November 5, 2024 • 47 mins
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Ever wonder what happens when you challenge one of the most secretive organizations in the world? The story of David Mayo is a gripping tale of power, betrayal, and resilience against the Church of Scientology. Once a trusted confidant of L. Ron Hubbard and a leading force in developing advanced auditing techniques, Mayo's journey from the inner sanctum of Scientology to becoming one of its most formidable adversaries is filled with intrigue and insight. Join us as we unravel how his fallout with the church, spurred by internal politics and the ascent of David Miscavige, transformed him into a symbol of resistance and a beacon for disillusioned members.
Mayo's post-Scientology life was marked by a fierce battle for spiritual freedom, as he founded the Advanced Ability Center in Santa Barbara. This haven for former Scientologists stood as a testament to his commitment to the original teachings of the church, free from its oppressive grasp. Hear from former AAC members, including Lori Hamilton and Mary Freeman, as they recount firsthand the compassion and leadership Mayo brought to those seeking solace and growth. Despite the church's aggressive legal tactics and the infamous fair game policy aimed at silencing him, Mayo's legacy continues to inspire the Free Zone community.
Our exploration goes beyond Mayo's personal narrative to expose the broader machinations of Scientology's internal power struggles and its relentless pursuit of defectors. With major media outlets highlighting Mayo's plight, public skepticism of the church grew, underscoring the high stakes of challenging such a powerful entity. This episode invites you to question, engage, and seek the truth as we uncover the untold stories of courage and defiance against a backdrop of secrecy and control. Subscribe and become part of a conversation that seeks to illuminate the shadows cast by one of the world's most controversial organizations.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Abraham Aurich (00:00):
The following content may include discussions
or topics that could betriggering or upsetting to
individuals who have experiencedsimilar traumas.
Viewer discretion is advised.
Sandi McKenna (00:09):
There was a time when David Mayo stood at the
very heart of Scientology.
He wasn't just any auditor.
He was the man that L RonHubbard trusted, above everyone
else, to carry out the Church'smost secretive, powerful
techniques.
He helped to shapeScientology's core teachings,
guiding followers through levelsmost of us can't even imagine.
(00:33):
But then, in a shocking twist,David Mayo was cast out,
declared an enemy.
He was labeled a SuppressivePerson or an SP by the very
church he'd helped to build.
Just imagine one day you're onthe inside, trusted with the
deepest secrets, and the nextyou're on the outside, cut off,
(00:56):
fighting for your reputation andyour life.
How does someone go from beingHubbard's right-hand man to one
of the most feared enemies ofScientology?
What did Mayo know and why wasthe Church so desperate to
silence him?
In this episode, we'll take adeep dive into David Mayo's rise
(01:18):
within Scientology, his closerelationship with L Ron Hubbard
and his pivotal role indeveloping their most sacred
techniques, and we'll uncoverthe intense battle that followed
when he was declared asuppressive person.
So what really happens when oneof Scientology's most
influential figures turnsagainst the Church?
(01:41):
Let's find out.
I'm Sand McKenna and, alongwith Abraham Ulrich, welcome to
the Sins of Scientology.
Abraham Aurich (02:13):
David Mayo was born in New Zealand in 1940, and
, like many who would laterbecome deeply involved in
Scientology, he was searchingfor something beyond the
convention.
Not much is widely known abouthis childhood or early years
before he encounteredScientology, but by the 1960s,
mayo was already seekingspiritual answers.
He was drawn to Scientologypartly due to its promise about
self-improvement and spiritualadvancement, something that
(02:35):
appealed to many people of thatera, as it was a time when new
spiritual movements were growingin popularity worldwide.
Mayo began studying Scientologyin New Zealand, likely around
the mid-1960s.
He demonstrated an earlyaptitude for auditing, the
church's unique form ofspiritual counseling.
Auditing sessions involved theuse of an e-meter, a device that
(02:58):
is said to measure thespiritual state of a person as
they answer questions.
Those who excelled in auditingwere highly valued in
Scientology, and it wasn't longbefore Mayo's talents were
noticed.
By the late 1960s, mayo had notonly become a skilled auditor,
but he had also fully dedicatedhimself to Scientology.
He made the significantdecision to join the Sea
(03:20):
Organization, the elite andmilitaristic branch of
Scientology that is responsiblefor running the organization's
day-to-day operations.
The Sea Org is known for itsextreme level of commitment,
with members signing abillionaire contract to
symbolize their dedication tothe movement across multiple
lifetimes.
Joining the Sea Org also meantworking closely with the upper
(03:43):
echelons of Scientology, andMayo quickly distinguished
himself.
His sharp mind, profound beliefin the teachings of L Ron
Hubbard and mastery of auditingmade him stand out.
He was a natural fit for theintense demands of Sea Org life
and began rising rapidly throughthe ranks.
As Mayo's reputation grew, sodid his responsibilities within
(04:04):
the organization.
By the 1970s, L Ron Hubbard hadtaken a special interest in him
, and Mayo was entrusted withdelivering Scientology's
highest-level auditing processes, including the Operating Thetan
levels or OT levels.
The OT levels are some of themost secretive and controversial
teachings within Scientology,believed to unlock a person's
(04:26):
full potential and free themfrom the confines of the
physical universe.
In particular, mayo becameknown for his ability to deliver
new-era Dianetics for OperatingThetans NED for OTs, a process
that was created after Hubbardreportedly suffered a stroke in
the late 1970s Hubbard was saidto have.
In the late 1970s, Hubbard wassaid to have entrusted Mayo with
(04:47):
developing this advancedauditing process as part of his
recovery.
This close relationship betweenHubbard and Mayo was seen as a
significant mark of trust, asvery few were allowed to work
with Hubbard directly, let alonehelp shape new levels of the
Scientology bridge to totalfreedom.
Mayo was also believed to havepersonally audited Hubbard, a
(05:07):
prestigious and high-stakes rolewithin the church.
Auditing the founder ofScientology himself placed Mayo
at the pinnacle of theorganization's spiritual
hierarchy.
At the time, the organizationtouted Hubbard's own spiritual
advancement as proof of theefficacy of auditing.
So having someone as trusted asMayo in this role was crucial.
(05:28):
David Mayo's work didn't stopwith Hubbard.
He also became the go-toauditor for high-ranking
SeaWorld members and prominentScientologists.
His role often involvedhandling the most difficult and
complex cases within the churchfrom a spiritual and
organizational perspective.
As one of Scientology's toptechnical minds, mayo was part
(05:48):
of a select group deeplyinvolved in developing and
refining Scientology's auditingtechnology and processes.
His understanding ofScientology's tech a term used
to describe its spiritual andauditing methods was
unparalleled, making him reveredwithin the organization.
Mayo's reputation withinScientology was both a blessing
and a burden.
(06:08):
On the one hand, he wasrespected and admired for his
skills and contributions toadvancing Scientology's
spiritual technology.
On the other hand, thisprominence also made him a
potential rival for otherswithin the organization,
especially as power strobeswithin the leadership began to
emerge, particularly around thetime when L Ron Hubbard was in
(06:29):
hiding due to legal battles.
By the late 1970s and early 80s, mayo had become one of the
most influential figures in thechurch, often seen as a
technical authority on Hubbard'steachings.
However, this role put him in aprecarious position as David
Miscavige, a rising figure inScientology, began consolidating
(06:49):
power.
Mayo's position as Hubbard'sfavorite auditor made him a
threat to the internal dynamicsof the church, and his rise may
have sparked jealousy andcompetition among other senior
members.
Sandi McKenna (07:03):
NED for OTs New Era Dianetics for Operating
Thetans, was consideredrevolutionary within the church.
It was built on earlierprinciples of Dianetics but was
tailored to address what Herbertcalled the spiritual blockages
that prevented OTs from fullyrealizing their potential.
It was said to be one of themost effective methods for
(07:24):
freeing individuals from theirpast traumas, also referred to
as engrams in Scientology.
Hubbard publicly endorsed thisnew technique, which helped
elevate David Mayo's status as atechnical leader within the
organization.
Mayo's development of thisprocess solidified his place as
one of Hubbard's closest andmost trusted associates during
(07:45):
this time, and it was throughthis effort that he earned the
title of Senior Case SupervisorInternational.
While Hubbard was a figurehead,Mayo became known as the man
behind the curtain responsiblefor implementing and overseeing
these new advanced auditingtechniques.
His role in creating NED forOTs was so pivotal that Mayo
(08:06):
effectively became the face oftechnical advancement within
Scientology.
Mayo's close relationship withHubbard was not just
professional.
It was personal.
After Hubbard's stroke, Mayoacted as his personal auditor,
tasked with guiding Hubbardthrough his own spiritual
recovery using the verytechniques Hubbard himself had
created.
This was no smallresponsibility.
(08:28):
Auditing someone, particularlyat the highest levels of
Scientology, was seen as anintensely private and sacred
process.
Being Hubbard's auditor placedMayo in an incredibly privileged
position within the church.
In many ways, David Mayo becamethe guardian of Scientology's
most sensitive and high-levelprocesses.
(08:48):
He was the one to whom Hubbardturned when he needed help or
when new issues arose thatrequired technical innovation.
Mayo's role wasn't just limitedto auditing Hubbard.
He was responsible foroverseeing the auditing of
top-level Sea Org members andinfluential Scientologists.
He became a central figure inensuring that Hubbard's vision
(09:11):
for the upper levels ofScientology, particularly the OT
levels, was being deliveredeffectively.
His mastery over the technicalside of Scientology meant that
he wielded immense power,especially within the Sea Org,
where auditing was one of thekey tools used for spiritual
advancements and control.
His presence was so significantthat many Scientologists
(09:34):
believed that Mayo was the onlyperson qualified to take over
the technical leadership of thechurch should anything happen to
Hubbard.
In fact, within Scientologycircles, Mayo's knowledge of the
auditing processes was seen ascrucial to ensuring that
Scientology could continuefunctioning at its highest
(09:54):
levels.
Despite his power and closerelationship with Hubbard, David
Mayo's position within thechurch would become increasingly
precarious in the early 1980s.
