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EckankarEckankar is a new religious movement founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965. In October 1981, Harold Klemp became the 973rd Living ECK Master, the Mahanta. Origins of Eckankar Eckankar as a formalized religion began circa 1965. The origin of Eckankar, according to its followers, is timeless. One major hallmark is the teaching spiritual exercises as the way to learn to Soul Travel which allows a person step away from the overwhelming input of the physical senses and emotions and regain Soul's spiritual viewpoint. According to various biographies, Paul Twitchell studied many of the world's religions. In Eckankar, he brought together many teachings that he felt were most important to the development of Soul. There is some evidence (photographs) that he studied Surat Shabda Yoga under Kirpal Singh, as well as Scientology. David C. Lane has documented examples of text from before Paul Twitchell's time that appear remarkably similar to what Paul Twitchell had written. He accuses Paul Twitchell of plagiarism. Eckankar defends itself, saying that Paul Twitchell and the other authors read from the same source in the Astral Plane and that spiritual truth is spiritual truth and not the possession of a single person or group. Eckankar ideas Soul is not possessed by the body, but is eternal and is the individual's true identity. Soul exists because God loves It. Soul is on a journey of Self- and God-Realization. Spiritual unfoldment can be accelerated through conscious contact with the ECK, Divine Spirit. This contact can be made via the Spiritual Exercises of ECK and the guidance of the Living ECK Master. The Mahanta, the Living ECK Master is the spiritual leader of Eckankar. Spiritual experience and liberation in this lifetime are available to all. You can actively explore the spiritual worlds through Soul Travel, dreams, and other spiritual techniques. "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 Cult controversy Some people believe that Eckankar is a cult that misleads people and discourages independent thinking. It is unclear exactly how many people leave Eckankar and, for that matter, share in the perception that Eckankar is a cult. Eckankar has an active membership base in many countries including the United States and Canada. While they do not publish membership numbers, some estimates place about 40,000 active participants. Eckankar teaches that members not finding what they are looking for, should feel free to look for another path, and not feel bound by guilt or fear to stay with Eckankar. See also External links
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