These excersises which are split into two parts form the very basics of Scientology. They are used in this exact same form in a variety of settings including their notorious 'Narconon' Drug Rehab facilities.

From the one size fits all "Success In Communication" course right through to the highest levels, many Scientology 'Course Packs' refer to these "Training Routines" (TR's) which must be undertaken along with other even more absurd tutorials to pass various tests. One such activity is Word Clearing, which is also part of the subtle brainwashing

Lower TRs

These TRs, numbered 0-4, emphasize Scientology's "cycle of communication."

OT TR-0 (Part 1): Operating Thetan Confronting

Two students sit facing each other with their eyes closed. The routine ends when both students can sit for an extended period without movement or drowsiness.

TR-0 (Part 2): Confronting

In the first exercise, a student and coach face each other with eyes open. The routine ends when the student can confront the coach for at least two hours without movement, excessive blinking, or loss of attention.

This mind numbing excersise usually causes halucinations, makes the student to more readily accept ridiculous orders and carry them out.

TR-0 (Part 3): Bullbait

The second exercise is the same, except that the coach tries to distract the student both verbally and physically.
The coach says things to the student to try to provoke a reaction. The coach may say or do anything except leaving the chair. The student must be able to sit and watch the coach without getting distracted or reacting in any way. If he does, the coach flunks him and the TR starts over. The coach will attempt to find the student's "buttons" (things that cause a reaction). The stated purpose of this TR is to train the student to be there in a communication situation without getting distracted.

This excersise is clearly preparing the student for a situation where they can maintain silence during a police interview - despite the best efforts of the police.

TR-1: Dear Alice

The student reads several lines from Alice in Wonderland to the coach as if saying them himself. The coach either acknowledges the line or flunks the student according to whether the line is communicated clearly.

This excersise is being done to accustom the student to the Scientology practice of "Ack" wich is a Hubbard shortening of the word 'Acknowledge' - which becomes a command - to stop talking.

TR-2: Acknowledgements

The coach reads the student lines from Alice in Wonderland in a reversal of TR-1. The student must acknowledge each line so as to clearly end the cycle of communication.

This extension of the same routine is being taught so that a student learns how to stop someone from speaking further, This is particularly useful to Scientologists as they use this method to stop anyone telling them the truth about their new 'church'. It is an adult version of LaLaLa I'm Not Listening

TR-3: Duplicative question

The student repeatedly asks the coach, "Do birds fly?" or "Do fish swim?" If the coach answers the question, the student acknowledges the answer. If the coach says anything else, the student advises the coach that he will repeat the question, and then does so.

This particular routine can go on for many hours, by the end of which the student feels such relief that they have been able to complete the excersise they experience an emotional reward - for maintaing mental focus through such repeatitious and otherwise pointless task. They are being conditioned - there is only one acceptible answer and they will learn to obey and give that answer. This excersise and the next have particular bearing upon and prepares the student for another Scientology activity - "Auditing"

TR-4: Originations

The student repeatedly asks the coach a question as in TR-3. If the coach originates a statement unrelated to the question, the student handles the origination as needed and then continues the routine.

Originations - in Scientology terminology means anything that was not asked/demanded/commanded. A student must learn that the only answer they may give in a Scientology situation is the one being demanded - obedience brainwashing.

Upper Indoc TRs

These TRs, numbered 6-9, emphasize the student's ability to control people and situations.

TR-6: Body Control

The student moves the coach's body around a room. In the first half of the routine the student "steers" the (willing) coach by silent actions. In the second half, the student uses verbal commands such as "Walk over to that wall." Each successful verbal command must be acknowledged in a loud clear voice "Thank You!"

These "Upper Indoc(trination) TR's" is designed to reinforce Scientology's line on the student, that as Scientologists they are joining the controlling class. A fully trained Scientologist is led to believe that they have somehow evolved from Homo Sapien into a new species - "Homo Novis" (New Man)

TR-7: High School Indoc

This routine is similar to TR-6, except that the coach resists the student verbally and physically (unwilling). The student may use physical contact to enforce a command. The routine continues until the student can fully control the coach despite attempts to stop control.

TR-8: Tone 40 on an Object

The student repeatedly commands an ashtray to stand up and sit down, acknowledging each action. Although the student holds the ashtray throughout the exercise, the goal is to cause the ashtray to move purely by tone 40 intention.

Shouting at the ashtray is one of the more absurd Training Routines, however the student is actively encouraged to do this and sometimes group pressure / rewards are used to make a student take part in something so ridiculous. The real purpose of this however is to 'sell' the lie that with enough Scientology training -anyone can make the ashtray move by the power of their mind alone.

TR-9: Tone 40 on a Person

As in TR-6, the student moves the coach around a room with verbal commands. The coach resists, and the student must use a combination of smooth physical control and unspoken intention to make the coach obey. The routine continues until the student can maintain exact intention despite resistance.