I remember when I was in college in the 70's, I went to an introductory lecture about Eckankar. I remember (if I can remember that far back) that it was something about traveling to other planets and it was a little too strange for me, so I didn't pursue it. I also seem to recall that the instructors had that far-off, spaced-out look to them and I didn't want to be around them any more.
$1,500 for a single book? http://www.amazon.com/Ufo-Venus-Came-Omnec-Onec/dp/0934269106/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1294267236&sr=8-2
If that is not "pay to pray", then what is? Her website seems very bizarre to me since they have a list of releases, such as meditations, but if you are interested in them, you have to contact them by email, supposedly so they can scope you out. If you go to the contacts page, it says Omnec Onec had a stroke in 2009 and she does not reply to emails and does not use computers. Anja Schafer seems to be her spokesperson. Really, really weird stuff. If you look at the website carefully, it just seems to be a grab-bag of all the "new age" philosophy, which you hear in some many other places.
Oh dear, I just checked, and they have a local Eckankar group in my area. Once a month, they have an "ECK Worship Service" and a monthly Open House, where you can browse their selection of books and tapes!