why i left eckankar

I only accept that thing which I can verify or that thing which I consider to be somewhat genuine. Everybody Ive ever talked to who knows Gail says shes a very sharp person. Dawn is finishing an applied kinesiology demonstration of the power of Grosss music. Grosss rise to power was steeped in controversy from the beginning. Its the reason, I believe, that he plagiarized so blatantly.. Eckists left and right were smiling at the guy, stopping for long chats, and tossing money into his cup. If you were going to visit a new city, wouldnt you want a guide, wouldnt you want to stay away from the places where the prostitutes are, from the dark streets and the hoodlums? Twitchell died of a heart attack around one oclock in the morning on September 17, 1971, in Cincinnati, Ohio. A representative at the Eckankar international office assured me that no one is turned away for lack of funds. Lane then quotes these same passages as they were later reproduced, usually word for word, in Eckankar books, with the names changed to the o Eck Masters Sudar Singh, Fubbi Quantz, Rebazar Tarzs, Lai Tsi, j and Gopal Das. Eckankar does not help people find God. I dont remember that second story. He had on a white turban with a gemstone right here in the middle. Yelman points to her bangs. Clearly he is more comfortable with the fluid topography of waves, of meditation, of philosophical inquiry. Read full review of Eckankar Helpful? Wouldnt you want to know everything you possibly could about the history of this group and then make your choice? Eckankar has members in over 120 countries around the world, and its teachings have been translated into more than twenty-five languages. Hes big, coughing, not in the best of health, and he doesnt have any money. The Far Country, Lane claims to have found more than 400 plagiarized paragraphs. In a husky voice, smooth as malt whiskey, she sings, Dont blame me for falling in love with you. Why you can trust Sky News Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness is to step down after 15 years. I think of Rumi, the great Persian poet, who said, with all these false coins abounding, theres got to be something genuine in the midst of it.. Fie has a personal thing against Eckankar, he briskly replies. Im surprised to meet a casually dressed middle-aged man with graying hair, who seemed much younger on the phone. We see that all the time.. Lane drives me back to Hillcrest. This guys pretty smart, because he knows that if he pays attention to me, thats a good way of buying me off, so he can spin-doctor my research. I see Eck masters, I see Radhasoami masters, I see Rebazar Tarzs and Sudar Singh. Lanes no longer an easy man to find. He jokes about his Nevada cold, blaming it on the dust from the Indian burial grounds being dug up to build housing. Im under your spell, but how can I help it. There is a double edge to this torch song; from the way she keeps glancing affectionately over at Gross, it is the Masters spell that Driggs cant be blamed for falling under. Man, it was a nasty conversation. That night in the dreamstate I had a meeting with a master. But they kept running it, and he never sued them., In August 1988, the Los Angeles Times published an extensive two-part critique of John-Rogers activities, based on Lanes research. The Living Eck Master helps the souls that are embodied here on Earth to gain the spiritual insights that they need to grow and evolve spiritually., Yelman hugs me goodbye, and I take an endless rush-hour cab ride to Hillcrest, during which the driver asks me endless questions about Eckankar. Thats one explanation. He went nuts. Youre not going to say, Well, Im a dumbshit. If I were any of you. Tucker Carlson's Great Replacement. The reason I turned my back on Eckankar for good was discovering the plagiarism in their bible, which other Eckists told me was divinely inspired. According to one brochure, which invites me to experience the miracle of spiritual growth and to climb the stairway to spiritual freedom, Eckankar membership is said to be renewable on a yearly basis. Although i had forgotten my. According to Lane, all three letters are printed in the same typeface with the same malfunctioning capital A. I still have those notes. Instead of asking people to be really skeptical of things, its asking them to believe almost anything. But, Dave, I counter, when you talk to Eckists they always tell you, Im a totally skeptical person. Lane tried in vain to place his controversial book with a major publisher. The mastership of Darwin Gross is a black cloud in Eckankar history, a history that Eckankar wants to erase. The human soul is eternal and is on a spiritual journey of reincarnation to discover and improve the true self thereby realizing his own true inner divinity. He has no phone. I was confident that soon James would see the light and become a disciple of