V O L U M E 2 2 , I S S U E 1

The Divine Current Eckankar in Wisconsin Quarterly Newsletter and Calendar of Public Events

A Year of HU

J A N / F E B / M A R C H 2 0 1 8

ECKANKAR — THE PATH OF SPIRITUAL FREEDOM

TEMPLE OF ECK - CHANHASSEN, MN

Recently, while assisting on a panel discussion for our

local ECK Light and Sound1 Service, I rediscovered the

Mahanta Transcripts, Book 11, What is Spiritual Freedom?

For the last few months I had been thinking about that

question. Surely the answer had to be in this book. I was

drawn to the quote on pages 158-159.

Spiritual freedom is when a responsibility is removed and

gives us more time to do the things we really want to do or

like to do that are of a spiritual direction. In everyday terms,

it's similar to what parents feel when the last teenager leaves

home. Or what the teenager feels when he or she gets a

driver’s license. It's a degree of spiritual freedom.

So, removing a responsibility gives way to a new degree

of spiritual freedom.

I started to think about times when this had happened in

my life—how removing a responsibility had moved me

toward spiritual freedom.

Certainly, when my kids left for college a responsi-

bility was lifted. I no longer had to rush home from

work to pick up kids or make dinner. A new de-

gree of spiritual freedom?

I owned a home for 27 years—mowed the lawn,

raked leaves and shoveled snow for all that time.

Fun at first, but always time consuming. As I grew

older it became very tiring for me to do all these

tasks alone. Then I moved to a condo where at first

I felt guilty when someone else was mowing the

lawn or shoveling snow at 5:00 in the morning. Yet

a responsibility had been lifted. Another degree of

spiritual freedom?

For me, the world of work started when I was 16

years old—holding down two jobs at a time

throughout my teenage years. In college I worked

while going to school. In the latter half of my ca-

reer, I held down only one job at a time, but

worked about 50 hours weekly. After almost a half

century of working, I was able to retire. A huge re-

sponsibility was lifted. Still another step toward

spiritual freedom?

So, how do these changes in life, the lifting of responsi-

bilities, relate to spiritual freedom?

On October 24th, 2017, an ECK Consecration1 Ceremony for Naeck and Ira Assignon Akakpo and their family was held at The Temple of ECK in Chanhassen, MN. Naeck and Ira are the children of Kodjo and Namo Assignon Akakpo and the brother and sister of Oen.

The ECK Consecration Ceremony celebrates new life and the begin-ning of a new phase in Soul’s journey home to God. The ceremony also celebrates the commitment of the parents to bring a spiritual awareness into the home and the life of the child.

Congratulations to the Assignon Akakpo family!

1. Consecration means to make or declare sacred. It is dedicating yourself and all you do, say, think, and feel to God.

What Is Spiritual Freedom?

Continued on p. 4

1. Sound and Light of ECK The Holy Spirit. The two aspects through which God appears in the lower worlds. People can experience them by looking and listening within themselves and through Soul Travel.

THE DIVINE CURRENT — 2 — JAN / FEB / MARCH 2018

Eckankar in Wisconsin Calendar of Public Events

For updates to the Calendar of Public Events visit www.eckankar-wi.org

ECK Light and Sound

Services

Join with people from all walks of life to learn more about living in harmony with Divine Spirit.

The ECK Light and Sound Service includes a reading from the ECK works, a HU Song, and often

features talks, personal stories, music, and small group discussions on spiritual principles at work

in our daily lives. Fellowship time follows.

HU is a sacred sound and ancient mantra. It is an ancient name for God that has been sung for

thousands of years in many lands for spiritual unfoldment. HU can uplift people of any religion,

culture, or walk of life. You are invited to experience chanting HU (20 minutes), contemplative

time, and spiritual conversation with others of like heart.

Eau Claire

Mon Jan 22 7:00 pm

Eau Claire Public Library 400 Eau Claire Street

(715) 808-2509 Randy

Wausau

Thu Jan 25 6:30 pm

Thu Feb 22 6:30 pm

Thu Mar 22 6:30 pm

Rib Mountain Goodwill -

Community Meeting Room

1101 Morning Glory Lane

(715) 842-3083 Sue

Madison

Every Friday, 7:30 pm

Jan 5, 12, 19, 26

Feb 2, 9, 16, 23

Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Third Sunday Monthly, 11:00 am

