Here is some additional information that may be helpful. Eckankar is sometimes considered a part of the path that is called by various names. In India it is referred to as: "the path of the masters", surat shabd yoga, Sant Mat. One branch of it in India is "Rhadoswami". It is sometimes referred to as the "sound current". In India the oldest recorded guru was Guru Nanek, who is also the first teacher of the Sikhs.
The basic premise is that we are all "souls", which means we are all a part of "God". It goes further -- we are god individualized into an Infinite(?) number of souls. Some of these souls chose to incarnate to experience mortality and physicality. In so doing, we acquired a mind (the "computer" that is intended to help us in our experiences, but becomes the "master" for most of us). This was the creation of our "mental body". Then we acquired a causal body, an astral body, and a physical body.
In order to properly experience the physical realm, it was necessary to forget that we are god. It was also necessary to have karma. This resulted in us being trapped upon the "wheel of reincarnation", as the Buddhists say.
In order to break out of this cycle and return "home", there has always been a "Perfect Living Master". These are individuals just like everyone else, except they have the ability to be conscious in all the realms at once. And, their sole purpose is to locate the individuals who are ready to return "home", and to help them begin the process of making that journey back to their true home. A few significant characteristics of the Perfect Living Master is that they never claim to be a Master, a Guru, etc. Also, they never charge for their teachings, initiations, support, etc. (Both of these are where Eckankar breaks rank with that tradition.)
There is always at least one perfect living master on the earth at any time, There may be several (and, frequently are). They do not comment on other perfect living masters. They, also, encourage followers of other masters and traditions. Example: If a person is aligned with a religion, they are encouraged to continue in that system (unless they choose to leave of their own accord). In other words, this path is a path, and not a religion.
In most variations of this path, followers are taught that only a living master can take them "home". A master from the past cannot do that for them. (This is one area where Sikhism breaks with this path. After the 10th Sikh master, they chose to declare their scriptures were the Master.)
The practice begins with an initiation wherein the follower is given five "charged" words to repeat in a meditative form. This connects them to the master, and will lead to an awareness of the master. At some point they will begin to hear a "sound". This is sometimes referred to as the "sound current" that prevades all of creation (all realms). This is what will eventually leads the person through all the realms and back "home", with the assistance of the master.
At the deepest level, followers are taught they are their own perfect living master, which they will eventually discover when they get beyond the realms of the forms (including the mind).
Eckankar has its roots in this path, although they have deviated from it in significant ways. There are other versions existing now: Quan Yin, I believe is one. 3HO is a westernized version. I'm sure there are others. Rumi and Kabir were followers of this path.
I hope that helps.
