A Modern Prophet Answers Your Key Questions about Life

Author Klemp has tackled many of the questions we typically wonder about involving life and spirituality with a very practical and down-to-earth approach. No nonsense and no hoopla. Just the facts.

Answered a bunch of questions but still did not cover all of what I wanted. It is worth reading and you will gain some insight from the comments.

not as enlightening as I expected

One of the most enjoyable spirtitusl books I read.

This amazing book will provide the answers to the many questions of spiritual seekers who are ready to hear. You can open to any page and find personal meaning in both the questions and answers. This book could change your life.

Harold Klemp (b. 1942) is the current spiritual leader and "Living ECK Master"/Mahanta of Eckankar. In 1981 he succeeded Darwin Gross (1928-2008; author of  Your Right to Know , and subject of  From Heaven to the Prairie: When You Know, You Know! The Story of the 972nd Living ECK Master , etc., and who has since been excised from the history of Eckankar). Klemp has written many other books, such as  Autobiography of a Modern Prophet , The Secret Teachings , etc.]. The publisher's Introduction to this 1998 book states, "In this book are over two hundred questions and answers to help you. Topics covers are many. Among them are the value to you of spiritual exercises, self-discipline, and planning versus surrender. They tell how to avoid making karma, the roles of divine love and human love, what our children and pets may teach us, how spiritual healing really works, how to love God, and more."He states, "Many who first come to Eckankar lean toward the side of introspection. That's why they remember so many inner experiences. But these people often serve no useful spiritual purpose, since all of their attention is upon themselves... People who first come to the path of ECK often have the habit of putting most on their attention on the inside. So it's natural for them to remember so many inner experiences, because they think that's what the spiritual life is all about. However, they've got it wrong... If they allow the Mahanta to help them grow spiritually, their hearts will begin to open, They will start thinking of others first. The Mahanta is now bending the tree strongly away from self-interest toward compassion for others." (Pg. 61-62)In response to an ECKist who has fallen in love with a Christian, he states, "Follow whom you will in your heart. It is the same Holy Spirit working through yet another of its instruments. There are many ways to reach the kingdom of heaven... Life does not bring two people together without a reason. Our past lives get mixed up in this, and we find new friends in this life are actually old acquaintances from before. Love is what drew you to your Christian friend. The relationship, if followed through, will bring spiritual enrichment to the person who recognizes the hand of Divine Spirit as the motivating factor." (Pg. 77-78) To a confused spiritual "seeker," he says, "The question you're now asking is whether you need to join an organization (like Eckankar or something else) to grow spiritually. No, you do not. But don't be a hermit either. People need people. That's how things are. Join recreation groups or study groups, even take classes---if that's what you want. But be with people when you need to." (Pg. 108) To an ECKist whose husband is not, he says, "Your life with your husband has shown so clearly that not all students of Eckankar are in Eckankar." (Pg. 116)He states, "The path of ECK is actually for those who want to reach the God Consciousness in a certain, direct line. There are many paths to God, and I feel everyone should have the choice of his own religious way without fear from any outside source." (Pg. 171) He adds, "I've found it a waste of time to convince anyone to stay on a job, or in ECK, in the face of serious doubts. If the individual is inclined to leave, he should. Unless he does, he is not following his inner guidance. Some people learn better in other places. Go into contemplation to see if you are one." (Pg. 175) He tells another person, "if you feel that Eckankar is not going in your direction anymore, please feel free to leave it with my blessings. You, and everyone, have the right to choose your own spiritual direction in life. That is your spiritual right." (Pg. 195) He admits, "A religion is composed of layers and layers of people with different states of consciousness. Some of those individuals act nobly toward others, while a few try to use truth for their personal gain. The latter like power politics and cause a lot of problems for others... Eckankar has the same faults within its infrastructure. That's because it too is composed of many different kinds of people. Some are always trying to limit the truth that comes through Eckankar. The rest of us do all we can to reopen the channel ot truth. A never-ending struggle..." (Pg. 236)He asserts, "The historical starting point for the pyramids goes back to Atlantis, the continent that once included the Bahamas... It was an advanced civilization that boasted giant pyramids... The Atlanteans had developed science beyond anything known today, including exotic means of space travel for colonization of nearby planets. The huge continent eventually broke up and sank, but only after many years of cataclysms that left little trace of its former greatness... about 12,000 B.C., the Atlanteans packed their goods and fled to Europe, Africa, and the Americas." (Pg. 251)He points out, "Sometimes people don't understand the role of a spiritual guide---whether it's Christ, or the Mahanta, or Buddha, or the leader of a church somewhere ... So let me explain. Over all creation is the creator, God, whom we know as Sugmad in the ancient teachings... This Voice of God is what is known as the Holy Spirit... it's a neutral force... Now a true spiritual master is in tune with the Voice of God. A human manifestation that people can see and understand. In that role, his will is that of Divine Spirit. And that's all... In his physical body, the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master is like everyone else and can only be in one place at a time. In the soul body, however, he is like the air you breathe He is everywhere. As the ECK, he can easily be with you and thousands of others in the very same moment... The sole purpose of the Mahanta, the Living ECK Master is simply to help Soul find Its way home to God." (Pg. 264-265)This book will be very helpful to students of Eckankar.

Eckankar was created by Paul Twitchell around 1965. Twitchell died in 1971 and Darwin Gross took over by being recommended to the Eckankar board of directors by Twitchell's widow whom he later married. In 1981 Gross turned the leadership over to Harold Klemp. Klemp has been the leader ever since and has written many books, but few have any real spiritual substance or value. Generally, if you have read one of Klemp's books you have read them all. This is not to say that there aren't different stories (and some are inspiring), but the same Eckankar dogma is repeated over and over again and again. Actually, there is some repeating of stories from book to book. Many books, such as this one, also carry many testimonials by new or long-time members of Eckankar. It seems that Klemp tends to use monthly initiate reports, which seem somewhat deluded or embellished in order to pad the pages. Klemp has nothing more spiritual to show than L. Ron Hubbard, Ford Johnson, Michael Owens, David Icke, or Mark Phillips. One has to accept the distortions, lies, and belief that this man (Klemp the Mahanta) is the greatest savior ever, and not just on earth but on all of the inner and outer worlds of GOD. If one is gullible enough to buy into these distortions of truth and logic then one has no common sense or discrimination. Critical thinking is needed when reading this material. Don't be so desparate to believe that this snake oil salesman has the answers for you. Believe in your own Self and be your own Master (outer and Inner) instead of another's follower!

In A Modern Prophet Answers Your Key Questions About Life, Harold Klemp fields questions about all kinds of subjects and gives answers that are simple and practical while still maintaining a spiritual perspective. He explains how to get more help from your dreams with living your life. When I was a kid I could never understand why only certain people in the Bible could have spiritual dreams that gave them guidance in their lives. It just didn't seem like something God would do. Klemp gives a technique for remembering more of your dreams and it works! In later chapters, he even gives techniques for having spiritual experiences while you are not dreaming. He gives techniques for problem solving. He even answers questions about how to get along better in your relationships. What I like most about this book and this author is that the things he tells us are not just theories or mind-candy. He shows us how to apply this information to the ways we live our lives and it works! At the same time, he gives us techniques to help us experience God. On page 168, he explains why it can be hard to experience truth and what a person can do to have truth in his or her life. On page 259, he gives a technique for overcoming fears. In the same chapter, he even tells how to get help from spiritual guides--and how to become one yourself. It's a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their spiritual connection with life.

excellent book, answering many questions

Thanks for the book