INSIDE EDITION talks to a former high-ranking Scientologist, who says Tom Cruise uses a mechanical device to talk to spirits.
It's a rare look at the machine some say is at the core of Scientology. It's called an E-meter, short for electropsychometer.
Karen de la Carriere is lifting the veil of secrecy over one of the controversial church's great secrets. She used to be such a high level in the Church of Scientology, she could be compared to a cardinal in the Catholic church. Her ex-husband once served as president of the church.
Scientology's website calls the E-meter a "religious artifact" and warns "it is for use only by a Scientology minister or a Scientology minister-in-training."
De la Carriere told INSIDE EDITION, "This is mandatory to be done several times a day. There is no power of choice there."
De la Carriere says Tom Cruise would be required to use a machine just like it several times a day, to telepathically contact spirits.
"He would be holding the cans, doing the breath tests. And say, 'This is the session,' " said de la Carriere.
She says Scientologists believe that when the needle moves all the way to the right, it signals communication with a spirit.
"Telepathically, you would get the answer, 'I am a lion. I am three lions in the arena. I am a gladiator,' " said de la Carriere.
On the internet, INSIDE EDITION found a photo of another famous Scientologist, a young John Travolta, using the device.
And get this—we actually found E-meters for sale on eBay costing anywhere from $20 to $25,000!
Tom Cruise has always had a deep interest in religion and spirituality. A rare photo shows him in seminary school when he was 14 studying to become a Catholic priest. And his daily routine back then couldn't have been more different than his life now as a movie star.
Michael Daly of theDailyBeast told INSIDE EDITION, "He got up at dawn. Said his morning prayers, went to mass, and studied very hard."
