View source for Eckankar

{{Short description|Religious movement founded in 1965 by Paul Twitchell}}
{{Distinguish|text=[[Ik Onkar]], the holy symbol in [[Sikhism]]}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Primary sources|date=August 2018}}
{{COI|date=January 2023}}
{{Update|date=October 2025}}
}}
{{Infobox religion
| name                = Eckankar
| image               = Eckankar.svg
| imagewidth          = 100
| alt                 = 
| caption             = The Eckankar "EK" symbol
| abbreviation        = 
| type                = [[Dharma]]-influenced [[new religious movement]]
| main_classification = 
| orientation         = 
| scripture           = Main: ''Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad'' <br /> Minor: ''Autobiography of a Modern Prophet'' etc.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eckbooks.org/catalog/Books-3-1.html |title=Books |publisher= Online Bookstore |access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religionfacts.com/eckankar/texts |title=Eckankar sacred texts |publisher=ReligionFacts |access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref>
| theology            =
| polity              = 
| governance          =
| structure           =
| leader_title        = Leader
| leader_name         = Doug Kunin <ref> https://www.eckankar.org/sri-doug-kunin/</ref>
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| fellowships_type1   =
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| associations        = 
| area                = Mostly worldwide
| headquarters        = [[Temple of ECK]], [[Chanhassen]], [[Minnesota]], United States
| founder             = [[Paul Twitchell]]
| founded_date        = 1965
| founded_place       = [[San Diego]], [[California]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/116546831/?terms=%22paul+twitchell%22++%22Soul+Travel%22 |title=Search for "paul twitchell" "SoulTravel" |date=7 November 1965 |page=2  |via=Newspapers.com |work=Chula Vista Star-News |access-date=16 March 2018}}</ref>
| separated_from      = 
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| defunct             =
| congregations_type  = Centres
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| footnotes           = 
}}
[[File:EckTemple.jpg|thumb|The [[Temple of Eck]] in Chanhassen, Minnesota, U.S.]]

'''Eckankar''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|k|ə|n|ˌ|k|ɑːr}} {{respell|EK|ən|kar}}) is an American [[new religious movement]] founded by [[Paul Twitchell]] in 1965. The group’s spiritual home is the [[Temple of ECK]] in [[Chanhassen, Minnesota]]. Eckankar is not affiliated with any other religious group.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wiki|first=Eckankar |title=Introduction to Eckankar |url=https://eckankar.wiki/eckankar |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=eckankar.wiki}}</ref>

The movement teaches simple spiritual exercises, such as singing "''HU''{{hsp}}", called "a love song to [[God]]", to experience the "light" and "sound" of God and recognize the presence of the [[Holy Spirit]].<ref>"[http://www.eckankar.org/hu.html HU: A Love Song to God] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028215421/https://www.eckankar.org/hu.html |date=2017-10-28 }}", Eckankar website, last modified 16 Jan. 2016. Retrieved 30 Jan. 2016.</ref><ref>"This sound develops through ten different aspects ... until it finally becomes Hu, the most sacred of all sounds. This sound Hu is the beginning and end of all sounds ... the echo of bells or gongs gives a typical illustration of the sound Hu. The Supreme Being has been called by various names in different languages, but the mystics have known him as Hu, the natural name, not man-made, the only name of the nameless which all nature constantly proclaims. The sound Hu is most sacred; the mystics of all ages called it Ismi-Azam, the name of the most High, for it is the origin and end of every sound as well as the background of each word. The word Hu is the spirit of all sounds ... This alone is the true name of God, a name that no people and no religion can claim as their own. ... All things and beings exclaim this name of the Lord, for every activity of life expresses distinctly or indistinctly this very sound. ... The mystery of Hu is revealed to the Sufi who journeys through the path of initiation." – [[Inayat Khan]], [http://www.hazrat-inayat-khan.org/php/views.php?h1=11&h2=8 ''The Mysticism of Sound''] / [http://www.soufi-inayat-khan.org/murshid/myst_son/gb_ms08.htm ''Abstract Sound''].</ref><ref>[[Hu (Sufism)|Hu]]</ref>

