In Scientology, the concept of thetan (/ˈθeɪtən/THAY-tən) is similar to the concept of spirit or soul found in other belief systems. The term is derived from the Greek letter theta, which in Scientology represents "the source of life, or life itself." In Scientology it is believed that it is the thetan, not the Central Nervous System, which commands the body through communication points.
Thetans have been described in the Church of Scientology in a number of ways.
- A "thetan is an immortal spiritual being; the human soul."
- "The being who is the individual and who handles and lives in the body."
- "A thetan is not a thing, a thetan is the creator of things."
- A thetan is "the person himself — not his body or his name, the physical universe, his mind, or anything else; that which is aware of being aware; the identity which is the individual. The thetan is most familiar to one and all as you."
Read more about Thetan: Thetan in Scientology Doctrine, Thetans and Death, Operating Thetan, Cleared Theta Clear, Body Thetan