By this time, David Miscavige,who would later become the
undisputed leader of Scientology, was rapidly rising through the
ranks, Miscavige, known for hisaggressive and authoritarian
(10:17):
style, was consolidating powerwithin the organization.
His rise was marked by desireto centralize control, which put
him at odds with many seniorchurch members, including Mayo.
One of the key tensions betweenMayo and Miscavige centered
around control over the tech andits application.
(10:38):
As Senior Case SupervisorInternational, Mayo held immense
sway over the technical aspectsof Scientology, which included
auditing and spiritual processesthat were essential to the
organization's identity.
Miscavige, however, wanted fullcontrol over the church's
operations and was known for hiswillingness to oust anyone he
(11:01):
saw as a threat to his authority.
Mayo's close relationship withHubbard, his development of Ned
Ferrotes and his role asHubbard's personal auditor made
him a formidable figure withinScientology's leadership
structure.
However, his prominence alsomade him a target.
Miscavige saw Mayo's influenceover the technical aspects of
(11:24):
Scientology as a threat to hisgrowing power.
Reports from formerScientologists suggest that
Miscavige began maneuvering tomarginalize Mayo, undermining
his authority and planting theseeds for Mayo's eventual
expulsion.
The exact nature of theconflict between Mayo and
Miscavige remains somewhatshrouded in secrecy, but it is
(11:47):
clear Miscavige viewed Mayo as arival.
As Hubbard became more and morereclusive and less involved in
the day-to-day running ofScientology.
Miscavige's influence grew andMayo's position became
increasingly vulnerable.
By 1982, tensions reached abreaking point.
Mayo was abruptly declared asuppressive person and, despite
(12:10):
his years of service and deepinvolvement in its most sacred
processes, this designation ledto Mayo's immediate expulsion
from the church.
Miscavige's rapid consolidationof power meant that even
someone as influential as Mayocould be removed if seen as a
potential rival.
Mayo's expulsion marked an endof an era within Scientology.
(12:33):
The man who had once beenHubbard's most trusted technical
leader was now ostracized, andDavid Miscavige took complete
control of the organization,steering it in a more
authoritarian direction.
In the years that followed,Mayo would go on to challenge
Scientology legally, creatingthe Advanced Ability Center, AAC
(12:55):
, an independent Scientologysplinter group, but the full
force of Scientology's legalmachine would be brought upon
him In 1982, something happenedthat sent shockwaves through the
world of Scientology's legalmachine would be brought upon
him.
Abraham Aurich (13:08):
In 1982, something happened that sent
shockwaves through the world ofScientology.
David Mayo, once one of L RonHubbard's most trusted and loyal
associates, was suddenlydeclared a suppressive person or
SP, and expelled from thechurch.
For those unfamiliar with theterm, being declared an SP is
the ultimate condemnation.
Within Scientology, it's alabel reserved for individuals
(13:28):
considered enemies of the Church.
Once someone is branded as such, they are entirely cut off, not
only from the organization butfrom their family, friends and
anyone still involved inScientology.
So how does someone like DavidMayo, who was so high up, fall
so dramatically On the surface?
The official reason given forMayo's expulsion was that he was
(13:51):
accused of altering Hubbard'stech, the methods and practices
that are the foundation ofScientology's spiritual
processes.
Altering the tech is a seriousoffense in the church,
tantamount Tahir said.
But those close to Mayo andeven many who later left
Scientology, have suggested thatthe real reason for his fall
was tied to a power struggle atthe highest level of the
(14:14):
organization.
At the center of the strugglewas David Miscavige, at the time
a young, ambitious Sea Orgmember who had rapidly risen
through the ranks.
By the late 1970s, miscavigebegan consolidating power,
especially as L Ron Hubbardbecame reclusive following his
stroke.
While Hubbard was stilltechnically in charge, it was
clear that Miscavige waspositioning himself to control
(14:36):
the future of Scientology andMayo, with his deep knowledge of
the auditing processes and hisclose relationship with Hubbard,
he was seen as a potentialrival.
As Miscavige's influence grew,so did the tensions.
Mayo, who had been workingclosely with Hubbard for years,
was viewed as a threat byMiscavige.
Some reports suggest thatMayo's position as a trusted
(14:59):
auditor, his leadership and theloyalty he inspired among other
Scientologists made him a target.
If Miscavige was going tosecure his control, he needed to
eliminate anyone who couldchallenge him, and that meant
David Mayo had to go.
In 1982, the axe fell.
Mayo was declared an SP,effectively purging him from the
(15:21):
organization.
For someone who had dedicatedhis life to Scientology, being
expelled was a devastating blow,and for the people who looked
up to Mayo it was a moment ofshock and disbelief.
His fall was sudden and with itany connection he had to the
world of Scientology was severed.
But Mayo wasn't the type to fadeinto the background quietly.
(15:42):
Soon after expulsion, hefounded the Advanced Abilities
Center, aac, in Santa Barbara,california.
The AAC was essentially abreakaway group where Mayo and a
few former Scientologistscontinued to practice and offer
auditing services based on thetechniques he had developed
while inside the church.
It was a bold move, and itwasn't long before the Church of
(16:05):
Scientology took notice andaction.
The AAC attracted severaldisaffected Scientologists,
especially those who had becomecritical of the increasingly
authoritarian direction thechurch was taking.
Under David Miscavige'sleadership, mayo Centers
provided them with a way tocontinue their spiritual
practice without the strictcontrol of the church hierarchy.
(16:26):
For many, it was a place ofrefuge, but Scientology's
leadership wasn't going to letMayo operate freely.
In the eyes of the church, hewas committing the ultimate sin,
using their technology outsideof their control, so they
launched a fierce legal campaignagainst him, filing lawsuits to
stop him from deliveringauditing services and accusing
(16:48):
him of copyright infringementsfor using processes that the
church claimed ownership of.
The church also went after Mayowith what has been described as
a campaign of harassment.
The fair game policy, whichallows Scientology to take
extreme measures against thosedeclared as peace, meant that
Mayo and his supporters facedconstant legal pressures,
(17:10):
personal attacks and publicdenigration.
The legal battle between Mayo'sAAC and the Church of
Scientology became protractedand bitter.
Mayo's center was sued multipletimes, with the Church using
its vast resources to wear downMayor and his supporters.
The lawsuits focused on thechurch's claim that auditing
(17:32):
processes such as Net for OTswere proprietary and could not
be used outside Scientology.
The legal and financial straineventually forced the AAC to
close its doors in the late1980s, bringing an end to Mayo's
public fight.
But even though the AAC wasshut down, the legacy of Mayo's
(17:52):
challenge to Scientologylingered.
His case exposed the internalpower struggles within the
church and highlighted theextent to which Scientology was
willing to go to protect itscontrol over its spiritual
technology.
And for Mayo, although he hadlost the legal battle, he had
gained something perhaps evenmore important a sense of
(18:14):
freedom and independence fromthe organization he had once
served so loyally.
Let's examine this clip ofDavid Mayo.
David Mayo (18:23):
There's a dispatch that's often been mentioned by
various people and I'll mentionit again today because there's
not a great deal known about itthat I received in April of 1982
.
And I consider it one of themost significant dispatches that
I've received from LRH.
In April of 1982, I got thisdispatch from him and it was
about 20-odd pages long,single-spaced type.
(18:45):
It was quite a long one and hedescribed what he expected to
happen in the future and overthe next 20 to 25 years,
although he'd been training meto do this for some time and I'd
known that he wanted me to beable to carry on and release
these OT levels when the timecame.
In this dispatch he actuallyformally stated it in writing.
That's what he wanted me to do,and at the time he said he was
(19:08):
actually turning the hat over.
He also told me at the timethat he expected to live for a
minimum of a few months andperhaps a couple of years at the
most.
There were several paragraphsin which he told me not to get
upset about the idea of himdropping his body and so on, and
pointed out and I'm mentioningthis because I think it's
relevant and I think most peopleshould know that it wasn't
(19:29):
something to be sad about oranything.
He'd accomplished what he'd setout to accomplish in this
lifetime, which was basically tomap out the bridge, and he'd
done that.
And he said that even if it waspossible to extend his life, he
didn't particularly have anygreat desire to do so in this
body.
He wanted to go on and be ableto start a new game, and he also
(19:49):
estimated that he would be gonefor some time.
He didn't say doing what, buthe said he would be.
And he asked me basically tolook after three things to do
with the tech.
One was overseeing the qualityof delivery of tech by other
people and to ensure that highquality delivery continued.
To look over the.
To ensure that high qualitydelivery continued to look over
the actual technical materialsfrom time to time because they
(20:13):
would need updating as societychanged.
And then, at suitable times inthe future, to release the as
yet unreleased OT levels.
And he's made a point in therethat by the time I and others
had gotten up through theselevels ourselves, we would find
that it was possible to continueon with the research ourselves
(20:33):
and that he felt that the futurewas now secure and that he
didn't have to be around foreverto continue on mapping the
route out.
He'd done sufficient on thatand he therefore felt that he'd
fulfilled his goals and what hecalled his obligations to
mankind and could go off and dosomething else.
But he said he would check backin 20 to 25 years to ensure it
(20:56):
was all going well, and so on.
Sandi McKenna (20:58):
When David Mayo was declared a suppressive
person back in 1982, the Churchof Scientology didn't just cut
ties with him.
It launched a full-scaleoffensive.
It was clear from the startthat the church wasn't going to
let Mayo go quietly.
His knowledge of upper levelsof Scientology's tech,
especially his role indeveloping New Era Dianetics for
(21:20):
Operating Thetans, NED for OTs,made him a direct threat.
The church had invested yearspromoting Mayo as one of their
brightest stars, and now he wason the outside using the same
knowledge in ways they couldn'tcontrol.
The legal battle began almostimmediately after Mayo founded
the Advanced Ability Center inSanta Barbara.
(21:42):
The church claimed that Mayowas using their intellectual
property the techniques andauditing processes he had helped
refine without permission.
Central to the lawsuits was theassertion that Mayo's use of
NED for OT's violatedScientology's copyrights, a move
that was as much aboutprotecting their financial
(22:02):
interests as it was aboutmaintaining control over their
spiritual techniques.
