Eckankar
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- "ECK" (note capitals) redirects here. "Eck" was also a nickname for former pitcher Dennis Eckersley.
Eckankar, Religion of the Light and Sound of God emphasizes the value of personal experiences as the most natural way back to God. The current spiritual leader of Eckankar (since October 1981) is Sri Harold Klemp.
The teaching states that Eckists (students of Eckankar; also called chelas) must prove the veracity of the path for themselves, and gives specific Spiritual Exercises that teach individuals to leave their body, and journey into what is known as the "higher planes." Eckists believe it is possible to achieve self-realization and God-realization in this lifetime, and recommend that there is no better time than the present moment to experience God's divine love. The final spiritual goal of all Eckists is to become conscious co-workers with God.
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[edit] Teachings
Eckankar teaches that spiritual experience and spiritual liberation in this lifetime are available to all by actively exploring the spiritual worlds through Soul Travel [1], dreams [2], and other spiritual techniques. Eckankar's belief is that Soul is eternal and is the individual's true identity, not the body or the mind. You are Soul; you exist because God loves you. You are on a journey of Self-Realization and God-Realization. ECKists believe that giving love, offering service, assisting with the teaching or even just offering their life as an example to others are ways to increase their contact with God’s love.
The term ECK (as in ECK-ankar) means "One". Eckankar uses the term ECK for what Christians commonly call the Holy Spirit. The teaching states that this "spirit" can be experienced as spiritual Light and Sound [3] These twin aspects of God we can experience personally. Known in Eckankar as the ECK [4], this audible stream of life has been described in all religious texts. In the beginning there was the "word", for example. In the Vedic Scripts, it is called Shabda or the Bani, and all major religions at some point refer to these aspects of Spirit, the Light and Sound. EG: "In the beginning there was the Word"
Eckankar teaches a student (chela) how to recognize the Light and Sound of God through the use of spiritual exercises. It also teaches ways to experience the Light and Sound of God. Karma and reincarnation are primary beliefs in Eckankar. The ECK (Holy Spirit) helps purify oneself of karma, making it possible to accept the full love of God in this lifetime, gaining wisdom, charity, and freedom.
Spiritual unfoldment can be accelerated through conscious contact with the ECK, Divine Spirit. This contact can be made via the Spiritual Exercises of ECK [5]and the inner and outer guidance of the Living ECK Master. A friend and guide, the Living ECK Master's spiritual purpose is to link Soul to the Light and Sound of God; Eckankar always has a Living ECK Master.
The aspect of the Student creating their OWN connection with the Divine is strongly emphasised. Personal responsibility, personal effort, personal interaction with the Divine are all stressed and dependance on outer authority is downplayed. Paradoxically, there are sets of guidelines for behaviour within the teaching.
Be that as it may, the Light and Sound of God are the cornerstones of the teaching. These twin aspects are said to be something any individual can experience personally. It is claimed that an individual can also learn to consciously lift themselves out of their body and experience what Saint Paul called the "Third Heaven" and beyond by tuning into these two aspects of Spirit.
How does an individual train themselves to "rise out of the body"? One important spiritual exercise of Eckankar is the singing or chanting of HU. The HU has been used in the Sufi traditions and other paths, and is seen to be a "love song to God". See [6]—pronounced "hue," and sung gently over and over for about 20 minutes. Eckists sing it alone or in groups during worship services, seminars, and Satsang (classes) (hear an example) for spiritual upliftment. Another aspect of Eckankar is the teaching of spiritual exercises to learn Soul Travel. This purportedly allows the Chela to step back from the overwhelming input of the physical senses and emotions and regain the Soul's spiritual viewpoint.
The Master is not Worshipped:
Unlike many other teachings, Eckankar states that the Master in Eckankar is not someone to be worshipped or idolized, but used as a role model or stepping stone to achieving the enlightened state within oneself. A principle of the teaching is to teach each individual to lift themselves in consciousness until they are a Master unto themselves.
A goal of Eckists is to work off karma and achieve Self-Realization and God-realization in this lifetime. The stated goal on the back of every membership card reads: "The aim and purpose of Eckankar has always been to take Soul by Its own path back to its divine source." –The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, Book Two.
Dreams are regarded as an important teaching tool. Members are urged to keep a dream journal to facilitate study. It is said that a person can become capable of exploring other planes of existence, through Dreams or Soul Travel.
