Dianetics: A Visual Guidebook to the Mind

Background
Scientology, an interesting cult. Formed in the 1950s by pulp fiction writer Lafayette Ronald Hubbard (known more commonly as "L. Ron Hubbard" or simply "Ron" to Scientologists) this group evolved into a religion from the so called "Modern Science of the Human Mind" Dianetics, also conceived by Ron. Dianetics was introduced to the world as a revolutionary alternative to psychology and psychiatry which promised to cure a wide variety of mental and physical problems such as making bad decisions and even the common cold. These claims are often debunked but not before it gained a following. In time, Dianetics was used as the basis for a new faith. It was named Scientology. The Church of Scientology uses Dianetics as a means to attract new members with the promise of optimal mental and physical performance. Often potential "Preclears" are shown a film which has been distributed on DVD either on its own or in a boxset with the Dianetics book. The Visual Guidebook of the Mind

Plot
There is no plot per say, but it is split into multiple parts. The first gives an overview of Dianetics, how the human mind works in Ronland. Basically, the human mind has 2 major components. The "Analytical" mind and the "Reactive" mind. The Analytical mind being the problem solver, it looks at past experience and the current situation and makes the optimum decision. The Reactive Mind stores incidents of pain and suffering and tries to force the person out of a similar situation. The film goes on to say that the reactive mind stores words and phrases uttered during these incidents and causes effects similar to hypnosis. For example saying "He can't breath" may cause asthma. It may also cause irrational behavior.
The next part of the film covers how to deal with these recorded painful incidents, named "engrams" in Dianetics. The film covers a basic "Auditing" session. The scientological therapy used to take the data from the reactive mind, and put it into the analytical mind. This is done by asking the "preclear", the person undergoing therapy to think about an incident and talk in as much detail as possible. Often asking to go over it again and try to pick up more details until the preclear is cheerful about it. The film asks the viewer to review this card which my DVD included which details a step by step on auditing.
The final section of the movie basically promotes dianetics, claiming it could create a saner world, one without war, crime or other negative effects of society. It also takes the time to promote the book it is based on, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health. It also promotes a hotline, where you can go for professional auditing or learn how to be a pro.

Intended Message
Dianetics: Visual Guidebook to the Mind isn't a work of fiction so it does not hide its message. The movie is an attempt to introduce the pseudo-science to potential preclears and potential scientologists. While some of the more outlandish promises from the book are omitted in the film (Clears not having colds for example)

Final Comments
Dianetics, since the 1950s it has been, and has remained for 60 years a patent cure in paper form. Putting it on DVD does not change that. Dianetics, like creationism is simply a religious alternative to a real science. Problem is though, Dianetics touts itself as a alternative medicine. One that is intended to replace Psychiatry. This can be irresponsible and at times outright dangerous. What the DVD fails to mention is Dianetics Auditing is not free, nor is training. It can cost a hefty amont for prossessing, training, purchasing of books, audio cds and other materials. I'm also not sure at what point of auditing one is considered a scientologist, but I definatly beleive you are a full blown scientologist when you reach Clear and go on to the OT levels.