As it was about maintainingcontrol over their spiritual
techniques, the church filedmultiple lawsuits against Mayo
and his AAC, hitting him withclaims of copyright infringement
, trade secret violations, andunfair competition.
These lawsuits were designed tobe relentless, aimed at not
(22:24):
only shutting down Mayo'soperation but draining him
financially, in the church'sview, allowing Mayo to continue
offering Scientology-styleauditing outside of their
structure set a dangerousprecedent.
If other former members begandoing the same, Scientology's
tight control over its techcould unravel beyond the
(22:47):
courtroom.
The church is reported to haveunleashed another weapon in its
arsenal the infamous Fair Gamepolicy.
According to this policy,anyone declared an enemy of the
church, or an SP could be liedto, sued, tricked, or destroyed.
Mayo was no exception.
Former Scientologists andcritics of the church have long
(23:07):
alleged that the church employedharassment tactics aimed at
breaking them down personally,professionally and emotionally.
There were reports ofintimidation and surveillance,
with private investigatorsallegedly following Mayo,
scrutinizing his every move andattempting to gather any
information that could be usedagainst him.
(23:27):
The goal was to make life sounbearable that he would either
stop his breakaway efforts or beunable to continue his legal
battles.
It wasn't just about winning incourt, but about making Mayo
feel the full weight of what itmeant to defy Scientology.
This legal and personalonslaught was a massive show of
force, a reminder to all formermembers that leaving the church
(23:51):
didn't mean you could escape itsreach.
Scientology has a long historyof aggressively pursuing those
who it perceives as enemies, andMayo's case was no different
For David Mayo.
The relentless legal battlestook an enormous toll, both
professionally and personally.
At first he scored some earlyvictories in court as judges
(24:13):
initially sided with him oncertain legal claims, pushing
back on Scientology's aggressivetactics.
This gave Mayo and hissupporters a glimmer of hope
that the church's legalstranglehold could be broken.
But Scientology, with its vastfinancial resources, was in it
for the long haul.
They continued to file newclaims, appeal court decisions
(24:35):
and pursue every legal avenue todrain Mayo's time, energy and
financial resources.
The church was well known forits strategy of litigation by
attrition, not necessarilyaiming to win each battle
outright, but to overwhelm theiropponents with an endless
barrage of lawsuits, paperworkand legal fees.
(24:55):
For Mayo, this meant years offighting not just for his right
to operate the AAC but for hislivelihood.
The emotional strain wasimmense.
Imagine pouring your life'swork into something only to have
it ripped away by theorganization you had once been
devoted to, and now that veryorganization was determined to
destroy everything you had builtoutside of it.
(25:17):
The cost of defending himselfagainst such a powerful
adversary drained Mayo'sresources.
Each new legal challengerequired more money, time and
emotional resilience.
Mayo was facing a machine thatnever stopped and eventually he
had to make a difficult choicesettle.
Settling meant that Mayo couldno longer continue to operate
(25:38):
the AAC the way he hadenvisioned.
The Center, once a haven forformer Scientologists looking
for a more independent path,closed its doors.
The church had won in a sense,not necessarily because it
proved their case in court, butbecause they had worn Mayo down.
The emotional toll was just assevere.
Mayo had been at the top ofScientology's hierarchy, trusted
(26:01):
by L Ron Humbert himself andlauded for his technical
brilliance.
Now he was a man without amovement, ostracized from the
very community he had oncehelped to lead.
This sense of betrayal,combined with the years of legal
harassment, took a deepemotional toll on him.
Many who knew Mayo during thistime said that he had become
more withdrawn and the constantstress of battling Scientology
(26:25):
had left him drained.
While the exact details of thesettlement are not public, it's
clear that Mayo was forced toretreat from public life.
The Advanced Ability Center,once a beacon of hope for a
disillusioned Scientologist, wasnow gone, and for Mayo this
marked the end of his publicfight against the Church.
The legal system may haveoffered him some brief reprieves
(26:48):
, but in the end, the sheerweight of Scientology's legal
and financial power was just toomuch to overcome.
David Mayo's story isn't justabout one man's rise and fall
within the Church of Scientology.
It's a reflection of how thechurch operates on a much
broader scale, particularly whenit comes to its treatment of
higher-ranking defectors.
(27:09):
Mayo's experience isn't uniqueand it reveals a pattern of
behavior that has repeateditself with other prominent
members who have dared to leaveor challenge the Church.
The Church of Scientology haslong been known for protecting
its inner workings at all costs,especially for those who held
positions of influence.
(27:29):
When someone like David Mayo,once L Ron Hubbard's most
trusted auditor, decides toleave or is forced out, the
church's response is swift andsevere.
It's not about severing tieswith that person.
It's about making sure they arepublicly discredited, isolated
and, in many cases, legally andpersonally destroyed.
(27:51):
Think about other prominentdefectors like Mike Rinder, who
was once the head of thechurch's Office of Special
Affairs, or Marty Rathbun,another high-ranking member, who
left and faced a barrage ofattacks.
Both men, like Mayo, were oncedeeply embedded in the core of
Scientology's leadership.
When they left, they didn'tjust walk away.
They became targets.
(28:13):
The church launched campaignsof harassment against them,
using the fair game policy whichallowed them to be sued, lied
to and even stalked.
In Mayo's case, his position asthe technical mind behind so
much of Scientology's auditingprocesses made him a particular
threat.
Just like Rinder and Rathbun,mayo wasn't simply a follower,
(28:35):
but an architect of the church'score teachings.
The same thing happened to RonMiscavige, david Miscavige's own
father, who left Scientologyand later wrote about the
extreme surveillance andintimidation tactics used
against him.
The church has a well-oiledmachine for handling defectors,
especially those once inpositions of power.
(28:57):
It's not just about cuttingties.
It's about erasing thedefector's influence, ensuring
they no longer have a voice thatcould sway other members.
Like many others, mayo foundhimself in that machine's
crosshairs.
Scientology couldn't afford tohave someone of his stature
freely operating outside thechurch, delivering some auditing
(29:18):
processes they claimedownership of.
This tactic of erasure anddiscrediting doesn't just
silence the individual.
It serves as a warning toothers still within the church.
It tells members that leavingScientology isn't just about
walking away.
It's about facing the fullweight of the organization's
legal and personal resources.
(29:39):
Kameo's experience is apowerful illustration of how
Scientology controls itsnarrative by controlling the
fate of those who step out ofline, and it echoes in the
stories of every high-rankingdefector since.
Abraham Aurich (29:57):
But here's the thing no matter how hard
Scientology tried to erase DavidMayo, his legacy lived on,
despite the lawsuits, theharassment, the character
attacks.
For many years, Mayo wasresponsible for refining and
implementing some ofScientology's most advanced
processes, especially at theOperating Thetan levels.
He helped develop NED for OTs,a cornerstone of the church's
(30:20):
spiritual practices.
When he left Scientology andstarted the Advance Ability
Center AAC, Mayo wasn't justrunning a breakaway group.
He was continuing what he sawas the true spiritual mission of
Scientology.
Many who had becomedisillusioned with the
authoritarian direction of thechurch under David Miscavige
found refuge in Mayo's center.
These former members didn't seeMayo as a traitor or a villain.
(30:44):
They saw him as a preserver ofthe original tech.
In fact, for someex-Scientologists, Mayo
represented the purer, lesscommercialized version of
Scientology.
His breakaway group, the AAC,was about getting back to the
heart of what they believe L RonHubbard's teachings were meant
to be.
While the church was focused onexpanding its real estate
(31:06):
holdings and securing tax-exemptstatus, Mayo's followers saw
him as someone who was stillgenuinely focused on spiritual
advancement.
Even after the AAC was forced toclose, Mayo's influence didn't
disappear.
Many former members who leftScientology during that time
still held on to the auditingtechniques they learned from him
(31:26):
, passing them on to independentScientology communities that
continue to exist today.
These groups, often referred toas the Free Zone, are comprised
of people who still practiceScientology's auditing processes
, but outside of the control ofthe official church, and for
much of what they practice isrooted in Mayo's work.
Decades later, Mayo'scontributions to the technical
(31:47):
side of Scientology are stilldiscussed and respected in these
circles.
While the church did its bestto bury his legacy, former
members remember him as someonewho dared to defy the
institution, not by rejectingScientology outright, but by
trying to bring it back to whathe believed it was truly meant
to be.
In a way, Mayo's story is oneof spiritual integrity.
(32:10):
He never stopped believing inthe power of the auditing tech,
even after the church had casthim out.
For many former Scientologists,especially those in the free
zone, Mayo's willingness tostand up to the Church's
leadership and continuepracticing the tech on his own
terms makes him a figure ofadmiration.
He is someone who refused to becontrolled and understood the
(32:32):
power of what he had helpedbuild, but wasn't willing to let
it be monopolized by a singleinstitution by a single
institution.
Sandi McKenna (32:45):
One of the most notable testimonials comes from
Jesse Prince, a formerhigh-ranking member of the
Church of Scientology who laterbecame a vocal critic of the
organization.
Prince has spoken about hisinteractions with David Mayo
during their time withinScientology.
In interviews and publicstatements, prince described
Mayo as a deeply thoughtful andcommitted individual who
genuinely believed in the powerof Scientology's auditing
(33:05):
processes.
Prince recounts how Mayer'sdownfall within the organization
directly resulted from hisopposition to David Miscavige's
consolidation of power.
In an interview, princereflected on the sharp contrast
between Mayo's approach, focusedon spiritual advancement in
auditing, and Miscavige'sgrowing authoritarian control
(33:27):
over the church.
According to Prince, mayo wasseen as a threat not because he
was disloyal, but because he wastoo influential and
knowledgeable aboutScientology's core tech.
Abraham Aurich (33:40):
Another prominent figure who has spoken
about David Mayo is Amy Scobee,a former Sea Org executive who
has since become a vocal criticof Scientology.
In interviews and in her book,Scientology Abuse at the Top,
Scobee, talks about how Mayo'sexpulsion from Scientology was a
turning point for many withinthe organization.
