ARC (Scientology)
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ARC is a fundamental concept in Scientology methodology, and is a term particular to Scientology coined by founder L. Ron Hubbard. ARC is an acronym for "Affinity, Reality and Communication" (generally pronounced by its letters, A-R-C). These three individual elements are said to be the formula of understanding. This concept is a key element to much of Scientology philosophy, and a great deal of Scientology practices are based on this idea.
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[edit] The concept of ARC
Hubbard defined the terms affinity, reality and communication in an unconventional way, with specific reference to Scientology theory. The concept of affinity is defined by Hubbard as "... the relative distance and similarity of the two ends of a communication line"<ref name="dn55">Hubbard, L. Ron. Dianetics 55! 13th ed. Copenhagen, Denmark: New Era Publications International, 1986. 38-39.</ref> and, alternatively, "the feeling of love or liking for something or someone."<ref name="techdict">Hubbard, L. Ron. Dianetics and Scientology Technical Dictionary U.S.A., Kingsport Press ISBN 0-88404-037-2.</ref> Reality is stated as "...the degree of agreement reached by two ends of a communication line"<ref name="dn55" /> and alternatively, "is, here on earth, agreement as to what is."<ref name="techdict" /> Communication is defined as "...the interchange of ideas or particles between two points."<ref name="dn55" />
These three factors are said to interrelate together to form understanding. Hubbard also writes that communication is "by far the most important" of the three components of understanding. <ref name="scn08">Hubbard, L. Ron. Scientology 0-8: The Book of Basics. Copenhagen, Denmark: New Era Publications International, 1993. 22-23.</ref>
[edit] The ARC Triangle
Hubbard wrote that these three elements correlate together as three points of a triangle, whereby an increase or decrease of affinity, reality or communication causes a resultant change in the other elements.
- "The triangle of affinity, reality and communication could be called an interactive triangle in that no point of it can be raised without affecting the other two points and raising them, and no point of it can be lowered without affecting the other two points." <ref name="scn08" />
This is commonly known in Scientology terminology as the "ARC Triangle". <ref name="scn08" />
[edit] The ARC Break
Hubbard refers to a sharp reduction of any of the points of this triangle as an "ARC break":
- "Upsets with people or things come about because of the lessening or sundering of affinity, reality or communication [...] because if one discovers which of the three points of understanding have been cut, one can bring about a rapid recovery in the person's state of mind." <ref name="scn08" />
In Scientology, upset and anger are referred to as an ARC break. People who are upset are referred to as being "ARC broken" in Scientology terminology. <ref name="scn08" />
[edit] ARC Straightwire
"The ARC STRAIGHTWIRE processes actually return you to pleasant moments in your past so you can re-experience them again - right in your auditing session. This ability is necessary for future auditing with other SCIENTOLOGY and DIANETICS processes. Preclears can experience an incredible increase of Affinity, Reality and Communication with their present time environment. Gain a higher level of understanding of things that are happening in your life now, as well as things that occurred in the past." [1]
[edit] Use in conversation by Scientologists
Scientologists frequently refer to "good feeling, love or friendliness" as "ARC" in conversation with each other. <ref name="scn08" /> Amongst Scientologists, it has sometimes become customary to sign "ARC" at the end of correspondence, to signify the equivalent of "best wishes"; likewise, the term "ARC break" is commonly used in such conversation to signify upset or anger. <ref name="scn08" />
[edit] References
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[edit] External links
- What is Scientology: Affinity, Reality and Communication. A description of the ARC triangle.
