he basic definition of Dianetics has been very happily furnished us by Funk and Wagnalls. Funk and Wagnalls put out a dictionary supplement recently, supplement number 5, and it says: “Dianetics, noun: A system for the analysis, control and development of human thought evolved from a set of coordinated axioms which also provide techniques for the treatment of a wide range of mental disorders and organic diseases: term and doctrines introduced by L. Ron Hubbard, American engineer. (From the Greek dianoetikos dia is through, plus nous, mind, or through mind.) And Dianetic, adjective.”
Dianetics is a thoroughly validated method of increasing sanity. If you think of it in those terms, you are not liable to go very far wrong. It’s a method of increasing sanity and it’s the only validated method in existence for increasing sanity, unless it’s going out and having an awfully good time.
Now, it happens that there are many ways to describe Dianetics to somebody who walks up to you suddenly and says, “Dianetics? What is that?” and you say to them, “It’s, uh, well...” Don’t do that, because it makes you look unsure. Have a good, fast definition.
“Dianetics? Why, Dianetics is a method of erasing all the pain out of a person’s lifetime. You can understand that if a person had had no pain in his lifetime, he’d be a fairly happy person, wouldn’t he?” And they agree.
And you say, “Well, in Dianetics you just erase all the pain out of his lifetime and he’s well.”
And it’s very interesting but that’s a very convincing definition. That’s actually what you’re doing, although I prefer to think of it, actually, in terms very simple terms you can convert the pain of a lifetime to happiness and sanity. Now, that sounds like bluebirds or something. It’s one of those a little bit too Pollyannish definitions, but that’s actually what you're doing, after all.
If you start converting the pain and the anguish of a person’s life to useful, forceful thought, you're doing a great deal for him.


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