==Etymology==
Twitchell was known for adapting [[Sanskrit]] words into English, and ''Eckankar'' is likely his adaptation of the sacred [[Sikhism|Sikh]] phrase ''[[Ik Onkar]]'', meaning "One Creator".<ref>"In the literature of the Saints, God is expressed by many words, such as [[Swami]], [[Ik Onkar|Ekankar]], [[Nirankar]], Radhaswami, Akal, Nirala, Anami, Agam, Alakh, Sat [[Purusha|Purush]], [[Prabhu]], Prabhswami, [[Hari]] Ray, Akshar, [[Parameshwar]], Akshar Purush, etc.  All of these words have been coined in an effort to convey to human intelligence some idea of what the Saints think of God, or Lord God, the highest power. [[Ik Onkar|Ekankar]] means the “One oneness,” the body of oneness. [[Nirankar]] means without body or form. Soami or Swami means the all-pervading Lord.  Radha Swami ‒ Radha (soul) and Swami (Lord) ‒ the Lord of the soul ‒ Radha, when reversed, becomes dhara or current.  As soul has to revert to its source, so its dhara, when reversed, when its current is turned toward God, becomes Radha. ... The whole universe is considered as one, the true [[Ik Onkar|Ekankar]]." — [[Julian Johnson]], ''The Path of the Masters'', 1985 pagination, pages 221–222</ref> According to the Eckankar glossary, the term ''Eckankar'' means "co-worker with God".<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQs |url=https://www.eckankar.org/explore/faqs/ |website=Eckankar.org}}</ref>

''Eck'' is intended to mean the "[[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]", as found in [[Bible|Christian biblical]] terminology.<ref name="Cosmic 2009" />{{rp|55}}

== History ==
The movement was founded in 1965 by Paul Twitchell ([[spiritual name]]: Peddar Zaskq), who remained its spiritual leader ("Living ECK Master") until his death in 1971. He was succeeded by Darwin Gross (spiritual name: Dap Ren). On October 22, 1981, Harold Klemp (spiritual name: Wah{{Nbsp}}Z) was announced as the spiritual leader. Between 1981 and 1987, both Gross and Klemp claimed to be the Living ECK Master and the Inner Master and had their own followers.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lane |first=David C. |title=The Making of a Spiritual Movement: The Untold Story of Paul Twitchell and Eckankar |publisher=Del Mar Press |year=1993}}</ref>

Eckankar's headquarters were originally in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]. In 1975, under Gross's leadership, the organization moved to [[Menlo Park, California]]. In 1986, Klemp moved the base of operations to [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]].<ref>"'Soul Travelers' Move", ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'', 24 August 1986.</ref>

Eckankar is registered as a nonprofit religious organization. It reports members in more than 120 countries, and its teachings have been translated into over 25 languages.<ref>https://www.eckankar.org/explore/faqs/ and Multifaith Information Manual, 6th Edition, Canadian Multifaith Federation, Toronto, p. 181. "Eckankar subordinate churches have been legally recognized as nonprofit organizations with religious purposes in up to 40 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Ghana, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and others."</ref> The number of members, known as ECKists, is undisclosed. The world headquarters and [[Temple of Eck]], Eckankar's Spiritual Center, are in [[Chanhassen, Minnesota]],<ref>Religions in Minnesota, "(New) Religious Movements)—Eckankar—Global Eckankar" by Lauren Alexander, https://religionsmn.carleton.edu/exhibits/show/eckankar/global-eckankar. "It is estimated that ECKists can be found in anywhere between one hundred to one hundred and twenty countries across the globe. The presence of Eckankar is particularly strong in Africa and Europe, and two such strongholds are located in Nigeria and Germany. Eckankar texts are translated into multiple languages.</ref><ref>Sam Barnes, "Members of Temple Say They Have the Passport for Spiritual Travels," West—Star Tribune, Wednesday, January 18, 2006. ". . .The Temple of ECK in Chanhassen. . . . is the international center of a religious movement that claims tens of thousands of followers worldwide in more than 120 countries.</ref><ref>Nolan Zavoral, "Eckankar's Soul Travel Opens Roads to Insight," Faith & Values, Star Tribune, Saturday, October 25, 1997. "Eckankar, claiming more than 50,000 followers worldwide, moved its headquarters to the Twin Cities at the turn of the '90s. Each year, more than 15,000 people visit the Temple of Eck, an $8 million structure rising like a pyramid from rippling waves of prairie grass in Chanhassen."</ref> on a {{Convert|174|acre|ha|adj=on}} campus with {{Convert|2|mi|km}} of contemplation trails open to the public.<ref>Ibid. Sam Barnes, "Members of Temple Say They Have the Passport for Spiritual Travels," West—Star Tribune, Wednesday, January 18, 2006. ". . .The Temple of ECK in Chanhassen. . . . is located on a 174-acre site on the northwest corner of Hwy 5 and Powers Boulevard."</ref><ref>Andrew Hazzard and Meghan Davy-Sandvold, "Spiritual Movements Ancient and Modern Develop Roots in the Southwest Metro," Southwest News Media, August 31, 2018, https://www.swnewsmedia.com/chanhassen_villager/spiritual-movements-ancient-and-modern-develop-roots-in-the-southwest-metro/article_1672e9c7-e5ca-533e-856d-f2f2eb45d2ea.html "The temple sits on 174 rolling prairie off Powers Boulevard. Two miles of contemplation paths wind through the prairie and are open to the public."</ref>

