Eckankar facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Eckankar
The Eckankar "EK" symbol
Type	Dharma influenced new religious movement
Scripture	Main: Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad Minor: Autobiography of a Modern Prophet etc.
Leader	Harold Klemp
Region	Mostly worldwide
Headquarters	Temple of ECK, Chanhassen, Minnesota
Founder	Paul Twitchell
Origin	1965 San Diego, California

The Temple of Eck in Chanhassen, Minnesota, U.S.

Eckankar is a spiritual path founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965. Its main spiritual home is the Temple of ECK in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Eckankar is not connected to any other religious group.

This path teaches simple spiritual exercises. One important exercise is singing "HU". This sound is called "a love song to God". Singing HU helps people experience the Light and Sound of God. It also helps them recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit.

What Does the Name Eckankar Mean?
History of Eckankar
What Do ECKists Believe?
Ceremonies and Practices
See also

What Does the Name Eckankar Mean?

Paul Twitchell often changed Sanskrit words into English. The name Eckankar likely comes from the sacred Sikh phrase Ik Onkar. This phrase means "One Om".

The word Eck is meant to mean the Holy Spirit. This is similar to how the term is used in the Bible and Christian teachings. According to Eckankar's own dictionary, Eckankar means "co-worker with God".

History of Eckankar

Paul Twitchell started Eckankar in 1965. He was the spiritual leader, called the "Living ECK Master," until he passed away in 1971. After him, Darwin Gross became the leader.

Then, on October 22, 1981, Harold Klemp was announced as the new spiritual leader.

Eckankar's main office was first in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1975, it moved to Menlo Park, California. Later, in 1986, Harold Klemp moved the main office to Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Eckankar is a registered non-profit religious group in the United States. It has members in over 120 countries. Its teachings have been translated into more than 25 languages. The exact number of members, called ECKists, is not shared publicly.

The world headquarters and Temple of ECK are in Chanhassen, Minnesota. This spiritual center is on a large piece of land. It has walking trails that are open to everyone.

The Eckankar "EK" symbol is on the list of approved symbols. These symbols can be placed on government headstones and markers in the United States. Some sources believe there were about 50,000 followers in the 1990s.

What Do ECKists Believe?

Some experts think that Eckankar's beliefs are similar to parts of Sikh and Hindu religions. They especially note similarities to the Radha Soami movement. However, other scholars find big differences between these teachings.

Soul Travel and Spiritual Experiences

A main belief in Eckankar is that your soul (your true self) can be experienced separately from your body. ECKists believe that your soul can travel freely to "other planes of reality" while you are fully aware.

Eckankar teaches that personal spiritual experiences are the best way to connect with God. These experiences are gained through something called Soul Travel. This means shifting your awareness from your body to inner levels of existence.

The Sacred Sound of HU

Special chants or sounds are used to help spiritual growth. One very important spiritual exercise in Eckankar is singing or chanting HU. This is seen as a "love song to God."

You say HU like the English word "hue," but you stretch it out with a long breath. People usually sing it for about 20 to 30 minutes. ECKists sing it alone or in small groups.

ECKists believe that singing HU brings you closer to God. They also believe it can:

Expand your awareness.
Help you feel divine love.
Heal sadness.
Bring peace and calm.

This practice helps students step back from daily worries and emotions. It helps them gain a higher spiritual view.

Dreams and Spiritual Growth

Dreams are seen as important teaching tools. Members often keep dream journals to help them learn from their dreams. Followers of Eckankar believe that dream travel can lead to Soul Travel. Soul Travel is also known as an out-of-body experience (OBE). It means shifting your awareness to higher states of being. Paul Twitchell created the term "Soul Travel."

Spiritual Freedom and Connection with God

Eckankar teaches that "spiritual liberation" is possible for everyone during their lifetime. This means finding true freedom for your spirit. It is possible to achieve Self-Realization and God-Realization.

Self-Realization means understanding yourself as a spirit.
God-Realization means understanding yourself as a spark of God.

The membership card for Eckankar says: "The aim and purpose of Eckankar has always been to take Soul by Its own path back to Its divine source." The final spiritual goal for all ECKists is to become conscious "co-workers" with God.

The Living ECK Master

The leader of Eckankar is called "the Living ECK Master" (LEM). Eckankar teaches that only a man can be the LEM. This is because the soul needs the physical structure of a male body in the world to become the spiritual leader. This choice is made before birth.

Eckankar now says that some leaders, like Twitchell and Klemp, also hold the title "Mahanta." This refers to the inner, spiritual part of the teacher. The leader guides each member's spiritual journey, both inwardly and outwardly.

ECKists believe they can connect with a divine spirit, which they call the ECK. This connection happens through spiritual exercises and the guidance of the Living ECK Master. They believe ECK Masters are here to help all life, no matter their religion. The main Eckankar website lists several Masters, including some historical figures.

Holy Scriptures and Teachings

The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad is the holy scripture of Eckankar. It means "Way of the Eternal." It has two books that explain spiritual meaning and purpose. These books were written by the Mahanta.

There are also Satsang writings available with a yearly membership in Eckankar. Satsang classes are available to study these writings with others or alone.

Some key beliefs taught in the Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad include:

Soul Travel
karma (the idea that your actions affect your future)
reincarnation (the idea that souls are reborn into new bodies)
Love
Light and Sound
Many other spiritual topics.

ECKists believe Sugmad is the endless source from which everything was created. They believe the ECK, which is like a Sound Current, flows from Sugmad into lower dimensions.

A main teaching is that you can experience life from the perspective of your soul, beyond your body's limits. The ideas of karma and reincarnation help explain life situations. They show how past actions can affect the present.

Eckankar teaches that people are responsible for their own future. Their decisions shape what happens to them. Eckankar students meet in public services and classes. They discuss personal experiences, topics, books, and teachings.

Ceremonies and Practices

There are not many strict rules to be an ECKist. However, certain spiritual practices are suggested. The most important is doing the "Spiritual Exercises of ECK" daily for 15–20 minutes.

The simplest ECK spiritual exercise is singing the sound HU. Many other spiritual exercises are offered, and members can also create their own. Studying ECK books and written teachings, alone or in groups, is also encouraged.

There are no special food rules, forbidden things, or strict self-discipline practices. Eckankar does not require people to leave their current faith to join.

ECKists can experience several ceremonies as part of their path:

A Consecration ceremony for babies and young children.
A Rite of Passage into adulthood (around age 13).
A Wedding ceremony.
A Memorial service.

September 17 is celebrated as Founder's Day. This day honors Paul Twitchell. October 22 is celebrated as the spiritual new year.