Sri Darwin Gross led the Eckankar Corporation from 1971 until 1983 as the Living Eck Master. Why is there virtually no mention of him in their history?
- Why would Eckankar, in essence, deny the very existence of Darwin Gross, a man who built them into what they are today?
- Why wouldn't Eckankar, as a supposed truth-based religion, want Darwin's side of the story made known?
- Why would Eckankar rewrite the original works of its own founder, Sri Paul Twitchell, and the dictations of the Vairagi Masters?
- Why have all of Paul's original writings been withdrawn from the market place? How can a religion omit its own founder's writings?
- How can Eckankar claim to have truth when they won't even own up to their own history?
- Why aren't current Eckankar members outraged? Why aren't they asking these questions and demanding answers?
The purpose of this web site:
- To assist those individuals who may be looking for Darwin Gross or who have never even heard of him in the first place.
- To give Darwin's side of the story and to give the true facts, with proof, rather than the gossip and rumor perpetuated by Eckankar.
- To offer common sense answers to the questions raised above; questions that any objective, reasonable person would want to know.
Sri Darwin Gross, also known as DapRen, (his spiritual name), was the 972nd Living Eck Master in the original teachings of Eckankar as presented in the unedited works of Sri Paul Twitchell, his predessor, mentor and spritual guide since Darwin was 3 years old. Darwin took over for Paul in 1971, after receiving the Rod of Power, and built Eckankar into a 50 million dollar corporation by 1983. A takeover coup, led by Harold Klemp, Peter Skelskey, and the then Board of Trustees, ousted him. Jealousy, a thirst for power and greed are among the true reasons for these actions.
Darji's lifetime contract with Eckankar was cancelled. He received no pension nor a dime's worth of compensation, let alone compassion, from Harold or anyone who remained with the corporation. Regardless of the claims made against Darwin, is this how you reward someone who is training you to inherit the mantle of the Living Eck Master, not to mention a thriving multi-million dollar spiritual organization? A true Living Eck Master would never cast off their spiritual teacher in this fashion, let alone try to bury him and walk on the dirt.
Eckankar makes no mention of Darwin in their history, despite his leadership of the organization for 12 years. No matter what Harold claims Darwin did after that, he certainly cannot deny that Darwin was the Living Eck Master for that period of time and that millions looked to him both inwardly and outwardly. No one can deny the spiritual works he did, the books he wrote, nor the incredible, healing music he produced, except Eckankar. The succession story, according to Harold, seems to go right from Paul Twitchell to himself! If Eckankar had any legitimate complaint against Darwin they would include all of the details, including proof, in their history and make it available to everyone in advance. They would also recognize Darwin's monumental contribution to the movement and give him his due. Then they would carefully explain what they suggest happened to Darwin and allow Darwin to answer in an open forum; that is if Harold and Eckankar had any integrity. This, of course, they will not allow because there is simply no basis for their claims. Instead they choose to expunge this inconvenient part of their history.
Harold Klemp, Peter Skelskey and their agents falsely accused Darwin of embezzling funds that were set aside for his continued work with the Eckankar Corporation and that he had no direct control over in the first place. The protraction of this lie led to great distress and confusion among many of the unsuspecting members of what is now the Eckankar Religion. While this lie was quickly proven wrong, it has nevertheless, been perpetuated through rumor, gossip and an army of well paid attorneys specializing in frivilous lawsuits and harrassment. When this whole story erupted in 1983, Harold advertised that Darji would appear to give his side of the story. What no one was told was that Darwin was secretly threatened with "house arrest" should he even attempt to show up and defend himself! Meanwhile at the meeting Harold acted surprised that Darwin "wouldn't appear!"
