My posture and general opinion about this book is neutral.
I did not know the Eckankar religion until I read this book. I am not a religious person, although I grew up and I was surrounded by people who were. But I am a believer and I am open to all philosophy or spiritual expression and praise for the sacred that is given in love and for the good of all. I am against discrimination because I practice the love that unifies and not the violence that judges and separates. By my very personal spiritual growth, I can recognize that we are part of a multidiverse family, that Love and Consciousness are present in everything that exists, I recognize the sacredness of life and the material cosmos, I live in gratitude and loving respect for all living creatures.
For all the above I found similarities of my very personal way of connecting with the presence of divinity within and with this religion. I found it enriching to know this group of people who have as basis to explore and develop a very personal unique way of having a relationship with the divine spirit, without anyone interceding for them. It is also very revealing that this religion consider the sound of God as a key element to connect with the divinity. It seems to me that the Eckankar integrates many characteristics of ancestral religions and beliefs of mankind, such as practices through sound and sacred syllables, with dreams, with soul journeys, past lives, world of spirits; and teaches the care of the body as the home of the spirit, and that the experiences of the world are spiritually enlightening (resonates with my truth!).
I am very clear that as humanity expands its consciousness, raises its vibrational frequency, it will better accede - sustain - radiate the divine reality to which it belongs; for this reason, I think that this religion is a reflection of this and of a new paradigm, and therefore is more integrative, more practical for everyday life. I discovered that Eckankar teachings promote relationships based on respect for individuality, for diversity, that evolve towards greater compassion and love. I could also glimpse that their practices invite people to empower themselves, resolve their conflicts better, as it proposes to be self-responsible and self-disciplined.
Although I find resonance points with Eckankar, I do not intend to join this religion, nor convince anyone to do so. I do not believe that any philosophy or teacher can embrace absolute / total knowledge of the Creative Source, but we can enrich ourselves and listen to other religious beliefs, respect them and honor the part of truth they hold, and develop a more holistic and integral view of the Whole.
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book