All of them I feel help give perspective on each other and all relate to the concepts of the: Audible Life Stream, Sound Current, Quan Yin; contemplation on the sound, Shabda or Word; Inner Sound, and contemplating the Inner Light. Some may have Sufi connections in some way....maybe.
1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quan_Yin_MethodThe spelling is an idiosyncratic romanisation of a Chinese term said to be in English translation: “contemplation on the sound.” The method is identical to Surat Shabd Yoga.
According to Ching Hai, the third eye is the window to heaven, allowing a person to connect with the Word and enter samadhi through sincere concentration at that point. She teaches that it is really located at the center of the brain, but focusing attention in the middle of the forehead is how a person may access it. The location has been linked by others to the Pineal gland.
It is said by Ching Hai that it is possible for a persistent meditator to open his or her own third eye through personal effort, and thus attain samadhi, but she does not advise that. She claims that self-effort can only get a soul partially enlightened (probably up to Second Level at the most) and leaves the meditator vulnerable to the negative power, or Maya.
2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surat_Shabd_YogaThe spiritual exercises (sadhanas) include simran (repetition, particularly silent repetition of a mantra given at initiation), dhyan (concentration, viewing, or contemplation, particularly on the Inner Master), and bhajan (listening to the inner sounds of the Shabda or the Shabda Master).
3.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_Sant_Mat_movementPractices
this process include connecting one's soul or attention, called Surat (soul) with the inner Current of Light and Sound of God, the Shabd. Adherents believe this Sound Current cannot be heard by the uninitiated; it is made manifest at the time of initiation.
An essential component of the practice involves sitting still with eyes closed, with one's attention focused at the "third eye center", located between and behind the two eyebrows, while (mentally) repeating one or more mantras given by the Guru to the disciple at the time of initiation. This is called simran (repetition) and its primary function is to still the mind while remembering (or being connected to) the Guru via the mantra he provided. However listening to the Sound Current by plugging the ears with the thumbs and listening at the right side or above is equally as important. Sound is considered to be the source of the Light, and to contain everything required.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sant_MatPoem by Kabir
Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat.
My shoulder is against yours.
you will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine
rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals:
not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding
around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but
vegetables.
When you really look for me, you will see me
instantly —
you will find me in the tiniest house of time.
Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God?
He is the breath inside the breath.[12]
Poem by Nanak
If you bestow your glance of grace, through grace we find the Guide [Satguru]
This soul first passes many births, at last the Guide is heard
No giver is greater that the Guide, all people make this well
The Guide once more imparts the Truth, to those who kill the Self
The Guide who makes us grasp reality.
Asa ki Var M1 4. AG456[1]
Poem by Mirabai
I am true to my Lord,
O my companions, there is nothing to be ashamed of now
Since I have been seen dancing openly.
In the day I have no hunger
At night I am restless and cannot sleep.
Leaving these troubles behind, I go to the other side;
A hidden knowledge has taken hold of me.
My relations surround me like bees.
But Mira is the servant of her beloved Giridhar
Also initiation into these schools usually involves something to do with a Satguru who may in some or all of them somehow awaken your third eye.
There is one more. Eckankar, I have been to some of their satsang when I was in California, it was a pleasant experience.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECKANKARThe teaching emphasizes the value of personal spiritual and physical experiences as the most natural way back to God and does not advocate reliance on external authority, books or dogmatic beliefs. The term "Soul Travel" is used to describe one of the basic tenets of the teaching; Soul (awareness or consciousness) can leave the body in full consciousness and travel in other worlds.
Eckankar offers membership and mail out discourses to interested parties, as well as support groups who meet to discuss the teaching at what is known as "Satsang". Membership is open to all, it is not a requirement to leave your current faith in order to join.
There are few personal requirements to be an ECKist, however certain spiritual practices are recommended for spiritual growth. Chief among these is daily practice of the Spiritual Exercises of ECK for 15-20 minutes a day. The most basic ECK Spiritual Exercise is singing the word HU (pronounced like the "hue".) There are no dietary requirements, sexual taboos, or enforced ascetic practices. Members celebrate the ECK Spiritual New Year on October 22nd; the religion puts forward no other religious holidays.
The teaching states that Eckists (students of Eckankar; also called chelas) must prove the veracity of the path for themselves. Eckists believe it is possible to achieve self-realization and God-realization in this lifetime. The emphasis has shifted in current times away from out of body experiences to experiencing God's Love in everyday matters. The final spiritual goal of all ECKists is to become conscious co-workers with God. This is the meaning of the term "Eckankar" ... ECK means ONE, ANKARA means Worker. Eckankar therefore means "Worker with the One" or in modern terms, a coworker with the Divine. Some suggest this word comes from the opening words of the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, which reads: ik-oNkaar. (Which means "One Universal")