Eckankar. Scientology is worse but that is a difference in degree and magnitude. I cant understand why he would be doing this, because the Eckists have never gone out of their way to hurt him; but he claims that they did, I think, in one regard. Within two years Klemp fired Gross, accusing him of negativity, spiritual decay, and embezzlement. Grosss young, perky assistant, Dawn, explains, Frankly, there have been lawsuits." They looked just like the Rod of Power! Lane discovered information that led him to believe that Twitchell copied whole chapters from Radhasoami texts, lied about biographical details.. Moreover, a free left arm could be used to deflect spear strikes in combat. and is being financed by them to do his dirty research. We take our seats among the 50 or so other seekers, many of whom have flown in for the event. They say, the message works for me, the contemplation works for me. Eckankar is the most direct path to becoming a coworker with the Sugmad. Initiations link Soul to the Eck (Holy Spirit), which can be seen as light and heard as sound. Among those two explanations, Occams Razor points to the simpler one, I overslept. Paul Twitchells the past; weve evolved out of that. Before founding Eckankar, Twitchell was involved in yoga, self-realization groups, and Scientology. He tells me hes currently working on a second book about Eckankar, entitled Gakko Came from Venus: Exploring the Hidden World of Eckankar, an Unauthorized Expedition. A skeptic goes to an Eckankar meeting, or anybodys meditation meeting, and says, Well, now wait a second, are you sure you saw the astral body of Rami Nuri? I dont think so. In January, it rains for 26 days. Yet it has a sweetness to it. The term God no longer had use for me. A job as a correspondent for Our Navy took him to Washington, D.C. in 1945. Because that was my condition if I could just study in the closet, then I would join. Controversy; A Critical Analysis of John-Roger Hinkins and MSIA.. When she begins her next selection, My Funny Valentine, I lose all objectivity*. ECKANKAR was founded by Paul Twitchell (1909 - 1971) in California in the mid-1960s. And they said, He taught you everything he could teach you, and you agreed that it was complete. It was so satisfying, it was so true, really true, true to the core of my being., So was your childhood teacher an Eck Master?. He was giving a talk at UCSD, trying to sell his book, preaching against Eckankar and a whole bunch of other religions. Members receive a monthly discourse, which they have the option of studying alone or in classes. To come up with original material takes time, and time is money. Are your tax dollars being spent by this group? So they interviewed me, and I had this rainbow tie on, and Geraldo and I were going at each other. . I got sick a lot when I was a baby. The sound current was very loud. Lane shakes his head. Around the same time, the Spiritual Counterfeits Project published its own journal, Eckankar, a Hard Look at a New Religion, based largely on lines manuscript, which they distributed to nearly every Eck center i in the world. Sex. But in buying a religion, youre supposed to wear these narrow blinders, so that if anybody disagrees you can block it out. It is mainly because eckankar systematically schools the follower to be dependent on the person of the living eck master and his organization as the only "reliable" source of information and to suppress a mature and less naively subjectivistic view on his own experiences, with suggestions of severe repercussions and spiritual loss in case he acts Its basically, check your brains at the door when you join a religion.". The two students shared notes. Lane places his hand to his face like a phone receiver, Hi, Fubbi, this is Gakko. I choke down the last gulp of my Green Garden vegetable cocktail and ask,. On the negative side, Twitchells teachings were synthesized without really maturely thinking whether these different teachings fit in together. Peebles, says Lane, got so disgruntled when he realized there was some kind of fraud being perpetuated that he wrote Eckankar himself about these findings. Peebles returned to his Baptist roots and sent his paper to Professor Ed Gruss of the Los Angeles Baptist College. Eckankar is one of the New Age religions, started in 1965 by journalist Paul Twitchell. I figure Lane knows plenty about this. For years after I left Eckankar, I was plagued with wrenching spasms of primal fear, emptiness, collapse, and betrayal. I am skeptical of paranormal claims, because I believe we need to shave more with Occams Razor. Occams Razor?, The principle of competing theories, developed in the 14th Century by a guy named William of Occam, who said that if you have competing theories, go for the simplest theory first if it explains the issue fully. I stood up and said, You know, Im a member of the community, Im a coach in