerable amount of time to complete. It is the final pre-OT level, and culminates in attainment of the state of CAUSE OVER LIFE."<ref name="whatis" />

{{anchor|OTVIII}}

=== OT VIII: Truth Revealed ===
{{Main|OT VIII}}
{{quote frame|align=right|width=25%|text=Many who had spent decades and hundreds of thousands of dollars to reach the pinnacle of the scientology Bridge were so disgusted when they finally got there that it was the last thing they did in scientology.{{r|rinder|page=126}}|author=Mike Rinder}}

OT VIII is the highest level in Scientology, and is only offered  aboard the ''[[Freewinds]]'' ship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/03/world/scientology-cruise-ship/index.html|title = Here's what happens on Scientology's cruise ship, the Freewinds. It sounds pretty intense|website = [[CNN]]|date = 3 May 2019 |first=Daniel |last=Burke}}</ref> It supposedly reveals "the ultimate secret of Hubbard's teachings".{{r|urban2017|page=19}}

The original version of OT VIII was released in 1988 and was authored by Hubbard himself, while a second "revised" version was released in 1991 by an unnamed editor. Both versions were released after [[L. Ron Hubbard]]'s death. The original contains a Doomsday Prophecy that the [[Galactic Confederacy]] will return soon and telepathically enslave the universe but Hubbard wrote that he will [[Reincarnation|return after his death]] and in a [[Messiah]]-like role "halt a series of events designed to make happy slaves of us all".<ref name="fishmanotviii">{{multiref2 |1=[[Fishman Affidavit]]. US District Court, Central District of California. Fishman Case No 91-6426 HLH (Tx). |2={{cite web |url=https://www.spaink.net/fishman/ot8b.html |first=L. Ron |last=Hubbard |author-link=L. Ron Hubbard |title=HCOB 5 May 1980 I, OT VIII Series I : Confidential : Student Briefing (Fishman Exhibit, OT VIII) |date=5 May 1980 |via=[[Karin Spaink]]}} |3={{cite web |url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/Fishman/Declaration/ot8b.html |title=Alternative link |via=[[David S. Touretzky]]}} }}</ref> Early participants in this version balked at it and the church subsequently revised it into its current form. The church initially stated the original version found in the [[Fishman Affidavit]] is a forgery but later admitted it was copyrighted by the church thus establishing authenticity. The revised version they currently use also has an editor's note that states "it is not the original".<ref>{{Cite web|title=UP THE BRIDGE: We finally reach 'OT 8' — but was its first version really a hoax? |website=[[The Underground Bunker]]|url=https://tonyortega.org/2014/06/24/up-the-bridge-we-finally-reach-ot-8-but-was-its-first-version-really-a-hoax/|access-date=2021-06-13 |first=Tony |last=Ortega |author-link=Tony Ortega}}</ref>

The revised version is completely redacted from the original and states "This Solo-audited level addresses the primary cause of amnesia on the whole track and lets one see the truth of his own existence. This is the first actual OT level and brings about a resurgence of power and native abilities for the being himself. This may be done at the Flag Ship Service Organization."

According to interviews performed by [[Mike Rinder]], Scientologists have described OT VIII as "less than overwhelming".{{r|rinder|page=126}}

=== OT IX to OT X ===

Since 1986, Church of Scientology leader [[David Miscavige]] has dangled the hope of OT IX and X being released in the near future, pending certain conditions, which have shifted over time. It has been widely reported that Hubbard never wrote OT IX and above; therefore, those levels do not exist.<ref name="closer">{{cite web |title=New OT IX & X Are Closer Than You Think |date=October 4, 2015 |first=Mike |last=Rinder |author-link=Mike Rinder |website=mikerindersblog.org |access-date=May 24, 2023 |url=https://www.mikerindersblog.org/new-ot-ix-x-are-closer-than-you-think/}}</ref>{{r|reitman|page=153}}{{r|rinder|pages=126–127}}{{r|wright|page=Ch.5|quote=Chapter 5: Dropping the Body; Rathbun’s team found more files, but not what they wanted. Rathbun eventually came to the conclusion that there were no further OT levels—no OT IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV—it was all a bluff on [Pat] Broeker’s part, a lie that the church would have to live with, since the levels had been so publicly announced.}}