Eckankar

Eckankar
Family	New religious movement
Origin region	United States
Founding period	20th century CE
Estimated adherents	Estimates vary; followers and centers exist in multiple countries.

Eckankar is a modern spiritual movement teaching soul travel, spiritual exercises, dreams, karma, reincarnation, and direct personal experience of the divine.

Overview

Eckankar was founded in the 20th century and presents itself as a path of spiritual freedom. Its teachings focus on Soul as an eternal spiritual being, the Light and Sound of God, spiritual exercises such as singing HU, dream study, karma, reincarnation, and guidance through a living spiritual teacher known as the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master.

Key beliefs

• Soul is eternal and capable of direct spiritual experience
• The Light and Sound of God are central spiritual realities
• Karma and reincarnation shape spiritual growth
• Dreams and inner experiences may have spiritual significance
• A living spiritual teacher guides the path in Eckankar teaching

Practices

• Singing HU as a spiritual exercise
• Dream journaling and contemplation
• Study of Eckankar books and discourses
• Local satsangs, seminars, and worship services
• Personal spiritual exercises aimed at awareness and love

Places of worship

• Eckankar centers, temples, local study groups, homes, and online gatherings

Sacred texts

• Writings by Paul Twitchell, Harold Klemp, and other Eckankar materials are used by followers

Holidays and observances

• Observances include seminars, spiritual new year events, and community gatherings rather than a universal ancient calendar

Branches and related traditions

• New Religious Movements
• Spiritual but Not Religious
• Theosophy

See also

• Religion
• Theology
• Philosophy of religion
• New Religious Movements
• Indigenous and Traditional Religions