Are We Watching a Movie?

We all deserve some popcorn, regardless.

There is one story familiar to almost anyone that is part of or investigating the Bahá’i Faith.

It is one of the first stories told about its founder — Bahá’u’lláh — which tells one of His earliest life experiences. Growing up in a distinguished Persian family, He recounts being at a lavish wedding celebration, and witnessing a strange puppet show. It was filled with pompous Kings, dodgy politics, bizarre wars, and (of course) death. 

At the end of the show, Bahá’u’lláh goes behind stage, and comes across a man with a box. It is into this box that all who played a part in the previous drama now return. It left a lasting impression on Him, to the extent that the need to detach from the “trappings of the world” became one of His central teachings. 

Another implication of the scene is that — whether consciously or unconsciously — those who are invested in the events of this world are invested in some sort of grand, cosmic play (perhaps one with a bizarre sense of humour underlying it). Or, as we would best understand it now, a movie. 

Life isn’t a ‘movie’ in the obvious sense that it has real consequences. We experience the ramifications of political actions everyday.

But that’s our perspective, where the crazy series of events that are currently occurring impact us in very real ways. What about ‘their’ perspective, those at the top who dictate these events? 

Why wouldn’t they see this as a movie? Because for them, it is: they remain virtually immune from the consequences of what they bring about. Do you think they are adhering to mask mandates and social distancing requirements in their mansions, ranches or remote Pacific islands?

Next time you tune in to world events, do it with this in mind: you are watching a movie. 

That the people you are seeing are actors, playing pre-determined roles, designed to elicit specific sets of emotions in the viewer. And that dictating the actors are the crew — particularly the directors, writers, producers — seen far less often, but holding a disproportionate level of power in the events that unfold. 

You may find that things start to make a bit more sense. Or at the very least… make things a bit more entertaining.