Page "Dianetics" Paragraph 54

Other critics and medical experts have suggested that Dianetic auditing is a form of hypnosis, although the Church of Scientology has strongly denied that hypnosis forms any part of Dianetics.

To the contrary, L. Ron Hubbard expressedly warns not to use any hypnosis or hypnosis-like methods, because a person under hypnosis would be receptive to suggestions.

This would decrease his self-determinism instead of increasing it, which is one of the prime goals of Dianetics.

Winter comments that the leading nature of the questions asked of a preclear " encourage fantasy ", a common issue also encountered with hypnosis, which can be used to form false memories.

The auditor is instructed not to make any assessment of a recalled memory's reality or accuracy, but instead to treat it as if it were objectively real.

Professor Richard J. Ofshe, a leading expert on false memories, suggests that the feeling of well-being reported by preclears at the end of an auditing session may be induced by post-hypnotic suggestion.

According to Hubbard: " Laughter is definitely the relief of painful emotion.