The moth and the flame

Have you heard the parable of the moth?
It’s a story from The Conference of the Birds, and is one of the most beloved parables in Sufi philosophy.
The moths of the world gather seeking to know the true nature of a candle and its flame, so they send a scientist moth to investigate.
The moth observes the candle and reports back, “a candle is warm, bright, and inviting”.
But this gives them no real information, they still don’t understand what a candle IS. So they send a poet.
The poet moth observes the candle closely, pulling back only when the heat becomes too intense. The poet says, “a candle blazes, it is red and gold flame, it rises like the sun and burns. Look how it singed my wing!”
The moths are still confused. The poet brought beautiful words but no real answer. Clearly the candle and flame is too deep a mystery, so they send a Sufi.
The Sufi moth, a true Lover of mystery, approaches the candle calmly and steadily, seeing both the object of its desire and its inevitable fate. With perhaps only the faintest hesitation, a small background glance for the loved ones she will leave behind, she embraces the candle and flame completely. And as the flames consume her wings and tiny body, she doesn’t cry out - she sings.
“If you are lost, if no trace of you remains, that’s when you merge with your beloved and become one."
Animation by Chia-Hsin Lee
Description text adapted by the libretto from The Conference of the Birds, written by Sholeh Wolpé, music by Fahad Siadat. Soprano soloist Amanda Achen, choral ensemble the Resonance Collective.