Paris Talks: True Meaning of Baptism

 

I was asked to write a few words about the imagery in this short video and expand on what moved me to explore ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talk titled The True Meaning of Baptism by Water and Fire. Simply put, the principle subject of His talk is water. It is one of the sole reasons why we, and Earth as we know it exists. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explains, water is part of both our physical and spiritual realities.

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says that water is none other than the Love of God, he is not just being poetic. Take a look at water on a molecular level and you’ll see that its structure and its resulting qualities are a testament to this statement. A water molecule’s atoms have extremely strong attraction, thereby giving water the unique characteristics that significantly facilitate life on this planet.  For example, because of water’s inter-molecular attractive forces, it has the ability to move up through a plant’s vascular system, against the force of gravity, and facilitate the plant’s conversion of sunlight into energy to live.

Why is this important? Because plants play a crucial role in the functioning of the surface of the Earth and our lives. Plants filter our air, keep our soil from eroding away, control our climate, feed us, and surround us with the most mysterious beauty.

After reading ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talk the True Meaning of Baptism by Water and Fire I was exhilarated by His perspective. I hope this short movie conveys some of the many ways in which of our lives are touched by the Love of God.

 

Full talk available here.

 

Credits:

Director: Hannah Doherty

Camera Op/Editor: Lorraine Sherrill

Reader: Badi Omara

Other: Yosemite Nature Notes