Scientology Volunteer Ministers Honored in the Place that Time Forgot

The Savulei Paramount Council of Chiefs of the Solomon Islands endorsed the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program in March 2012 and welcomed the volunteers to the island in a traditional ceremony that dates back from the dawn of time.

Lambi is home to Paramount Chief Savulei whose authority extends over the 56 chiefs of the Savulei Council of Chiefs.  So impressed was he by the results he saw in his village, he and his council officially endorsed the program and invited the Volunteer Ministers to return for a traditional welcoming ceremony.

The endorsement expresses the Savulei Council of Chiefs’ thanks to L. Ron Hubbard for developing the program:

“As Paramount Chief of Savulei and the Chairman of the Savulei Council of Chiefs I write on behalf of 56 Chiefs and the people of Savulei.

“We have come to know Mr. Hubbard through his Scientology teachings. We see him as a man of much wisdom, one who truly cares about others and we have great respect for him.

“The Savulei Council of Chiefs say thank you so much Mr. Hubbard. We look at you as our Big Chief guiding us to a better way of living.”

For more than 30,000 years, Solomon Islanders have lived much as they do today in “the place that time forgot” as the island nation is known. In villages like Lambi throughout Guadalcanal, traditional ways of living trace back thousands of years, untouched by the outside world.  Villagers live in thatch-covered huts: no phones, no Internet—no electricity.

But its isolation from the rest of the modern world does not spare Lambi from the problems inherent in life, and the technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard for the Volunteer Minister program applies as much in an isolated village as it does in London, Moscow or New York.

For six weeks, beginning in November 2011, the volunteers of the Goodwill Tour lived in the village and organized workshops, training more than 100 villagers in important life skills: the underlying cause of conflicts, the barriers to study, communication, and the full array of subjects contained in the Scientology Handbook.

From the ranks of those they trained, a team of indigenous Volunteer Ministers formed up that will continue the work after the South Pacific Goodwill Tour moves on.

In the official welcoming ceremony in March 2012, the leader of the Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Tour and the team of local Volunteer Ministers paddled across the bay to enter Lambi.  As they arrived on the shore, the chief’s warriors attacked to protect the village; the chief steps in, telling his warriors to stand down—that these are friends—and invited them to enter the village where they exchanged food and gifts.

In his speech to those assembled, the Paramount Chief thanked the Volunteer Ministers for providing the technology to bring the peace and spiritual freedom his people have been seeking.

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In creating the program in 1976, L. Ron Hubbard described the qualities of the Volunteer Minister: “A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well.”

Scientology Volunteer Ministers have trained and partnered with more than 1,100 organizations, including the Red Cross, FEMA, National Guard, Salvation Army, Mexico’s International Rescue Brigade, Boy Scouts, and hundreds of local, regional and national groups and organizations, giving freely of their skills, their care and compassion. They have provided physical and spiritual relief at more than 200 disaster sites. 

Today hundreds of thousands of individuals are trained in the skills of a Volunteer Minister across 185 nations. For more information on Scientology Volunteer Ministers, visit www.volunteerministers.org.

 L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY HOSTS FINALE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS WORLD TOUR

The Church of Scientology hosted closing ceremonies March 23 for the 9th annual Youth for Human Rights International World Tour at the L. Ron Hubbard Auditorium of the Scientology Community Center at 8039 S. Vermont Avenue in South Los Angeles. The ceremony capped the human rights group’s five-week 28,000-mile journey through seven nations. Youth for Human Rights representatives from Mexico, Liberia, and Japan presented highlights of the 2012 World Tour’s activities in their countries.

On behalf of Youth for Human Rights International, founder and president Dr. Mary Shuttleworth accepted proclamations and commendations from U.S. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass of California, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts and Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard Parks, acknowledging the accomplishments of the organization in human rights education.

Other acknowledgements came from Mr. Irving Sarnoff, Co-Founder of Friends of the United Nations: “Youth For Human Rights International, under the outstanding leadership of Dr. Mary Shuttleworth and supported by the Church of Scientology, has done an incredible job in the promotion and distribution of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

Dr. Elizabeth McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Project Development Foundation, said, “Knowledge is power and human rights education empowers people to be the best that they can be, knowing that no law, no person or rule can deny them their right to dignity and peace.”

