THE UNTOLD STORY OF PAUL TWITCHELL AND ECKANKAR
kena...@my-dejanews.com
From
THE MAKING OF A SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT: THE UNTOLD STORY OF PAUL TWITCHELL
AND ECKANKAR
Available from Del Mar Press, P.O. Box 2508, Del Mar, California
92014. $15
Author: David C. Lane (dl...@weber.ucsd.edu)
----------
First published on web by David Rife (ri...@inlink.com)
The Unauthorized Eckankar(tm) Page is at
http://www.inlink.com/~rife/eck_main.html
Mirrored at http://www.csun.edu/~hbjou017/cults/ekonkar
by David D. Rogers (david....@csun.edu) with permission
David Lane's web page is at http://weber.ucsd.edu/~dlane
This work may be freely distributed provided credit is given to the author.
----------
Chapter Ten
THE SAGA OF HAROLD KLEMP
How To Dismantle Eckankar Gracefully
Here's the scenario: you are a devoted and longstanding member of a new
religious movement. After slowly moving up the ranks, you secure a good
position in the religion's publishing division. After 10 years in the group,
you write a well-received book about your great experiences following the
Spiritual Masters. Then, in a surprising turn of events, word comes that you
have been appointed to be the leader of the group. You now find yourself the
object of devotion among thousands of disciples. But there's a catch: after
assuming the mastership you discover that the founder of your religion and
his successor were corrupt; not only did the originator plagiarize and
cover-up his past, but his successor misappropriated funds and led an immoral
life-style. Now for the key question: if this was your situation, what would
you do?
Unbelievable as it may seem in fiction, the above scenario actually did happen
in real life to Sri Harold Klemp, the third "Living Eck Master."\**
I realize that devoted Eckankar members would argue that there have been over
970 Eck Masters prior to Gross and Klemp, but it should be remembered that
Paul Twitchell invented the number in order to impress his following that his
newly founded religion was really ancient. The bottom line is that there is
no galaxy of Eck Masters who hang out in obscure corners of the planet earth
waiting for spiritually advanced Eck chelas. Besides being one of the truly
great plagiarists of the 20th century, Twitchell was also one of the
century's great fibbers or yarn tellers. The only problem is that his
numerous devotees don't know when to separate fact from fiction, genuine
spiritual masters (like Kabir) from comic book Eck characters (like Fubbi
Quantz), and authentic teachings (like listening to the inner sound current)
from adolescent imagination (like "Temples of Golden Wisdom").
In a bold move (but not a politically wise one), Klemp excommunicated Darwin
Gross from the Eck fold, even rescinding his lower level initiations. Klemp
also tried to clarify Eckankar's dubious past by revising much of its
"official" history. In a series of articles in The Mystic World and his
public talks, Klemp admitted that Eckankar's founder, Paul Twitchell, was a
follower of Swami Premananda, Kirpal Singh and L. Ron Hubbard. Prior to
Klemp's announcements, the official word through Eckankar was that Twitchell
was not involved with these teachers. In an article for the Mystic World
entitled "Stop The World I Want To Get Off. . .Or When Will You Leave ECK?"
Harold Klemp wrote the following about his mentor, Paul Twitchell:
Here comes Paul Twitchell, a social rebel and spiritual giant in a single
package. His personal life and habits were a jolt to people who thought a man
of God should be of another order. . .
Scientologists pelted Paul with letters. The advanced members, the "Clears,"
made an offer to advance him in spiritual matters for a large sum of money.
Paul bought none of their sales pitch because they had more problems than he
did, an outsider.\**
Klemp's allegation that Twitchell was an "outsider" to Scientology is patently
incorrect. Twitchell was a member of Scientology and deeply admired L. Ron
Hubbard for years until he later broke off his connection.
Although he claimed to have acted as Ron Hubbard's press officer for several
years in the District of Columbia, he wanted no "gas" from these professional
people. Paul's tie-in with Scientology during his training as Godman is
another bitter mouthful to chew for some people.
Even in ECK, one's cherished notions about the Master are dashed to the
ground by the truth of spiritual things. For instance, all ECK Masters do
not hold the same high power from the SUGMAD when they take the Rod of ECK
Power.\**
The Mystic World (Winter 1984), pages 1-2.
