New York

Probably 15 years ago, long before I was a Christian, I was in New York City for a couple of days by myself. I mostly just kicked around seeing which way the wind blew me---I'd hop a subway and just randomly exit at a station that had an interesting name.

At one point I was in Grand Central Station and was wandering through the corridors when I came upon a guy selling copies of Dianetics by L. Ron Hubbard. I'd seen the commercials on TV and was just vaguely aware of what it was about. At the time, having no spiritual grounding, the theme interested me so I bought a copy. Upon arriving back home to Milwaukee I began to read it.

It was really hard to understand. I kept missing the point---going back---rereading---and then getting lost again. It spoke of 'clear', the 'state' you (apparently) want to attain when you 'know' the mysteries of the faith--and how you'd feel better immediately. Even in my very advanced state of selfishness, ego, sin and narcissism, I could tell that it was a bunch of hoo-hah, and when I took the book and threw it in the garbage can---I felt better immediately.