Introspection Rundown
Encyclopedia
The Introspection Rundown
is a controversial Church of Scientology
procedure that is intended to handle a psychotic episode or complete mental breakdown
. Introspection is defined for the purpose of this rundown as a condition where the person is "looking into one's own mind, feelings, reactions, etc." The end result is "the person extroverted, no longer looking inward worriedly continuously without end."
The Introspection Rundown came to public attention after the death of Lisa McPherson
in 1995. The rundown was created by L. Ron Hubbard
, founder of Scientology, and released 24 January 1974.
Hubbard outlined the Introspection Rundown in three technical bulletins:
All three bulletins are publicly available for purchase. They are contained in Technical Bulletins, volume X, published by Bridge Publications, copyright 1991.
The first step of the rundown is "isolate the person wholly with all attendants completely muzzled (no speech)." Auditing sessions are given frequently, otherwise the person is not spoken to.
"When it is obvious the person is out of his psychosis and up to the responsibility of living with others his isolation is ended." To determine the end of isolation the supervisor in charge case of the person being isolated tests the person's condition by writing a note, such as "Dear Joe. What can you guarantee me if you are let out of isolation?" If Joe's answer shows continued irresponsibility, the supervisor must write back something along the lines of, "Dear Joe. I'm sorry but it is no go on coming out of isolation yet," including the reasons of why not. When it is obvious the person is out of his psychosis and up to the responsibility of living with others his isolation is ended.
To administer this rundown a Scientologist requires an education in Scientology
beliefs and practices (which are dubbed "technologies" by the Church). This education includes all of the technical bulletins (17 large volumes), all of the Scientology books (many) and hundreds of hours of recorded lectures, all of which must be understood and proficiency in them demonstrated step by step.
The technical bulletin goes on, "This Rundown is very simple but cannot be flubbed, as that will compound the errors and cause further introspection in the p/c (pre-clear/person)" It "is very precise and even touchy business. There must be no mistakes and you cannot be heavy-handed on them."
Hubbard declared about the Introspection Rundown: "THIS MEANS THE LAST REASON TO HAVE PSYCHIATRY AROUND IS GONE", because "I have made a technical breakthrough which possibly ranks with the major discoveries of the Twentieth Century." "Its results are nothing short of miraculous."
had a car accident in Clearwater, Florida
on 18 November 1995, while studying at Scientology headquarters
. She disrobed by the side of the road, in front of the paramedics who were there for a routine traffic accident report. She was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, but some Scientologists arrived and stated that McPherson did not believe in psychiatry, and she checked out after a short evaluation and left with the Scientologists.
McPherson was put on the Introspection Rundown after her accident on 18 November. It was her second time on the rundown, her first time having been in June. Her appearance after death was that of someone who had been denied water and food for quite some time, being both underweight and severely dehydrated. Additionally, her skin was covered with over a hundred insect bites, presumably from cockroaches. She was locked in a room for 17 days. The Church has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and now makes members sign a waiver before Introspection Rundown specifically stating that they (or anyone on their behalf) will not bring any legal action against the organization over injury or death.
Rundown (Scientology)
In Scientology, a "Rundown" is the term created by L. Ron Hubbard to apply to a series of Scientology and/or Dianetics procedures designed to address a specific area in depth.-Cause Resurgence Rundown:...
is a controversial Church of Scientology
Church of Scientology
The Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
procedure that is intended to handle a psychotic episode or complete mental breakdown
Mental breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
. Introspection is defined for the purpose of this rundown as a condition where the person is "looking into one's own mind, feelings, reactions, etc." The end result is "the person extroverted, no longer looking inward worriedly continuously without end."
The Introspection Rundown came to public attention after the death of Lisa McPherson
Lisa McPherson
Lisa McPherson was a member of the Church of Scientology who died of a pulmonary embolism while under the care of the Flag Service Organization , a branch of the Church of Scientology...
in 1995. The rundown was created by L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard
Lafayette Ronald Hubbard , better known as L. Ron Hubbard , was an American pulp fiction author and religious leader who founded the Church of Scientology...