The Eckankar "EK" symbol appears on the ''[[United States Department of Veterans Affairs emblems for headstones and markers|Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers]]'' by the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Administration |first=National Cemetery |title=Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers - National Cemetery Administration |url=http://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/emblems.asp |access-date=16 March 2018 |website=www.cem.va.gov}}</ref> Sources estimate that there were around 50,000 followers in the 1990s.<ref>"Eckankar," by David V. Barret, Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements, ed. Peter B. Clarke, Routledge, 2006. "Eckankar claims to have tens of thousands of members worldwide, many of whom also continue to be members of other religions." p. 160</ref><ref>Ibid. Len Woods (2008) Handbook of World Religions. "Though Eckankar doesn't publish membership figures, conservative estimates put the number of adherents to fifty thousand. Followers study at over three hundred Eckankar centers in more than a hundred countries around the world." p. 69</ref>

==Beliefs==
Some scholars believe that Eckankar beliefs draw in part from the [[Sikhism|Sikh]] and [[Hinduism|Hindu]] religions,<ref>{{cite book |author=George D. Chryssides |title=The A to Z of New Religious Movements |publisher=Scarecrow Press |year=2001 |location=Oxford, UK |page=298 |quote=Emanating from the Radhosoami Satsang (q.v.) background, which is a synthesis of Hinduism and Sikhism (qq.v.), Eckankar teaches a form of surat sabda yoga&nbsp;...}}</ref> particularly the [[Radha Soami]] movement,<ref>[[J. Gordon Melton|Melton, J. Gordon]] (2003). Encyclopedia of American Religions (7th edition). Farmington Hills, Michigan: The Gale Group, Inc. {{ISBN|0-7876-6384-0}}. p. 1056.</ref><ref name="JonesRyan">{{cite encyclopedia |year=2007 |title=Eckankar |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |publisher=Facts On File |place=New York |url={{Google books|OgMmceadQ3gC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |series=Encyclopedia of World Religions. [[J. Gordon Melton]], Series Editor |pages=144–146 |isbn=978-0-8160-5458-9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020070415/https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC |archive-date=2022-10-20 |surname2=Ryan |given2=James D. |surname=Jones |given=Constance A. |url-status=bot: unknown |access-date=2024-02-22 }}</ref> but [[J. Gordon Melton]] finds significant differences between Radha Soami teachings and Eckankar.<ref>17. Ibid. ^Melton, J. Gordon, Encyclopedia of American Religions (7th Edition). (q.v.) "ECKANKAR is distinguished from the [[Sant Mat]] tradition in significant ways. ECKANKAR, for example, teaches that the ultimate state for each individual is that of a co-worker with God, not oneness with God; inner techniques are more active spiritual exercises than yogic practices; and Eastern austerities (vegetarianism, extended meditation) are not espoused. Twitchell also presented a different vocabulary than that of Sant Mat teachings." It is arguable that Eckankar's denial of its reliance on Sant Mat's yogic practices, and Twitchell's assertion of a unique vocabulary were intended to distinguish Eckankar from its partial origins in the older established religion Sikhism and the Sant Mat teachings.</ref>