Harold, following in the footsteps of many religions, began to assume great power over the membership. Psychic mind control techniques and the introduction of fear was heaped upon unsuspecting individuals, turning them from loyal members to mind-numbed minions in very short order. Harold claimed that Sri Darwin had been "stripped of his initiations." Members were also threatened with loss of initiation and expulsion should they even attempt to communicate with Sri Darwin to get his side of the story! Harold backed this threat up with many "ex-communications" from those who still possessed their bold and adventuresome spirt, (and their backbones). This is quite incredible considering that the teachings clearly state that what is given to the indidvidual by Sugmad and Divine Spirit, or the Eck, can never be taken away by anyone, even the master; only the individual themselves can choose to dwell in a different or lower state of consciousness. This is a fact that is easily proven to oneself should one inquire at their own inner temple; it is certainly supported by the original writings of Paul Twitchell, which have not only been re-written by Eckankar, but now withdrawn entirely except for two bogus versions of his works.
Darwin was kept in court continually having to defend himself against his own writings wherein he was attempting to tell his side of the story. Meanwhile what little funds he possessed were systematically drained away through the need for a string of defense attorneys. Nothing ever came of any of it but their goal was accomplished. Without funds to continue his defense, Darwin was finally forced to agree not to use any of the Eckankar terminology in his writings; universal terms that belong to everyone...Vairagi, Eck, Eckankar, Soul Travel and the like. Neither could Darwin afford to enforce his contract with Gail Twitchell, Sri Paul's widow, allowing him exclusive rights to print, publish, distribute and maintain Paul's original writings; Harold and Eckankar dishonored the agreement.
The continuation of Darwin's work, let alone Paul Twitchell's work, was the very last thing Harold, Peter and Eckankar wanted. Anyone making a serious study of Darwin and Paul's books or lectures would soon realize the scam being perpetrated upon them. The vast compendium of irreplaceable spiritual writings, tapes, discourses and manuscripts Paul and Darwin produced are unavailable except through used book outlets and whatever Darwin has been able to re-write of his own material. All of these works have been withdrawn by jealous, power crazed people who have very little other than their own good in mind. The benign drivel Harold has replaced Sri Darwin and Sri Paul's writings with has little to do with self and God-realization, but rather is simply more in a series of "feel good," new age malarky designed to put a happy face on what has become just another path of psychic exploration in the long, long line of that genre perpetually adorning the chain store book shelves.
Individuality, self-reliance and the realization of our own divinity has always been the crux of the Eckankar teachings. Total awareness, total responsibility, including individual control over our own states of consciousness, are the corner stones of the original works or Eck. It would be incredible to imagine that so many could be fooled and lulled into this subtle trap were it not for the psychic talents of Harold, Peter and many of the higher initiates at that time, whose use of the psychic carrier waves trapped great numbers of unsuspecting Souls. Darji points out that this spell has been broken in recent years and many are slowly waking up to what has really happened. It is hoped that this information will further that effort.
As with all fully realized Living Eck Masters, Sri Darwin carries on Paul's original message under the moniker "ATOM," (Ancient Teachings of the Masters), the path is now carried on by his successor, Sri Paul Marché, under the name Dhunami. Harold's denial of Darwin and unwillingness to carry on his Master's work is proof, in and of itself, of his monumental failure at passing the demanding tests necessary to assume the great responsibility of the Living Eck Master.
Though Harold continues the cover-up of the truth to this day, Sri Darwin, in the true tradition of the Living Eck Master, bears no malice towards Harold Klemp, Peter Skelsky or Eckankar in general. He always says, "I forgave them all the same afternoon it happened!" With the exception of the 3 letters posted here, he's rarely even spoken of the grave injustices done him yet has always "grieved," in a sense, over the damages done to the individuals who "bought-in" to the incessant misrepresentations of himself and the original Eckankar teachings. Harold is certainly talented but only in the psychic arts. After many public and private attempts to contact Harold Klemp and talk things out, he finally forfeited the opportunity to take over for Darji on January 12, 1984.
Reference is made to the public records of the court cases in Eckankar v. Darwin Gross in the reading of the first link on this website. Other cases are listed within the "Damages" link. All records are public and easily accessed.