the Little League, Im involved with the schools. I gave a list of my involvements with the community, and then I said, Im an Eckist and I believe in God. Gross enters and takes his position behind the gold-toned vibes. I had my two sisters to take care of while my parents were being mixed up. Then he took the Ho, and he put the two words together. No. He extends his hand and smiles broadly. We close our eyes and chant Hu together for several minutes. Sipping his virgin strawberry margarita, Lane says, I got a sense of authenticity when he played his vibes, like thats who he really was, a musician, instead of trying to be a master. In order to help the reader understand where I'm coming from, I am an active higher initiate in Eckankar who has been on the path since the mid-80's. I first read this book over a decade ago because I knew Ford as an acquaintance and I respected him as a dedicated leader in Eck. Lane smiles to himself as if he were envisioning Paul Twitchell hunched over some Radhasoami text, scribbling away. I lean and whisper to him, You are so opaque. I am surprised by my cruelty. I said to myself, I bet this is where Twitchell got the name Rebazar Tarzs! Recently I have had a spiritual crisis where I stopped believing in the concept of the Abrahamic God. He totally doesnt know; he doesnt know what the guys talking about. How would you address that issue?, Richards takes a long, reticent pause before he answers. I taped them for five hours. The accusations leveled against Hinkins included embezzling money, plagiarizing from the teachings of Paul Twitchell and others, skirting zoning laws, illegally obtaining airfare discounts, setting up tape recorders throughout his house to obtain information that he would later use to appear psychic, and sexual misconduct. Accompanied by keyboardist and devotee Ron Kurz, Gross begins with Blues in E Flat. The music is great, lethargic and soothing, the kind of music one should listen to in a cocktail lounge with an umbrellaed drink. Twitchell was living in Point Loma in 1965 when he started teaching workshops and selling booklets on how to leave your body. It affects those who have an unrealistic goal in ECK; those who want to Soul Travel or reach Self-and God-realization with practically no effort. When he died in 1971, he was living in Del Mar. In Texas, she says, a disembodied being began visiting her. My only regrets were that I sold all my rock albums to pay for my membership. After leaving the Self-Revelation Church, Twitchell dove into the Radhasoami movement. In my copy of The Making of a Spiritual Movement, he signs himself the Kal force, Dave. The Kal force, remember, is the power of negativity. I remember he took my hand and I could feel it, a concrete thing. He was advertising in Fate magazine, Orion magazine, Cosmic Star." . Shes very clean and clear about her business acumen. Im a mystical agnostic materialist. Gross was in the habit of wearing light-blue leisure suits, and men throughout the audience mimicked his attire. A few months later Gross and Twitchells widow married, sending more ripples of confusion throughout the fold. Eckists have said that detractors (critics of Eckankar) are people who quit Eckankar because it didn't work for them, or because they failed at the path, and thus can't be taken seriously. His new title was President of Eckankar. What I find interesting is that his material doesnt shake the belief of most Eckists., This is why, he responds immediately. Hes touring the Southwest, as we speak. While Lane is in the bathroom, I try, to no avail, to get permission to photograph the event. There he and his first wife, Camille, joined the Self-Revelation Church of Absolute Monism, a system of yoga founded by Swami Premananda. This time the arm doesnt budge no matter how hard she pushes down on it. So I said, 'You guys can get out of this simply, just explain that Twitchell plagiarized. In many cases, even when they do ask, they face a stony silence from the org, or are told they are being "tested" spiritually, I dont go into Eck centers and walk around and say, Here, read my book. All Im saying is that Twitchell was lying to his constituency. (In one illustration, the Rod of Power is depicted as a glowing white wand. In 1978, after five years of study, he was initiated into Radhasoami in India by the late Maharaj Charan Singh. Gross and Gail Twitchell divorced in 1978. In the meantime, Lane graduated from Northridge, visited India, and enrolled at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, where in 1979 he met Brian Walsh. Gross continues to work as a spiritual master, with a small group of devoted followers, many of them former Eckists. Twitchell claimed that Eckankar was based on his own bilocation experiences and those of previous saints in various religions. It was like an outpost of spirituality. Theres so much shit. He didnt bring