Initiations
Members in Eckankar receive monthly discourses and a quarterly newsletter. The donation is optional. Any fees or donations go towards the cost of printing materials, furthering the missionary (or Vahana) work, and towards conference planning and other activities. During the first two years of study, members are referred to as "First Initiates." After this, a student is allowed to receive the Second Initiation, both as part of the physical organization and also, it is hoped, he will begin to attune himself to the Light and Sound through inner initiations. Further initiations, occurring at different points throughout the Eckists life (approximately every four to six years) also have inner and outer expressions. Members of the ECK Clergy are considered High Initiates (or "H.I's") and have devoted themselves to the teachings of the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master.
[edit] Origins
Eckankar began as a formal religion circa 1965. Their headquarters, main Temple [7] and spiritual campus are in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
The origin of Eckankar, according to its followers, is timeless. Images relating to the "EK" symbol used by present day Eckankar have been found in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece.[citation needed] A 1930's book set in the pre-dynastic period of Egypt "The Winged Pharaoh" by Joan Grant does mention a teaching similar to present day Eckankar.
"Out Of Body" experience (known in Eckankar as "Soul Travel") is not new to the world's religions. In Christianity, for example, the Apostle Paul claims, "I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know." (2 Cor. 12:2) Biblical scholars write the "person in Christ" is most likely Paul himself.[citation needed] The language suggests an ecstatic experience, in which he was taken out of the body. The books of Eckankar contain a good deal of information about historical spirituality, and current practice, in addition to its teachings on dreams and soul travel. The present leader, Sri Harold Klemp, has written extensively about Eckankar and recommends books by Paul Twitchell, the late founder (books like Stranger by the River, The Flute of God, and ECKANKAR - The Key to Secret Worlds). Mr. Klemp also refers students to many "outside" sources, including alternative health practices and education. Many of Eckankar's Chelas have also written commentaries and books on the faith.
According to various biographies, Eckankar founder Paul Twitchell studied many of the world's religions. Paul Twitchell reportedly read over 30,000 books on spiritual and other topics and was a prolific writer. In Eckankar, he brought together [8] many teachings that he felt were most important for the development of Soul. After Twitchell, Darwin Gross was the leader for 10 years until he appointed Harold Klemp in October 1981.
[edit] Current status
Eckankar has an active membership base [9] in over one hundred countries throughout the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa. [10]. According to a 2001 survey of 50,000 Americans, there were an estimated 26,000 American Eckists in 2001 and an estimated 36,700 American Eckists in 2004.[1]
Seminars are held worldwide throughout the year, with attendance ranging up to 10,000 participants. Worldwide estimates varying from 50,000 - 500,000 and up [11]. Eckankar does not publish their own membership figures.
Eckankar's 50,000 square foot main "Temple of ECK" [12] was dedicated in Chanhassen, Minnesota on October 22, 1990. As of late 2005, the largest capacity Eckankar Temple was in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, Africa, with a capacity of 10,000.
Eckankar dozens of books, videos, CDs, and tapes on a variety of spiritual topics. Membership is based on a suggested donation: members receive discourses they are invited to study at home or in the company of other members in Eckankar Satsang classes. Eckankar does not attempt to convert individuals to their religion. They do, however, advertise their presence and distribute literature to interested persons.
Hotels that house Eckankar functions generally speak well of the attendees. There is no practice of a uniform dress code, but Eckists strive neither to smoke nor drink, and these teachings appear to have attracted individuals from all levels of society.
Recently, there has been an increase of membership in Africa, and a large temple houses some 10,000 members at their yearly gathering. Eckankar centers are located in almost every capital city in the world, and are staffed by volunteer workers.
[edit] Ceremonies and Rites
In addition to frequent gatherings in which members sing or chant HU, which they believe is a "love song to God," the following are also experienced during an Eckists life:
ECK Consecration Ceremony: Celebrating the entrance of the young and infant into Eckankar, and new life in the Light and Sound of God.
ECK Rite of Passage: Celebrating the passage from youth into adulthood. Usually around thirteen.
ECK Wedding Ceremony: Celebrating the marriage bond as two Eckists commit their lives to one another before God.
ECK Memorial Service: Honors the journey of Soul and welcomes It into the worlds beyond the physical.
Eckists celebrate a spiritual new year on October 22nd, as well as "Founder's Day" on September 17th.
[edit] ECK masters
ECKists believe contact with Divine Spirit, which they call the ECK [13], can be made via the Spiritual Exercises of ECK and the guidance of the Living ECK Master. Eckists believe the greatest spiritual advancement is gained through service to God. Those most spiritually advanced, the ECK masters, are here to serve all life irrespective of religious belief or bodily form. However, ECK masters will not interfere in the sacred state of consciousness of another being without their permission [14].