Jan 21 Feb 18 Mar 18

ECKANKAR Center of Wisconsin 6501 Watts Road, Suite 150

(608) 609-1335 For information Appleton

Sun Feb 25 10:00 am

Fox Crossing Community Center

1000 Valley Road

Menasha

(920) 303-0411 Connie

La Crosse

Tue Jan 16 7:00 pm

Southside Goodwill -

Community Meeting Room

3954 Mormon Coulee Road

(608) 519-1798 Bob

TheSoundofSoul.org

The Sound of Soul

Stevens Point

Sun ▪ Jan 14 ▪ 10:00 am

Sun ▪ Feb 11 ▪ 10:00 am

Schmeeckle Reserve

2419 Northpoint Drive

(715) 345-0232 Mike/Gail

Pleasant Prairie

Sun ▪ Jan 21 ▪ 10:00 am

HU - The Key to a Happier Life

Sun ▪ Feb 18 ▪ 10:00 am

Discover Your Spiritual

Wake Up Calls

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

7887 94th Avenue

(847) 201-8957 David/Joy

La Crosse

Sun ▪ Feb 18 ▪ 10:00 am

How to Become

the Awakened Soul

People’s Food Co-op

Public Meeting Room

315 5th Avenue South

(608) 519-1798 Bob

Appleton

Sun ▪ Jan 28 ▪ 10:00 am Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn

Sun ▪ March 25 ▪ 10:00 am Living on Holy Ground

Fox Crossing

Community Center

1000 Valley Road, Menasha

(920) 303-0411 Connie

Milwaukee

Sun ▪ Mar 18 ▪ 10:00 am

How to Take the Next Step

to Spiritual Freedom

Country Inn and Suites

(Milwaukee Airport)

6200 S. 13th Street

(847) 201-8957 David/Joy

Madison

Sun ▪ Jan 7 ▪ 11:00 am

HU—The Most Beautiful Prayer

Sun ▪ Feb 4 ▪ 11:00 am

The Law of Creativity

Sun ▪ March 4 ▪ 11:00 am

Be the Cause:

The Law of Cause and Effect

Potluck follows the March service.

ECKANKAR Center of Wisconsin

6501 Watts Road, Suite 150

(608) 609-1335 For information

Rothschild

Sun ▪ Mar 11 ▪ 10:00 am

Holiday Inn & Suites

1000 Imperial Avenue

(715) 345-0232 Mike/Gail

Sturgeon Bay

Sat Jan 27 2:00 pm

Sat Feb 24 2:00 pm

Sat Mar 24 2:00 pm

Door County Public Library

107 South 4th Avenue

(262) 573-0907 Jan

Stay connected — Follow us on Facebook: Eckankar in Wisconsin and Eckankar in Madison, WI

Love is love.

And you are that.

HU is the Sound of Soul.

—Harold Klemp,

The Sound of Soul

THE DIVINE CURRENT — 3 — JAN / FEB / MARCH 2018

Eckankar Meetup Group s in Wisconsin — A meeting with people of all paths and religions who

have a passion for increasing their awareness and understanding of Spirit. Click on a city to visit that area’s Meetup group.

Stevens Point/Wausau Madison

Eau Claire

La Crosse Green Bay/Appleton

River Falls/Ellsworth/Prescott New Richmond/Somerset/Hudson

These ECK cable broadcasts feature two formats–excerpts from talks by Harold Klemp, spiritual leader

of Eckankar, and talk-shows with guests from Wisconsin sharing personal stories and creative techniques

they use to gain insight into spirituality in their daily living.

Eckankar

Cable Broadcasts

Stevens Point - Cable TV Channel 984 Mondays at 10 pm • Tues/Thursdays at 10:30 am Wednesdays at 3:30 pm • Fridays at 2:00 pm

Duluth - Cable TV Channel 7 Wednesdays at 3 & 6:30 pm ▪ Thursdays at 8 am

Eau Claire - Digital Channel 993 Sundays at 8:30 am

Madison - Cable TV-WYOU Digital Channel 991 Wake Up Spiritually with Eckankar Sundays at 12:30 pm • Wednesdays at 10:00 am

Talks by Harold Klemp Sundays at 1:00 pm • Wednesdays at 10:30 am

More resources for

spiritual exploration:

ECKANKAR Official Blog

eckankarblog.org

This blog is for you, the spiritual seeker.

Spiritual Wisdom Journal

spiritualwisdomjournal.org

Quarterly Inspiration from Eckankar

Milwaukee Kenosha

The Art of

Spiritual Dreaming

and many other Eckankar books

are available as electronic

books. Check online at your

favorite e-bookstore.

Spiritual Discussions Do you feel there is more to you - and life - than meets the eye? Learn about past lives, dreams, and

Soul Travel. Spiritual discussion groups are a wonderful venue to share experiences with each other.

La Crosse Spiritual Discussion ― Learning to Trust Your Inner Guidance

Tuesday • Mar 20 • 7 pm

Southside Goodwill Community Meeting Room, 3954 Mormon Coulee Road

For information call Carol (608) 519-1798

Join others in exploring books written by Harold Klemp, the spiritual leader of Eckankar, or

other ECK authors. Book discussions are a fun way to share insights and experiences and learn

more about Eckankar. eckbooks.org

Book Discussions

What is Spiritual Freedom?