up David Lane, but he requested that I not dwell on Darwin Gross. His earlier writings didnt really talk about Rebazar Tarzs. (The 500-year-old bearded Tibetan monk Rebazar Tarzs wears a maroon robe, carries in his powerful right hand a huge walking staff, and speaks with a musical voice. But he refuses to reveal details for publication and will only repeat the facts as listed on the death certificate. As members are leaving in droves, the speaker looks into why. With the blink of an eye, he could vanish forever. Last year, former cult member Peter McWilliams published a scathing tell-all, Life 102: What to Do When Your Guru Sues You; Novembers Vanity Fair linked Arianna Huffingtons allegiance to MSIA to her husbands unsuccessful senate campaign; and the March issue of Playboy ran a detailed expose. If thats his focus in life, then he has a very limited view of life. McMahon explains that plagiarism isnt always what it seems. I keep discovering more and more offshoots, in India as well as here its like a virus, it keeps reproducing itself., You know the ins and outs of how religions are organized, and you're a charismatic person. They knew what I had done with Eckankar, and they thought, Well, he can do this with J.R. So there was a secret meeting in a Santa Monica condominium with these defectors. The Making of a Spiritual Movement is, in fact, so well documented that at times it reads like a 200-page footnote. We talk about the Hu as a prayer song or a love song to God, instead of saying its a chant or mantra. It was difficult coming to this country, trying to figure out the language, the new culture, and what to do. In October 1981, Eckists were again floored when Gross announced his resignation as the Living Eck Master, but not without first signing a contract that gave him a salary of $65,000 for life, full medical and dental coverage, use of a company car, and entertainment expenses. In Eckankar, since everyone is Soul, everyone is worthy. ", Charles Richards: "David Lane is making a name for himself by being an antagonist to Eckankar.". Their divorce was final in 1960. Lane looks like hes swallowed a mouse, grinning and biting his finger. I was 21. Simply put, Twitchell cut his connection with Radhasoami for good marketing reasons. The courtship was over. Hes now in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Mahanta is respected but not worshiped . Sri harold klemp is the 973rd living eck master in an unbroken line of eck masters. The Rod of Power was passed on to Harold Klemp. Actually, Eckankar is the one who has kept me going because they keep [after] me every time I try to come out with something. But Eckankars attorneys mailed the package back to me. Hes listed in Ripley's Believe It or Not as having sold an article every day. In 1942, after a stint in the Navy, Twitchell moved to New York, where he continued his journalism career, attended many churches, and read extensively on spiritual subjects. In one article Lane shows me, Twitchell is reported to have piercing blue eyes, to sleep only four hours a night, to read 5000 words a minute, to eat little, and to have the ability to be in all places at the same time.. You only here it from those shills promoting the book or on Ford's sites. I said, Yeah, Geraldo, this guy robbed my house, he did this he did this he did that all on national TV. Ellen Burstyn, maybe.) Then his widow, Gail Atkinson, had a vision in the night in which Twitchell named Gross. Signed, The Master. Another former Eckist named Gary Olsen started the MasterPath. And in my unknowingness, I like to explore how much more I dont know., Talking to these Eckists, the conscious, rational, jaded Dodie faded out, and this other little Dodie inside me was starting to feel an incredible seduction. Eckankar is a classic case in point. On the desk behind him sits a teddy bear. Im sure of it. He taps his finger on the table. Basically, I feel that David Lane is making a name for himself by being an antagonist to Eckankar. He used to send me Christmas cards, he gave me his personal phone number, and he offered me $5000 to help with my research on Eckankar.. As I walked through the hotel lobby, I couldnt see to the other side of the room there was so much smoke, and Im very sensitive to smoke yet I felt totally spiritualized. Though wary of groups, Yelman decided to give Eckankar a try. Do people get mad at Ralph Nader for saying that a Pinto blows up? I got one of his disciples. I dont give them any value. "Actually, Eckankar is the one who has kept me going because they keep [after] me every time I try to come out with something. Gross actually received the mantle on the inner planes when he was handed, not a flower, but the Rod of Power. But, Dave, I whine, why wont you talk about it on tape? Because I have a certain kind of respect for him, a kind of sweet affection. One of the reasons he may have relinquished his spiritual role to Harold is that it didnt jibe with him. The problem is that nobody uses Occams Razor when it comes to spirituality. Yelman received hers while at an Eck seminar in Hawaii. Soul, being a spark of God, is on a journey to find its way home to God, or the Sugmad. 