They used to be spiritual places for the Mayans
today we come and we seek peace and relaxation and meditation.
This is a Russian Orthodox community on Epiphany day.
Now, you’re probably gonna say this is Russia, Ukraine, right?
No, it’s Maine!
( audience laughter )
We went to India for the Ganga Dussehra ceremony.
One-point-three million people
making offerings in the sacred Ganges.
( sound of the river flowing )
It’s a staggering event.
Again, where they light candles, say prayers, beautiful.
If you ever get the chance to go to Haridwar, do go.
And then wait just for dusk, and
it becomes the most beautiful, poetic scene of humanity
in deep spiritual prayer
with the candles moving down the river.
We went to look at the commercialization
of the spirituality of the Ganges, to Mumbai
to Bombay where a giant water park
with the symbol of the Ganga is there
and you can slide down the Ganga.
We went to Turkey to look at sacred water in Islam.
Ablutions before going into the mosque to pray.
The Greek Orthodox Church in Istanbul.
We know about baptisms
but let’s do it in a little more poetic way.
We don’t have to see all the nudity.
Went to Bali, to look at the spirituality in Hinduism
where they pray where the water is considered extremely sacred.
Japan, at a meditation center, where people pray under dripping
and meditate under dripping droplets of water.
The taoist outside of Kyoto line up under candlelight
and pray for blessings under cascading cold waterfalls.
And if you’re gonna work in an onsen, in Japan
and everybody is naked, you kinda feel kinda funny
you’re wearing your clothes and everybody else is naked.
So, it’s probably the only assignment I’ve ever done
where I worked naked for three days.
( audience laughter )
I just worked naked.
South of France in a cave that is believed
that the Virgin Mary appeared.
Every day thousands come to touch
the water seeping from the wall.
So desperate are some in pain, they come in their hospital beds
praying for relief, to touch that sacred water.
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