Scobee recounts that when Mayowas declared an SP, it sent
(34:03):
shockwaves through the ranks.
For many, Mayo represented thetrue spirit of Scientology's
technical side and his departuremade some question the
direction the church was takingunder David Miscavige.
Scobee mentions how severalhigh-ranking Scientologists like
herself quietly questionedMiscavige's leadership after
seeing how someone as respectedas Mayo was treated.
(34:25):
She credits Mayo with plantingthe seed of doubt that
eventually led her and manyothers to leave Scientology
altogether.
Sandi McKenna (34:34):
One of the most revealing sources of
testimonials comes from thosewho were part of Mayo's
breakaway group, the AdvancedAbility Center, aac, in Santa
Barbara.
For many, the AAC was a safehaven, a place where they could
continue their spiritual journeywithout the rigid
authoritarianism that hadovertaken Scientology under
(34:54):
Miscavige.
Several former AAC membersshared their experiences working
with Mayo in interviews andpersonal writings.
They describe him as humble,kind and deeply committed to
helping others through auditing.
Unlike the church'sincreasingly commercialized and
authoritarian nature, mayo's AACwas seen as a return to what
(35:18):
many believed was the originalspirit of Scientology, focused
on spiritual growth and personalfreedom.
Speaking in an interview, oneformer AAC member said David was
nothing like what we'd beentaught to believe about
leadership in Scientology.
He wasn't about power orcontrol.
He genuinely believed in thetech and wanted to help people.
(35:42):
Another former member reflectedon how Mayo's version of
Scientology at the AAC felt lessabout dogma and more about
personal exploration.
It felt like we were reclaimingsomething that had been lost.
David gave us back the freedomto practice what we believed in
without fear or control.
Abraham Aurich (36:04):
Lori Hamilton, an auditor and member of the AAC
, gave detailed account of herexperiences working with Mayo in
interviews and on messageboards dedicated to former
Scientologists.
Hamilton credited Mayo withrestoring her faith in
Scientology's original teachings.
She said that Mayo's leadershipat the AAC made her realize
(36:25):
that the church under DavidMiscavige had become a bastion
of control, far removed from theprinciples it was founded on.
Hamilton described Mayo asgenuinely interested in
spiritual enlightenment, not incontrolling people.
She said he believed in thepower of potting to help people,
but it was never about coercion.
It was about spirituallygetting people to a better place
(36:48):
, not trapping them in somesystem.
Her reflections echo those ofmany who left the church and
joined Mayo's breakaway group.
They saw him as a true believerwho understood the tech at a
deep level but rejected theauthoritarian control that had
taken over the church afterDavid Miscavige.
Here's Mary Freeman, anotherformer member of the Church of
(37:10):
Scientology.
Mary Freeman (37:11):
That also goes for David Mayo.
I didn't know David Mayo but Isaid, hey, you're going to tell
me the personnel Ron Hubbardpicked to be the highest trained
, highest classed CS for theentire world, the top case
supervisor.
That was his personal auditorthat he chose, who helped him
when he was sick, who helped himdevelop the knots, run down and
(37:34):
audited him and got him well.
At that time I said you'regoing to tell me that person,
David Mayo, woke up one day andturned into an SP.
I'm sorry, I can't make myself.
That time I said you're goingto tell me that person dated
Mayo woke up one day and turnedinto an SP.
I'm sorry, I can't make myselfthat stupid.
Sandi McKenna (37:45):
What emerges from these interviews and
testimonials is a clear sensethat Mayo had a profound impact
on those who knew him personally, whether they were high-ranking
former Sea Org members orindividuals seeking a more
independent path in the.
AAC.
These voices all paint apicture of Mayo as a man
(38:06):
dedicated to spiritual growthand genuinely believed in the
power of Scientology's auditingtech.
These testimonials alsohighlight the betrayal many felt
when Mayo was expelled from thechurch.
For people like Jesse Prince,amy Scobie and AAC members,
mayo's fall represented abroader loss of faith in the
(38:27):
church under Miscavige'sleadership.
His treatment by Scientologywas not seen as a reflection of
his failures, but as evidence ofthe church's growing focus on
the power and control, ratherthan the spiritual advancement.
In the years since, mayo'slegacy has continued to
influence former Scientologists,especially those in the Free
(38:49):
Zone, where his contributions toauditing remain respected.
Interviews with former membersconsistently point to Mayo as a
beacon of integrity in anorganization that, to many, had
lost its way.
Abraham Aurich (39:04):
In 1986, Time magazine published an
investigative piece aboutScientology titled the Thriving
Cult of Greed and Power.
While it focused more broadlyon Scientology as a
controversial organization,Mayo's defection and the
subsequent litigations he facedwere highlighted as examples of
how Scientology retaliatedagainst those who left.
(39:26):
The piece framed Mayo's storyas a part of a larger pattern of
intimidation that includedlegal harassment and character
assassination.
Time magazine also reported onhow Scientology used its
tax-exempt status and its vastfinancial resources to overwhelm
former members with lawsuits,making it nearly impossible for
defectors like Mayo to fightback on equal footing.
(39:49):
The Los Angeles Times was oneof the leading newspapers
covering Scientology during the1980s, including the legal
battles surrounding David Mayo.
In several articles, the LATimes explored Mayo's ousting
from the church and the rise ofMiscavige as the new leader.
Their investigative reportsshed light on the internal power
struggles within Scientology,with Mayo being depicted as a
(40:12):
key figure in Hubbard's innercircle who suddenly found
himself targeted.
One article from the LA Timeshighlighted the intensity of the
legal warfare ensuing afterMayo established the AAC.
The paper reported on thecopyrights battle initiated by
Scientology and Mayo's claimsthat the church was using
lawsuits to crush any form ofdissent.
(40:33):
This coverage contributed to agrowing public awareness of how
Scientology dealt with itsdefectors, casting the church in
an increasingly negative light.
Like the LA Times, theWashington Post also covered
Scientology's legal actions inthe 1980s.
Several articles during thatperiod focused on the broader
tactics Scientology used againstformer high-ranking members
(40:56):
like Mayo.
The paper reported how thechurch employed its legal muscle
to go after Mayo withaccusations of intellectual
property theft and trade secretviolations.
A notable piece by the Postdescribed the harassment Mayo
faced, including surveillanceand intimidation, highlighting
Scientology's fair game tactics.
The portrayal of Mayo as avictim in these tactics
(41:18):
resonated with the public'sgrowing skepticism towards
Scientology and contributed to ashift in public sentiment
against the organization, Knownfor its more alternative take on
news and culture.
The Village Voice also coveredMayo's battle with Scientology.
The publication focused on thehuman side of the story,
exploring Mayo's personaljourney from one of Hubbard's
(41:40):
most trusted auditors to afigure fighting for his right to
continue practicing theauditing techniques he had
helped develop.
The voice articles oftenpresented Mayo's story in a
sympathetic light, portrayinghim as a whistleblower of sorts,
someone who had been a truebeliever in Scientology's tech
but was now opposing theorganization's descent into
(42:01):
authoritarianism under Miscavigeas we come to the end of David
Mayo's story, we're left with aquestion what is the true
measure of influence?
Sandi McKenna (42:11):
Is it the power one holds inside an organization
or the impact one leaves behindeven after they've been forced
out?
When Mayo was cast out ofScientology in 1982, it wasn't
just a personal betrayal.
It was a seismic shift withinthe church.
Here was a man who had been atthe very heart of Scientology's
(42:33):
most sacred practices, a trustedlieutenant of L Ron Hubbard
himself, and suddenly he foundhimself on the outside, labeled
a suppressive person.
He had helped shape the tech,the processes that Scientology
still holds at its core.
Yet he became a target threat,someone to be erased from their
(42:54):
history.
And yet, despite the church'sefforts to vilify and silence
him, the ripples of David Mayo'sinfluence can still be felt
today.
His contributions to auditing,especially his work on the upper
levels of Scientology spiritualteachings, remain foundational
(43:14):
within the church and theindependent Scientology movement
.
Those who broke away from theofficial church often looked at
Mayo as a figure of inspiration,a man who continued to believe
in the tech even when he nolonger believed in the
institution behind it.
You have to wonder how many ofthose auditing processes still
(43:36):
practiced today have Mayo'sfingerprints all over them.
How much of what Scientologyteaches and uses even now is
built on the work that Mayopoured his heart and soul into.
While the official church maynever acknowledge his legacy,
it's undeniable that Mayo's worklaid the groundwork for much of
(43:58):
what the church holds sacred.
And then there's the Free Zone,that group of independent
Scientologists who continue topractice the tech without the
authoritarian grip of the church.
Many in this movement stillrevere Mayo, viewing him as a
hero who dared to takeScientology's teachings back to
their roots, back to a time whenit wasn't about control or
(44:21):
coercion, but about spiritualgrowth and personal freedom.
His influence lives on in thesecommunities where these
principles he helped develop arestill taught, practiced and
respected.
So we're left with this thought.
David Mayo may have been exiled,his name may have been dragged
through the mud by the church heonce helped to lead, but his
(44:44):
legacy proves that trueinfluence can't be erased.
It lives on in the people hetouched, the processes he
refined and the communities heinspired.
Ultimately, the question isn'twhether David Mayo changed
Scientology because heunquestionably did but whether
(45:04):
Scientology ever fully realizedhow much he left his mark.
Perhaps Mayo's most significantcontribution wasn't just the
auditing processes he helped tobuild, but the courage he showed
in standing up for what hebelieved in, even when it meant
(45:25):
standing alone.
Abraham Aurich (45:26):
And that brings us to the end of today's episode
.
David Mayo's journey throughScientology is one of those rare
, powerful and tragic stories.
This man was once at the veryheart of the organization,
trusted with its most sacredteachings, only to be cast out
and turned into an enemy.
But, as we've seen, hisinfluence didn't just disappear.
(45:47):
Whether in the official churchor in the independent
communities that still practicethe tech today, mayo's legacy
remains.
His story leaves us with a lotto think about, doesn't it?
The power dynamics, the harshreality of what happens when you
defy an institution thatcontrols so much, and yet the
idea that influence realinfluence can transcend that.
