Thetans

Thetans are a concept central to Scientology and Dianetics, founded by L. Ron Hubbard. According to these belief systems, a thetan is the spiritual being, the immortal essence of an individual, distinct from the physical body or mind. Scientologists believe that each person is a thetan who has had countless past lives and will continue to exist after the death of the body.

The term "thetan" is derived from the Greek letter theta (θ), which Hubbard used to represent the life force or spiritual essence. In Dianetics, auditing is a process designed to address engrams, painful or traumatic experiences imprinted on the reactive mind. The goal of auditing is to help the individual become more aware of their spiritual nature and to free themselves from the limitations imposed by past experiences, thereby ascending to a state of "Clear" and eventually to "Operating Thetan" (OT) levels.

An Operating Thetan is described as a being who can operate independently of their body and the physical universe. This state is achieved through advanced Scientology practices and training. Scientologists believe that by addressing and neutralizing unwanted spiritual influences and past traumas, a thetan can regain its innate abilities and achieve spiritual freedom and enlightenment. The existence and nature of thetans are not recognized by mainstream science or religion, and the concepts are specific to the teachings of Scientology.