Laura Prepon, of Orange Is the New Black and That '70s Show, credits a specific source with honing her onscreen chops — and it's not an acting coach. The actress says she has her longtime membership with the Church of Scientology to thank.

Prepon credits the church's "auditing" practice with giving her the power to access emotions that may otherwise be buried. She provided details in an interview with Celebrity Magazine — a publication produced by the church itself, which is probably why she spoke so freely about beliefs and terminology that some non-believers might find, um, odd.

"I feel a lot of the auditing that I’ve had helps me to be willing to go there and be free and vulnerable and really jump into these scenes wholeheartedly," she said (quotes via Defamer). "There are days where it’s like, okay... let’s do this! And you have to drop all of your pre-conceived ideas, or mis-emotions, or being uncomfortable and just go there. It’s so gratifying and fulfilling as an artist to be able to really be there in present time, creating, with no vias." THR translates "vias" as "a Scientology term for communication "via" some physical intermediary, such as communicating via one's mouth."

Prepon continued, "Another thing I really noticed from all the auditing I had was that I can move so freely up and down the Tone Scale. I used to have this funny idea that the higher I went up the Bridge, I wouldn’t be as emotional about stuff. And I was worried because I’m an actress and as an artist, I need to tap into my emotions! What soon started happening was that the higher I went on the Bridge and the more auditing I had, I could move so much more freely on the Tone Scale. My emotions were so much more tangible and easy to access." So true, Laura, so true. Wait. What?

In addition to emotional recovery, Prepon says Scientology has had instilled an ability to calmly respond to situations that send lesser-evolved people into a panic. After sharing a story about a TV shoot gone awry, she attributed her behavior to that ol' church magic: "The fact that I had no irrational counter-emotion or reaction and just went into solution mode, I feel, is definitely a testament to my auditing." I...well..counter-emotions do suck, or at least it sounds bad?

And as for her work-(Scientology) life balance...well...let's just leave this quote right here: "It’s my job and it’s very important to me, but, when I have huge wins in session, and when you really cognate that you are a thetan and you have a mind and body, and that the MEST universe does not control you—it puts things into perspective. It takes the weight off you and things become very easy."

Going Clear, HBO's 2015 documentary based on the Lawrence Wright book of the same name, gave viewers an illuminating and often unnerving look at the Church of Scientology. The (highly recommended) film portrays it as a corrupt, untaxed business masquerading as a religion, founded by a self-styled guru and currently run by a leader who allegedly punishes those who speak ill against the church. While it's easy to dismiss virtually any religion's beliefs ("and then he came back to life after three days!"), it's especially tough to swallow the idea that you must eliminate evil "thetan"-derived spirits from your soul with the help of costly classes.

Would you consider auditing, given Prepon's dazzling portrayal of Alex on OITNB? Let us know in the comments.

While celebrities such as Leah Remini have disavowed the religion,

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