(46:09):
It makes you wonder how manymore untold stories there are,
people who played pivotal rolesbut were written out of the
narrative, and maybe that's whyit's so important to keep
talking about these figures likeDavid Mayo, who reminds us that
there's always more beneath thesurface.
I am Abraham Aurich, along withSandi McKenna.
Thank you for joining us onthis episode of Sins of
(46:31):
Scientology.
We hope you found it asintriguing and thought-provoking
as we did.
If you enjoyed this episode,please subscribe, leave a
comment and share it withsomeone you think may be
interested, and don't forget tofollow us on social media for
updates on our next deep diveinto the hidden stories in the
annals of Scientology.
Until then, keep questioning,keep seeking, and may your
(46:55):
journey be as rich andenlightening as the stories you
encounter.
The following content may include discussions
or topics that could betriggering or upsetting to
individuals who have experiencedsimilar traumas.
Viewer discretion is advised.
Sandi McKenna (00:09):
There was a time when David Mayo stood at the
very heart of Scientology.
He wasn't just any auditor.
He was the man that L RonHubbard trusted, above everyone
else, to carry out the Church'smost secretive, powerful
techniques.
He helped to shapeScientology's core teachings,
guiding followers through levelsmost of us can't even imagine.
(00:33):
But then, in a shocking twist,David Mayo was cast out,
declared an enemy.
He was labeled a SuppressivePerson or an SP by the very
church he'd helped to build.
Just imagine one day you're onthe inside, trusted with the
deepest secrets, and the nextyou're on the outside, cut off,
(00:56):
fighting for your reputation andyour life.
How does someone go from beingHubbard's right-hand man to one
of the most feared enemies ofScientology?
What did Mayo know and why wasthe Church so desperate to
silence him?
In this episode, we'll take adeep dive into David Mayo's rise
(01:18):
within Scientology, his closerelationship with L Ron Hubbard
and his pivotal role indeveloping their most sacred
techniques, and we'll uncoverthe intense battle that followed
when he was declared asuppressive person.
So what really happens when oneof Scientology's most
influential figures turnsagainst the Church?
(01:41):
Let's find out.
I'm Sand McKenna and, alongwith Abraham Ulrich, welcome to
the Sins of Scientology.
Abraham Aurich (02:13):
David Mayo was born in New Zealand in 1940, and
, like many who would laterbecome deeply involved in
Scientology, he was searchingfor something beyond the
convention.
Not much is widely known abouthis childhood or early years
before he encounteredScientology, but by the 1960s,
mayo was already seekingspiritual answers.
He was drawn to Scientologypartly due to its promise about
self-improvement and spiritualadvancement, something that
(02:35):
appealed to many people of thatera, as it was a time when new
spiritual movements were growingin popularity worldwide.
Mayo began studying Scientologyin New Zealand, likely around
the mid-1960s.
He demonstrated an earlyaptitude for auditing, the
church's unique form ofspiritual counseling.
Auditing sessions involved theuse of an e-meter, a device that
(02:58):
is said to measure thespiritual state of a person as
they answer questions.
Those who excelled in auditingwere highly valued in
Scientology, and it wasn't longbefore Mayo's talents were
noticed.
By the late 1960s, mayo had notonly become a skilled auditor,
but he had also fully dedicatedhimself to Scientology.
He made the significantdecision to join the Sea
(03:20):
Organization, the elite andmilitaristic branch of
Scientology that is responsiblefor running the organization's
day-to-day operations.
The Sea Org is known for itsextreme level of commitment,
with members signing abillionaire contract to
symbolize their dedication tothe movement across multiple
lifetimes.
Joining the Sea Org also meantworking closely with the upper
(03:43):
echelons of Scientology, andMayo quickly distinguished
himself.
His sharp mind, profound beliefin the teachings of L Ron
Hubbard and mastery of auditingmade him stand out.
He was a natural fit for theintense demands of Sea Org life
and began rising rapidly throughthe ranks.
As Mayo's reputation grew, sodid his responsibilities within
(04:04):
the organization.
By the 1970s, L Ron Hubbard hadtaken a special interest in him
, and Mayo was entrusted withdelivering Scientology's
highest-level auditing processes, including the Operating Thetan
levels or OT levels.
The OT levels are some of themost secretive and controversial
teachings within Scientology,believed to unlock a person's
(04:26):
full potential and free themfrom the confines of the
physical universe.
In particular, mayo becameknown for his ability to deliver
new-era Dianetics for OperatingThetans NED for OTs, a process
that was created after Hubbardreportedly suffered a stroke in
the late 1970s Hubbard was saidto have.
In the late 1970s, Hubbard wassaid to have entrusted Mayo with
(04:47):
developing this advancedauditing process as part of his
recovery.
This close relationship betweenHubbard and Mayo was seen as a
significant mark of trust, asvery few were allowed to work
with Hubbard directly, let alonehelp shape new levels of the
Scientology bridge to totalfreedom.
Mayo was also believed to havepersonally audited Hubbard, a
(05:07):
prestigious and high-stakes rolewithin the church.
Auditing the founder ofScientology himself placed Mayo
at the pinnacle of theorganization's spiritual
hierarchy.
At the time, the organizationtouted Hubbard's own spiritual
advancement as proof of theefficacy of auditing.
So having someone as trusted asMayo in this role was crucial.
(05:28):
David Mayo's work didn't stopwith Hubbard.
He also became the go-toauditor for high-ranking
SeaWorld members and prominentScientologists.
His role often involvedhandling the most difficult and
complex cases within the churchfrom a spiritual and
organizational perspective.
As one of Scientology's toptechnical minds, mayo was part
(05:48):
of a select group deeplyinvolved in developing and
refining Scientology's auditingtechnology and processes.
His understanding ofScientology's tech a term used
to describe its spiritual andauditing methods was
unparalleled, making him reveredwithin the organization.
Mayo's reputation withinScientology was both a blessing
and a burden.
(06:08):
On the one hand, he wasrespected and admired for his
skills and contributions toadvancing Scientology's
spiritual technology.
On the other hand, thisprominence also made him a
potential rival for otherswithin the organization,
especially as power strobeswithin the leadership began to
emerge, particularly around thetime when L Ron Hubbard was in
(06:29):
hiding due to legal battles.
By the late 1970s and early 80s, mayo had become one of the
most influential figures in thechurch, often seen as a
technical authority on Hubbard'steachings.
However, this role put him in aprecarious position as David
Miscavige, a rising figure inScientology, began consolidating
(06:49):
power.
Mayo's position as Hubbard'sfavorite auditor made him a
threat to the internal dynamicsof the church, and his rise may
have sparked jealousy andcompetition among other senior
members.
Sandi McKenna (07:03):
NED for OTs New Era Dianetics for Operating
Thetans, was consideredrevolutionary within the church.
It was built on earlierprinciples of Dianetics but was
tailored to address what Herbertcalled the spiritual blockages
that prevented OTs from fullyrealizing their potential.
It was said to be one of themost effective methods for
(07:24):
freeing individuals from theirpast traumas, also referred to
as engrams in Scientology.
Hubbard publicly endorsed thisnew technique, which helped
elevate David Mayo's status as atechnical leader within the
organization.
Mayo's development of thisprocess solidified his place as
one of Hubbard's closest andmost trusted associates during
(07:45):
this time, and it was throughthis effort that he earned the
title of Senior Case SupervisorInternational.
While Hubbard was a figurehead,Mayo became known as the man
behind the curtain responsiblefor implementing and overseeing
these new advanced auditingtechniques.
His role in creating NED forOTs was so pivotal that Mayo
(08:06):
effectively became the face oftechnical advancement within
Scientology.
Mayo's close relationship withHubbard was not just
professional.
It was personal.
After Hubbard's stroke, Mayoacted as his personal auditor,
tasked with guiding Hubbardthrough his own spiritual
recovery using the verytechniques Hubbard himself had
created.
This was no smallresponsibility.
(08:28):
Auditing someone, particularlyat the highest levels of
Scientology, was seen as anintensely private and sacred
process.
Being Hubbard's auditor placedMayo in an incredibly privileged
position within the church.
In many ways, David Mayo becamethe guardian of Scientology's
most sensitive and high-levelprocesses.
(08:48):
He was the one to whom Hubbardturned when he needed help or
when new issues arose thatrequired technical innovation.
Mayo's role wasn't just limitedto auditing Hubbard.
He was responsible foroverseeing the auditing of
top-level Sea Org members andinfluential Scientologists.
He became a central figure inensuring that Hubbard's vision
(09:11):
for the upper levels ofScientology, particularly the OT
levels, was being deliveredeffectively.
His mastery over the technicalside of Scientology meant that
he wielded immense power,especially within the Sea Org,
where auditing was one of thekey tools used for spiritual
advancements and control.
His presence was so significantthat many Scientologists
(09:34):
believed that Mayo was the onlyperson qualified to take over
the technical leadership of thechurch should anything happen to
Hubbard.
In fact, within Scientologycircles, Mayo's knowledge of the
auditing processes was seen ascrucial to ensuring that
Scientology could continuefunctioning at its highest
(09:54):
levels.
Despite his power and closerelationship with Hubbard, David
Mayo's position within thechurch would become increasingly
precarious in the early 1980s.
By this time, David Miscavige,who would later become the
undisputed leader of Scientology, was rapidly rising through the
ranks, Miscavige, known for hisaggressive and authoritarian
(10:17):
style, was consolidating powerwithin the organization.
His rise was marked by desireto centralize control, which put
him at odds with many seniorchurch members, including Mayo.
One of the key tensions betweenMayo and Miscavige centered
around control over the tech andits application.
(10:38):
As Senior Case SupervisorInternational, Mayo held immense
sway over the technical aspectsof Scientology, which included
auditing and spiritual processesthat were essential to the
organization's identity.
Miscavige, however, wanted fullcontrol over the church's
operations and was known for hiswillingness to oust anyone he
(11:01):
saw as a threat to his authority.
Mayo's close relationship withHubbard, his development of Ned
Ferrotes and his role asHubbard's personal auditor made
him a formidable figure withinScientology's leadership
structure.
