(Photo: Br. David and Swami Satchidananda, early 1970s.)
There are friendships that transcend the limitations of time, culture, and tradition—friendships that seem destined, woven into the very fabric of life’s unfolding story. Such was the deep and abiding bond between Br. David Steindl-Rast, OSB, and Sri Swami Satchidananda, founder of Integral Yoga.
Two monks—one a Catholic Benedictine from Austria, the other a Hindu monk from India—found themselves drawn together in the heart of New York in the late 1960s.
Their connection was instant, as if recognizing in one another a kindred spirit devoted to contemplation, prayer, and the pursuit of inner and outer peace. Though their robes were different, their hearts beat as one in service to a greater Truth. Both were passionate advocates for interfaith understanding, seeing not division but unity in the vast diversity of spiritual traditions.
A Shared Vision
Their first meeting in 1968 was, as Br. David later recalled, a moment of profound recognition. “What I remember best from that first meeting is the immediate feeling that we belonged together, the spontaneous conviction that we shared a deep dedication, which made it natural for me to trust Swamiji as if we had known one another for ages. That trust remained and grew.
At a gathering in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Swami Satchidananda proposed that such interfaith meetings should be held more often, emphasizing, “Although we have superficial differences, if we look deeper, we see that all paths have that common Source.” Br. David was immediately taken with the idea and at his suggestion the Center for Spiritual Studies, was founded where Swamiji, Br. David, Rabbi Gelberman, and a Zen Roshi came together to foster interreligious dialogue and spiritual growth.
From these early seeds, their work blossomed. They co-founded the Yoga Ecumenical Seminary (YES), a retreat center in New York where seekers of different traditions could gather, pray, meditate, and share in a common experience. On weekends, the grounds would fill with people from all faiths, engaging in practices ranging from chanting to Hatha Yoga, deepening their own traditions while learning from others.
A Friendship Rooted in Service
The depth of their friendship was expressed not just in grand interfaith initiatives but in small, deeply personal moments of mutual support. When Swami Satchidananda’s early students sought to help him obtain a visa to remain in the U.S., Br. David wrote a heartfelt letter on his behalf, testifying to the immense spiritual value of his presence.
Their collaborations extended beyond institutions and programs; they became the faces of an emerging movement of interfaith unity. They were often found side by side—whether at retreats, conferences, or intimate gatherings—offering wisdom, humor, and an unwavering commitment to peace.
(Photo: Br. David next to Swami Satchidananda during the foundation-laying ceremony.)
One of the most significant milestones in their work together was the founding of the Light Of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS) at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, Virginia. During an interfaith retreat at Swamiji’s first ashram in Connecticut, Br. David witnessed Swamiji’s vision for a temple that would embody the unity of all spiritual traditions.
Years later, at the foundation-laying ceremony in 1982 for the LOTUS, and again at the temple’s grand opening in 1986, Br. David stood as the representative of Christianity, offering prayers and affirming the vision that had bound them together from the beginning.
Brotherhood in Every Sense
It was not uncommon for people to ask Br. David, “Are you Swami Satchidananda’s Brother David?” His answer was always an emphatic and meaningful “Yes.”
For Swamiji, too, Br. David was never simply “Brother David.” He was always “my brother, David.” Their friendship was not just one of shared ideals but of profound love and trust. They had walked side by side through years of collaboration, facing challenges, moments of sorrow, and immense joy together.
Beyond their public work, they exchanged letters of warmth and affection, always signed with “Your brother.” This simple yet profound expression spoke to the depth of their connection—one that went beyond words, beyond even their shared mission, into the very essence of spiritual brotherhood.
A Personal Memory
For me, the most moving testament to Br. David’s greatness was not in the large gatherings or the historic programs he and Swamiji pioneered. It was in the quiet moment he took to comfort me after Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi (Sanskrit word for when a Yoga master and sage leaves the body) in 2002.
At the memorial service in Yogaville, Br. David, as always, was present—offering prayers, honoring his dear friend, and standing in unity with us. After the program, he noticed my grief. Without hesitation, he took me aside and asked me to sit with him. He took my hands in his and gently asked how I was doing. He reminded me that it was okay to mourn, to feel the weight of loss, and that Swamiji’s presence would never truly leave us.
In that moment, I understood why Swamiji always called him “my brother.” His compassion was limitless. His kindness was profound. And in that moment, I understood in an even deeper and more personal way why Swamiji called him, “My brother, David.” It was then, he became not just a spiritual luminary I admired, but my brother too.
A Legacy of Love and Unity
As we celebrate Br. David Steindl-Rast’s 100th birthday on July 12, 2026, we honor not only his wisdom and contributions to the world but the depth of his heart. His friendship with Swami Satchidananda was a beacon of what is possible when we see beyond differences, when we embrace one another in love and respect.
Through their shared vision, their laughter, their prayers, and their unwavering dedication to peace, they demonstrated what it truly means to be brothers—not by birth, not by tradition, but by spirit.
May their example continue to inspire us all to build bridges, to see the divine in each other, and to walk together in the great journey of love, truth, and gratitude.
Editor’s Note: This remembrance was written for In Widening Circles: Honoring the 100th Birthday of David Steindl-Rast, OSB, edited by Klaudia Menzi-Steinberger and published by Paulist Press. We are deeply grateful to Klaudia and to Patricia Carlson for their kind invitation to contribute this tribute honoring Brother David’s 100th birthday, and for wishing to include this reflection on the long and loving friendship, spiritual kinship, and interfaith collaboration shared by Brother David and Sri Swami Satchidananda.
The book itself is a beautiful offering: a gathering of stories, reflections, testimonies of love and gratitude, personal photographs, and memories from those whose lives have been touched by Brother David’s presence, wisdom, and lifelong commitment to gratitude, compassion, and interreligious understanding.
