IndiaPost.com - Sadhana - Back to the Source in India

The feature documentary Sadhna, produced and directed by Jean-Pierre Piché, depicts the odyssey of a young Westerner who follows the call of his soul to India - the land of ancient and spiritual Wisdom of the East.

During the next months, he travels from the hot lands of Southern India (Mount Arunachala) to the source of the Ganges River in the Himalayas. Along the way, he meets holy men and spiritual teachers (Father Bede Griffiths of the Hindu-Christian Ashram of Shantivanam, Swami Premananda, Swami Shyam), travels and learns the discipline of detachment with the sadhu Bhairav Muni and attends India's most sacred religious festival, the Kumbha Mela.

American and Canadian public and film reviewers loved this enchanting personalized documentary feature film (80 minutes) that was screened in more than a hundred cinema theatres throughout Canada and USA. According to reviewers, Sadhana is a "must-see for all spiritual seekers and anyone interested in India's spiritual legacy". Critics compared it in scope and impact to such films as Siddhartha and Meetings With Remarkable Men.

They pointed out its "stunning visuals and unforgettable music". The film was also presented on Canadian television in its English original version on the Vision TV channel and in French on CBC Radio-Canada as a three half hour series (Second-Regard) and in its full length (Horizon documentary program).

At the time of its preparation, the project had received support from among others, Dr. David Miller from Concordia University, R.W. Stevenson from McGill University, Professor John Rossner from Concordia University, professor André Couture from Université de Laval and Christina Miquel from Université de Montréal. Jean-Pierre Piché says, "I believe this film could be a very useful tool for anthropology, philosophy and religion teachings.

For example, the Wilfrid Laurier University has bought from me the rights to use the film for its religious program RE337 (Asian spiritual discipline) in DVD format during a three years period.