However, his prominence alsomade him a target.
Miscavige saw Mayo's influenceover the technical aspects of
(11:24):
Scientology as a threat to hisgrowing power.
Reports from formerScientologists suggest that
Miscavige began maneuvering tomarginalize Mayo, undermining
his authority and planting theseeds for Mayo's eventual
expulsion.
The exact nature of theconflict between Mayo and
Miscavige remains somewhatshrouded in secrecy, but it is
(11:47):
clear Miscavige viewed Mayo as arival.
As Hubbard became more and morereclusive and less involved in
the day-to-day running ofScientology.
Miscavige's influence grew andMayo's position became
increasingly vulnerable.
By 1982, tensions reached abreaking point.
Mayo was abruptly declared asuppressive person and, despite
(12:10):
his years of service and deepinvolvement in its most sacred
processes, this designation ledto Mayo's immediate expulsion
from the church.
Miscavige's rapid consolidationof power meant that even
someone as influential as Mayocould be removed if seen as a
potential rival.
Mayo's expulsion marked an endof an era within Scientology.
(12:33):
The man who had once beenHubbard's most trusted technical
leader was now ostracized, andDavid Miscavige took complete
control of the organization,steering it in a more
authoritarian direction.
In the years that followed,Mayo would go on to challenge
Scientology legally, creatingthe Advanced Ability Center, AAC
(12:55):
, an independent Scientologysplinter group, but the full
force of Scientology's legalmachine would be brought upon
him In 1982, something happenedthat sent shockwaves through the
world of Scientology's legalmachine would be brought upon
him.
Abraham Aurich (13:08):
In 1982, something happened that sent
shockwaves through the world ofScientology.
David Mayo, once one of L RonHubbard's most trusted and loyal
associates, was suddenlydeclared a suppressive person or
SP, and expelled from thechurch.
For those unfamiliar with theterm, being declared an SP is
the ultimate condemnation.
Within Scientology, it's alabel reserved for individuals
(13:28):
considered enemies of the Church.
Once someone is branded as such, they are entirely cut off, not
only from the organization butfrom their family, friends and
anyone still involved inScientology.
So how does someone like DavidMayo, who was so high up, fall
so dramatically On the surface?
The official reason given forMayo's expulsion was that he was
(13:51):
accused of altering Hubbard'stech, the methods and practices
that are the foundation ofScientology's spiritual
processes.
Altering the tech is a seriousoffense in the church,
tantamount Tahir said.
But those close to Mayo andeven many who later left
Scientology, have suggested thatthe real reason for his fall
was tied to a power struggle atthe highest level of the
(14:14):
organization.
At the center of the strugglewas David Miscavige, at the time
a young, ambitious Sea Orgmember who had rapidly risen
through the ranks.
By the late 1970s, miscavigebegan consolidating power,
especially as L Ron Hubbardbecame reclusive following his
stroke.
While Hubbard was stilltechnically in charge, it was
clear that Miscavige waspositioning himself to control
(14:36):
the future of Scientology andMayo, with his deep knowledge of
the auditing processes and hisclose relationship with Hubbard,
he was seen as a potentialrival.
As Miscavige's influence grew,so did the tensions.
Mayo, who had been workingclosely with Hubbard for years,
was viewed as a threat byMiscavige.
Some reports suggest thatMayo's position as a trusted
(14:59):
auditor, his leadership and theloyalty he inspired among other
Scientologists made him a target.
If Miscavige was going tosecure his control, he needed to
eliminate anyone who couldchallenge him, and that meant
David Mayo had to go.
In 1982, the axe fell.
Mayo was declared an SP,effectively purging him from the
(15:21):
organization.
For someone who had dedicatedhis life to Scientology, being
expelled was a devastating blow,and for the people who looked
up to Mayo it was a moment ofshock and disbelief.
His fall was sudden and with itany connection he had to the
world of Scientology was severed.
But Mayo wasn't the type to fadeinto the background quietly.
(15:42):
Soon after expulsion, hefounded the Advanced Abilities
Center, aac, in Santa Barbara,california.
The AAC was essentially abreakaway group where Mayo and a
few former Scientologistscontinued to practice and offer
auditing services based on thetechniques he had developed
while inside the church.
It was a bold move, and itwasn't long before the Church of
(16:05):
Scientology took notice andaction.
The AAC attracted severaldisaffected Scientologists,
especially those who had becomecritical of the increasingly
authoritarian direction thechurch was taking.
Under David Miscavige'sleadership, mayo Centers
provided them with a way tocontinue their spiritual
practice without the strictcontrol of the church hierarchy.
(16:26):
For many, it was a place ofrefuge, but Scientology's
leadership wasn't going to letMayo operate freely.
In the eyes of the church, hewas committing the ultimate sin,
using their technology outsideof their control, so they
launched a fierce legal campaignagainst him, filing lawsuits to
stop him from deliveringauditing services and accusing
(16:48):
him of copyright infringementsfor using processes that the
church claimed ownership of.
The church also went after Mayowith what has been described as
a campaign of harassment.
The fair game policy, whichallows Scientology to take
extreme measures against thosedeclared as peace, meant that
Mayo and his supporters facedconstant legal pressures,
(17:10):
personal attacks and publicdenigration.
The legal battle between Mayo'sAAC and the Church of
Scientology became protractedand bitter.
Mayo's center was sued multipletimes, with the Church using
its vast resources to wear downMayor and his supporters.
The lawsuits focused on thechurch's claim that auditing
(17:32):
processes such as Net for OTswere proprietary and could not
be used outside Scientology.
The legal and financial straineventually forced the AAC to
close its doors in the late1980s, bringing an end to Mayo's
public fight.
But even though the AAC wasshut down, the legacy of Mayo's
(17:52):
challenge to Scientologylingered.
His case exposed the internalpower struggles within the
church and highlighted theextent to which Scientology was
willing to go to protect itscontrol over its spiritual
technology.
And for Mayo, although he hadlost the legal battle, he had
gained something perhaps evenmore important a sense of
(18:14):
freedom and independence fromthe organization he had once
served so loyally.
Let's examine this clip ofDavid Mayo.
David Mayo (18:23):
There's a dispatch that's often been mentioned by
various people and I'll mentionit again today because there's
not a great deal known about itthat I received in April of 1982
.
And I consider it one of themost significant dispatches that
I've received from LRH.
In April of 1982, I got thisdispatch from him and it was
about 20-odd pages long,single-spaced type.
(18:45):
It was quite a long one and hedescribed what he expected to
happen in the future and overthe next 20 to 25 years,
although he'd been training meto do this for some time and I'd
known that he wanted me to beable to carry on and release
these OT levels when the timecame.
In this dispatch he actuallyformally stated it in writing.
That's what he wanted me to do,and at the time he said he was
(19:08):
actually turning the hat over.
He also told me at the timethat he expected to live for a
minimum of a few months andperhaps a couple of years at the
most.
There were several paragraphsin which he told me not to get
upset about the idea of himdropping his body and so on, and
pointed out and I'm mentioningthis because I think it's
relevant and I think most peopleshould know that it wasn't
(19:29):
something to be sad about oranything.
He'd accomplished what he'd setout to accomplish in this
lifetime, which was basically tomap out the bridge, and he'd
done that.
And he said that even if it waspossible to extend his life, he
didn't particularly have anygreat desire to do so in this
body.
He wanted to go on and be ableto start a new game, and he also
(19:49):
estimated that he would be gonefor some time.
He didn't say doing what, buthe said he would be.
And he asked me basically tolook after three things to do
with the tech.
One was overseeing the qualityof delivery of tech by other
people and to ensure that highquality delivery continued.
To look over the.
To ensure that high qualitydelivery continued to look over
the actual technical materialsfrom time to time because they
(20:13):
would need updating as societychanged.
And then, at suitable times inthe future, to release the as
yet unreleased OT levels.
And he's made a point in therethat by the time I and others
had gotten up through theselevels ourselves, we would find
that it was possible to continueon with the research ourselves
(20:33):
and that he felt that the futurewas now secure and that he
didn't have to be around foreverto continue on mapping the
route out.
He'd done sufficient on thatand he therefore felt that he'd
fulfilled his goals and what hecalled his obligations to
mankind and could go off and dosomething else.
But he said he would check backin 20 to 25 years to ensure it
(20:56):
was all going well, and so on.
Sandi McKenna (20:58):
When David Mayo was declared a suppressive
person back in 1982, the Churchof Scientology didn't just cut
ties with him.
It launched a full-scaleoffensive.
It was clear from the startthat the church wasn't going to
let Mayo go quietly.
His knowledge of upper levelsof Scientology's tech,
especially his role indeveloping New Era Dianetics for
(21:20):
Operating Thetans, NED for OTs,made him a direct threat.
The church had invested yearspromoting Mayo as one of their
brightest stars, and now he wason the outside using the same
knowledge in ways they couldn'tcontrol.
The legal battle began almostimmediately after Mayo founded
the Advanced Ability Center inSanta Barbara.
(21:42):
The church claimed that Mayowas using their intellectual
property the techniques andauditing processes he had helped
refine without permission.
Central to the lawsuits was theassertion that Mayo's use of
NED for OT's violatedScientology's copyrights, a move
that was as much aboutprotecting their financial
(22:02):
interests as it was aboutmaintaining control over their
spiritual techniques.
As it was about maintainingcontrol over their spiritual
techniques, the church filedmultiple lawsuits against Mayo
and his AAC, hitting him withclaims of copyright infringement
, trade secret violations, andunfair competition.
These lawsuits were designed tobe relentless, aimed at not
(22:24):
only shutting down Mayo'soperation but draining him
financially, in the church'sview, allowing Mayo to continue
offering Scientology-styleauditing outside of their
structure set a dangerousprecedent.
If other former members begandoing the same, Scientology's
tight control over its techcould unravel beyond the
(22:47):
courtroom.
The church is reported to haveunleashed another weapon in its
arsenal the infamous Fair Gamepolicy.
According to this policy,anyone declared an enemy of the
church, or an SP could be liedto, sued, tricked, or destroyed.
