Modern day founder of Eckankar. Born in Paducah, Kentucky, the youngest of four children born to Jacob Noah and Effie Dean (Troutman) Twitchell, both natives of Hardin County, Illinois. Jake Twitchell was a bookkeeper for a boat and dock company. In September 1933 Paul enrolled at Western Kentucky State Teachers College in Bowling Green. His college years produced two volumes of poetry, "Green Memories," and "Coins of Gold." In early 1942 Paul enlisted in the Navy, and on August 12, 1942 he married his first wife Camille Ballowe in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a Lieutenant when he requested to be discharged shortly before V-J Day. After his discharge Paul and Camille went to New York City where he was a correspondent for "Our Navy" magazine. During this time Paul and Camille were attending many religious services. He spent much time in meditation and was reading every book on spirituality that he could get his hands on. In December 1945 he was re-assigned to a post in Washington, D.C. Paul wrote manuals for the Navy and did writing and promotional work for a number of concerns. About 1950 they joined the Self Revelation Church of Absolute Monism which had been founded by Swami Prenananda. Under the Swami, Paul learned Kriya yoga. In 1950 Paul and Camille moved into the church compounds, and Paul edited the church publication "The Mystic Cross." In 1955 Paul was asked to leave the church for personal misconduct, and on the first of October of that year, Paul left Camille and never returned to her. During 1955 Paul met Kirpal Singh while he was making his first American tour. Paul's association with Kirpal Singh would continue for eight years. In 1958 Paul had his God-experience which changed him forever. This adventure is described in his book "The Tiger's Fang." In March 1959 Paul's sister Katherine died, whom he was very close to. Years later when Brad Steiger interviewed Paul and asked him when he decided to become a spiritual adept, Paul's reply was, "probably when my sister Kay-dee died in 1959." Paul's divorce to Camille became final in February 1960, and shortly afterward he removed to Seattle. During this time he had several jobs, but his best known position was aa a writer for the Seattle Post Intelligencer. In 1963 Paul entered the phase of his life which he referred to as his "cliffhanger" days, a rebel to society, driving a small sportscar, wearing an assortment of strange sportscaps and drinking plenty of champagne. He was also a regular patron of the Seattle library where he was carrying off books by the arms load. There he met his second wife Gail Atkinson, whom he married in San Francisco on January 17, 1964. Paul was still on good terms with Kirpal Singh, but they soon parted under obscure circumstances. On July 9, 1963 Paul was interviewed by Jack Jarvis for the Seattle Post Intelligencer which was possibly Paul's first attempt to introduce himself and Eckankar to the public. In January 1964 Paul published an article about Eckankar in "Orion" magazine, believed to be the first attempt to introduce the path nationwide. Shortly after October 1964 Paul and Gail removed to San Diego where he gave lectures on out-of-body experience and continued to write articles. Paul Twitchell became Living Eck Master on October 22, 1965. Between 1965 and 1971 he wrote 26 books, several sets of instructional discourses, and had attracted thousands of followers. Early on Paul had indicated that he would not remain as Living Eck Master for very long and was training a replacement. On September 17, 1971, Paul arrived in Cincinnati to give a seminar. On the following morning at 1:00 A.M. he collapsed in his hotel room into the arms of a follower. He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An autopsy determined the cause of death as artheriosclerotic heart disease. ∼Father: Jacob N Twitchell (abt. 1881 in Illinois)

Mother: Effie Twitchell (b. 1877 in Illinois: d. April 26, 1940 in Paducah, Ky)
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Paul Twitchell (born John Paul Twitchell) (October 23, 1909 - September 17, 1971) was an American spiritual writer, author and founder of the group known as Eckankar. He is accepted by the members of that group as the Mahanta, or Living ECK Master of his time. He directed the development of the group through to the time of his death. His spiritual name is believed by ECKists (students of Eckankar) to be Peddar Zaskq.
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∼Founder of Eckankar, Jacob Paul Twitchell died suddenly, without naming a successor.