The 9th Annual Youth for Human Rights World Tour launched from Los Angeles and traveled to Mexico, Liberia, Togo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Taiwan and Japan. In Taiwan, the tour met with President Ma Ying-jeou to introduce him to the program and materials. While in Mexico, they released “Artists United for Human Rights,” a booklet featuring 34 prominent Mexican performing artists promoting the 30 articles of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In Ethiopia, Youth for Human Rights International, in partnership with the Ethiopia Human Rights Commission, released a booklet covering the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia and second most-spoken Semitic language in the world after Arabic. In each country they held conferences and meetings with other national and state officials and prominent nongovernment organizations to arrange implementation of Youth for Human Rights educational materials and curricula.

Other guest speakers at the closing ceremonies included Angela Madsen, six-time member and gold medalist of the U.S. National Paralympics Team; Dr. Howard M. Holt, Founder and Executive Director of Elohim Dream Builders; Dr. Pouran Ameli of the American-Iranian Friendship Association and Rev. Elizabeth McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Project Development Foundation. Youth for Human Rights International has circled the globe nine times in as many years, traveling more than a quarter of a million miles to promote human rights education to officials, educators, and nongovernment organizations in 80 countries.

The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspire them to become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace. For more information visitwww.youthforhumanrights.org.

The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed in the United States in 1954 and has grown to more than 10,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups and millions of members in 167 nations.

On L. Ron Hubbard's Birthday

Sharing one of my favorite LRH quotes:

Works of art are viewed by people. They are heard by people. They are felt by people. They are not just the fodder of a close-knit group of initiates. They are the soul food of all people. -- L. Ron Hubbard

L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

Scientology Concert Raises Funds for Sussex Air Ambulance Charity

Scientology 15th Annual Charity Concert at the Church’s UK Headquarters Benefits Sussex Air Ambulance

EAST GRINSTEAD, SUSSEX—Funds raised by Scientologists at the 15th annual Gala Charity Concert at the UK headquarters of the Church of Scientology this month purchased two urgently needed fast response vehicles for Sussex Air Ambulance. The organization delivers medical crews to accidents and medical emergencies and transports patients to the nearest major hospital or specialist unit in a fraction of the time a land ambulance takes.

While most of Sussex Air Ambulance rescues are by air, the charity also needs fast response vehicles for rescues in bad weather and at night.

This year, instead of the traditional check presentation at the end of the concert, two fast response vehicles were raced into the hall, lights flashing, and presented to Air Ambulance Chief Executive and three of his medical staff who accepted the gift on behalf of their team and those whose lives these vehicles will save.

The more than 1,500 attending the concert enjoyed a broad range of entertainment—jazz and swing to hip-hop and rock and roll—from Chill E.B., the Jive Aces, Jackie Wilson, Mari Percy, Christian Durocher, Michele Henderson and Cody Boogie Boy Lee, with a surprise finale dance performance by Kirstie Alley.

The Charity Concert was the final event of the three-day celebration of the 27th anniversary of the International Association of Scientologists held this year from October 14-16. Attended by more than 6,000 Scientologists and guests, the annual event included a day of seminars on IAS-sponsored humanitarian campaigns providing drug education and prevention, human rights education the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program—the largest independent relief force on Earth.

_________________

Saint Hill Manor is a site of great historical importance to Scientologists: It was home to Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard from 1959 to 1966, and where he completed development of an exact route anyone may travel to attain true spiritual freedom.

In 1984, leading Scientologists from around the world met at Saint Hill to found the International Association of Scientologists with this purpose: “To unite, advance, support and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world, so as to achieve the aims of Scientology as originated by L. Ron Hubbard.”

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L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

Ryan: an Actor and a Scientologist: Meet a Scientologist

I love the "Meet a Scientologist" videos on the Scientology web site. Very creative videos about very creative people.