Klemp even went so far as to admit that Twitchell's writings appeared similar
to Julian P. Johnson's, the author of the now famous The Path Of The Masters
, and other religious writers. Yet, Klemp did not go far enough. Instead of
honestly telling the truth to the Eckankar membership that Twitchell was a
notorious plagiarist and a first rate liar, he recoiled and sought to give a
ludicrous explanation about how there is an akashic library in the astral
plane where writers, like Johnson and Twitchell, go to copy their books. In
other words, Twitchell didn't plagiarize The Path Of The Masters in its
copyrighted form, he simply copied it word for word from the original,
"astral" version of the text. Klemp implies also that Johnson copied his
writings from the same text too.
With such a convoluted use of logic, it should then follow that anybody could
copy from Eckankar copyrighted materials and not get in trouble for doing
so. But such has never been the case. Even Darwin Gross, the former leader
of Eckankar, was not exempt from allegations of copyright infringement when
he used the terms "Eck" and "Ek" to describe his ministry. Simply put,
Klemp has invented a story to cover-up Twitchell's plagiarism so that
Eckankar can still get away with publishing "stolen" materials. If
Twitchell's plagiarism was ever examined in a court of law, Eckankar would
have to forfeit thousands of dollars and every book its founder wrote.
There is not one Eckankar book by Paul Twitchell which does not contain lifted
material from other authors.
Harold Klemp also suffers under the delusion that even though Eckankar is
fraudulently based (from start to finish) that he can somehow keep the
"integrity" of the movement intact. How can this be possible when
Twitchell's own wife (and, I would suggest, co-founder), Gail, has privately
admitted that Eckankar is a "fraud?"\** How can this be viable when the
history of Eckankar's
See "Gakko Came From Venus," UCSM (Volume 2, Number 1).
origins is a fanciful, literary (and, at times, borrowed) fiction? The
forthcoming answers are a sad indication of the state of some modern
religions: money, blind faith, power, and ignorance. For if Harold Klemp was
truly honest and sincere, he could only do one thing to Eckankar:
dismantle it gracefully, but quickly .
However, misguided Eckists need not fear, for Klemp has directed Eckankar
into a new direction, one which has paranoia as a cornerstone. I don't think
it is coincidental that the number of Eckists who have had "bad" astral
experiences has increased steadily since Harold Klemp published his article,
"Methods of the Black Magician," in the Winter 1983 issue of The Mystic World
. In 1987 alone I have talked with more than ten Eckists who have reported
terrifying experiences of "losing" one's mind and mental balance; some even
claim to be haunted by internal beings and powers taking away the inner
recesses of their personality. A close look at the following passages from
Klemp's article shows clearly where these Eckists are getting their fears:
The black magician depends upon simple, inexperienced people to provoke
worship of the personality, for in ignorance is his power. Signs of one in
whom the Kal power is stronger than the ECK are several, including: 1) Show
him money and he wonders how to get it from you, 2) make peace in your
household and he will try to break it up and 3) if you say, "This is Truth,"
he tries to prove it is not so.
The potential for a fall from grace is a real danger when the lust for power
thrusts itself into the foreground. No matter what high station anyone gets
in his journey to God, he can end up a fallen star unless he has truly seen
the SUGMAD. . .
A black magician has a degree of knowledge as to how invisible energies split
from the Audible Life Current, but he bends them toward darkness and
destruction.
With power to invade dreams, he can bring terror through nightmares. The
dreamer quakes, wondering what has suddenly unbalanced the delicate scale in
his affairs. Monsters appear, forces, tear at the Astral body and strange,
awful phenomena confront him.
Fear grows and, with it, the disarming influence of the magician steals over
the victim. In the initial phase he scatters the initiate's serenity so as
to control the mind. Craving raw power, the magician cares not a wit for
Soul's freedom. . .
To survive a psychic attack takes several approaches: 1) A conscious closing
of the emotional door against the intruder. Any photos, as well memorabilia,
of a disruptive personality must be put out of the house. 2) A constant
chanting of HU or the initiate's personal word. 3) An actual fight on the
inner planes whereby the trespasser is driven off by marital arts or some
weapon at hand. 4) Getting plenty of rest each night. . .
People under psychic attack must make a decision whether to follow the Lord
of Light and sound, or the lord of darkness. Hesitation creates a split
current of energy within one. I've had reports of people who suffered heart
attacks because they let their emotions pull in two different directions at
the same time. Forego the Worship of Moloch. The price is too dear.
I can help you combat the dark force by use of the might Sword of the
SUGMAD--but only if you listen.\**
The Mystic World (Winter 1983), pages 1-2.
