Scientology is a movement that has its base belief on the fact that man is a spiritual being. Man- the spiritual being is referred to as the thetan. This term is from the Greek letter theta which means thought, life or the spirit. So, scientology defines the thetan as one who has a mind and occupies a body. Thetan is used to refer to man in other to avoid its confusion with the soul.
Scientology also has a view of life as compartmentalized into urges or drives toward survival. These urges, which are called The Dynamics are numbered eight in all.
The first Dynamic : also called the self-dynamic. It is the urge toward existence as one’s self.
The Second Dynamic : the second dynamic is also referred to as the Sex Dynamic. It is the drive one has toward existence as a sexual activity. Second Dynamic has two divisions or parts; the sexual act itself, and two; the family unit which includes rearing of children.
The Third dynamic : this can be called the Group Dynamic and is the desire or drive towards existence in groups of individuals. Any group or part of a larger class is considered a part of the Third Dynamic. Examples include the school, society, and even the nation.
The Fourth Dynamic : it is the drive toward existence as or of Mankind. While one’s race would be considered a Third Dynamic, all the races would be considered the Fourth Dynamic. The Fourth Dynamic is called the Mankind Dynamic.
The Fifth Dynamic : This is also called Animal Dynamic. It is the drive toward the existence of the animal kingdom. This includes all living things, whether vegetable or animal, the fish in the sea, the beasts of the field, grass, trees, flowers or anything directly and intimately motivated by life.
The Sixth Dynamic : This can also be called the Universe Dynamic. It is the drive toward existence of the physical universe. The physical universe is composed of Matter, Energy, Space and Time.
The Seventh Dynamic : This is called the Spiritual Dynamic. The drive toward existence as or of spirits is considered the Seventh Dynamic. Anything spiritual, with or without identity, is called the Seventh Dynamic.
The eighth Dynamic : is the drive toward existence as infinity. This is also identified as the Supreme Being. This is called the Eighth Dynamic because the symbol of infinity, ∞, stood upright makes the numeral 8. This can also be called the Infinity or God Dynamic.
The eight dynamics are represented as a series of concentric circles starting from with the First Dynamic. The centre is the First Dynamic and every other dynamic forms successive circles outside it.
The individual is expected to include in his ability the opportunity to expand into other dynamics, however, one can only discover the eighth Dynamic after having expanded the first seven dynamics
A manifestation of these dynamics is that they could best be represented as a series of concentric circles, wherein the First Dynamic would be the centre and each new dynamic would be successively a circle outside it. The idea of space expanding enters into these dynamics.