Eckankar
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Eckankar(sometimes called the religion of the Light and Sound of God) is one of the many cults in the United States. Eckankar literally means "co-worker with God". Eckankar members are called Eckists or Eck chelas (students). Eckankar was founded in 1965 by Paul Twitchell (also known as Paulji). Eckankar followers believed that he studied under two great Eck masters: Sudar Singh in Paris and India, and an elderly monk Rebekar Tarzs in Tibet. They believe that Paulji received the title of the 971st Eck master from Tarzs in 1965, thus becoming the latest series of masters which is believed to have begun before recorded history. Some of the past masters are known historical figures; most have been solitary practitioners or have taught small groups. Paulji apparently gained additional knowledge from Kirpal Singh, an Eastern Guru who founded the Ruhani Satsang movement. After Paulji's death in 1971, Darwin Gross, the 972nd Eck master became the Mahanta(living manifestation of God) of Eckankar. Sri Harold Klemp became the 973rd Eck master in 1981 and now heads the movement as Mahanta. Eckankar has over 50,000 members in over 100 countries. Their main spiritual center is the Temple of Eck in Chanhassen, MN. They publish a periodical, the Eckankar Journal. Eckankar's use the word Sugmad to refer to the sacred name of God, whom they perceive as neither male or female. An Eck current connects every person with the Heart of Sugmad. it flows from the Creator of the lowest levels of existence and then returns to God. it is often called the Holy Spirit. Eck manifests itself in two forms: An inner sound which is the voice of God calling us homme through a sound of nature or of music, and the inner light which is a beacon to light our way. During spiritual exercises, the light sometimes materializes as "brightness or colors on your inner visual screen." Eckankar believes in the duality of the soul and body. The soul is the inner, most sacred part of the individual. It is external, without beginning or end. i lives only in the present. One's sould can exist and travel seperately from the body and even the mind. A person is believed to be capable of exploring other planes of existence, through Soul Travel. This allows an individual to explore any one of the God worlds. Among the 11 worlds there are 5 lower (psychic or material) and 6 upper (spiritual planes. Each has a regular name, classical name; an associated sound and light; a Temple of Golden Wisdom and a guardian. The lower planes are: The Physical plane which is the coarsest material level; the astral plane which is the source of human emotion, psychic phenomena, ghosts and UFO's; The Causal plane in which memories of previous lives are stored; the mental plane which contains the source of ethics, moral teachings and philosophy; the Etheric plane which is the boundary of the higher worlds and the source of the subconscious and primitive thoughts. before entering spiritual levels, the student discards their mind and continues in their Tuza(soul). Eckankar holds to the concept of karmic accumulation which says that what you do in this life will determine what and where you are in the next. The goal of Eckists is to pay off the accumulated debt of karma through achieving self-realization in the present life. Once this state is reached, at death one will be released from the endless cycles of reincarnation. Eckankar is regarded as its followers as the best (but not the only) path to God-realization. Members of Eckankar generally sing or chant a mantra for 20 to 30 minutes each day. Hu is a common mantra and an ancient name for God and is considered as a love song to God. Various exercises are promoted by the organization such as chanting, contemplation, meditation, singing, trance work and visualization techniques are used to achieve soul travel. Travel during dreams is an area of growing importance in the movement. Dreams are regarded as an important teaching tool; a look into the heavenly worlds. Members are urged to keep a dream journal to facilitate study. Worship services consist of a readings, singing "Hu", silent contemplation and an open discussion. It "may also include music, group singing and talks". Initiations mark an individual's spiritual progress within Eckankar. at the Second Initiation, one makes a personal commitment. At the fifth initiation, one becomes a Mahdis (High Initiate) and a member of the Eck clergy. members who have reached the Second Initiation are urged to conduct a partial full fast each Friday. Eckankar considers abortion, divorce, sexual orientation, and a decision to terminate life to be personal matters. They discourgae the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Many followers are active in a community service. The Eckankar movement use Shariyat-Ki-Sugmand as the Scripture. Paulji also wrote many books which they used including Eckankar, The Key to Secret Worlds, Consciousness, The Key to Life, and Stranger by the River.
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