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              |  | A Roller-coaster ride is known from amusement parks. A PTS
 is known to get better then
 worse. Better then worse. His
 case is on a Roller-coaster.
 |  What is PTS A Potential Trouble Source (PTS) is a specific case
      condition or type of case. A person or preclear who gets
      better, then worse is said to "Roller-Coaster". This happens
      only when the PTS person is connected to a person hostile or antagonistic
      to him or her or to what the PTS person is doing. It can be an individual
      or a group expressing this hostility and disapproval. Such a person or
      group is called an Antagonistic Terminal (AT). If such a relationship or
      condition exists it is the first thing to do something about. We know a pc
      will not make gains over a Present Time Problem. If a PTS situation exists
      it is a Present Time Problem of magnitude and the only thing that should
      be addressed until handled. It must be handled for the pc in order to
      stabilize him or her. And it must be handled to some degree before any
      auditing is attempted as no permanent gains or benefits can be achieved
      over such a problem.  After such a situation is handled to some
      extent by instructing and coaching the pc on how to deal with it and have
      him do something about it, the pc should be audited on it. And he
      must, in order to make permanent gains from processing, only receive
      processing intended to handle such a condition until handled.   
        
        
          
            
              |  |  |  A PTS has a Present Time Problem of magnitude. On
 the other side of the problem
 is an Antagonistic Terminal.
 This problem has to be
 handled in the physical
 universe before the pc can
 benefit from auditing or even
 enjoy life and prosper.
 |    So a Potential Trouble Source (PTS) is
      somebody who is connected to an Antagonistic Person (AT), who is
      invalidating him, his beingness, his processing, his life. It means the
      case is going to go up and fall down. He's a trouble source because he's
      going to get upset. He's a trouble source because he's going to make
      trouble. And he's trouble for the auditor and he's trouble for people
      around him and he's trouble for himself. He is connected to a person or
      group opposed to him or processing or what he does in life. It is a
      technical thing. It results in illness and roller-coaster and is the cause
      of illness and roller-coaster.
 Handling PTS Conditions
 PTS situations can come about at any time. It can happen while a person is
      being audited or it can happen in daily life. For a pc receiving auditing
      or service it is a top priority to address and handle it right away. It
      has to be done competently to get the person back on his feet and back in
      auditing or training. Many pc's new to ST need a PTS handling as one of
      their first actions.
 Auditing or training must not be done or continued over an unhandled PTS
      situation. It would cause any processing or study to be done under the
      heavy stress from the antagonism or suppression.
 When you see such a situation you do not just go on hoping or try to
      ignore it. You have to look at it head on and handle it. Handling
      PTS situations is not difficult. There is no excuse for not doing it. The
      data and steps below lay out the many different handlings which can be
      used to bring about a full resolution of all PTSness in all pcs.
   
        
        
          
            
              | 
 | Educating the PTS is an important first step as she is
 often the last one to suspect
 it. She may not be ready
 to accept the facts without
 a good explanation.
 |    EducationA person who has become PTS is often the last person to suspect it. He or
      she may have become PTS in a stressed situation and it is often a
      temporary condition. Sometimes his condition is very light. But he may
      also have been PTS for a long time and gotten so used to it so 'that's
      life' to him. Whatever the case may be the first step is to educate the
      person in the subject.
 
