• Our numbers: Over 100 active members.

• Our head of clergy: Cynthia Chock.

• What we believe: Eckankar, pronounced "ECK-ken-kar," is a Sanskrit term meaning "co-worker with God." The faith is known as the "Religion of the Light and Sound of God." Believers say the Light and Sound are twin aspects of God and are often called the Holy Spirit. In Eckankar, the Holy Spirit is also known as the ECK, and is believed to sustain all life.

Chock said the Light and Sound of God basically is how God communicates with people. Eckankar teaches simple spiritual exercises that help members learn how to recognize the presence of the Light and Sound of God in their lives.

"The basic belief of Eckankar, as I understand it, is that we are all Soul, and Soul is eternal," said Hillarie Hamilton, public information director for Hawaii Satsang Society. "When we realize that Soul never dies, then it changes our whole perspective on the way we live our lives. It allows us to be much more loving . . . and it takes away a lot of the distractions and fears that often limit (us)."

The spiritual leader of Eckankar worldwide is the Mahanta, or the Living ECK Master, who Hamilton explained is someone who isn't worshiped but who serves as a guiding force for the religion. That person is Sri Harold Klemp ("Sri" is a title equivalent to "Sir"). The spiritual home of Eckankar is the Temple of ECK in Chanhassen, Minn.

• Our history: The teachings of Eckankar have ancient roots, but it was introduced as a modern-day religion in 1965 by Paul Twitchell of Kentucky.

Chock said local members had their first meeting in 1967 at the Honolulu Zoo and have since gathered for services and seminars at various locations and facilities throughout the island. Klemp and other members founded the Hawaii Satsang Society Inc. in 1986.

• What we're excited about: the Eckankar Dream Fair, themed "The Secret Wisdom of Dreams," which runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m July 28 at Paki Hale. The fair, free and open to the public, will feature a variety of dream workshops and presentations, puppet shows, refreshments and more.

Dreams are significant to their religion, Chock said.

"In Eckankar we believe that we live in many worlds, and the dream world is parallel to this physical world," she said. "If we learn to balance ourselves in the dream state, we can balance ourselves in this world and in the other worlds, or vice versa."

Chock said the purpose of the dream fair is to help people learn how to remember, record and understand their dreams and how dreams can help them in their daily lives.

• What's special about us: Chock said the diverse backgrounds of members make their church and religion unique.

"We have all kinds of people that come here, all different ethnic groups, all ages," Chock said. "We even have people of different religions and beliefs because the teachings of Eckankar are available to everyone."

Hamilton emphasized the diverse membership of Eckankar, noting that they have religious centers worldwide, including Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia.

"It's really an international (religion)," Hamilton said, "and to have people from all walks of life be able to be uplifted by the spiritual exercises and the spiritual teachings is delightful."

• Contact: 735-7719, 1-800-618-1999, e-mail eckankarhawaii@yahoo.com or visit www.aloha.net/~eck.