The Eight Dynamics
Suppose life could be correctly compartmentalized so that its many activities, often confused and blurred, could suddenly assume a new clarity.
This is made possible in Scientology by describing the Eight Dynamics—eight urges, drives or impulses toward survival.
They are delineated here in an excerpt from Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought by L. Ron Hubbard:
THE FIRST DYNAMIC—is the urge toward existence as one’s self. Here we have individuality expressed fully. This can be called the Self Dynamic.
THE SECOND DYNAMIC—is the urge toward existence as a sexual activity. This dynamic actually has two divisions. Second Dynamic (a) is the sexual act itself. And the Second Dynamic (b) is the family unit, including the rearing of children. This can be called the Sex Dynamic.
THE THIRD DYNAMIC—is the urge toward existence in groups of individuals. Any group, or part of an entire class, could be considered to be a part of the Third Dynamic. The school, the society, the town, the nation are each part of the Third Dynamic and each one is a Third Dynamic. This can be called the Group Dynamic.
THE FOURTH DYNAMIC—is the urge toward existence as or of Mankind. Whereas one race would be considered a Third Dynamic, all the races would be considered the Fourth Dynamic. This can be called the Mankind Dynamic.
THE FIFTH DYNAMIC—is the urge toward existence of the animal kingdom. This includes all living things, whether vegetable or animal, the fish in the sea, the beasts of the field or of the forest, grass, trees, flowers or anything directly and intimately motivated by life. This can be called the Animal Dynamic.
THE SIXTH DYNAMIC—is the urge toward existence as the physical universe. The physical universe is composed of Matter, Energy, Space and Time. In Scientology we take the first letter of each of these words and coin a word—MEST. This can be called the Universe Dynamic.
THE SEVENTH DYNAMIC—is the urge toward existence as or of spirits. Anything spiritual, with or without identity, would come under the heading of the Seventh Dynamic. This can be called the Spiritual Dynamic.
THE EIGHTH DYNAMIC—is the urge toward existence as infinity. This is also identified as the Supreme Being. This is called the Eighth Dynamic because the symbol of infinity, ∞, stood upright makes the numeral 8. This can be called the Infinity or God Dynamic.
