The One and the Many

British filmmaker Andy Lawrence's follow-up to his 2011 documentary The Lover and the Beloved continues his profile of the Nath Yogis of Northern India, with Rajive McMullen, an Indo-Canadian research scholar at Punjab University, once again serving as the onscreen investigator into Hindu theology. The yogis profiled here are highly entertaining raconteurs, offering observations and anecdotes that run the gamut from the profoundly mystical to the refreshingly salty (although one yogi's tale about an encounter with a mystical little girl may discomfort some). All of these wise men are politely amused by McMullen's strange fascination with the heavy earrings that they wear. One of the most intriguing sequences—at least for many Western viewers—involves a discussion about the possibility that Jesus studied in India during the 18-year gap in his New Testament biography. One yogi argues that an ancient figure known as Isa Nath was actually Jesus, a fascinating theory—especially given the similarities between Jesus's ministry and the yogis' focus. The One and the Many dives fairly quickly and deeply into its subject, but for those who are reasonably well-versed in Indian culture and religion, this journey will be rewarding. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)