Axiom 28 taken Apart
The Communications Formula
The simplest statement of the communication formula is:
Cause - distance - effect.
There is somebody who speaks (cause).
There is another person over there (distance).
This other person listens (effect).
It is also defined as: the interchange of ideas across space.
Another definition is: the action or operation by
which one experiences emotion (A) and by which one obtains agreement (R).
That definition covers its relationship to ARC.
Yet another definition says: the first and most basic definition of any part of communication is it's a consideration. As 'duplication' is a consideration, communication is possible to the degree that the preclear can freely make considerations.
It expresses that 'duplication' is the purpose behind any communication. As 'cause' you want to make yourself understood or your orders followed. As 'effect' you want to understand or know what to do. This is all part of 'duplication'.
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Duplication - Idea at Cause |
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Physical Copy |
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It also says you are as good at communication as you can make considerations. This may be a little broad for practical use. But it covers all the small component parts of communication - as well as be able to make up something to communicate (idea, message) and the ability of the receiver to duplicate that.
From Axiom 28 we have: The formula of Communication is: Cause, Distance, Effect, with Intention and Attention and Duplication with understanding.
Here 'Intention' and 'Attention' is mentioned'. In a live communication the 'Cause' have to have Intention for a communication to be successful. 'Attention' is of course part of being a good listener and capable of receiving a communication. The action has to result in Understanding.
The full definition of communication is contained in
Axiom 28:
Communication is the consideration and action of impelling an impulse or particle from source-point across a distance to receipt-point, with the intention of bringing into being at the receipt-point a duplication and understanding of that which emanated from the source-point.
The formula of Communication is: Cause, Distance, Effect, with Intention and Attention and Duplication with Understanding.
The component parts of Communication are:
Consideration, Intention, Attention, Cause, Source-point, Distance, Effect,
Receipt-point, Duplication, Understanding, the Velocity of the impulse or
particle, Nothingness or Somethingness. A non communication consists of
Barriers. Barriers consist of Space, Interposition's (such as walls and screens
of fast- moving particles), and Time.
A communication, by definition, does not need to be two-way. When a communication is returned, the formula is repeated, with the receipt-point now becoming a source-point and the former source-point now becoming a receipt-point.
There is a lot of data here. Let us break it down a bit and look at the different parts.
We have the main definition:
"Communication is the consideration and action of impelling an impulse or
particle from source-point across a distance to receipt-point, with the
intention of bringing into being at the receipt-point a duplication and
understanding of that which emanated from the source-point."
Here 'Cause' is called 'Source-point'. That is of course where the communication starts.
'Effect' is called 'Receipt-point'; that is where the communication is supposed to arrive.
We have Source-point is having 'the Intention'.
'Intention' is by R. Hubbard defined as 'the carrier
wave, that takes the words along with it.'
It's a command factor; a consideration of causatively wanting something to
happen and it happens. It is not the words (or particles).
It is in other words
a theta quality or ability.
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Intention as: a consideration
of |
The receipt-point has to have 'Duplication and Understanding'.
'Duplication' can be a mechanical action. A copy machine
can duplicate.
'Understanding' is a theta quality or ability. It takes a live thetan and live
communication to bring it about.
We have a particle or impulse. It can be a letter, an e-mail, a gift, a picture or even a blow or a bullet, or simply spoken words. When an understanding is transferred from one being to another we have a successful communication.
In case of a hostile communication (like, shooting a bullet) you may not get understanding, but you do get some kind of duplication (or effect) taking place before it can be called a 'communication'.
Let us look at the list of 'Component Parts'
We have the physical set-up of Cause - Distance - Effect.
We have a particle. Where do all these parts fit in: Consideration,
Intention, Attention, Cause, Source-point, Distance, Effect, Receipt-point,
Duplication, Understanding, the Velocity of the impulse or particle, Nothingness
or Somethingness. A non communication consists of Barriers. Barriers consist of
Space, Interposition's (such as walls and screens of fast- moving particles),
and Time?
We will take them one by one. Define them first and make some comments.
Consideration is: (1) a
thought, idea, a postulate about something. That is the message.
Also (2) a continuing postulate (such as 'distance', 'duplication', 'attention',
etc.) It is (3) the highest capability of life, it is senior to the mechanics of
space, energy and time.
