In the hectic whirl of daily living, we often feel cut off from our spirituality. Caught up in perpetual external distractions — busy at work, on social media, or simply mired in the daily grind. But what if you could go a little deeper, to a place of awareness where you commune with the Divine, your spiritual awakening? That’s when two powerful Eckankar practices — meditation and contemplation — can help you reconnect with the Light and Sound of God and your Soul.
What Makes Eckankar Meditation Different?
Many people’s go to thoughts when we think of meditation are the thought of focusing on our breath or quieting the mind. Eckankar’s method of meditation moves more into the realm of active and experiential. Eckankar meditation is designed not to simply bring about calmness, but to lift your Soul and bring you closer to the Divine.
The core of this practice is to chant HU (pronounced ‘hue’). It is not just a word — it’s a sacred sound that allows for bringing your consciousness into alignment with the higher spiritual planes. By chanting HU you are tuning into the Divine Sound, and one of the principal ways God speaks to humans in Eckankar. It’s nothing about emptying your mind; it’s about attuning yourself to a divine vibration that aligns your Soul to spiritual experiences.
Contemplation: Reflecting on Divine Insights
Eckankar makes contemplation a more observational experience. This is more than just thinking; when you are thinking on your thoughts about any spiritual thing, you are being in contemplation.
In Eckankar, students often contemplate on the teachings and experiences of the ECK Masters — spiritual figures who assist in the Soul journey. The end is not only an intellectual understanding but a deeper, intuitive grasp of divine wisdom. Reflecting on your divine experiences — whether they be from dreams and visions or life events — begins the integration of that teaching into your daily life.
How Does Eckankar Meditation Differ from Other Practices?
So, what sets Eckankar meditation apart from traditional meditation techniques?
The Focus on Sound and Light
In traditional meditation you are supposed to empty your mind or focus on a mantra. Sound and Light of God is what we make contact with in Eckankar. A HU chant is one of the many ways to tune into these divine frequencies. It’s a practice dynamic, that goes beyond inner silence to connect actively with the divine.
Soul-Centered Practice
Unlike traditional meditation, Eckankar’s meditation is centered upon the Soul. This is not to secure peace of mind, but rather spiritual liberation. Engaging with the Divine through Soul centered practices allows you to open yourself to Soul Travel, the ability for your Soul to travel to higher spiritual realms.
Experiential, Not Just Intellectual
In traditional meditation, we are often trying to cultivate awareness or attempt to manage our thoughts. Whereas Eckankar meditation would nudge you to interactively get to know the Divine with Soul encounters. While stilling the mind is part of it, the real essence is receiving divine guidance chosen by the mind that brings about deep spiritual growth.
Practical Steps to Get Started
If you’re ready to dive into these transformative practices, here are some simple steps to get started on your spiritual journey:
Chanting HU
First, find a quiet place. Get comfy, shut your eyes and start softly or loudly chanting “HU.” Listen to the vibration of the sound, the reverberation through the whole of you. Let it open your to higher reaches. You will start to see shifts in your consciousness; just do this consistently.
The Looking for the Golden Temple
Visualize yourself walking into a Golden Temple, brightly lit with the divine light. In this sacred sitting, consider any spiritual questions or truths that you want to address. Tune into the still small voice of your Soul. It is a wonderful approach for fusing meditation and contemplation to gain spiritual wisdom.
Dreams and Reflections
Contemplation may occur in moments of stillness — through prayer or journaling or pondering a dream. Notice any strong dreams as you wake up, or impulses/insights. Consider how they may be guidance for your life, messages from the Divine.
Why These Practices Matter
Meditation and contemplation are not simply how Eckankar people find inner peace; they are also means to spiritual awakening. By practicing these, you open the door to the Divine, experience spiritual truths directly, and then walk around with it as a part of life. These tools help your Soul to grow and learn its purpose within the bigger spiritual scheme whether chanting HU or reminding yourself to pay attention to divine guidance.
So, give these practices a try. Special skills, or a huge amount of time are not needed—they’re simply needed to have an open heart and a willingness to connect. When you keep meditating and thinking, you will see that your spiritual journey will be fuller, more meaningful, with Divine insights. Ready to begin? Waiting for the experience is your Soul!