 PTS Basic Definitions
 The PTS Basic Definitions, given in this section,  must be done
      before any other PTS handling is done.
 Clearing the basic ideas and concepts prepares a person enough to
      understand his own PTS situation and the mechanisms involved. This is an
      important first step and it is always done.
 PTS InterviewOnce the pc has been educated in the basic definitions a metered PTS
      interview can be done. The pc can also be given a "PTS Assist".
      This is usually done on a Meter by an auditor in session or another
      knowledgeable person (but it don't have to be metered). In most cases such
      an Assist will help the person to spot the antagonistic or suppressive
      element. Once the AT is found the potential trouble source can be assisted
      in working out a handling for that terminal. If it is not a terminal the
      pc depends on the simplest handling can be to cease contact. If the PTS
      person depends upon that terminal a handling should be worked out. There
      are a lot of data written on this subject, including chapters in the books
      "Introduction to Scn Ethics" and "Volunteers Minister's
      Handbook". In this manual we concentrate on the auditing side and
      will have to refer the student to these books to get an in-depth coverage
      of it. If the AT cannot easily be found the pc may have more 'case'
      related to the situation or condition. There are different categories of
      PTS situations. In the simplest form the pc is under attack in present
      time from a source that easily can be found. This is called PTS Type One
      (or Type A). A not uncommon situation is PTS Type Two. Here the condition
      depends on a past PTS situation being restimulated by present dangers or
      persons. This need to be addressed by a qualified auditor with actions
      like the Audited PTS RD.
 Suppression and EnthetaAntagonistic persons usually use and speak entheta. Entheta
      means Enturbulated thought or life; this is especially destructive
      communications based on lies and wanting to spread confusion in an attempt
      to overwhelm or suppress the PTS person. Entheta has no power in itself
      but feed on theta in a parasitic fashion.
 This is an important datum as it is often the PTS person that
      "feeds" the suppressive terminal. Thus by working with the PTS
      person you can find out what he or she is doing to fuel the situation and
      have him change that. In some instances disconnection is the only workable
      option. You cut the feed-line completely and the entheta will stop.
 Physical
      Universe HandlingOnce an antagonistic terminal has been located a handling is done. This is
      done outside session, usually by a so-called Ethics Officer. To handle the
      pc's Present Time Problem takes physical action. We had the definition of
      a PTP as: "A specific problem that exists in the physical universe
      now, on which a person has his attention fixed. This can be practical
      matters he feels he ought to do something about right away. Any set of
      circumstances that occupies the pc's attention so he feels he should do
      something about it instead of being audited". This is exactly what
      you have in a PTS situation. And the way to go about it is to do something
      about it. Such a handling  should move the PTS person from being
      effect of the situation to a point where he can take a bit of
      responsibility for it. He is gradually moved towards being cause over the
      situation. This handling can include writing letters, making phone calls,
      handle whatever he is continuously being attacked for or simply tell him
      to make up his mind about something and act on it - whatever it takes to
      get the result.  The handling and course of action depend on the
      person and the situation.
 A "good roads, good weather-approach" to the antagonistic
      terminal is usually what is needed. The handling must be understood and accepted by the
      PTS person and the person assisting him must be focused on putting the PTS
      at cause step by step.
 Handling may include coaching him along and
      look for things that brought about  the PTS condition in the first
      place. Did the pc antagonize the AT in some way out of  lack of
      concern or rudeness?  Did he mis-apply any basic data, such as ARC
      and the tone scale? Such factors should be looked into and the PTS person
      instructed accordingly. Often simple measures and good
      manners,  'Good
      Roads and Fair Weather'  will go a long way. Also 'Living
      with Right and Wrong'  can be useful.
       It will often be found, that a PTS situation exists
      between the pc and his or her parents. The situation can be due to the
      pc's rebelliousness or the parents lack of understanding and respect of
      the pc as an independent individual. They may 'have other plans' for the
      pc than what is right for him or her to do. There are a lot to be said for
      a person skilled in handling PTS situations, but we will have to refer the
      student to the above mentioned books for in-depth data. 
 
  
       
        
        
          
            
              |  | The handling is best done with a written program. The pc is given
 a step-by-step write up. It includes
 things to read, phone calls and letters
 to do; drilling in handling her situation
 and actually doing that for real.
 |  ProgramThe PTS handling is best done with a written program. When the PTS person
      has been interviewed and the matters and situation discussed, the Ethics
      Officer or handler should write a step by step program for the PTS person
      to do. It may contain things to read, things to drill, and things to do.
      It is a good idea to drill the PTS person on how to handle the situation
      in a practical sense. You simply run the person through what to say and
      how to act in relationship to the AT and correct anything that would make
      the situation worse.
 Example:  The following is based
      on a real case story. You want to coach the pc from effect to being cause.
      When the PTS person starts to become more cause over the situation the
      whole thing tends to cool off. The communication formula is "Cause -
      Distance - Effect" in its simplest form. We once handled a young
      woman being PTS to her mother. The daughter was living and working in
      another country now. She had these long phone conversations with the
      mother, the antagonistic person (AT). Not only was the mother giving her
      daughter a hard time, the calls were also expensive. We instructed and
      drilled the PTS person in what basically amounted to TR-2 and TR-4,
      acknowledgment and handling originations. This was after listening in on
      one conversation, where the daughter got very upset and apparently the
      mother went on and on. The AT mother was basically trying to get the
      daughter not to study or do ST nor receive auditing. Her mother was used
      to run her daughter's life and the present situation upset her. So we
      drilled the daughter in handling this kind of criticism and attempts of
      dominating control. An important point was simply acknowledgment. There
      were several more steps, of course, but this was really the one little
      thing that turned it around. The next time she talked to her mother the
      daughter just did what she had drilled. She listened and acknowledged with
      little comment. The comments she did make were well prepared and
      drilled. After all, each phone conversation was not much different from
      the previous so responses could be worked out beforehand. When you give an
      acknowledgment you are occupying the Cause end of the comm formula, you
      see. You are controlling the other person's comm to an extent. Not only
      was the daughter's phone bill only a fraction of the previous ones - which
      all by itself gave her some relief - she also realized she could do something
      about her mother without having to generate more antagonism. She realized
      she could control her mother's communication and not only be at Effect but
      also at Cause. It may not always be that simple. Yet, beginning
      steps are usually best tackled with a light approach. You are starting to resolve the situation.  If the situation does not seem to resolve with
      physical handlings alone the PTS person may need an Audited PTS program.
      There may exist a PTS Type Two situation, where the real problem is
      restimulation and the actual source and incidents behind are unknown to
      the pc. There exists a line-up of  techniques and Rundowns, designed
      to handle that: RudimentsFlying rudiments and overts on four flows on the antagonistic terminal is
      often done to "get the ruds in" and enable the pc to better
      confront the PTS situation he is faced with. This would of course only be
      done in session by a qualified auditor. The commands for this can be found
      as part of the audited PTS RD. This step can be done when the full PTS RD
      seems like an over-kill.
 The PTS RundownThe Audited PTS Rundown is done on preclears who have had successful PTS
      handlings, but is found to get sick or roller-coaster at a later time. Pc
      becomes ill, slumps after making gains, or continues to find 
      additional terminals they are PTS to. Obviously there is more work to be
      done.
 The PTS Rundown handles a pc's PTSness in more depth and is run to the end
      phenomena of a pc who is getting and keeping case gains and never again
      roller-coasters.
 