In the teachings of Eckankar these Masters are of intimate importance:
Kata Daki: An ECK Master in the Ancient Order of Vairagi Adepts (Eckankar teaches all Masters are from thie Order). Although her true age is beyond belief, she appears to be in her midtwenties to early thirties. She is five and a half feet tall. Her light brown (honey-blond) hair often falls to her shoulders, but she changes hairstyles to fit her duties. She enjoys helping people get back on their feet during hardship.
Gopal Das: The Mahanta, the Living ECK Master in Egypt, 3000 B.C., who founded the mystery cults of Osiris and Isis; the guardian of the fourth section of the Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad on the Astral Plane; he teaches at the Temple of Golden Wisdom there. Gopal Das is often described as having the physical appearance of Jesus Christ.
Rebazar Tarzs: The torchbearer of Eckankar in the lower worlds; the spiritual teacher of many ECK Masters including Peddar Zaskq, or Paul Twitchell, to whom he handed the Rod of ECK Power in 1965; said to be over five hundred years old, Rebazar Tarzs lives in a hut in the Hindu Kush mountains and appears to many as he helps the present Living ECK Master in the works of Eckankar.
Rami Nuri: The ECK Master who is the guardian of the holy book, the Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, on the Pinda Lok, the physical world, at the House of Moksha, Temple of Golden Wisdom in the city of Retz, Venus. The letter M appears on his forehead. He served as the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master.
[edit] Splinter groups
Some splinter groups, such as ATOM, and John Roger's MSIA, have separated from the main body of the Eckankar. MSIA became known during the 1970's by distributing free "Smiley" stickers and cards with happy messages to people on the street. Roger's teaching is certainly similar, and while he acknowledges he was a student of Paul Twitchell, he denies any further connection.
As is common with most religions throughout history, including Christianity and others, some followers have opted to start their own religions and organizations.
The current leader of Eckankar has stated that members should feel free to leave Eckankar unbounded by guilt or fear.
Discussions about plagiarism including the views for and against have been outlined by long standing member, Doug Marman.[2] (Dialogues in the Age of Criticism)
[edit] Criticism
Eckankar has been labeled as a cult by some critics, including those who have started their own religions and seek to recruit followers of their own.
On the introductory level Eckankar states that spiritual truth is not the possession of a single person or group, and that the many paths all lead to the same goal. This is contrary to some religions that claim to be the only true path to heaven or any sort of positive/divine afterlife. It is clear, however, that the teaching does regard itself as having benefits above and beyond other paths, and states that Eckankar is the most direct path to Self and God realization. However, it is stated many time in the Eckankar book, "Shariyat Ki Sugmad", that the living Eck Master is the only way to heaven.
Critics contend that by valuing direct personal spiritual experience over thought and analysis, Eckankar may be discouraging independent thinking. Eckists are encouraged to doubt the teaching, and test it for themselves prior to joining. There is a 2 year qualification period to this end, after which an individual may apply for what is called the "Second Initiation." This initiation is the official starting point of the Eckist. At this point, ideally, the Eckist is spiritually attuned to the Light and Sound of God.
Alternate views
- [15] Former Eck Clergyman Ford Johnson's views
- Eckankar, A Spiritual Hoax Webpage of a former Eckankar High Initiate
Marman, Doug: "Dialogue in the Age of Criticism" A dialogue evolved from Plagiarism claims and discussions on alt.religion.eckankar newsgroup.Little Known Pubs
Lane, David C: "The Making of a Spiritual Movement: The Untold Story of Paul Twitchell and Eckankar" [16]
[edit] References
- ^ Adherents.com: Top Twenty Religions in the United States, 2001
- ^ http://www.littleknownpubs.com "Dialogue in the Age of Criticism" Accessed September 21, 2006
[edit] External links
[edit] Official
- ECKANKAR, Religion of the Light and Sound of God Official Main Site
- Overview of Eckankar and its teachings By Eckankar (PDF)
- The Spiritual Exercise of singing HU HU, an ancient spiritual practice and name for God
- ECKANKAR—Ancient Wisdom for Today book
[edit] General reference
- Eckankar ReligionFacts
- The Life of Paul Twitchell - The Founder of Eckankar: The Ancient Science of Soul Travel
- Eckankar The Religion of Light and Sound Religious Movements, University of Virginia, Nicole Beacon. Note: Many of the articles on this website were written by students and hence have unpredictable quality levels.
- References to HU found in the literature of the world The HU page.
[edit] Plagiarism discussion
- David Lane and Doug Marman discuss plagiarism. By Marman: Dialogue in the Age of Criticism.
- David Lane and Doug Marman discuss plagiarism. By Lane: The Great ECK Debates.