The danger of Klemp's warning against "black magicians" (some former Eckists
feel it is a thinly disguised criticism of Darwin Gross) is that it allows
for impressionable Eckists to start having the very experiences he warns
against. Indeed, several of the Eckists I interviewed did not have troubles
in their meditation until Klemp's warnings of the "black magician [who]
creeps into his prey's life step by step. Every emotional trick is used to
bind the two ever more closely together." Such mind games can only run havoc
on immature and impregnable personalities. In this way, Harold Klemp has
done a great harm to his following. Eckankar has been the source of
tremendous mental imbalance for a growing number of devotees because its
doctrines are not systematic, psychologically sound, and spiritually
authentic. Rather, they are the outcome of Twitchell's schizophrenic
plagiarism (he copied widely varying and contradictory teachings), which are
replete with unsound (and unproven) meditation techniques, sophomoric advice
about "internal beings," and dangerous spiritual counseling. The net result
is that Eckankar is anything but a beneficial and uplifting religion.
Harold Klemp would do a service to himself and the spiritual community at
large if he would simply resign from his post and tell the unvarnished truth
to Eckankar followers. If this was done, thousands of Eckists may then have
the opportunity to search again for an authentic path, instead of being
misled by a religious corporation riddled with inept leadership and corrupt
politics.
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
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Rich
>
> From
> THE MAKING OF A SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT: THE UNTOLD STORY OF PAUL TWITCHELL
> AND ECKANKAR
>
>
> THE SAGA OF HAROLD KLEMP
>
> How To Dismantle Eckankar Gracefully
[REPOST from 6-28-98]
Rather than take issue with almost all of this speculation, assumption
and opinion, I'll leave what I see as the truthful parts.
About Harold:
> Here's the scenario: you are a devoted and longstanding member of a new
> religious movement. After slowly moving up the ranks, you secure a good
> position in the religion's publishing division. After 10 years in the group,
> you write a well-received book about your great experiences following the
> Spiritual Masters. Then, cut{in a surprising turn of events,}cut
> word comes that you
> have been appointed to be the leader of the group. You now find yourself the
> object of devotion among thousands of disciples.
> In a bold move, Klemp excommunicated Darwin
> Gross from the Eck fold, even rescinding his lower level initiations.
> In a series of articles in The Mystic World and his public talks,
> Klemp admitted[using the word "admitted" is David's way of trying to insinuate that Harold
had been with holding or suppressing this information, which is not
true] that Eckankar's
founder, Paul Twitchell, was a follower of Swami
> Premananda, Kirpal Singh and L. Ron Hubbard.
> In an article for the Mystic World entitled "Stop The World I
> Want To Get Off. . .Or When Will You Leave ECK?" Harold Klemp wrote the
> following about his mentor, Paul Twitchell:
>
> Here comes Paul Twitchell, a social rebel and spiritual giant in a single
> package. His personal life and habits were a jolt to people who thought a man
> of God should be of another order. . .
>
> Scientologists pelted Paul with letters. The advanced members, the "Clears,"
> made an offer to advance him in spiritual matters for a large sum of money.
> Paul bought none of their sales pitch because they had more problems than he
> did, an outsider.\**
> Klemp even went so far as to admit[Again with the "admit" insinuation] that Twitchell's
writings appeared similar
> to
> Julian P. Johnson's, the author of the now famous The Path Of The Masters ,
> and
> other religious writers.
If Eckankar was really like David presents it, I would agree with his
conclusion that:
> The net result is that Eckankar is anything but a
> beneficial and uplifting religion.
My many years of experience have proven to be the opposite for me.
--
o
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Rich~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sailing the CyberSea~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--
o
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(___________/
Rich~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sailing the CyberSea~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mahavahana
> kena...@my-dejanews.com wrote:
> >
> > From
> > THE MAKING OF A SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT: THE UNTOLD STORY OF PAUL TWITCHELL
> > AND ECKANKAR
> >
> >
> > THE SAGA OF HAROLD KLEMP
> >
> > How To Dismantle Eckankar Gracefully
>
>
> Rather than take issue with almost all of this speculation, assumption
> and opinion, I'll leave what I see as the truthful parts.
>
> About Harold:
> > religious movement. After slowly moving up the ranks, you secure a good
> > position in the religion's publishing division. After 10 years in the group,
> > you write a well-received book about your great experiences following the
> > have been appointed to be the leader of the group. You now find yourself the
> > object of devotion among thousands of disciples.
>
>
> > Gross from the Eck fold, even rescinding his lower level initiations.