Here's one about Sam--an actor.
Official Scientology News: ScientologyNews.org

L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Contest

L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future Contest

Exciting weekend--it's the 26th annual Writers and Illustrators of the Future contest, held in Hollywood by Galaxy Press. L. Ron Hubbard created the contest and annual publication to provide writers of speculative fiction with a platform to break into the industry.

Brand new edition of the anthology, and new award winners being announced.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Scientology religion}

The Basics Books and Lectures - Dianetics & Scientology :: Bridge Publications, Inc.

The Basics Books and Lectures of L. Ron Hubbard

The Basics books and lectures of L. Ron Hubbard form the foundation upon which The Bridge to Freedom is built. They are presented in the sequence L. Ron Hubbard wrote or delivered them. In many instances, L. Ron Hubbard gave a series of lectures immediately following the release of a new book to provide further explanation and insight of these milestones. Through monumental restoration efforts, those lectures are now available.



^{I like to help others and count it as my greatest pleasure in life to see a person free himself of the shadows which darken his days.— ScientologyFounder, L. Ron Hubbard}

Official Church of Scientology: Videos, Meet a Scientologist, Religious Beliefs, Spirituality, Life Stories

Meet a Scientologist

My favorite "Meet a Scientologist" videos are of the artists. There's a full gamut of artist represented: painters, sculptors, designers, musicians, photographers, dancers--every one of them unique.

^{"You may have been taught that the mind is a very difficult thing to know about. This is the first principle of Scientology: It is possible to know about the mind, the spirit and life."—L. Ron Hubbard}

Official Church of Scientology: L. Ron Hubbard, Video Biography, Dianetics & Religious Books

L. Ron Hubbard, Video Biography

“For nearly a quarter of a century, I have been engaged in the investigation of the fundamentals of life, the material universe and human behavior. Such an adventure leads one down many highways, through many byroads, into many back alleys of uncertainty, through many strata of life…” - L. Ron Hubbard

The Scientology website has a short video biography of L. Ron Hubbard. Really worth watching.

L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

The Way To Happiness: Moral Character Teaching, Good Advice, Ethical Values, Happier Life Virtues

The Way To Happiness: Moral Character Teaching, Good Advice, Ethical Values, Happier Life Virtues

I was looking through The Way to Happiness educators' kit and was so impressed with the quality of the presentation. Here's the description of the kit on the Way to Happiness website.

The Educator’s Resource Kit provides powerful and effective tools for teaching the common sense principles of The Way to Happiness.

Through The Way to Happiness curriculum, youth learn how to apply the fundamental concepts of respect, decency and compassion.

While the Educator’s Guide is intended for teachers in public and private schools, it is also used by youth programs and community-based organizations.

The lesson plans incorporate the twenty-one precepts of The Way to Happiness and are designed for teens and young adults.

This curriculum provides a unique, nonjudgmental way to introduce concepts of right and wrong to youth, resulting in positive and productive choices.>>

The Way to Happiness is a non-religious moral code written by L. Ron Hubbard and based completely on common sense.

******************************************************* ^{No matter how bad it is, Something CAN Be Done About It!Learn how with the Scientology Handbook based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard}

New Video—the Artistic Team at Golden Era Productions

Wow-just watched the new video on the Scientology website on Golden Era Productions. Although I've been a Scientologist for many years and an artist, I had no idea of the scope of what they're doing there. This was an eye opener. The whole operation is built around using the arts to ensure the work of L. Ron Hubbard is made available to people in the aesthetic quality commensurate with the quality of his work. And once again it is David Miscavige to whom we owe the execution of Ron's intention on this.

L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

New Scientology Churches—Works of Art

I have been so impressed by the new Scientology Churches I've visited. A few years ago David Miscavige announced the campaign to create Ideal Scientology Orgs (churches) wherever there are Scientology churches now. And while we have been creating these one at a time over the past few years, they are popping like mad now.

In the past three weeks David Miscavige officiated at the grand openings of three Scientology churches: Mexico, Pasadena and Seattle.

