urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:eckisteckisteckisteckist2008-02-04T17:48:19Zurn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:eckist:990What is Eckankar ? A path of direct spiritual experience2008-02-04T17:48:19Z2008-02-04T17:48:19ZFrom a very early age I had a burning desire to know who I really was and why I am here (in this life I mean). <br /><br />Born to a wonderful Christian Family I could not understand why if "heaven is a wonderful place" why people cried at funerals and were so afraid of death. Didn't anyone have direct experience of it? <br /><br />It seemed to me that alot of spirituality was based on "belief", "faith" and theology. I wanted more... I wanted experience, I wanted proof, and to find truth for myself. So even at age 6 I was searching for answers. I read all I could find on<br /><br />ECKANKAR IS A TEACHING BASED ON THE DIRECT EXPERIENCE OF INNER LIGHT AND INNER SOUND. THE TEACHINGS OF LIGHT AND SOUND HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES - BUT THEY HAVEN'T ALWAYS BEEN CALLED ECKANKAR...urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:eckist:675What is Eckankar ? A path of direct spiritual experience2008-02-04T17:47:41Z2008-02-04T17:47:41ZFrom a very early age I had a burning desire to know who I really was and why I am here (in this life I mean). <br /><br />Born to a wonderful Christian Family I could not understand why if "heaven is a wonderful place" why people cried at funerals and were so afraid of death. Didn't anyone have direct experience of it? <br /><br />It seemed to me that alot of spirituality was based on "belief", "faith" and theology. I wanted more... I wanted experience, I wanted proof, and to find truth for myself. Here's a short chronology of my spiritual path:<br /><br />Age 4- I remember hearing humming, buzzing, ocean sounds coming from within myself. No idea what it means, but I hear it all the time....<br />Age 5-7 I was searching for answers.<br />Age 8 I was reading books on Buddhism<br />Age 9 I read the Bible that summer. The Minister told me God wasn"t in control ( I said; 'Not in control? You're talking about God!)<br />Age 10 I was into baseball (ok not so spiritual)<br />Age 11 I was reading about Siddhartha<br />Age 12 I was trying to fond someone, anyone who had a spiritual experience<br />Age 13 I was reading my older sisters books by Carlos Castaneda, ands Alan Watts<br />Age 14 I was reading her books on Buddhism<br />Age 15 I learned how to meditate (TM), but the first time I meditated <u>I had a tremendous out-of-body or Soul Travel experience</u>.<br /> This was proof of life-after-death, Soul, and that I was more than flesh and bones.<br /> My instructor neither understood my experience, nor could he help me, although I knew I wanted more.<br /> I started searching for others like me<br /> I found a book on Astral Projection<br />Age 16 Trying to get "out-of-the body" again with little success<br /> Friends ask me to speak to their departed loved ones, but I don;t know how to yet<br />Age 17 My best friend finds a book on Eckankar, 'ECKANKAR; KEYS TO SECRET WORLDS" BY PAUL TWITCHELL. <br /><br />It gives techniques on "Soul Travel" <br /> ......describes the inner worlds or planes<br /> ......talks about the inner sound (the sound I heard since childhood)<br /><br /><br />sidenote.........<b>ECKANKAR IS A TEACHING BASED ON THE DIRECT EXPERIENCE OF INNER LIGHT AND INNER SOUND. THE TEACHINGS OF LIGHT AND SOUND HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES - BUT THEY HAVEN'T ALWAYS BEEN CALLED ECKANKAR...</b>