195 views 10 months ago Talk probes a statement made by many in the Eckankar organisation, that their group is 'uplifting'. Theres lots of stuff I know about Eckankar, lots of stuff that is real juicy and real scandalous, but I wanted to limit my book to some major salient features about plagiarism and cover-up. Hes got his music. T he attacks on Justice Thomas never stop. Rebazar Tarzs, yeah, that Rebazar Tarzs. During their first six months of membership, new Eckists usually receive what is known as their first initiation in the dreamstate. My hobbit-like suburban existence was agitated by these chemicals of consciousness, and like any powerful initiatory . Off my granddaughter sprints down the driveway, giving herself a head start, the front gate our finish line. I talked to Twitchells first wife. How-to video gives tips on how to survive after leaving the Eckankar cult. For the past 20 years, Lanes books and articles accusing several new religious movements of plagiarisms, lies, inconsistencies, and scandals have raised a fury among true believers. Eckankar threatened a lawsuit for the inappropriate use of their trademark symbol on the books cover. Lane is convinced John-Roger was involved. He focuses a lot on past things, Paul Twitchell and how much his writings look like the writings of a teaching Lane happens to be in. Here's something you might be interested in. When a group of Eckists and I went to see the Bloomington, Indiana, premiere of Star Wars, we were thrilled by the light sabers of the Jedi knights. Dont you feel like the Great White Hunter attacking the endangered rhinoceros? Lane responds with animation. It was like in my imagination. Lanes green eyes turn serious. He lives in the San Diego area, but the location is a closely guarded secret. I need it. He resigned in June 1993 following a direct threat to kill from another member, Ebenezer Egunjobi, and a series of violent and disorientating mind control attacks emanating from the leader, Harold Klemp. McMahon seems suspicious of me, so I tell him that my current husband is an Irish Catholic from Long Island and that Im still very much in contact with my former husband, whos a higher initiate of Eckankar like himself. In 1977, noting the similarities between Radhasoami and Eckankar, a religious movement founded in San Diego in 1965 by the late Paul Twitchell, Lane wrote a term paper comparing the two for an undergraduate religious studies class at California State University-Northridge. Discomfort spreads across his face as I continue, You were the Master most of the time I was in it. Holding my hand, he looks deep into my eyes and says, Im still the Master. A left-handed grip will rotate the left side of the chest, and thus most of the heart, toward an enemy, while a right-handed grip will rotate it away. In the Army he traveled to Thailand, where he met his wife. Friday afternoon I visit 22-year veteran of Eckankar Kevin McMahon in his Cardiff home. Hes told me he surfs, and in his knee-length khaki shorts, plum-colored T-shirt, and sandals, he looks like a surfer. In days of old the barrier [sic] of bad news to the King was done away with. Anyway, there was an intensification of that, and I knew undoubtedly something was going on. When I ask him what Eckankars position is on Lanes research, Richards, whos been in Eckankar for 20 years, says he doesnt know. I looked like a little kid. When youre traveling, you want to have fun; you want to see pretty things. David Lanes critiques of Eckankar may be well documented and rational, but religious devotion is not about rationality. I imagine we have a wide spectrum. Hes unimpressed on both counts. Gail Atkinson, who has long since broken with Eckankar, is said to live in wealthy seclusion in Palm Springs. In a way it was like an abandonment. They sent letters about me claiming I was the negative force, that I was predicted from the beginning of mankind., In just one of Paul Twitchells books. Eight years later he broke with Kirpal Singh and thereafter denied any involvement with him. Rebazar Tarzs, she says reverently. Hes a friendly guy with lots of dreams of his own, but I just want to stare at the streams of headlights along the highway. Understand, hes got names coming out of the woodwork., So who do you think Rebazar Tarzs really is?. This feels like all the atoms in the universe moving around, its like a rushing sound in the background. Theres no calm center to this storm. And it continues to rain. Her enormous eyes seem to sparkle. When Paul Twitchell suddenly died in September 1971, he left no word as to who his