Paul Twitchell American spiritualist, writer, founder of the metaphysical religious teaching of Eckankar. Date of Birth: 22.10.1912 Country: USA

1. Biography of Paul Twitchell
2. Early Life and Education
3. Career and Teachings
4. Founding of Eckankar
5. Personal Life

Biography of Paul Twitchell

Paul Twitchell was an American spiritualist, writer, and founder of the metaphysical religious teaching of Eckankar. The exact date of John Paul Twitchell's birth is unknown. According to some sources, he was born on either October 22 or 23, in either 1908, 1910, or possibly 1922, although his birth certificate states October 22, 1912. The certificate was registered in 1941, which has led to ongoing debates about his birthplace, which is believed to be Paducah, Kentucky.

Early Life and Education

It is known that Paul Twitchell graduated from Murray State College and enrolled in Western Kentucky University in the 1930s, although his time there was short-lived. During World War II, Paul served in the United States Navy. According to unconfirmed reports, he spent some time in a Nazi concentration camp, where he first discovered his ability to separate his spirit from his body and travel.

Career and Teachings

After the war, Twitchell briefly worked as a journalist for Our Navy magazine. His hobby of studying various spiritual teachings soon grew into something more. In 1950, Paul Twitchell became a monk at Swami Premananda's Self-Realization Church of Absolute Monism. He simultaneously studied Paramahansa Yogananda independently and worked as an editor for the church publication, The Mystic Cross. In 1955, he left the monastery and became a disciple of Guru Kirpal Singh, honing his knowledge and skills as a Surat Shabd Yoga practitioner. At the same time, Paul became a member of the Science of Man Church, earning the ranks and title of the first "Cleared Scientist."

Founding of Eckankar

In 1964, Twitchell moved to San Francisco, where he began giving lectures and conducting Surat Shabd Yoga sessions. Soon after, he introduced a new teaching called Eckankar, which focused on the ability to free the spirit from the body and travel not only in space but also in time. Over time, Eckankar grew and solidified, turning into a sect by the early 1990s. However, Paul Twitchell did not live to see this development. He passed away on September 17, 1971, in California due to a heart attack.

Personal Life

Paul Twitchell was married to Camille Ballow from 1942 to 1955 and then to Gale Atkinson from 1964. Shortly before his death, he married Darwin Gross. He did not have any children.