MEST is an acronym used in Scientology and coined by author L. Ron Hubbard. Hubbard used the first letters of the words matter, energy, space and time, the component parts of the physical universe. The term MEST is frequently used in writings and lectures by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard in place of the term, "the physical universe".

Cause over MEST

Scientology writings state that, by completing Scientology courses, it is possible to eventually attain "cause over MEST" — the ability to move or act in the physical universe free of the encumbrance of the body.

Scientology doctrine states that a person who has achieved the state of Operating Thetan is essentially a being able to operate free of the encumbrances of the material universe. This state is represented by a symbol consisting of the letters OT with the T inside the O and each of the points of the T ending at the O's circumference.

The secrets of attaining the Operating Thetan states are taught in a series of courses called "levels", numbered with Roman numerals and starting at OT I. Operating Thetan levels up to OT VIII have been released by the Church of Scientology. Hubbard claimed to have written OT levels up to OT XV.

The Theta universe vs. the MEST universe

According to Hubbard, there exists an alternate universe to our MEST universe, one he called the Theta Universe. Thetans are of the Theta Universe, and the entire purpose of Theta Universe is, in Hubbard's words, "the conquest, change, and ordering of MEST" (our physical universe)

Even beyond the powers of the Operating Thetan comes the "Cleared Theta Clear", which Hubbard describes this way:

"A thetan who is completely rehabilitated and can do everything a thetan should do, such as move MEST and control others from a distance, or create his own universe".

Blacks and MEST

Hubbard felt that blacks had a tendency to personify the MEST universe by giving objects personalities.

"Actually, have you ever noticed how a negro, in particular, down south, where they're pretty close to the soil, personifies MEST? The gate post and the wagon and the whip and anything around there. A hat -- they talk to 'em, you know. "Wassa madda wit you, hat?". They imbue them, with personality."

References

External links

• Former Church of Scientology executive Stacy Brooks explains MEST