One of the basic tenets is that [[soul]] (the true self) may be experienced separately from the physical body and, in full consciousness, travel freely in "other planes of reality." Eckankar emphasizes personal spiritual experiences as the most natural way back to God.<ref>[http://www.eckankar.org/SEW/ Eckankar: Spiritual Exercise of the Week] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110819181428/http://www.eckankar.org/SEW/ |date=2011-08-19 }}. eckankar.org</ref> These are attained via Soul Travel: shifting the awareness from the body to inner planes of existence.<ref name="Cosmic 2009">Klemp, Harold. ''A Cosmic Sea of Words, The ECKANKAR Lexicon''. Minneapolis: Eckankar, 2009. {{ISBN|978-1-57043-286-6}}</ref>{{rp|187}}

Certain [[mantra]]s or chants are used to facilitate spiritual growth. One important spiritual exercise is the singing or chanting of ''HU'', which is viewed in Eckankar as a "love song to God." It is pronounced like the English word "hue" (or "hyoo") in a long, drawn-out breath and is sung for 20 to 30 minutes. ECKists sing it alone or in small groups.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|59}} They believe that singing ''HU'' draws one closer to the Divine Being and that it can expand awareness, help one experience divine love, heal broken hearts, offer solace in times of grief, and bring peace and calm.<ref>[http://www.eckankar.org/hu.html HU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028215421/https://www.eckankar.org/hu.html |date=2017-10-28 }}. eckankar.org</ref> ECKists believe the practice allows practitioners to retreat from the overwhelming input of the physical senses and emotions and regain the Soul's spiritually higher viewpoint.

Dreams are regarded as important teaching tools, and members often keep [[dream journal]]s to facilitate study.<ref>[http://www.eckankar.org/dream.html Dreams: A Source of Inner Truth]. eckankar.org</ref> According to followers of Eckankar, dream travel often serves as the gateway to Soul Travel<ref>[http://www.eckankar.org/soultravel.html Soul Travel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050628081239/http://www.eckankar.org/soultravel.html |date=2005-06-28 }}. eckankar.org</ref> (also known by Eckankar as an [[out-of-body experience]]), or the shifting of one's consciousness to ever-higher states of being. Soul travel is a term Twitchell created.

Eckankar teaches that "spiritual liberation" in one's lifetime is available to all and that it is possible to achieve "Self-realization" (the realization{{vague|date=February 2025}} of oneself as Soul) and "God-realization" (the realization of oneself as a "spark" of God) in one's lifetime. The membership card Eckankar followers carry states, "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 of all ECKists is to become conscious "co-workers" with God.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|59}}<ref>''Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad'', Books One and Two, 65</ref>

The leader of Eckankar is known as "the Living ECK Master" (LEM). Eckankar claims that only a cisgender man can be the LEM as the Soul needs the structure of a male body in the physical world to become the spiritual leader, a choice made before birth.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Lane |first=David C. |title=The Making of a Spiritual Movement: The Untold Story of Paul Twitchell and Eckankar |publisher=Del Mar Press |year=1993}}</ref> Eckankar now claims that some leaders—Twitchell and Klemp, for example—also hold the title "[[Mahant]]a", which refers to the inner aspect of the teacher. During Gross's ten-year leadership (1971–1981), the organization claimed he was the Mahanta. The leader functions as both an inner and outer guide for each member's spiritual progress.

ECKists believe that contact with a divine spirit, which they call the ''ECK'', can be made via the spiritual exercises of ECK and the guidance of the LEM. It is held that the ECK Masters serve all life irrespective of religious belief. The main Eckankar website includes a list of Masters—some of whom are historical figures.<ref>[http://www.eckankar.org/Masters/index.html Official Eckankar Masters List]. eckankar.org</ref>

The ''Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad'', which means "Way of the Eternal", is the holy scripture of Eckankar.<ref>Klemp, Harold, 1998, Cosmic Sea of Words: The Eckankar Lexicon. Eckankar, Minneapolis.</ref> It comprises two books of spiritual meaning and purpose written by the Mahanta.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|59}} A series of [[Satsang]] writings are available with yearly membership in Eckankar. Satsang classes are available to study discourses with others and individually.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|177}}

Beliefs taught in the ''Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad'' include "Soul Travel", [[karma]], [[reincarnation]], love, and "Light and Sound". ECKists believe ''Sugmad'' is the endless source from which all forms were created and that the ECK, the "Sound Current", flows out of ''Sugmad'' and into lower dimensions.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|59, 187, 194}}

