Most of the institutions I’ve visited during the project this year have been from the Christian perspective or have been major world religions. This week I visit a religious movement that many would describe as an American cult.
The site Religion Facts explains the following about Eckankar:
Eckankar is a new religious movement based on a 19th-century Indian tradition called Sant Mat, which centers around surat shabd yoga, "yoga of the sound current." Eckankar focuses on spritual exercises enabling practitioners to experience "the Light and Sound of God."
Founded: 1965 in Las Vegas, USA
Founder: John Paul Twitchell
Adherents: Estimated at 50,000
Headquarters: Chanhassen, Minnesota
Text: Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad ("Way of the Eternal")
Beliefs: Divine Spirit called "ECK"; salvation through God-realization; reincarnation
Practices: Spiritual Exercises including mantras, meditation, and dreams
Worship Services consist of readings, singing "HU" (a mantra of what they believe to be an ancient name for God, and is considered a love song to God.), silent contemplation and an open discussion. This weekend’s discussion is about “the creative power of the soul.”
From their website it appears that Eckankar is developed around the desire of experiencing God each day through spiritual exercises, techniques for experiencing spiritual experiences, and study that will serve as a guide towards spiritual fulfillment.
Do you have an Eckankar center in your neighborhood?
