August 01, 2001
I am commonly asked questions about various religions. I have studied a lot and usually have an answer ready. However, sometimes I am surprised by something I had not heard of before. I was recently asked about Eckankar. I didn’t know much about this, so I set about to learn.
If not for the Internet, I might still be searching. The Internet, like so many things, can be your best ally or your worst enemy. It all depends on how you use it. I was starting from scratch and learned some interesting things about Eckankar before I finally happened upon the "official" web site.
Eckankar bills itself as "ancient wisdom for today." The word "ECKANKAR" is claimed to be two words: ECK (always capitalized in their literature) is the "Divine Spirit" also called the "Holy Spirit," or "Audible Life Current." And when combined with –ANKAR, means the religion of "the Light and Sound of God." This was particularly interesting. I had heard many religions talk of light, but this is the first one that claims to have the "sound of God."
This religion is headed up by Harold Klemp. His official title is "Sri Harold Klemp The Mahanta, the Living ECK Master." Let me break down that title for you. "Sri," I believe is taken from a Hindi term of reverence – like we would say "Reverend." "The Mahanta" is a proper name used in India, and according to Eckankar, it is:
A title to describe the highest state of God Consciousness on earth, often embodied in the Living ECK Master. He is the Living Word. An expression of the Spirit of God that is always with you.
This would be like the Pope to Catholicism. The "Living ECK Master," as indicated in the quote, is supposed to indicate the manifest presence of their god among humanity. The phrase "the Living Word" is imitative of Christianity and assigns Christ status to Harold Klemp.
ECKENKAR claims to be an ancient religion and lists a long line of mahantas — most of whom cannot be verified as ever having lived on earth. The former mahanta, however, can be verified. Paul Twitchell is the last mahanta mentioned. He is now deceased. Mr. Twitchell is credited with introducing Eckankar as a "modern-day religion" in 1965. It is said that he was introduced to a group of spiritual masters who trained him to become the Living ECK Master. His death in 1971 is described as "his translation from the physical plane."
From all accounts that I can gather, ECKENKAR was the invention of Paul Twitchell. Some sources claim that he blatantly plagiarized other religious texts to form his own. My observations of Eckankar are that it appears to be bits and pieces of other religions rolled together to form a religious structure that put Paul Twitchell in god-like status.
The religion claims to imitate the sound of god through the mantra-like chanting of the word "hu" which is described as the song of love and the ancient name of god. This description of the practice, including posture and preparation, resembles the Hindu practice of meditation in which a popular mantra is "aum."
They advocate soul-travel (out of body experiences), past-life regression, and dream interpretation to explore the "spiritual worlds." Past-life regression is the practice of discovering and exploring past lives. This is usually done in a hypnotic state. The idea of past lives necessarily presupposes reincarnation, and thus karma as well. They even claim that Aesop’s fables have religious significance to Eckankar.
They teach that the soul is eternal and that each soul is destined to "Self- and God-Realization." This means that all souls can become gods or god-like. This realization or enlightenment is facilitated by meditation with and on the ECK. The Living ECK Master is capable of all divine revelation and is considered (as near as I can tell) god on earth.
They claim to be open to all religions to help the individual "expand consciousness and enjoy spiritual freedom." But, they are open only to the extent that they would convert you to Eckankar.
Other research indicated that Eckankar may be related to an ancient text called the Necromicon (Dead Mouse). This writing dates to the 6th or 7th century and is a bizarre philosophical writing that has become the foundation of various cults. This writing, however, does not support the claim of Eckankar of having a long line of masters culminating with Harold Klemp. In fact, no history of Eckankar can be traced prior to Paul Twitchell’s introduction in 1965.
From my research, I am inclined to agree that Eckankar is, in fact, a concoction of other religions, primarily Hindu. The practice of meditation, chanting a mantra, as well as the concepts of karma and reincarnation are classic earmarks of the Hindu religion. Their emphases on light and love are typical tenets of any New Age religion. The concept of the "sound of god" is unique in the sense that Eckankar uses it. Hinduism claims that chanting the mantra "aum" puts your body in harmony with all things. But Hinduism does not claim that aum is the name or sound of god.
The writings talk a lot about god and the holy spirit (they capitalize both names) but they conspicuously avoid any mention of Jesus. That’s because their teachings are not consistent with what Jesus taught. They teach of love, balancing one’s life, and becoming more aware of god. Of course, all of these are worthy goals, but pointless in the absence redemption.
In Eckankar, each individual becomes his own salvation. There is no need for Jesus. This is convenient for those who believe the propaganda about Jesus being no more than a teacher. The doctrine of self-salvation is not taught openly, however. The idea that each individual can achieve "god realization" through actions that they personally initiate and carry out demonstrates that the individual has power over his or her own salvation.
We are taught in scripture that Jesus is the sole head of our religious structure. The words of Jesus tell us:
(Mat 23:9 10 KJV) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Furthermore, Jesus is our sole revelation of God to man. There is no other man that has been, is, or will be any further revelation of God:
(John 1:1 - 2 KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
(John 1:14 KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Thus, anyone who does claim to be the revelation of God, or the "Living Word" claims to be god and is a blasphemer. Furthermore, anyone who claims to be able to reach a state of god-ness is a blasphemer and a false prophet.
Eckankar is no more than just another lie. Satan has become a mass-producer of lies and will package religion in any kind of wrapper to deceive you and your family. Any religion that does not acknowledge Jesus as the root and deliverer of our salvation is a lie. Any religion that claims that man can become god or god-like is a lie.
Stand guard for false religions and false prophets. They will come and you must constantly be ready to stand against them with the Word of God.
I am including the link to the Eckankar website as a courtesy since I qouted from it. This is not to be considered an endorsement in any way.