> > Klemp admitted
Rich says:
[using the word "admitted" is David's way of trying to insinuate that
Harold
> had been with holding or suppressing this information, which is not
> true] that Eckankar's
> founder, Paul Twitchell, was a follower of Swami
> > Premananda, Kirpal Singh and L. Ron Hubbard.
David Lane's comment is correct.
Harold's predecessors Paulji and Darji, and Eckankar org, had never
admitted that Paulji was a student and/or chela of Premananda, Hubbard,
and especially Kirpal Singh.
In the case of Paulji's dealings with Hubbard there was some vague
admission to this by Paulji in LETTERS TO GAIL. But even there he
doesn't really describe how deeply he was involved in Scientology.
Before Harold, Eckankar had never admitted that Paulji studied with
Premananda and Kirpal Singh. Since this is so, Lane's comment about
Harold being the first to "admit" this truth is certainly correct and
justified, because Eckankar *had* been withholding information from the
eck membership.
Since Harold is eckankar's chief spokesperson, it's only fair to hold
him accountable for what's revealed to the membership and what isn't.
>
--
Posted via Talkway - http://www.talkway.com
Exchange ideas on practically anything (tm).
Kani
<Mahav...@calistoga.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 04 May 1999 00:48:09 -1000 Rich <rsm...@aloha.net> wrote:
> Rich says:
>
> [using the word "admitted" is David's way of trying to insinuate that
> Harold
> > had been with holding or suppressing this information, which is not
> > true]
> David Lane's comment is correct.
>
> Harold's predecessors Paulji and Darji, and Eckankar org, had never
> admitted that Paulji was a student and/or chela of Premananda, Hubbard,
> and especially Kirpal Singh.
>
> In the case of Paulji's dealings with Hubbard there was some vague
> admission to this by Paulji in LETTERS TO GAIL. But even there he
> doesn't really describe how deeply he was involved in Scientology.
>
> Before Harold, Eckankar had never admitted that Paulji studied with
> Premananda and Kirpal Singh. Since this is so, Lane's comment about
> Harold being the first to "admit" this truth is certainly correct and
> justified, because Eckankar *had* been withholding information from the
> eck membership.
Rich was talking about Harold, not Paul or Darwin.
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/irrelev.htm
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/falsean.htm
> Since Harold is eckankar's chief spokesperson, it's only fair to hold
> him accountable for what's revealed to the membership and what isn't.
Correct. Harold is accountable for revealing, not suppressing or
withholding, the information as you fallaciously attempted to prove
with a conclusion drawn from a false analogy.
Mahavahana
Wow, you sure saved eckankar with that one! Now grab a dictionary and
look up "admit." Then go find "nitpicker" . . . don't be surprised to
see your picture in the margin.
>
> > Since Harold is eckankar's chief spokesperson, it's only fair to hold
> > him accountable for what's revealed to the membership and what isn't.
>
> Correct. Harold is accountable for revealing, not suppressing or
> withholding, the information as you fallaciously attempted to prove
> with a conclusion drawn from a false analogy.
I think we both know who is responsible for revealing the information
on eckankar's true roots -- David Lane.
By the time Harold came along as God's Chosen Son, Lane's info on
eckankar history had circulated among the eck chelas. What else could
Harold do but admit the obvious, and of course, add a mystical
explanation to each and every one of Paul's foibles and faux pas?
Just because Harji admitted the obvious doesn't make him any kind of
hero. Except in your mind perhaps.
Kani
<Mahav...@calistoga.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 05 May 1999 20:55:48 GMT "Kani"
> <Fierce....@of.the.Light.org> wrote:
> > Rich was talking about Harold, not Paul or Darwin.
> > http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/irrelev.htm
> > http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/falsean.htm
>
> Wow, you sure saved eckankar with that one! Now grab a dictionary and
> look up "admit." Then go find "nitpicker" . . . don't be surprised to
> see your picture in the margin.
Avoiding the issue.
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/attack.htm
> > > Since Harold is eckankar's chief spokesperson, it's only fair to hold
> > > him accountable for what's revealed to the membership and what isn't.
> >
> > Correct. Harold is accountable for revealing, not suppressing or
> > withholding, the information as you fallaciously attempted to prove
> > with a conclusion drawn from a false analogy.
>
> I think we both know who is responsible for revealing the information
> on eckankar's true roots -- David Lane.
That wasn't the issue.
http://www.intrepidsoftware.com/fallacy/irrelev.htm