Mayo was no exception.
Former Scientologists andcritics of the church have long
(23:07):
alleged that the church employedharassment tactics aimed at
breaking them down personally,professionally and emotionally.
There were reports ofintimidation and surveillance,
with private investigatorsallegedly following Mayo,
scrutinizing his every move andattempting to gather any
information that could be usedagainst him.
(23:27):
The goal was to make life sounbearable that he would either
stop his breakaway efforts or beunable to continue his legal
battles.
It wasn't just about winning incourt, but about making Mayo
feel the full weight of what itmeant to defy Scientology.
This legal and personalonslaught was a massive show of
force, a reminder to all formermembers that leaving the church
(23:51):
didn't mean you could escape itsreach.
Scientology has a long historyof aggressively pursuing those
who it perceives as enemies, andMayo's case was no different
For David Mayo.
The relentless legal battlestook an enormous toll, both
professionally and personally.
At first he scored some earlyvictories in court as judges
(24:13):
initially sided with him oncertain legal claims, pushing
back on Scientology's aggressivetactics.
This gave Mayo and hissupporters a glimmer of hope
that the church's legalstranglehold could be broken.
But Scientology, with its vastfinancial resources, was in it
for the long haul.
They continued to file newclaims, appeal court decisions
(24:35):
and pursue every legal avenue todrain Mayo's time, energy and
financial resources.
The church was well known forits strategy of litigation by
attrition, not necessarilyaiming to win each battle
outright, but to overwhelm theiropponents with an endless
barrage of lawsuits, paperworkand legal fees.
(24:55):
For Mayo, this meant years offighting not just for his right
to operate the AAC but for hislivelihood.
The emotional strain wasimmense.
Imagine pouring your life'swork into something only to have
it ripped away by theorganization you had once been
devoted to, and now that veryorganization was determined to
destroy everything you had builtoutside of it.
(25:17):
The cost of defending himselfagainst such a powerful
adversary drained Mayo'sresources.
Each new legal challengerequired more money, time and
emotional resilience.
Mayo was facing a machine thatnever stopped and eventually he
had to make a difficult choicesettle.
Settling meant that Mayo couldno longer continue to operate
(25:38):
the AAC the way he hadenvisioned.
The Center, once a haven forformer Scientologists looking
for a more independent path,closed its doors.
The church had won in a sense,not necessarily because it
proved their case in court, butbecause they had worn Mayo down.
The emotional toll was just assevere.
Mayo had been at the top ofScientology's hierarchy, trusted
(26:01):
by L Ron Humbert himself andlauded for his technical
brilliance.
Now he was a man without amovement, ostracized from the
very community he had oncehelped to lead.
This sense of betrayal,combined with the years of legal
harassment, took a deepemotional toll on him.
Many who knew Mayo during thistime said that he had become
more withdrawn and the constantstress of battling Scientology
(26:25):
had left him drained.
While the exact details of thesettlement are not public, it's
clear that Mayo was forced toretreat from public life.
The Advanced Ability Center,once a beacon of hope for a
disillusioned Scientologist, wasnow gone, and for Mayo this
marked the end of his publicfight against the Church.
The legal system may haveoffered him some brief reprieves
(26:48):
, but in the end, the sheerweight of Scientology's legal
and financial power was just toomuch to overcome.
David Mayo's story isn't justabout one man's rise and fall
within the Church of Scientology.
It's a reflection of how thechurch operates on a much
broader scale, particularly whenit comes to its treatment of
higher-ranking defectors.
(27:09):
Mayo's experience isn't uniqueand it reveals a pattern of
behavior that has repeateditself with other prominent
members who have dared to leaveor challenge the Church.
The Church of Scientology haslong been known for protecting
its inner workings at all costs,especially for those who held
positions of influence.
(27:29):
When someone like David Mayo,once L Ron Hubbard's most
trusted auditor, decides toleave or is forced out, the
church's response is swift andsevere.
It's not about severing tieswith that person.
It's about making sure they arepublicly discredited, isolated
and, in many cases, legally andpersonally destroyed.
(27:51):
Think about other prominentdefectors like Mike Rinder, who
was once the head of thechurch's Office of Special
Affairs, or Marty Rathbun,another high-ranking member, who
left and faced a barrage ofattacks.
Both men, like Mayo, were oncedeeply embedded in the core of
Scientology's leadership.
When they left, they didn'tjust walk away.
They became targets.
(28:13):
The church launched campaignsof harassment against them,
using the fair game policy whichallowed them to be sued, lied
to and even stalked.
In Mayo's case, his position asthe technical mind behind so
much of Scientology's auditingprocesses made him a particular
threat.
Just like Rinder and Rathbun,mayo wasn't simply a follower,
(28:35):
but an architect of the church'score teachings.
The same thing happened to RonMiscavige, david Miscavige's own
father, who left Scientologyand later wrote about the
extreme surveillance andintimidation tactics used
against him.
The church has a well-oiledmachine for handling defectors,
especially those once inpositions of power.
(28:57):
It's not just about cuttingties.
It's about erasing thedefector's influence, ensuring
they no longer have a voice thatcould sway other members.
Like many others, mayo foundhimself in that machine's
crosshairs.
Scientology couldn't afford tohave someone of his stature
freely operating outside thechurch, delivering some auditing
(29:18):
processes they claimedownership of.
This tactic of erasure anddiscrediting doesn't just
silence the individual.
It serves as a warning toothers still within the church.
It tells members that leavingScientology isn't just about
walking away.
It's about facing the fullweight of the organization's
legal and personal resources.
(29:39):
Kameo's experience is apowerful illustration of how
Scientology controls itsnarrative by controlling the
fate of those who step out ofline, and it echoes in the
stories of every high-rankingdefector since.
Abraham Aurich (29:57):
But here's the thing no matter how hard
Scientology tried to erase DavidMayo, his legacy lived on,
despite the lawsuits, theharassment, the character
attacks.
For many years, Mayo wasresponsible for refining and
implementing some ofScientology's most advanced
processes, especially at theOperating Thetan levels.
He helped develop NED for OTs,a cornerstone of the church's
(30:20):
spiritual practices.
When he left Scientology andstarted the Advance Ability
Center AAC, Mayo wasn't justrunning a breakaway group.
He was continuing what he sawas the true spiritual mission of
Scientology.
Many who had becomedisillusioned with the
authoritarian direction of thechurch under David Miscavige
found refuge in Mayo's center.
These former members didn't seeMayo as a traitor or a villain.
(30:44):
They saw him as a preserver ofthe original tech.
In fact, for someex-Scientologists, Mayo
represented the purer, lesscommercialized version of
Scientology.
His breakaway group, the AAC,was about getting back to the
heart of what they believe L RonHubbard's teachings were meant
to be.
While the church was focused onexpanding its real estate
(31:06):
holdings and securing tax-exemptstatus, Mayo's followers saw
him as someone who was stillgenuinely focused on spiritual
advancement.
Even after the AAC was forced toclose, Mayo's influence didn't
disappear.
Many former members who leftScientology during that time
still held on to the auditingtechniques they learned from him
(31:26):
, passing them on to independentScientology communities that
continue to exist today.
These groups, often referred toas the Free Zone, are comprised
of people who still practiceScientology's auditing processes
, but outside of the control ofthe official church, and for
much of what they practice isrooted in Mayo's work.
Decades later, Mayo'scontributions to the technical
(31:47):
side of Scientology are stilldiscussed and respected in these
circles.
While the church did its bestto bury his legacy, former
members remember him as someonewho dared to defy the
institution, not by rejectingScientology outright, but by
trying to bring it back to whathe believed it was truly meant
to be.
In a way, Mayo's story is oneof spiritual integrity.
(32:10):
He never stopped believing inthe power of the auditing tech,
even after the church had casthim out.
For many former Scientologists,especially those in the free
zone, Mayo's willingness tostand up to the Church's
leadership and continuepracticing the tech on his own
terms makes him a figure ofadmiration.
He is someone who refused to becontrolled and understood the
(32:32):
power of what he had helpedbuild, but wasn't willing to let
it be monopolized by a singleinstitution by a single
institution.
Sandi McKenna (32:45):
One of the most notable testimonials comes from
Jesse Prince, a formerhigh-ranking member of the
Church of Scientology who laterbecame a vocal critic of the
organization.
Prince has spoken about hisinteractions with David Mayo
during their time withinScientology.
In interviews and publicstatements, prince described
Mayo as a deeply thoughtful andcommitted individual who
genuinely believed in the powerof Scientology's auditing
(33:05):
processes.
Prince recounts how Mayer'sdownfall within the organization
directly resulted from hisopposition to David Miscavige's
consolidation of power.
In an interview, princereflected on the sharp contrast
between Mayo's approach, focusedon spiritual advancement in
auditing, and Miscavige'sgrowing authoritarian control
(33:27):
over the church.
According to Prince, mayo wasseen as a threat not because he
was disloyal, but because he wastoo influential and
knowledgeable aboutScientology's core tech.
Abraham Aurich (33:40):
Another prominent figure who has spoken
about David Mayo is Amy Scobee,a former Sea Org executive who
has since become a vocal criticof Scientology.
In interviews and in her book,Scientology Abuse at the Top,
Scobee, talks about how Mayo'sexpulsion from Scientology was a
turning point for many withinthe organization.
Scobee recounts that when Mayowas declared an SP, it sent
(34:03):
shockwaves through the ranks.
For many, Mayo represented thetrue spirit of Scientology's
technical side and his departuremade some question the
direction the church was takingunder David Miscavige.
Scobee mentions how severalhigh-ranking Scientologists like
herself quietly questionedMiscavige's leadership after
seeing how someone as respectedas Mayo was treated.
(34:25):
She credits Mayo with plantingthe seed of doubt that
eventually led her and manyothers to leave Scientology
altogether.
Sandi McKenna (34:34):
One of the most revealing sources of
testimonials comes from thosewho were part of Mayo's
breakaway group, the AdvancedAbility Center, aac, in Santa
Barbara.
For many, the AAC was a safehaven, a place where they could
continue their spiritual journeywithout the rigid
authoritarianism that hadovertaken Scientology under
(34:54):
Miscavige.
