It is sometimes said that while the principles of Scientology are learned in a Scientology church or mission, and from studying Scientology books and materials, the actual practice of Scientology takes place in society. Scientology is all about learning to do things to improve conditions in your own life and in particular in the lives of others. An active Scientologist is not only considered to be someone who attends a Scientology church or studies Scientology, but rather someone who actively uses the insights and knowledge that Scientology gives them to make a real, positive difference in the lives of others.
Within the vast amount of data which makes up Scientology’s religious beliefs and practices there are many principles which, when learned, give one a new and broader view of life. Knowing the Tone Scale, for instance, a person can see how best to deal with a grumpy child, mollify an upset friend or get an idea across to a staid employer. These principles amount to a huge area of observation in the humanities. It is a body of knowledge there for the learning. There is nothing authoritarian in it. It is valuable purely as a body of knowledge.
The extraordinary achievement of Dianetics and Scientology has been the development of exact, precise methods to increase Man’s spiritual awareness and capabilities. Other efforts along this line provided only sporadic or temporary results, if any. When using Scientology, life-enhancing improvements can be obtained when exactly applied.
The importance of application in Scientology comes from the fact that as part of the religion L. Ron Hubbard developed an actual technology that enables you to use his discoveries to improve yourself and others. Technology means the methods of applying the principles of something, as opposed to mere knowledge of the thing itself.
Scientologists actively use the insights and knowledge that Scientology gives them to make a real, positive difference in the lives of others.