Primary to the teaching is the belief that one may experience the perspective of the Soul beyond the body's limits. Also, the concepts of [[karma]] and [[reincarnation]] help explain situations in life as the playing out of past causes.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|186–187}}

The beliefs that people are responsible for their destiny and that their decisions determine their future are important in Eckankar. Eckankar students meet in open public services and classes to discuss personal experiences, topics, books, and discourses.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|59}}

==Ceremonies and rites==
There are few personal requirements to be an ECKist, but certain spiritual practices are recommended. Chief among them is daily practice of the "Spiritual Exercises of ECK" for 15–20 minutes.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|189}} The most basic ECK spiritual exercise is singing the syllable ''HU''. Various spiritual exercises are offered, and members are encouraged to create their own. Study of ECK books and written discourses, alone or in groups, is also encouraged. There are no dietary requirements, taboos, or enforced ascetic practices. 

As part of the teaching, an ECKist can experience several ceremonies, including a Consecration ceremony for initiating the young and infants, a Rite of Passage into adulthood (around age 13), a Wedding ceremony, and a Memorial service.<ref name="Cosmic 2009"/>{{rp|186}}

September 17 is celebrated as Founder's Day in honor of Paul Twitchell. October 22 is celebrated as the spiritual new year.<ref>{{cite book |title =Handbook of World Religions| author=Len Woods|page = 73| year = 2008|publisher = Barbour Publishing, Ohio}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eckankar.org/abouteckankar.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030408050143/http://www.eckankar.org/abouteckankar.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2003|title=About Eckankar: An Overview of Eckankar and its Teachings (PDF)|date=2003}}</ref>

==Criticism==
In his 1977 book ''Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America'', [[David C. Lane]] writes:
{{Blockquote|This lineage, known as the Vairagi masters in Eckankar, allegedly traces its genealogy back through some 970 Living Eck Masters to Rama, an avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism. In other versions, the teachings go even further back to Gakko, a spiritual essence that traveled from the city of Retz on the planet Venus to Earth six million years ago&nbsp;... In addition, Sudar Singh and Rebazar Tarzs are not genuine historical personages but literary inventions developed by Twitchell to conceal his past associations.<ref>{{cite book |title =''Eckankar'' in Introduction to New and Alternative Religions in America (ed Eugene V. Gallagher and W. Michael Ashcraft)Volume 3: Metaphysical, New Age, and Neopagan Movements|pages = 115|first = David Christopher|last = Lane| year = 2006|publisher = Greenwood Press}}</ref>}}

Lane has also suggested that Twitchell, a former Scientologist, incorporated [[Scientology]] teachings into Eckankar.<ref name=carleton>{{cite web|url= https://religionsmn.carleton.edu/exhibits/show/eckankar/new-religious-movements/eckankarnrm|title=Eckankar as a New Religious Movement}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Ancient Teachings of the Masters]]
* [[Contemporary Sant Mat movement]]
* [[Marjan Davari]]
* [[New religious movement]]
* [[Transcendental Meditation]]

==References==
{{Ibid|date=January 2025}}
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==

* Dogra, Ramesh Chander & Gobind Singh Mansukhani, ''Encyclopaedia of Sikh Religion and Culture'', Vikas, 1995. {{ISBN|978-0706994995}}.
* Ellwood, Robert S. and Partin, Harry B. (1988), ''Religious and Spiritual Groups in Modern America'', Second Edition, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
* Lane, David Christopher, ''The Making of a Spiritual Movement: The Untold Story of Paul Twitchell and Eckankar'', Del Mar, California: Del Mar Press, 1990. {{ISBN|0-9611124-0-9}}.
* Marman, Doug (2007). ''The Whole Truth: The Spiritual Legacy of Paul Twitchell'', Ridgefield, Washington: Spiritual Dialogues Project. {{ISBN|978-0-9793260-0-4}}.
* Woods, Len, (2008). ''Handbook of World Religions''. Barbour Publishing, Ohio.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://eckankar.wiki/ Wiki Website]

{{New Religious Movements}}
{{Sant Mat}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1965 establishments in Nevada]]
[[Category:Contemporary Sant Mat]]
[[Category:Radha Soami]]
[[Category:Religious organizations established in 1965]]
[[Category:Religious belief systems founded in the United States]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 1960s]]