Some scholars believe that Eckankar beliefs draw in part from the
Sikh and
Hindu religions, particularly the
Radha Soami movement, but
J. Gordon Melton finds significant differences between Radha Soami teachings and Eckankar. One of the basic tenets is that
soul (the true self) may be experienced separately from the physical body and, in full consciousness, travel freely in "other planes of reality." Eckankar emphasizes personal spiritual experiences as the most natural way back to God. These are attained via Soul Travel: shifting the awareness from the body to inner planes of existence. Certain
mantras or chants are used to facilitate spiritual growth. One important spiritual exercise is the singing or chanting of
HU (), which is viewed in Eckankar as a "love song to God." It is pronounced like the English word "hue" in a long, drawn-out breath and is sung for 20 to 30 minutes. ECKists sing it alone or in small groups. ECKists believe the practice allows practitioners to retreat from the overwhelming input of the physical senses and emotions and regain the Soul's spiritually higher viewpoint. Dreams are regarded as important teaching tools, and members often keep
dream journals to facilitate study. According to followers of Eckankar, dream travel often serves as the gateway to Soul Travel (also known by Eckankar as an
out-of-body experience), or the shifting of one's consciousness to ever-higher states of being. Soul travel is a term Twitchell created. Eckankar teaches that "spiritual liberation" in one's lifetime is available to all and that it is possible to achieve "Self-realization" (the realization of oneself as Soul) and "God-realization" (the realization of oneself as a "spark" of God) in one's lifetime. The membership card Eckankar followers carry states, "The aim and purpose of Eckankar has always been to take Soul by its own path back to its divine source." The final spiritual goal of all ECKists is to become conscious "co-workers" with God. The leader of Eckankar is known as "the Living ECK Master" (LEM). Eckankar claims that only a cisgender man can be the LEM as the Soul needs the structure of a male body in the physical world to become the spiritual leader, a choice made before birth. Eckankar now claims that some leaders—Twitchell and Klemp, for example—also hold the title "
Mahanta", which refers to the inner aspect of the teacher. During Gross's ten-year leadership (1971–1981), the organization claimed he was the Mahanta. The leader functions as both an inner and outer guide for each member's spiritual progress. ECKists believe that contact with a divine spirit, which they call the
ECK, can be made via the spiritual exercises of ECK and the guidance of the LEM. It is held that the ECK Masters serve all life irrespective of religious belief. The main Eckankar website includes a list of Masters—some of whom are historical figures. The
Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, which means "Way of the Eternal", is the holy scripture of Eckankar. It comprises two books of spiritual meaning and purpose written by the Mahanta. A series of
Satsang writings are available with yearly membership in Eckankar. Satsang classes are available to study discourses with others and individually. Beliefs taught in the
Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad include "Soul Travel",
karma,
reincarnation, love, and "Light and Sound". ECKists believe
Sugmad is the endless source from which all forms were created and that the ECK, the "Sound Current", flows out of
Sugmad and into lower dimensions. Primary to the teaching is the belief that one may experience the perspective of the Soul beyond the body's limits. Also, the concepts of
karma and
reincarnation help explain situations in life as the playing out of past causes. The beliefs that people are responsible for their destiny and that their decisions determine their future are important in Eckankar. Eckankar students meet in open public services and classes to discuss personal experiences, topics, books, and discourses. ==Ceremonies and rites==