Several former AAC membersshared their experiences working
with Mayo in interviews andpersonal writings.
They describe him as humble,kind and deeply committed to
helping others through auditing.
Unlike the church'sincreasingly commercialized and
authoritarian nature, mayo's AACwas seen as a return to what
(35:18):
many believed was the originalspirit of Scientology, focused
on spiritual growth and personalfreedom.
Speaking in an interview, oneformer AAC member said David was
nothing like what we'd beentaught to believe about
leadership in Scientology.
He wasn't about power orcontrol.
He genuinely believed in thetech and wanted to help people.
(35:42):
Another former member reflectedon how Mayo's version of
Scientology at the AAC felt lessabout dogma and more about
personal exploration.
It felt like we were reclaimingsomething that had been lost.
David gave us back the freedomto practice what we believed in
without fear or control.
Abraham Aurich (36:04):
Lori Hamilton, an auditor and member of the AAC
, gave detailed account of herexperiences working with Mayo in
interviews and on messageboards dedicated to former
Scientologists.
Hamilton credited Mayo withrestoring her faith in
Scientology's original teachings.
She said that Mayo's leadershipat the AAC made her realize
(36:25):
that the church under DavidMiscavige had become a bastion
of control, far removed from theprinciples it was founded on.
Hamilton described Mayo asgenuinely interested in
spiritual enlightenment, not incontrolling people.
She said he believed in thepower of potting to help people,
but it was never about coercion.
It was about spirituallygetting people to a better place
(36:48):
, not trapping them in somesystem.
Her reflections echo those ofmany who left the church and
joined Mayo's breakaway group.
They saw him as a true believerwho understood the tech at a
deep level but rejected theauthoritarian control that had
taken over the church afterDavid Miscavige.
Here's Mary Freeman, anotherformer member of the Church of
(37:10):
Scientology.
Mary Freeman (37:11):
That also goes for David Mayo.
I didn't know David Mayo but Isaid, hey, you're going to tell
me the personnel Ron Hubbardpicked to be the highest trained
, highest classed CS for theentire world, the top case
supervisor.
That was his personal auditorthat he chose, who helped him
when he was sick, who helped himdevelop the knots, run down and
(37:34):
audited him and got him well.
At that time I said you'regoing to tell me that person,
David Mayo, woke up one day andturned into an SP.
I'm sorry, I can't make myself.
That time I said you're goingto tell me that person dated
Mayo woke up one day and turnedinto an SP.
I'm sorry, I can't make myselfthat stupid.
Sandi McKenna (37:45):
What emerges from these interviews and
testimonials is a clear sensethat Mayo had a profound impact
on those who knew him personally, whether they were high-ranking
former Sea Org members orindividuals seeking a more
independent path in the.
AAC.
These voices all paint apicture of Mayo as a man
(38:06):
dedicated to spiritual growthand genuinely believed in the
power of Scientology's auditingtech.
These testimonials alsohighlight the betrayal many felt
when Mayo was expelled from thechurch.
For people like Jesse Prince,amy Scobie and AAC members,
mayo's fall represented abroader loss of faith in the
(38:27):
church under Miscavige'sleadership.
His treatment by Scientologywas not seen as a reflection of
his failures, but as evidence ofthe church's growing focus on
the power and control, ratherthan the spiritual advancement.
In the years since, mayo'slegacy has continued to
influence former Scientologists,especially those in the Free
(38:49):
Zone, where his contributions toauditing remain respected.
Interviews with former membersconsistently point to Mayo as a
beacon of integrity in anorganization that, to many, had
lost its way.
Abraham Aurich (39:04):
In 1986, Time magazine published an
investigative piece aboutScientology titled the Thriving
Cult of Greed and Power.
While it focused more broadlyon Scientology as a
controversial organization,Mayo's defection and the
subsequent litigations he facedwere highlighted as examples of
how Scientology retaliatedagainst those who left.
(39:26):
The piece framed Mayo's storyas a part of a larger pattern of
intimidation that includedlegal harassment and character
assassination.
Time magazine also reported onhow Scientology used its
tax-exempt status and its vastfinancial resources to overwhelm
former members with lawsuits,making it nearly impossible for
defectors like Mayo to fightback on equal footing.
(39:49):
The Los Angeles Times was oneof the leading newspapers
covering Scientology during the1980s, including the legal
battles surrounding David Mayo.
In several articles, the LATimes explored Mayo's ousting
from the church and the rise ofMiscavige as the new leader.
Their investigative reportsshed light on the internal power
struggles within Scientology,with Mayo being depicted as a
(40:12):
key figure in Hubbard's innercircle who suddenly found
himself targeted.
One article from the LA Timeshighlighted the intensity of the
legal warfare ensuing afterMayo established the AAC.
The paper reported on thecopyrights battle initiated by
Scientology and Mayo's claimsthat the church was using
lawsuits to crush any form ofdissent.
(40:33):
This coverage contributed to agrowing public awareness of how
Scientology dealt with itsdefectors, casting the church in
an increasingly negative light.
Like the LA Times, theWashington Post also covered
Scientology's legal actions inthe 1980s.
Several articles during thatperiod focused on the broader
tactics Scientology used againstformer high-ranking members
(40:56):
like Mayo.
The paper reported how thechurch employed its legal muscle
to go after Mayo withaccusations of intellectual
property theft and trade secretviolations.
A notable piece by the Postdescribed the harassment Mayo
faced, including surveillanceand intimidation, highlighting
Scientology's fair game tactics.
The portrayal of Mayo as avictim in these tactics
(41:18):
resonated with the public'sgrowing skepticism towards
Scientology and contributed to ashift in public sentiment
against the organization, Knownfor its more alternative take on
news and culture.
The Village Voice also coveredMayo's battle with Scientology.
The publication focused on thehuman side of the story,
exploring Mayo's personaljourney from one of Hubbard's
(41:40):
most trusted auditors to afigure fighting for his right to
continue practicing theauditing techniques he had
helped develop.
The voice articles oftenpresented Mayo's story in a
sympathetic light, portrayinghim as a whistleblower of sorts,
someone who had been a truebeliever in Scientology's tech
but was now opposing theorganization's descent into
(42:01):
authoritarianism under Miscavigeas we come to the end of David
Mayo's story, we're left with aquestion what is the true
measure of influence?
Sandi McKenna (42:11):
Is it the power one holds inside an organization
or the impact one leaves behindeven after they've been forced
out?
When Mayo was cast out ofScientology in 1982, it wasn't
just a personal betrayal.
It was a seismic shift withinthe church.
Here was a man who had been atthe very heart of Scientology's
(42:33):
most sacred practices, a trustedlieutenant of L Ron Hubbard
himself, and suddenly he foundhimself on the outside, labeled
a suppressive person.
He had helped shape the tech,the processes that Scientology
still holds at its core.
Yet he became a target threat,someone to be erased from their
(42:54):
history.
And yet, despite the church'sefforts to vilify and silence
him, the ripples of David Mayo'sinfluence can still be felt
today.
His contributions to auditing,especially his work on the upper
levels of Scientology spiritualteachings, remain foundational
(43:14):
within the church and theindependent Scientology movement
.
Those who broke away from theofficial church often looked at
Mayo as a figure of inspiration,a man who continued to believe
in the tech even when he nolonger believed in the
institution behind it.
You have to wonder how many ofthose auditing processes still
(43:36):
practiced today have Mayo'sfingerprints all over them.
How much of what Scientologyteaches and uses even now is
built on the work that Mayopoured his heart and soul into.
While the official church maynever acknowledge his legacy,
it's undeniable that Mayo's worklaid the groundwork for much of
(43:58):
what the church holds sacred.
And then there's the Free Zone,that group of independent
Scientologists who continue topractice the tech without the
authoritarian grip of the church.
Many in this movement stillrevere Mayo, viewing him as a
hero who dared to takeScientology's teachings back to
their roots, back to a time whenit wasn't about control or
(44:21):
coercion, but about spiritualgrowth and personal freedom.
His influence lives on in thesecommunities where these
principles he helped develop arestill taught, practiced and
respected.
So we're left with this thought.
David Mayo may have been exiled,his name may have been dragged
through the mud by the church heonce helped to lead, but his
(44:44):
legacy proves that trueinfluence can't be erased.
It lives on in the people hetouched, the processes he
refined and the communities heinspired.
Ultimately, the question isn'twhether David Mayo changed
Scientology because heunquestionably did but whether
(45:04):
Scientology ever fully realizedhow much he left his mark.
Perhaps Mayo's most significantcontribution wasn't just the
auditing processes he helped tobuild, but the courage he showed
in standing up for what hebelieved in, even when it meant
(45:25):
standing alone.
Abraham Aurich (45:26):
And that brings us to the end of today's episode
.
David Mayo's journey throughScientology is one of those rare
, powerful and tragic stories.
This man was once at the veryheart of the organization,
trusted with its most sacredteachings, only to be cast out
and turned into an enemy.
But, as we've seen, hisinfluence didn't just disappear.
(45:47):
Whether in the official churchor in the independent
communities that still practicethe tech today, mayo's legacy
remains.
His story leaves us with a lotto think about, doesn't it?
The power dynamics, the harshreality of what happens when you
defy an institution thatcontrols so much, and yet the
idea that influence realinfluence can transcend that.
(46:09):
It makes you wonder how manymore untold stories there are,
people who played pivotal rolesbut were written out of the
narrative, and maybe that's whyit's so important to keep
talking about these figures likeDavid Mayo, who reminds us that
there's always more beneath thesurface.
I am Abraham Aurich, along withSandi McKenna.
Thank you for joining us onthis episode of Sins of
(46:31):
Scientology.
We hope you found it asintriguing and thought-provoking
as we did.
If you enjoyed this episode,please subscribe, leave a
comment and share it withsomeone you think may be
interested, and don't forget tofollow us on social media for
updates on our next deep diveinto the hidden stories in the
annals of Scientology.
Until then, keep questioning,keep seeking, and may your
(46:55):
journey be as rich andenlightening as the stories you
encounter.
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