successor should be. Burley, who . Same with Shamus-i-Tabriz. That he could notJ>e was his tragedy. I wonder if this is not Lanes tragedy too. An example: I claim the reason I missed our appointment last night was because Elvis was on Venus and sucked me up into a space capsule. When the Vietnamese fellow was in San Diego, he saw a poster for an Eckankar event that had a picture of Rebazar Tarzs on it, and he recognized him. Lane also appeared on Geraldo Riveras Now It Can Be Told. I mean, I couldnt get in the door, so I had to climb through the bedroom window. Nobody wins, so we just let it sit there. His clothes seem to be tossed onto his rather stocky body. I ask Lane to tell me about Twitchells mysterious death. Lane leans down to better peer through his window. Maybe it was just some neurons firing in the right part of your brain or maybe you had too much dopamine in the frontal lobes or maybe you took an Excedrin four hours ago. We dont want that kind of explanation., Its a beautiful, sunny day. Im not interested in all this other dialogue that David Lane is so focused on. Everybody has a right to pursue whatever interest they have. But Eckists are such sweet people, I insist. Twitchell married his second wife, Gail Atkinson, in San Francisco in 1964. There are ECK Temples, ECK Centers, and reading rooms in cities and towns across the . But Lane had the jump on all of them when back in 1984 he wrote The J.R. 0:53. in his book, and on every single page I just had to make my own notes. As Yelman laughs, her stiff, angular body quivers with excitement. Recent local Eckankar meeting. Grosss uplifting music is claimed to have miraculous healing powers. Driving the news: " As the only person to serve as both National Security Advisor and Domestic Policy Advisor, Susan's record of public service makes history," Biden said of the former UN ambassador and national . People sit on park benches, push baby carriages along paths, jog beside the water. Weve had people who have recognized Harold Klemp prior to his becoming the Living Eck Master; he kept coming to them into their dreams. I gave up drugs, and my grades went down. Eckankar is a new religious movement founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965. They had this little tape recorder, and I was impressed I thought it was very professional. Six members of Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS have been placed on administrative leave after a video showed multiple emergency personnel punch and kick a person in an apparent brawl while on . Apparently Lane has equally conflicted feelings about me. People always say, Leave us alone; Eckankar works. I do leave those people alone. When they find out youre talking to me, I guarantee that their lawyers will write. Paul was an avid reader. His previous associations were tainted. I dont know what that is.. I called him my friend, she continues. Im worried about getting lost, he says, exasperated. I'd sign this but you SCUM BAGS aren't worth much more of my effort, just a bit more EFFORT and then it ends. It gets tiresome., For ten years I was a member of Eckankar,one of the groups Lane has written about most extensively. I dont think Twitchell imagined that Eckankar would blossom the way it did. I also have the evidence that David Christopher Lane is an informant for the F.B.l. But the woman I remember was mousy, with a broad smile; no Bond girl was she. As we shake hands I notice hes wearing a gold ring with an embossed EK logo. Eckists are all over the world, and in different walks of life, and from different political orientations, different socioeconomic levels. Understand that if you read the sacred works of all the religions, such as the Bhagavad-Gita, the Bible, or the Koran, youre going to see references almost exactly alike. He tells me a phenomenal story about an American writer and a European writer who, unbeknownst to one another, wrote identical books and sent them to the same publisher. About four weeks later Lanes guru in India, Charan Singh, received a letter, supposedly from another follower in San Diego, criticizing Lane and quoting from his wifes stolen diaries. That i owed it to myself to know for sure that what i. When I came back to the States, I read a book by Paul Twitchell called The Tigers Fang. Where do you think Twitchell got these names?. I dont mean just an idea or a thought, Im talking about the reproduction of grammatical mistakes, semicolon misuse. Rather, hes tried to make the teachings more accessible to the average person whos interested in religion or spirituality but may not be familiar with a lot of the terms that weve used in the past., What alternative terms have been developed?, Instead of talking about contemplations or the nurat or the surat technique for the light and sound, we just say we do spiritual exercises.

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