The Bridge to Total Freedom, also known as the Classification, Gradation and Awareness Chart, is Scientology's primary action plan and road map to guide a person through the sequential steps to attain Scientology's concept of spiritual freedom.

Hubbard added a series of steps he called "releases" which handled memory, communication, problems, "overts and withholds" (sins, crimes and secrets), upsets, and justifications for failure.

[4][5][2]: 302 The Bridge to Total Freedom is displayed as a large wall chart, printed with red ink on white paper.

Likewise, the far right margin lists extra auditing processes that a Scientologist can do that are not part of the steps up the Bridge.

In the 1965 version of the Bridge, a much less comprehensive chart than is used today, the beginning Scientologist would move up through the "grades" to Clear.

[1]: 101  OT VIII was released to the public in 1988, two years after Hubbard's 1986 death — to be performed only on Scientology's ship Freewinds.

[2]: 126 Since 1986, Church of Scientology leader David Miscavige has dangled the hope of OT IX and X being released in the future, pending certain conditions, which have shifted over time.

[15][9]: 153 [2]: 126–127 Though many Scientologists only ascend the processing side of the Bridge, Hubbard maintained that a person needed to receive auditing and give counseling to another; that 50% of the gains in Scientology were achieved through training as an auditor.

[2]: 67–68 Former Scientologist Mike Rinder writes in his book, "In the scientology world, the carrot of ultimate spiritual enlightenment and happiness keeps the donkeys moving up the Bridge and, of course, paying more money.