A Spiritual Golden Age
In his talks and writings, Sri Harold Klemp often points out how practicing the spiritual principles taught in Eckankar can help a person become a more loving and generous human being. In the question and answer below, he explains how individual growth can benefit others.
By Harold Klemp
Q: We are indeed very fortunate to live in a spiritual golden age. How can we give greater service to all life?
A: The ECK teachings are for the individual. The group comes second.
A tree grows strong and tall if its character is embodied in the seed of its origin. Of greater importance, though, are other factors like soil, moisture, climate, and favorable sun and temperature. Ideal conditions are rare. Yet add time to this recipe, then mighty oaks from acorns grow.
The point made here is from the perspective of the individual’s unfoldment. The individual returns to the heart of the Sugmad (God). ECK is a one-on-one path.
What behavior reveals the consciousness of a group?
Those with the eyes to see shall look for selfless deeds of love and service done without fanfare by initiates in ECK.
Such service will appear in every field of human interaction. People in religion, politics, business, and every personal endeavor that you could name will have a sure but quiet impact upon the pages of time.
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Excerpted from A Modern Prophet Answers Your Key Questions about Life, Book 2.
Blankets for Books
Lorraine Lunzer, an ECKist from Wisconsin, exemplifies Sri Harold’s point in the question and answer above: “Those with the eyes to see shall look for selfless deeds of love and service done without fanfare by initiates in ECK.” She shares her experience in an annual publication, the Eckankar Journal, which is filled with personal stories of everyday miracles from around the world.
I had been looking for a new volunteer opportunity when I received a call from our town’s librarian. She invited me to be a member of the library board.
I accepted and soon learned that the library wanted to expand. The board was looking at ways to raise funds and increase community involvement in the project. I wondered how I might be able to help.
A few days later, I woke up with a strong inner message from the ECK, Divine Spirit, nudging me to make quilts as a fund-raiser. Some time ago, I had learned to quilt. Over the years, I quilted and sold baby blankets. I still had many leftover bolts of flannel material.
I was considering this idea, when several days later I again woke up with the same message. This time it came along with the phrase “Blankets for Books.”
I talked with the librarian about this idea for a fund-raiser. She was thrilled. At the next board meeting, I brought a number of quilts I had made to show the other board members.
After the meeting ended, the librarian pointed to one of the quilts and asked me to set it aside for her. She became emotional as she told me her husband had purchased one just like it for their baby who had died. They buried him in the quilt.
For a moment I was stunned. Years ago, I had made two quilts using the same pattern and fabric. They were identical, and I knew of no one else who made them the same way.
At the time, I sold my quilts in one of the stores in town—the same store where the librarian’s husband had purchased their baby’s quilt. I realized the quilt I brought to the board meeting was the twin of the one the librarian had used to bury her child!
I know from the ECK teachings that there are no coincidences in life. Every encounter has meaning. Fifty years earlier, I had also lost a child. Now Divine Spirit had brought together two Souls who had the same experience of loss.
I wrapped the quilt in a gift bag and brought it to her the following week. She wanted to pay for it. I told her this was a gift and shared my own experience of losing my son fifty years ago.
I explained a little of my beliefs on reincarnation and told her that my oldest son had once said to me, “I think I am Christopher,” the name of the baby I lost.
She understood. She said that as she watches her new son, she sees some of her first son in him. We talked about how there is purpose in everything, including the way she and I had become friends.
This experience was a reminder of how the ECK is at work in all things. If we listen, the ECK points us to the open doors that lead to what is best for each of us spiritually. Every moment becomes a sacred opportunity to experience the blessings of God’s love.
A Fun Spiritual Experiment to Try
How has your spiritual growth entwined with service to all life?
Would you like to try a spiritual experiment? Today, give something in thought, word, or deed without expecting a return. Was there a surprising benefit?