, founder of Scientology, and released 24 January 1974.
Overview
In Scientology, a rundown is a procedure set out as a series of steps to produce a particular end result, or phenomenon.Hubbard outlined the Introspection Rundown in three technical bulletins:
- HCO Bulletin 23 January 1974RB, Revised 25 April 1991: "The Technical Breakthrough of 1973! The Introspection RD"
- HCO Bulletin 20 February 1974R, Revised 25 April 1991: "Introspection RD, Additional Actions"
- HCO Bulletin 6 March 1974: "Introspection RD, Second Addition, Information to C/Ses, Fixated Attention"
All three bulletins are publicly available for purchase. They are contained in Technical Bulletins, volume X, published by Bridge Publications, copyright 1991.
The first step of the rundown is "isolate the person wholly with all attendants completely muzzled (no speech)." Auditing sessions are given frequently, otherwise the person is not spoken to.
"When it is obvious the person is out of his psychosis and up to the responsibility of living with others his isolation is ended." To determine the end of isolation the supervisor in charge case of the person being isolated tests the person's condition by writing a note, such as "Dear Joe. What can you guarantee me if you are let out of isolation?" If Joe's answer shows continued irresponsibility, the supervisor must write back something along the lines of, "Dear Joe. I'm sorry but it is no go on coming out of isolation yet," including the reasons of why not. When it is obvious the person is out of his psychosis and up to the responsibility of living with others his isolation is ended.
To administer this rundown a Scientologist requires an education in Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
beliefs and practices (which are dubbed "technologies" by the Church). This education includes all of the technical bulletins (17 large volumes), all of the Scientology books (many) and hundreds of hours of recorded lectures, all of which must be understood and proficiency in them demonstrated step by step.
The technical bulletin goes on, "This Rundown is very simple but cannot be flubbed, as that will compound the errors and cause further introspection in the p/c (pre-clear/person)" It "is very precise and even touchy business. There must be no mistakes and you cannot be heavy-handed on them."
Hubbard declared about the Introspection Rundown: "THIS MEANS THE LAST REASON TO HAVE PSYCHIATRY AROUND IS GONE", because "I have made a technical breakthrough which possibly ranks with the major discoveries of the Twentieth Century." "Its results are nothing short of miraculous."
Lisa McPherson controversy
Church employee Lisa McPhersonLisa McPherson
Lisa McPherson was a member of the Church of Scientology who died of a pulmonary embolism while under the care of the Flag Service Organization , a branch of the Church of Scientology...
had a car accident in Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
on 18 November 1995, while studying at Scientology headquarters
Fort Harrison Hotel
The Fort Harrison Hotel serves as the flagship building of the Flag Land Base, the Church of Scientology's spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida...
. She disrobed by the side of the road, in front of the paramedics who were there for a routine traffic accident report. She was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, but some Scientologists arrived and stated that McPherson did not believe in psychiatry, and she checked out after a short evaluation and left with the Scientologists.
McPherson was put on the Introspection Rundown after her accident on 18 November. It was her second time on the rundown, her first time having been in June. Her appearance after death was that of someone who had been denied water and food for quite some time, being both underweight and severely dehydrated. Additionally, her skin was covered with over a hundred insect bites, presumably from cockroaches. She was locked in a room for 17 days. The Church has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and now makes members sign a waiver before Introspection Rundown specifically stating that they (or anyone on their behalf) will not bring any legal action against the organization over injury or death.
External links
- The Introspection Rundown (Jeff Jacobsen)
- The Lisa McPherson Clause: Scientology Moving to Secure Its 'Right' to Kill Again (David S. TouretzkyDavid S. TouretzkyDavid S. Touretzky is a research professor in the Computer Science Department and the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition at Carnegie Mellon University. He received a BA in Computer Science at Rutgers University in 1978, and earned a Master's degree and a Ph.D. in Computer Science at Carnegie...
)