I've toured the new orgs in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Pasadena recently and they really are works of art. First, they are designed to carry the motif of the city. For example in LA the church is totally art deco, and every element in it carries that through, such as the Office for L. Ron Hubbard which looks like it came out of the heyday of Hollywood.

Here's another touch -- in Las Vegas there are orchids throughout the org, everywhere you look there is some beautiful touch like that. In Los Angeles its rhododendrons. And in Pasadena, of course, roses.

But what this all means is you can walk in there and go "ahhhhh." You leave the hectic, frenetic world outside and inside is the legendary friendliness of the Scientology staff and service par excellence with the new facilities, and, best of all, L. Ron Hubbard's tech.

It's amazing to me how every time I study something by LRH he's talking right to me. I'm not being delusional about this (and I certainly don't mean I think Ron is at my elbow whispering in my ear). What I mean is that no matter what I'm running into, at work, in relationships, about myself, etc.--I turn on an LRH lecture and get what I need to fix it, or pull out of it, or dive into it, or make it work... whatever I needed is there.

If you've never experienced that yourself, now's the best time. Go into a Church of Mission and check out the new services they have for people new to Scientology.

L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

Scientology Church Opens in Mexico City--Secretary of Tourism Speaks.

(Courtesy of Google Translate:)
The Secretary of Tourism of Mexico City, Alejandro Rojas Diaz-Duran, said that Mexico City is the largest recipient of religious tourists, because in it are the major ceremonial centers of the different churches in the world.

Interviewed at the end of the opening of the Church of Scientology, located at the corner of Balderas and Avenida Juarez, the Mexican official said that such acts shows that Mexico City does not suffer from crime or lack of security given elsewhere.

He added that there are some specific parts of the country that have drug problems and insecurity, but that does not mean that the whole country suffers the scourge.

Díaz-Durán Rojas mentioned that this situation must change and we welcome all proposals to do so.

"We are confident that Mexico will contribute positively to Scientology go spreading the fundamental values of humanism, for youth, children and adults of all races, all creeds, of all social conditions, build a new civilization of peace and prosperity without criminals, without violence and drugs, "said local official.

I found this magical photo on the NY Times, in an article called Dueling Troupes (and Choreographers)

It's a photo of David Hallberg in American Ballet Theater’s staging of “Swan Lake.”

Now if you thought that was breathtaking, how about this:





























That's Sara Mearns as Odette-Odile in New York City Ballet’s production of “Swan Lake.” And if THAT didn't impress the hell out of you, try this:

Need I say more?


L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

Scientology Video a real beauty

Just sharing this video 'cuz it's so beautiful.




L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

Scientology Parent blog


I have my new favorite blog to follow--the 365 Days of Mackenzie.

This is the blog about how Tad and Kat Reeves are totally obsessed with their beautiful daughter Mackenzie, and with good reason.



L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

The history of Scientology

This article showed up in Helium today. I thought is was quite thoughtful, and wanted to pass it along.

by Charles Ray

Scientology, which means the "study of knowledge and truth," is a religion founded in the 1950s by the noted science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.

Hubbard, born March 13, 1911, in Tilden, Nebraska, traveled widely as a youth, including several trips to Asia. His observation of misery and poverty, especially during his Asia visits, caused him to question the very nature of man.



L. Ron Hubbard - Artist

Some people are just hard to talk to

Is there someone in your life you have trouble talking to? Maybe someone in your family, or someone at work, or a neighbor, and it seems no matter what you try to tell them, they automatically disagree? Do you know someone who you simply can't get anything cross to? There is a simple tool in Scientology you can use to get through to that person. It is covered in a chapter of the Scientology Handbook called Affinity Reality and Communication

The Importance of Communication

In point of fact, communication is one of Scientology’s most fundamental doctrines and the basis for its core religious services, auditing and training. A substantial portion of Scientology scripture is devoted to the understanding and application of communication, including books, tape-recorded lectures and training films. A Scientology auditor studies communication and practices communication techniques at many points in his training, continually working to achieve a perfect mastery of its formula.

