Editing Operating Thetan (section)

=== 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}}

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