In the comm formula we have 'Duplication', 'Intention',
'Attention' are considerations. Even 'Distance' is a consideration according
to definition (3) above. So it fits in in many places.
Definition (1) a thought or idea probably fits the best: That would simply be
the idea or message the source-point wants to get across.
Intention is (1) the
carrier wave, that takes the words along with it. And (2) It's a command factor;
a consideration of causatively wanting something to happen and it happens. (3) It
is a theta quality or ability.
This clearly belongs to Source-point. He has an idea or
thought and wants to tell it to his friend. He uses intention along with the
words to get it across.
'Attention' is focused
interest. Attention can be aberrated by becoming unfixed and sweeping; or it can
become too fixed upon something, fixation.
The 'Attention' belongs to the receipt-point. He has to focus with some interest
on Source-point in order to be able to receive his communication. A good
listener would focus with high interest on Source-point and would be able to do
so at will (his interest is not too fixed nor too sweeping). If you stare at
your pc or are too stiff when you audit this point should be addressed.
Cause, Source-point. These
are synonyms. It is simply the starting point or the point of emanation of the
communication. According to R. Hubbard: "Cause in our dictionary here means
only "source point."
In TR's, this is the person who speaks.
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<Distance> |
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For a communication to be necessary there has to be a
distance |
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Distance, 1) The length
between two points. 2) The linear space or interval between point A and point B.
For a communication to be necessary there has to be a
distance between Source-point and Receipt-point which has to be overcome. If
there was no distance, communication would not be needed as the two points would
be the same. It would also be total Affinity as Cause and Effect were willing to
occupy the same space. Affinity is sometimes defined as 'consideration of
distance'. This just to point out that anything having to do with 'Distance' can
also be looked upon as having something to do with 'Affinity'.
(In solo-TR's, where a solo auditor gives commands to himself to execute, the affinity factor is extremely important).
Effect, Receipt-point, These
are synonyms. It is simply the ending point of the communication.
In TR's, this is the person who listens.
Duplication, Ideally an
exact copy of the original. Also the process of making one or many copies.
Duplication implies in normal use that it is a mechanical process. R. Hubbard,
however, is often using the word as meaning 'Understanding'. 'Perfect
Duplication' or 'Perfect Duplicate' is taken to be total ARC. The tone scale
(according to Axiom 25) is a scale of less and less duplication. According to
Axiom 20 a 'Perfect Duplicate' will cause a condition to vanish in full or in
part. Duplication is often seen as how you transmit a reality or accomplish
agreement.
It belongs clearly to 'Receipt-point'.
Understanding, According
to R. Hubbard, "Understanding is knowingness in action.", "It is
composed of affinity, reality and communication. And, "Understanding is a
sort of a total solvent, it washes away
everything."
When we say 'Understanding' we are talking about a theta quality
and ability. There is no true 'mechanical understanding'. According to the
Axioms the thetan consists of A, R and C = Understanding and is not part of
MEST. It belongs with 'duplication' to 'Receipt-point'.
Velocity of the impulse or particle, Velocity
means speed.
In verbal communication you can talk too fast or too
slow. A speaker has to make sure to adjust his 'Velocity of particles' to the
listener. Too high a velocity can be deadly - as a bullet is.
This is the responsibility of the Source-point.
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Music is communication. |
Nothingness or Somethingness, Spoken communication consists of sounds and pauses. The clearest example of 'Nothingness or Somethingness' being part of communication would be music. Also the transmission of Morse code is based on that. A speaker would also make statements and pauses and maybe expect a response and not get it. To keep an eye on this factor is the responsibility of the Source-point.
A non communication consists of Barriers. Barriers
consist of Space, Interposition's (such as walls and screens of fast- moving
particles), and Time.
There can be too many barriers to make a
communication successful. 'Too far away'., 'Not in the same room' or 'Missed
appointments' could be examples of above.
The Source-point will have to bring himself into a position
where these factors don't interfere.
Part of this course is to do Axiom 28 in clay. The above is meant as a help to understand the words in the text better and should make it easier to do the clay demo assignment.
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Clear Bird Publishing, 2003. All rights reserved. |