Eckankar is a modern religious movement that presents itself as a path of direct, personal experience of the Divine, often described as the “Light and Sound of God.” Founded by Paul Twitchell in 1965, it teaches that each person is Soul—an eternal spark of God—capable of conscious exploration of spiritual worlds beyond the physical. This exploration is commonly referred to as Soul Travel, a form of out-of-body experience or astral projection that serves as a central spiritual technique. The movement emphasizes that spiritual growth rests not on belief alone, but on firsthand encounters with inner light and sound currents that reveal deeper dimensions of reality.

At the heart of Eckankar is the concept of the ECK, understood as a divine life current or Holy Spirit, the inner stream of Light and Sound that underlies all creation. The very name “Eckankar” is interpreted as “Co-worker with God,” suggesting a relationship in which Soul learns to move in harmony with this current. Through ethical living, spiritual exercises, and contemplative practices, adherents seek Self-Realization and ultimately God-Realization, understood as spiritual liberation and freedom from the cycles of karma and reincarnation. In this view, spiritual evolution unfolds across multiple lifetimes and multiple planes of existence, yet remains accessible through sincere inner effort in the present life.

Practices in Eckankar are designed to cultivate this direct awareness. A central exercise is the chanting of the sacred word “HU” (pronounced “Hugh”), used as a contemplative sound to open the heart to the Divine and attune to the ECK. Soul Travel techniques often involve gentle visualization and inward focus rather than rigid or highly formalized meditation. Dream work and lucid dreaming are also treated as important avenues for spiritual insight, since the dream state is seen as another arena in which Soul can learn, travel, and receive guidance. Study of Eckankar’s discourses and literature supports these inner practices by providing a conceptual framework for the experiences that may arise.

The movement is organized around the figure of the “Living ECK Master,” regarded as both an outer spiritual leader and an inner guide known as the Mahanta. This living master is viewed as a way-shower who helps Souls navigate the higher worlds and deepen their relationship with the ECK. Leadership has passed from Paul Twitchell to subsequent masters, and the organization maintains a global presence with its headquarters and Temple of ECK in Chanhassen, Minnesota. While drawing on elements associated with various Eastern mystical traditions, Eckankar presents itself as a distinctive path that places individual spiritual experience above dogma, inviting seekers to test its teachings through their own encounters with the Light and Sound of God.