Eckankar answers woman’s questions

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This article was published 18/03/2007 (7007 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

column on the different religions

in Manitoba.

WHEN Angie Desrochers-Emond was in her 20s, she had very vivid dreams about dying. In her dreams, she would die, and then she would float outside her body and “look at it from a distance.”

Although she had grown up in a Roman Catholic home, she found her faith couldn’t explain the dreams. She began to explore eastern religions, thinking they might help. Then she learned about Eckankar. “I found my questions being validated and answered,” she says.

That was 30 years ago. Today Desrochers-Emond is an Eckist — the name group members give themselves — and a leader of the Winnipeg Eckankar group. “Eckankar gives me the tools to become better aligned with God’s spirit,” she says.

According to its followers, Eckankar is an ancient religion that was rediscovered in 1965 by Paul Twitchell. Also known as the religion of light and sound, it emphasizes the value of personal spiritual experiences as the most natural way to God.

The group’s headquarters are in Minneapolis, which is also the site of the Temple of Eck. It is also the home of the current leader, Sri Harold Klemp — also known as a Mahanta, or someone who has achieved the highest state of God consciousness on earth. There are about 50,000 Eckists worldwide, with about 30 in Winnipeg.

Followers use various disciplines or spiritual exercises on a daily basis, such as singing the word “Hu,” which they say is an ancient name for God, as well as chanting, meditating and silence. Through these exercises they try to open themselves to the Holy Spirit, or the divine life current that flows from God. They believe that this current, which they call Eck, sustains all of life.

Dreams are an important part of spiritual discovery for Eckists, and members also believe in soul travel. “Soul travel is an expansion of consciousness, or having a higher awareness of a situation,” says Desrochers-Emond, adding that this is what happened to her long ago in her dreams.

Eckists also believe in Karma — the idea that the things people do in this life have consequences for future lives — and in reincarnation, or returning to Earth to do better in the next life. “It’s similar to what you find in Christianity,” she says. “You reap what you sow.”

Locally, members meet the fourth Sunday of each month to sing God’s name, engage in contemplation and discuss readings from the Eck bible, called the Shariyat-Ki Sugmand, or the Sacred Teachings of God. They have no paid clergy; as a leader in the local group, Desrochers-Emond can perform marriages and also officiates at memorials.

Eckists are discouraged from smoking, drinking alcohol, using drugs or gambling. Abortion, divorce and sexual orientation are considered personal matters.

“Eckankar has given me an avenue for a lot of personal growth,” says Desrochers-Emond.

“Before, I was fearful and without much purpose in life. But now I have more understanding, more love and less fear — I love my life, and I am able to see small miracles in it.”

People who want more information about Eckankar can call 233-4281 or visit www.eckankar-mb.org.

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