Auditing becomes possible only through application of the communication formula. A person participating in auditing (a “preclear” in Scientology) must direct his attention inward to the deepest recesses of his reactive mind to confront occluded past incidents, including past lives, in order to find the answers to auditing questions, erase harmful energy contained in the mental image picture recordings of these incidents, and thus experience relief from spiritual travail. The preclear is fully alert during an auditing session and becomes even more alert as auditing progresses. The auditor and preclear work together to help the preclear defeat the preclear’s reactive mind. Auditing is not something done to the person, but involves his active participation to increase his self-determinism. Using communication alone, the auditor must direct the preclear’s attention (with the preclear’s agreement) to past moments of pain, unconsciousness or misemotion.

The preclear, knowing that the auditor is following the exact and predictable communication formula, feels sufficiently secure to allow the auditor to direct his attention and to tell the auditor about what he finds.

Tampa Bay Informer
Written by Sirio Balmelli
Monday, 14 December 2009

The Clearwater Community Volunteers held their Anniversary Celebration of the 17th Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Festival and Charity Drive on December 11th. On the corner of Drew Street and Ft. Harrison Avenue, a Christmas playground has sprung from the barren asphalt of the parking lot behind the Osceola Hotel, driven by the organized tenacity of the Clearwater Community Volunteers (CCV), working with local charities, for the benefit of members of the community.

Parents and children alike began trickling in around 5:30 p.m., finding all in readiness for an evening of holiday fun, from Mrs. Claus’ Cookie Workshop to the elves serving piping hot chocolate from the North Pole Kitchen.

To begin the celebration, Clearwater Boy Scout Troop 313 performed their flag ceremony, followed by the arrival of Santa Claus, who this year seems to have upgraded from the old reindeer-sleigh to a custom red and white Harley Davidson Road Glide with saddlebags enough for an entire city’s-worth of deliveries.

Next, Clearwater Community Volunteers Executive Director Pam Ryan Anderson took the stage, welcoming all who had come and taking the opportunity to thank everyone who had helped make Winter Wonderland a reality, from sponsors like Postcard Mania and BHC Mechanical, to the faculty and students of local schools Clearwater Academy International, Washburn Academy and Delphi Academy, who had volunteered to help finish the Christmas preparations when the recent spells of rough weather delayed completion of Winter Wonderland. As Pam said during her speech, “It takes a village to make this village,” and the festive atmosphere of Winter Wonderland was testament to her words.

Also speaking at ceremony were Deacon Maurice Mickens, of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, who invited the crowd to join him in a beautiful prayer to mark the occasion, and Pat Harney, Directory of Community Affairs for the Church of Scientology. The Church of Scientology is a major sponsor of the event, providing the grounds for Winter Wonderland to CCV since its first holiday season in 1993. Mrs. Harney shared a quote from Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard: “On the day when we can fully trust each other, there will be peace on earth.”

By the end of the ceremony, Winter Wonderland was positively swarming with young and old alike—taking pictures with Santa, riding the ponies, visiting the Bouncy House or otherwise enjoying the festive mood of a small village entirely dedicated to the celebration of the spirit of Christmas.

As the chill wind brought low-flying thunderclouds scudding overhead, promising rain to come, community volunteer and promising vocalist Sally Gatza strode on stage, unleashing a stunning repertoire of Christmas cheer. It was hard to comprehend how this 13-year-old could weave such complex harmonies and fill the air with the soulful crooning she did, but one and all enjoyed her singing, and the crowd grew to fill the village near to bursting. Also steadily filling was the enormous sleigh where visitors deposited unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items destined for children and families who might otherwise have to do without; supporting Winter Wonderland’s annual toy and food-drive activities. By the time Sally had finished, and the Tricky Dog Show had taken over the stage, fun irreversibly filled the air, ever-enhancing the magic of Winter Wonderland till nights end.

Winter Wonderland remains open until the 20th of December, and freely welcomes all members of the community to come in and enjoy the holiday spirit. Happy Holidays!

For more information on Winter Wonderland or the CCV, visit www.clearwatercommunityvolunteers.org.

Story reprinted with permission of the Tampabay Informer http://tampabayinformer.com