Three Key Spiritual Exercises of ECK

Three Key Spiritual Exercises of ECK

There are countless variations of the Spiritual Exercises of ECK, and new ones can always be devised.

Below are three well-known and widely practiced exercises, explained in some detail. For many more, see the book The Spiritual Exercises of ECK.

The appropriate setting for any spiritual exercise is a quiet time and place.

The Four-Step Spiritual Exercise of ECK

This spiritual exercise will help you remember the special purpose you had in mind before coming into this present life.

It can also be an aid in one of the other spiritual interests you may have. Or it can help you understand a passage from one of the ECK books, like The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, any of the Mahanta Transcripts books, or Stranger by the River. The four steps are as follows:

1. Sing "HU" three times, slowly and softly. This name for God allows the consecration of the human will to that of ECK, Divine Spirit.
2. Sing "Mahanta" three times, slowly and softly. This word takes one into the second level of contemplation. "Mahanta", sung in this order, after "HU", is an invitation to the Mahanta to be a guest in the house of your state of consciousness. It is a very important step in this exercise.
3. Sing your personal, secret word or "Sugmad" (if you don't have a personal word) three times. This word will instantly take you into the third level of contemplation. The singing of this word, third in the sequence, is your special key to love, wisdom, and understanding.
4. At the fourth level of contemplation, there is a wide choice of ECK words to sing. Whichever word you choose from the list below, sing it three times too, slowly and softly. This choice of an ECK word or term defines your particular area of interest.
   • "ECK-Vidya" - for an insight into your past, present, or future about an area of concern, like a family, work, health, or spiritual matter, to name a few
   • "Kaya Kalp" - for specific help with improving one's physical health
   • "ECK-Ynari" - for help with understanding the secret knowledge of dreams
   • "ECK Vahana" - for ideas on how to present the teachings of ECK to people who show an interest in them
   • "ECK Arahata" - for insights into how to be a more effective teacher in the ECK Satsang classes
   • "Giani Marg" - for ways to learn the secrets of the spiritual worlds so as to pass them along to others in writings, songs, music, the arts, and other creative outlets
   • "Bhakti" - for guidance on how to open your heart to divine love. This word certainly ranks above all the rest on this list.

If you awaken in the night and wish to resume this exercise, use a shortcut. Simply sing each of the four words one time. That's all it takes to reestablish your connection with the Mahanta. The shortcut is also handy for naps.

The Fifteen-Times Spiritual Exercise

This techniques is based on the principle of focusing on a spiritual goal. You focus by writing that goal down fifteen times every day.

This is more than an affirmation; an affirmation is a discipline of the mind only. As a form of contemplation, this exercise opens the door to the Holy Spirit to help you change your life according to Its will. So whenever you do this exercise, do it with the attitude "They will be done". That lifts it from a simple mental affirmation to contemplation.

Sit down at a table or desk and form your spiritual goal, whatever the Inner Master prompts you to ask for. Start with "I" and use the present tense. For example, you might choose to write, "I am healthy, happy, wise, and free". Or you might choose a more specific goal, such as, "I travel in my dreams", or "I know the secret of divine love". It can be anything at all. Choose your words carefully. Keep it short enough that you will write it down fifteen times - all at once - every day.

As you write, be creative; let yourself go. If you usually write neatly, you might scribble instead. Or write very big. Maybe write on shopping bags or a chalkboard. Or don't use any punctuation. What you are doing is opening up the windows of your world.

This contemplative writing exercise is an open invitation to the ECK. Watch how Divine Spirit begins to bring these objects of your spiritual desire into your life. As time goes on, you'll see changes beginning. Little things will happen. Events will start to shape themselves to where you have new choices. It's up to you to make the right choice, but doors will begin to open for you.

Be aware. Watch the Voice of God, the Holy Spirit, the living water, pour into your cup. Be a worthy vessel.

The Shariyat Technique

This technique uses The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, the ECK bible, to help you understand the spiritual reasons behind a problem you are experiencing. The technique works like this:

1. First define the problem. Form a question about something that has been bothering you in your life. The question can be about health, prosperity, love, or any other subject that has been troubling you.
2. Open The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, Book One or Book Two, at random. Read one paragraph and then close your eyes. Sing, or chant, HU eight times (eight corresponds to the eight outer initiations) and then contemplate the passage you have just read.
   Don't contemplate on your problem or try to establish a bridge between the paragraph and your problem. This is very important. Just contemplate upon the paragraph from The Shariyat while chanting HU.
3. Open The Shariyat at random again and read another paragraph. See how this paragraph relates to the first paragraph, how both offer a new insight and approach to your problem or question.

The usual reason a problem exists for us is that we are afraid to take the next step. Often we can think of four or five solutions to a problem, but we argue with ourselves, trying to decide what the next step should be.

The Shariyat may tell you what the next step is.

You may wish to go through the technique again on the following day to carry the solution one step further or to explore some new question of a spiritual nature.