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About Sri Darwin Gross

Sri Darwin Gross, DapRen, the 972nd Living Eck Master, received the Rod of Power on October 22, 1971.  He continued in that position until his translation from the physical body in March, 2008.  Darji developed into Mastership under the guidance of Sri Paul Twitchell following his translation and developed these Dhunami teachings (then called Eckankar) into a great spiritual organization with hundreds of thousands of members during his 12 years with that organization. 

In 1983, Darji's successor in training, Harold Klemp, along with the Eckankar Board of Directors, voted Darji out of the corporation in a hostile takeover coup.  The takeover marked the end of the viability of the Eckankar organization as the genuine Path to Sugmad, as the new leaders succumbed to the passions of greed and lust for power.  The corporation was turned into a religion, fear was introduced into the membership with threats of loss of initiaion and excommunication should anyone seek to contact Sri Darwin. 

Sri Paul Twitchell's body of works were altered and some removed from circulation altogether.  The body of works Sri Darwin produced were destroyed and he was removed from Eckankar history while a massive cover up of the facts of these events ensued.  Harold never finished the necessary steps to Self-Mastery, never held the Rod of Power and was ultimately disqualified from the opportunity to accept the job on January 12, 1984.   Despite several attempts by Darji to contact Harold and help him correct the record, he had chosen his path and little could be done. 

Sri Darwin continued as the Living Eck Master and carried on the genuine teachings under the name ATOM, Ancient Teachings of the Masters.  Darji had to begin again and did so with the detachment, Divine Love and the perseverance all Living Dhunami Masters possess within their hearts.  He continued to produce discourses, newsletters, seminars and music, serving the chelas inwardly and outwardly in the true fashion of the Living Master of the Time. 

Darji carefully saved funds over the years in the form of a trust that was meant to be used for the perpetuation of the teachings and to preserve his body of work.  But history repeated itself when his trustee, Bonnie Brant, refused to recognize the new Living Master of the Time, Sri Paul Marché.  He was legally precluded from using the ATOM terminology while lies, rumors and gossip were spread to the ATOM subscribers precisely mirroring the events of 1983 as regards Eckankar. 

While Darji's legacy is embodied in the new Living Master, Sri Paul Marché, he also left a compendium of written materials and originally composed vibraphone music he liked to call "Happy Blues."  His music was his passion and it served to uplift many thousands of people who came in contact with it at live public events as well as through his recorded works.  Darji played the vibraphone and sang, touring the world with many Jazz legends.  His recordings still serve as a pure, positive vehicle that touches the hearts of many in a way that is difficult to explain.  But those who listen with the spiritual ears know they are being lifted out of the morass of these lower worlds when they enjoy his tunes.

Darji wore the "blue robes" which means his emphasis was on the great flow of Divine Love which lifted up all those he came in contact with.  This infusion of spiritual love into the teachings for so many years helped thousands to reach into the Soul plane and beyond, to experience themselves in their true form.

Darji wrote many books and discourses over the years in his capacity as the Living Master of the Time.  His direct style coupled with his ability to simplify many of the concepts written about by his predecessor, Sri Paul Twitchell, served to make the Dhunami teachings wholely accessible to tens of thousands during his years as the Living Master.  His books, discourses and music are still available through the ATOM website.

In the years leading up to his translation, Darji took on a great deal of karma for both individuals and nations, as all Living Masters do, which cleared the way for the great new growth cycle we have been blessed to enter into at this time.  Many chelas will have the opportunity to develop into their own Mastership during this era due to the spiritual work of Sri Dapaji, and we will enjoy unprecedented growth in the Dhunami teachings.

Sri Darwin Gross

DapRen