Digesting the movie Eat, Pray, Love (Anyone)?

bobcat48 said:
Sorry, this post wasn't about the real-life story, and I didn't use her as an example. It was regarding philosophical thoughts gleaned from the movie.
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What you see in the movie, is exactly her own life story.

If anyone wants to "find oneself"... do not base it on anyone else's life. One has to decide what they want and go get it and do it their way.
 

bobcat48 said:
I know it's a chick flick, and love it or hate it, as I recall it did have some thought-provoking nuggets sprinkled throughout the plot, and I am willing to set aside any rotten tomatoes I may throw at the movie, in favor of something I might learn for the most unlikely sources (The movie, not you).

Just going by memory here: In the movie, Eat, Pray, Love, Julia Roberts finds herself in an unsatisfactory marriage, travels to several countries, encounters various personalities, and customs, in search of fulfillment, meaning, and purpose. Along the way, she meets a guru (Ketut, her mentor), whose life is so radically different from her's (His being quite simple, and her's being quite messy). Anyway, she metaphorically surrenders to the big "O" of eating spaghetti in Rome, dabbles her socialite toes in the inviting world of spiritual life in India, and then of course, on to finding something akin to real love in Bali.

Anyway, along the way, she meets Richard, who is a "Get your head out of the sand" pragmatist, who nudges her closer to living in reality, and ever so slowly, she begins to put some pieces of the "lost soul" puzzle together. This is where she comes up with the "Physics Of The Quest" philosophy, which is, presumably the brain poking tool of the movie. Paraphrasing here, it is essentially being willing to let go of anything that may be holding you back, and embarking on a pilgrimage to find fulfillment, purpose, and meaning in your life, while accepting anything you encounter along the way as possible clues to what you seek.

So, does finding healing, balance, and the answers to life require a willingness to let go of the life preservers we cling to, and fearlessly journey in search of whatever is lacking in our life?

Perhaps that journey is inward?

Perhaps it's all about the journey, and the goal you start out with is not the benefit you end up with?

Is being contented a rarely opened gift that rests under the tree of our life?

Maybe finding a "Latin Lover" is a solution with lot less work. (Ha ha)
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Eat, Pray, Love is one of my all time favorites. I read the book and saw the movie. I was going through a rough period in my marriage and could relate to what she was going through.
 

Ladybj said:
Eat, Pray, Love is one of my all time favorites. I read the book and saw the movie. I was going through a rough period in my marriage and could relate to what she was going through.
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I wasn't all that enamored with the plot, but I rather enjoyed the concept that we can all learn from others, and the things we learn can help us navigate the complexities in life. I think it pays to realize that we don't have all the answers, and something someone may say, can change the course of our life, and the reverse of that works as well.
 
bobcat48 said:
I know it's a chick flick, and love it or hate it, as I recall it did have some thought-provoking nuggets sprinkled throughout the plot, and I am willing to set aside any rotten tomatoes I may throw at the movie, in favor of something I might learn for the most unlikely sources (The movie, not you).

Just going by memory here: In the movie, Eat, Pray, Love, Julia Roberts finds herself in an unsatisfactory marriage, travels to several countries, encounters various personalities, and customs, in search of fulfillment, meaning, and purpose. Along the way, she meets a guru (Ketut, her mentor), whose life is so radically different from her's (His being quite simple, and her's being quite messy). Anyway, she metaphorically surrenders to the big "O" of eating spaghetti in Rome, dabbles her socialite toes in the inviting world of spiritual life in India, and then of course, on to finding something akin to real love in Bali.

Anyway, along the way, she meets Richard, who is a "Get your head out of the sand" pragmatist, who nudges her closer to living in reality, and ever so slowly, she begins to put some pieces of the "lost soul" puzzle together. This is where she comes up with the "Physics Of The Quest" philosophy, which is, presumably the brain poking tool of the movie. Paraphrasing here, it is essentially being willing to let go of anything that may be holding you back, and embarking on a pilgrimage to find fulfillment, purpose, and meaning in your life, while accepting anything you encounter along the way as possible clues to what you seek.

So, does finding healing, balance, and the answers to life require a willingness to let go of the life preservers we cling to, and fearlessly journey in search of whatever is lacking in our life?

Perhaps that journey is inward?

Perhaps it's all about the journey, and the goal you start out with is not the benefit you end up with?

Is being contented a rarely opened gift that rests under the tree of our life?

Maybe finding a "Latin Lover" is a solution with lot less work. (Ha ha)
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Sorry bobcat48: I hated the movie, it was a chick flix movie and bordered on fantasy.
 
bobcat48 said:
I think you are right. There is a wealth of information buried under the rubble of daily life that is so often undiscovered and unexamined within us. Many of these elements of our personality and behaviors really don't need the skills of a therapist to get at. We just need to take the time and be willing to be honest with ourselves about the things that define who we really are, and not the masked persona that we present to the world. Also, I think many of us can be far more creative than we are, once we move beyond habits and routines.

As for the decision to sell, I have given it considerable thought, and it is the only decision that really makes sense to me. The house is too big for me, too much maintenance (1 acre), and too much expense. Just property tax and insurance runs almost 10 grand a year, and that's not counting electricity, water, garbage, TV, internet, food, heating, and a host of other miscellaneous expenses. I want a simpler life, and I can do the introspection anywhere. I desire a little more freedom and less responsibility.
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After my husband passed away, I was lost also. I decided that I would sell up and start anew. It took me 6 months to get the house in order, cleaning up and general maintenance. When I put the house up for Sale it went on the 5th day. I wanted a small 2-bedroom Villa, with a small
yard, no lawnmowing, and beautiful flowering plants. This is my palace and couldn't be happier.
 
oscash said:
Sorry bobcat48: I hated the movie, it was a chick flix movie and bordered on fantasy.
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Agreed (Partially). However, as I said, I was willing to set aside the rotten tomatoes I would have thrown at it, because I did find some redeeming aspects that had more to do with learning from other people and the idea that one needs to be open to clues and revelations from wherever they come from that may open your eyes to something you didn't see before or understand. That was my take-away.
 
oscash said:
After my husband passed away, I was lost also. I decided that I would sell up and start anew. It took me 6 months to get the house in order, cleaning up and general maintenance. When I put the house up for Sale it went on the 5th day. I wanted a small 2-bedroom Villa, with a small
yard, no lawnmowing, and beautiful flowering plants. This is my palace and couldn't be happier.
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Agreed. Downsizing can be so therapeutic, and it's truly amazing how much stuff you can live without and still be happy. Congrats.
 
bobcat48 said:
I wasn't all that enamored with the plot, but I rather enjoyed the concept that we can all learn from others, and the things we learn can help us navigate the complexities in life. I think it pays to realize that we don't have all the answers, and something someone may say, can change the course of our life, and the reverse of that works as well.
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ON POINT!!!! I believe I related to it so well was because I was going through a rough patch in my marriage. You are 100% correct, none of us has all the answers. This is why I am open to learn from whomever and whatever :D
 
helenbacque said:
I think it was an excuse to film Julia Roberts in some interesting and unique locations. Not much substance as a movie
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Could have been, but it was apparently a smart financial decision. It grossed around 205 million, against a budget of 60 million, and that's not even counting all the wall plaques and tee shirts and coffee cups sold worldwide, so still a sound decision. However, as I mentioned earlier, it didn't thrill me, but I did find some redeeming aspects mainly because of my interest in searching for wisdom and discovering it from the way others live their lives that is so different from yours.
 
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