Tues • Jan 9 • 7:00 pm (Ends)

Our Spiritual Wake-Up Calls,

Mahanta Transcripts, Book 15

Tues • Feb 13 • 7:00 pm

Tues • Mar 13 • 7:00 pm

Appleton Public Library

225 N. Oneida Street

(920) 739-6565 Roger

The Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad, Book One

—Paul Twitchell

Fri • Jan 19 • 6:15 pm

Fri • Feb 16 • 6:15 pm

Fri • Mar 16 • 6:15 pm

ECKANKAR Center of Wisconsin

6501 Watts Road, Suite 150

(608) 220-8429 Paul

New

New

2. Spiritual Exercises of ECK Daily practices for direct, personal experience with the Sound Current. Creative techniques using contemplation and the singing of sacred words to bring the higher awareness of Soul into daily life.

THE DIVINE CURRENT — 4 — JAN / FEB / MARCH 2018

The Divine Current is published by Wisconsin Satsang Society, Inc., A Chartered Affiliate of ECKANKAR; 6501 Watts Road Suite 150, Madison, WI 53719-1401

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers and not necessarily those of ECKANKAR or the Living ECK Master, Sri Harold Klemp. Copyright © 2018 ECKANKAR.

All Rights Reserved. The terms ECKANKAR, ECK, EK, MAHANTA, SOUL TRAVEL, and VAIRAGI among others are trademarks of ECKANKAR, P.O. Box 2000, Chanhassen, MN, 55317-2000.

According to federal guidelines, the material value of this publication is insubstantial. Therefore the full amount of your contribution is tax deductible.

Editor: Sue Haebig

I don't think that I recognized it then, but having adult

children now living on their own, my gaining freedom

from outside chores and retiring from fulltime employ-

ment gave me more time to do the things that I love:

read, travel, enjoy new relationships with my kids (and

now grandkids), and volunteer and attend activities at the

recently opened ECKANKAR Center in Madison.

As responsibilities have been lifted, my life has become

filled with more love to than have to choices. I find myself

filling my days and hours with more thought, contempla-

tion and service. For me, the love to parts of my life have

brought me greater spiritual freedom and direction.

To better explain how doing what we love to do moves

us to toward spiritual freedom, I'd like to share one

more quote from What is Spiritual Freedom? On page 18,

Harold Klemp writes,

No matter what you do in life, if you can just love what

you're doing and see the gift of God in little things, you'll be

happy.

It is not a foregone conclusion that blessings will come

to us; that we will be free and happy. We have to do our

part in our daily lives and our spiritual lives (which really

are one and the same). Practicing spiritual exercises2,

reading ECK works, reflecting in quiet contemplation,

and giving service and love have led me to more spiritual

freedom.

I don't think we need to retire or have our kids move

from home to experience spiritual freedom. It comes in

small gifts and blessings throughout our lives. All we

need to do is recognize the “lifting of responsibilities”,

the “blessings”, and be grateful for those moments.

Sometimes it is as simple as loving the extra hour in fall

when our clocks fall back as we shift from Daylight Sav-

ings time. In short—finding an attitude of gratitude.

Cuing in to what you love and finding ways to incorpo-

rate it into your life.

By recognizing and appreciating the

small blessings that Spirit offers, we

can experience more spiritual free-

dom. With greater ease we can do

what we love and love.

Continued from p. 1— What Is Spiritual Freedom?

Heather Peters, Middleton

Nature reflects the laws of ECK. Therefore, observe its workings in the habits of birds, the cycles of plants, and the instincts of the reptiles and mammals.

All sing the glory of ECK; all teach the secrets of life.

Watch the coming and going of clouds, the waxing and waning of the moon, and the rising and setting of the sun. They reveal the natural order of creation.

Everything is right when there is neither too much nor too little for the time and place. So is it also with your spiritual life.

Eat foods that are good for you, because they build and restore the temple where Soul resides. Accept your emotions. Permit your mind to study, explore, and grow. Give yourself time for rest and contemplation. Love God.

Give thanks for life, for it blesses you with revelations.

Life gives and takes, but always gives again. Be thankful for wisdom, be grateful for existence.

Life is precious. Love it, and it will return unfoldment to you a thousand times. We live in a time of unequaled spiritual opportunity.

This world and the things in it are for exploration, study, and joy.

Immerse yourself in living. Pet a cat, hug a child, or love a dog. Eat an ice-cream cone, have some pie—but do all things in moderation.

Ask yourself, What is for my highest good?

Take a walk by yourself or with a loved one. Listen for the Voice of God in the sounds of nature.

There is a plan to living; there is order. Love, and let God love you.

Spiritual Grace ~ Everything in the right amount brings an abundance of life and fulfillment.

—Harold Klemp, The Sound of Soul, pp. 58-59