ECK Masters and You: An Illustrated Guide Paperback – Illustrated, June 1, 2006

I found this little book at a used bookstore here in Portland, Oregon. Decided to read it. (I was a member of Eckankar from 1972 until 1984, then a follower of Darwin Gross and his Sounds of Soul organization until 1989. I then was briefly a member of the Radhasoami Faith until 1991.) I found the book appealing in that the formatting, language and graphics were excellent. Professionally superior! The downside is that little is given on the source material to link these masters in historical context. One cannot find ANY REFERENCES to them whatsoever in standard secular or traditional religious history. Yes, there are some contemporary "alt-faiths" that make reference to these masters, but they also give no source material to prove they exist. Myth-makers quoting each other. As far as folks having "personal inward experiences" well, this doesn't cut the mustard of provability in the objective world. I found the book inspiring in the sense that I find the Greek Myths inspiring or the teachings of Jesus, Buddha, Ramakrishna, etc.

We all look for help in our spiritual lives.Being open to new ways of thinking and examining help from greater sources than us is important. This book outlines the 'eck masters of the viragi order' according to eckankar.While the pictures and images of the people in this book may be inspiring, it is very important to remain questioning and critical of the information provided to us. Do we sacrifice our own God-given abilities of thinking and intuition for the sake of what a teaching like eckankar may offer or do we use these abilities to question the background and source of this information.As a previous member of eckankar for 15 plus years in Southern Ontario, I believed deeply in these mystical beings. Looking to them for hope, love and support.What I didn't realize were - when digging into the background of these beings, that they were a creation of the unethical creator of this religion - Paul Twitchell. His desire to build his own path after rejection from the Radhasoami/Sant Mat tradition, is the path called eckankar today.Many, like myself, wanted some deity to help me navigate through the challenges of life. I believed in these beings.But once I looked at the clear information of the supposed actions of eck masters such as paul twitchell, darwin gross and harold klemp I began to realize that these beings had no more of a physical or spiritual existance than the tooth fairy. The writings about them were concocted from the imaginings of paul twitchell (and today continued in books like these from harold klemp, the next in a line of 3 supposed masters of this religion).Take the high-road (and more difficult one). Search your heart for the truth. You don't need someone else's myth to help you.

Uplifting and when read with an open mind a true pathway to spiritual experiences of your own.

Fascinating book. After lifetimes of hard knocks, this book is a real gift.

This is a good book that helps me get to know the Eck Masters. They have walked the path of Eckankar and now give back by helping others in their journey back to Sugmad. It's nice to realize they've been in our shoes at one time in their human lives and know what we are going through. I'm very glad I made this purchase.