Eckankar religion on the rise

Since childhood, Deb Deutsch has craved spirituality.

But through her faith exploration of Christian denominations and other world religions, a lingering question remained in her mind: "Is God listening to me?"

Then in 1991, she discovered Eckankar from volunteers working a booth at a St. Louis informational fair. The next day, she and a friend attended the Eckankar worship service.

She brought home with her the Singing of the Hu. And right away she had a convincing spiritual experience, which has led her to complete the 18-year monthly lessons and to study further on her own.

Now, Deutsch and the small Mid-Missouri Eckankar group want to offer what they have found to others who may be seeking.

At 1 p.m. Monday in Jefferson City at Brew House Coffee, 1507 E. McCarty St., the community is invited to sing the Hu Song. The brief time of song and meditation also will be offered at 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Osage Beach Library.

They also will offer a spiritual discussion on "Spiritual Wisdom on Karma and Reincarnation" at 1 p.m. Aug. 15 at McAlisters' Deli, 2323 Missouri Blvd.

Their worship services also are open to the community at 11 a.m. Aug. 3 at the Baymont Inn, 319 W. Miller St., and continuing the first Sunday of even-numbered months.

One of the key elements of Eckankar for Deutsch is each individual's path is validated by his or her own experiences, not by taking the word of someone else, she said.

"It's about a one-on-one relationship with God," Deutsch said.

Singing the Hu and other spiritual exercises have helped Deutsch reach answers in a variety of areas in life.

"I may have been getting the answers before, but I could not hear," she said. "For me, it's a spiritual path that works."

Hu is an ancient name for God, and the song is a simple love song, she said.

As her faith has grown, Deutsch said she has grown in love and understanding - a core of Eckankar's idea.

"For me, it's gotten better through the years," she said. "The main thing is it opens your heart to more love."

What Eckankar does not do is proselytize or try to attract new students.

"Eckankar stresses all religions are of God," Deutsch said. "If anyone is happy with their faith and church, they're where they are supposed to be."

But for those like Deutsch 23 years ago who are seeking something else, the local Eckankar group wants to make its ways available.

What may be most difficult about joining Eckankar is letting go of the familiar, like a traditional church setting, Deutsch said.

The local group has been holding worship services for about 15 years and members travel from Rolla, Eldon, Ashland and Columbia. In between their own services, members travel to the worship centers in Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield. And many also attended the worldwide seminar held twice a year in Minneapolis.

Although their group is small, Deutsch said she enjoys the like-minded friends across the globe she has met through gatherings and online groups.

"I didn't realize, at first, it was worldwide," Deutsch said.

And she was surprised to learn Eckankar is growing in Africa.

"For me, it is a great feeling of joy to find this path, and I know it is for others who are seeking," she said.

Aspects like singing the Hu and spiritual exercises are not exclusive for Eckankar members; anyone may benefit from their use, Deutsch said.

Further contemplation, working with the inner-self, studying dreams, soul travel, understanding past lives and service to others are ways to deepen one's faith through Eckankar.

"If you have the desire to find out, you will," Deutsch said. "The mind can get in the way.

"It is a spiritual sense of adventure."