 Suppressed Person RundownThis Rundown is simple, yet very effective. It can be done with great
      success on all PTS persons of any case level, from those just beginning
      their first auditing to Clears and above.
 The end phenomena of this RD is a surprising - miraculous you could say -
      re-establishing of communication between the AT and the PTS. At some point
      of the RD the Antagonistic Terminal  will actually 
      originate such a communication to the pc.
 Rest and QuietThere is such a condition as a PTS Type Three situation. In daily language
      this is called a nervous breakdown or a psychotic break. The person has
      been totally overwhelmed by the antagonism, hostility and evil intentions
      he or she is subject to. If this should happen to a person in your care or
      happen to a person you know, the best thing to provide is rest, quiet, and
      a safe environment. The thing not to do is to run to the pharmacy
      to get 'nerve tablets' or any other drugs. Drugs may cover up the
      symptoms, but it is not a cure. To remove sources of restimulation from
      the environment is the best first aid. You may have to remove the person
      from where he or she lives as persons around and the environment keeps him
      restimulated. The real reason for the Type Three condition is however
      heavy BPC on terminals located in the PTS person's Bank but having to do
      with suppression.
 A  PTS Type Two condition exists, when the AT
      in the environment is only the apparent suppressive person (SP) or
      antagonistic terminal (AT). On the pc's track there will be a real
      suppressive person, unknown to the pc, that some time in the past created
      such a chaos and threat, that the pc has it in restimulation all the time. 
      That is why it has to be found in auditing. The real source of suppression
      is not in the pc's present environment or an associate - even when the pc
      feels and thinks it is. This can be handled with the PTS RD. This is
      relatively easy to handle when caught in time. When we talk about a PTS Type Three situation we
      are talking about a severe and acute restimulation of a Type Two
      condition. The apparent AT and the SP's on the pc's track are suddenly
      spread all over the world. Any contact with any human can set this
      restimulation off. It's a total A=A=A in action on any human being. It can
      include more than all the people in the world. The person may sometimes
      include ghosts or demons and  imaginary  beings as well. Peace
      and quiet is the best first aid. Healthy food, safe environment, big solid
      objects to touch. Gentle care and minimal 'treatment' of any kind.
      Eventually the thing will destimulate and key out. When the person feels
      stable and well enough the pc can be given light touch auditing and
      eventually be run on a PTS RD which is the real cure. In dealing with PTS
      Type Three any assignments and therapy should be done observing the effect
      scale.   (Note: We use the term Antagonistic
      Terminal as the type of terminal a person goes effect to (PTS). It wasn't
      defined clearly this way until 1978 in the Suppressed Person RD. Quote: "...an
      antagonistic terminal... Where this terminal was antagonistic,
      invalidative, hostile or downright suppressive, he will suddenly have a
      change of heart and seek to make peace with the PTS pc."The term Suppressive Person (SP) was the original term used for the
      person the PTS goes effect to. It was defined by R. Hubbard as an
      anti-social personality (1965) or what in psychiatry is called a
      'psychopath' and in popular culture, the villain - somebody operating on
      evil purposes. But at some point in Scn it became practice to declare
      critics, opponents and 'political dissidents' for 'SP'. This eroded the
      term for technical meaning, clarity and usefulness as it now simply meant
      a 'bad guy'.  In ST we still use the term 'SP' in a narrow technical
      sense (as originally defined), when called for, as they do exist. But our
      general term is Antagonistic Terminal (AT) as it is used in Suppressed
      Person RD.
 It also became clear over the years
      (between 1965 when 'SP' was first defined and 1971 when the Audited PTS RD
      first came out) that the "SP/PTS tech" had a much broader
      application than just handling the bad influences of true SP's on the pc. We
      have elevated the use of Antagonistic Terminal as a new technical term for
      what we have actually been handling all along. As most PTS situations
      have to do with all kinds of antagonism and confrontational situations and
      only occasionally true SP's, we call such persons or groups for
      Antagonistic Terminals and use the abbreviation AT for such terminals. The
      technology in this area we simply call PTS technology (not SP/PTS
      technology). The pc can go PTS and this is the tech for handling that. The
      focus is the pc. The true SP is outside the realm of individual
      practitioners to deal with and remains 'the villain'. It may be possible
      to develop institutions that can deal with these types of cases based on
      the technology (clinical tests for diagnosis do not exist at this time.
      Only production records seem to give a somewhat reliable clue). But such
      projects would have to be very well funded and have solid back-up from the
      medical profession before they should be undertaken.     |