Many Paths, One Truth

Oscar-nominated director John D. Goodell (Always a New Beginning) made a documentary that chronicled the preparation for the Yoga Ecumenical Service, talks by the celebrants and the actual interfaith service. On the 30th anniversary of the film’s original release, the digitally re-mastered film was released on DVD. Sri Swami Satchidananda, a pioneer in the interfaith movement, often gathered with clergy of various faiths to discuss how to promote unity in diversity. During one of these interfaith retreats and symposiums, he had another innovation: the Yoga Ecumenical Service (now known as the Light of Truth Universal Service), in which representatives of different faiths gathered together around a circular altar and performed a worship service to acentral light. This light—in the form of a lit candle—was adopted as a universal symbol of the Divine. Performing the service were celebrants representing their respective faiths, and offering worship to the central light from their own fait