Spotlight On: Eastern Sierra Eckankar Group
As part of our ongoing series, we are interviewing people of interest in the area who are having a positive impact on our community.
This time, we reached out to Zenia McLaughlin and Rikk Hansen from Eastern Sierra Eckankar Group.
For readers who may not be familiar, how would you describe Eckankar in a few sentences?
Eckankar is known as the Path of Spiritual Freedom. The teachings provide techniques and resources for anyone to explore their own spiritual experiences, access inner guidance, and find their unique personal connection with Divine Spirit/God. The word itself means Co-worker with God.
Can you describe a little bit about the Eastern Sierra Eckankar Group and how it began?
After the first workshop in Bishop and some follow-up spiritual discussions, it was clear that there is a real desire and need for this kind of spiritual community – a safe place to share spiritual experiences with others actively exploring a personal spiritual path.
What are some of the core spiritual tools or practices that Eckankar teaches?
Eckankar teaches “Spiritual Exercises” – daily practices for direct, personal experience with the Divine Spirit/God. These creative techniques use contemplation and the singing of sacred words to bring the higher awareness of Soul to navigating challenges in everyday life.
A core spiritual tool is singing or chanting the word HU, which is an ancient name for God. It can be sung as a love song to God, sung aloud or silently to oneself. The HU is a universal sound and can be used by anyone, regardless of religion or spiritual path. The HU will simply enhance the path you are on. HU can open the door to healing, upliftment, and connecting with the most sacred part of yourself.
Dream study is another aspect of Eckankar; acknowledging that the experiences we have in our dreams can give us both spiritual insight and guidance for daily challenges. Perhaps even give us a glimpse of past life experiences that can help us understand a current situation, fear or problem.
How do you define “Soul Travel,” and how does it differ from other spiritual or meditative experiences?
Beyond prayer and meditation, there is Soul Travel. Soul Travel is getting in touch with your higher nature, which is Soul.
Some people experience Soul Travel as a shift of consciousness. All of a sudden something happens in their lives where they become aware that they understand something they haven’t before. Then, they just know.
Soul travel can also be a dramatic experience where people are lifted out of the body and have conscious experience in the spiritual worlds of God.
It helps people unfold spiritually and can provide proof of the existence of God and life after death.
What inspired you to create the “Past Lives, Dreams, and Soul Travel” workshop, and what can participants expect from it?
Beyond a desire to share techniques to those who are open, it’s a chance for people to share their experiences that they are already having in a welcoming space. We found that there was a real thirst in this area for people to gather together with other spiritually minded people and feel safe to share these experiences and feel supported.
During the workshop, we explore each of these aspects of spiritual exploration. Participants have the opportunity to have their own experience with the HU, to learn spiritual exercises they can use to further explore different ways of receiving inner guidance…through dreams, soul travel and past life insights.
The workshop is highly interactive, with an emphasis on people sharing the experiences they are already having, plus an opportunity to more deeply access their own inner guidance.
Are there any upcoming events or workshops you’d like people to know about?
We are currently doing monthly spiritual discussions on “Raising Your Spiritual IQ” in Bishop, giving people the opportunity to share and experience some spiritual exercises firsthand.
We will be at the Eastern Sierra Pride Festival on June 8 in Mammoth Lakes – with a fun, interactive experience, the Spiritual Wisdom Wheel, to tap into your own inner guidance.
We are planning a year-long spiritual study class, meeting once a month. This class is for those who are ready to take their spiritual lives to the next level. This will be starting in June.
Lastly, how can someone contact you if they are interested in learning more about these topics?
You can contact us via phone or text @ (760) 582-5387
If someone likes, we’re happy to add them to an email list to be notified of the upcoming events in the area.
Also, our local group is part of a larger organization that serves all of California: www.eck-ca.org
Thank you Zenia and Rikk for answering our questions!
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