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Ever since its inception here in March 2002, scientology has slowly been spreading its wings, with 1,700 active members and over 12,000 people who have attended lectures, bought books or visited the centre. Scientology in Delhi, however, is broached far less as a religion than for its multitude of self-help courses. Says one practitioner (name withheld), “I’m not a scientologist. I don’t even know what that means. But its tools work for me.”
With the centre offering over 50 courses ranging from ‘How To Resolve Conflicts’ to ‘Create Better Relationships’, a growing culture of self-help is leading Delhiites to its shores.
“We are not trying to convert people,” Tubbesing says.
Whereas in other countries its branches are known as Churches of Scientology, in India the words church and mission are avoided. Meghna Budhia exemplifies this disconnection of scientology from religion in India. “I am a Hindu, but I believe in the application of scientology,” she says.
Instead, proving most popular in Delhi is ‘study technology’, based on Hubbard’s premise that the only reason a person gives up studying is when he or she has gone past a word not understood.
Those who have taken the course claim it works. Like many, Jatin Kapadia (name changed on request) from Doon School was introduced to scientology through hearing about its impact on, arguably its most famous ambassador: US actor Tom Cruise. And in a letter to the centre he writes how the course helped him overcome dyslexia. Now in Class XII, Kapadia reports a dramatic improvement in his grades.
At the centre’s cafe are businessmen, students looking for jobs, and even housewives. So, what is it that draws people to scientology? While Tubbesing says the course is for everyone, Kapadia muses: “Those troubled, looking for answers beyond the everyday.”
Posted June 17th, 2008 by luana1980
