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

bobcat

bobcat

Well-known Member
Location
Northern Calif
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)
 

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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I haven't thought about that movie in a long time. Sounds like a good one to relax and enjoy for what it is.
Maybe it's a time in your life where you need to get out on a journey, bobcat?
 
Haven't watched the movie, but read the book years ago. While i didn't find it boring i've read more inspirational and helpful books. Ram Dass's "Still Here" comes to mind.

While i agree that looking inward makes sense, it is also true that some of us find that difficult if we keep ourselves safely moored in our comfort zones.

Remember even unpleasant workplaces and relationships can become 'comfort zones' for some of us on the 'devil you know' principle.

Also, remember that we can become addicted to routines, states of mind/being not just to substances. And any good rehab program will suggest identifying the triggers that keep you indulging your addiction and move or remove them.

Sometimes the most simple way to do that is to change locales.

i'm not advocating everybody run out and embark on physical journeys, i did a lot of that in my youth, mostly BC (before children) it has its pros and cons. But i can conceive of it being a viable catalyst for looking inward and might have benefits for some people.
 
bobcat48 said:
Actually, I am. As soon as my house sells, that is my plan.
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Hope you will be taking some device (laptop, tablet, phone) that you will be able to use at 'free wi-fi' locations to keep us posted.

But i would also recommend keeping a journal. Doesn't have to be daily list of minute details, but rather notes on experiences you want to remember, and the thoughts they inspire. Particularly self-realizations.

Also, if you're not taking a laptop, and not much on manually writing in a journal but will be able to post on SF you could use the 'Diaries' forum here for your notes to self on the experience.
 
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Gaer said:
That movie was about seeking knowledge of the self through outward means.
Go inward. It's so simple. All you want to know about everything is within yourself.
Pure consciousness, pure awareness, pure wakefulness; all in your own soul.
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Very true, and I do have copious notes on my introspection and my spiritual journey, however, I wouldn't agree that all I want to know about everything is within myself. I learn many things from nature, from other people, other cultures, and exploring other philosophies and wisdom of the ages. So that part, I feel somewhat differently. But that's just me.
 
feywon said:
Haven't watched the movie, but read the book years ago. While i didn't find it boring i've read more inspirational and helpful books. Ram Dass's "Still Here" comes to mind.

While i agree that looking inward makes sense, it is also true that some of us find that difficult if we keep ourselves safely moored in our comfort zones.

Remember even unpleasant workplaces and relationships can become 'comfort zones' for some of us on the 'devil you know' principle.

Also, remember that we can become addicted to routines, states of mind/being not just to substances. And any good rehab program will suggest identifying the triggers that keep you indulging your addiction and move or remove them.

Sometimes the most simple way to do that is to change locales.

i'm not advocating everybody run out and embark on physical journeys, i did a lot of that in my youth, mostly BC (before children) it has its pros and cons. But i can conceive of it being a viable catalyst for looking inward and might have benefits for some people.
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Plenty of wisdom there, and you're right. Staying in the bubble or echo chamber of what is familiar will undoubtedly lead to stagnation. Thanks for the book tip. I will look into it.
 
feywon said:
Hope you will be taking some device (laptop, tablet, phone) that you will be able to use at 'free wi-fi' locations to keep us posted.

But i would also recommend keeping a journal. Doesn't have to be daily list of minute details, but rather notes on experiences you want to remember, and the thoughts they inspire. Particularly self-realizations.

Also, f you're not taking a laptop, and not much on manually writing in a journal but will be able to post on SF you could use the 'Diaries' forum here for your notes to self on the experience.
Click to expand...
All great tips. I only kept a journal once before, but that was a father's journal after my son was born. I hadn't really given it much thought since, but I have no doubt I will forget details with regard to certain experiences if I don't, so I will incorporate that advice into the plan, and definitely I will stay on SF.
 
bobcat48 said:
Plenty of wisdom there, and you're right. Staying in the bubble or echo chamber of what is familiar will undoubtedly lead to stagnation. Thanks for the book tip. I will look into it.
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i read both Eat, Pray, Love and Still Here around the same time, but perhaps for situational reasons related much more to the latter.
While divorced i had a teen still at home and could not relate to Gilbert.

Whereas, Dass talks about dealing with aging that most any person even just beginning to feel their age can relate to.
 
Although I have not seen the movie, it sounds inviting, so I will look for it, @bobcat48 ! Thanks for the mention.

I also traveled extensively in my youth, but being young is a totally different way of life than being a senior at this late stage in life. Things that were easy then are not easy now. The 60-some year-old body of mine makes sure I am aware of it! Also, I have way more experience now than I did in my twenties, so I weigh things more carefully before acting upon them.

Reading, watching movies and videos, socializing, traveling, and being close to nature are many ways we can reach out and touch the world. However, I agree with you and @Gaer, to go inward; writing, creating, and meditating allows us to go inward, self-reflect, and share a part of ourselves with the world. Journaling also helps to go inward and get your thoughts down.

I believe that giving back to the world (creating) is not a prominent focus in our modern society/media, IMHO. It's more about surviving by working, taking/buying, improving ourselves, and assimilating (reading how-to books, learning how to do something, following influencers/gurus), yet there's a whole world that is not being accessed if we are focused too much on the outside worlds. It's the still world within us which is quite rich, and thus only a few are creators (making art, music, books, etc.). Yet we all have the ability to create.

Finally, I see nothing wrong with the "life preservers" you mention. There is a reason why we have them. Stability is the foundation of our life. There is no "addiction" (as someone posted) in living a routine life that brings comfort and well-being. What is wrong with that? If we are constantly searching outside ourselves, when will we know when we've had enough?

You mention about selling your house and traveling. I was told in the first year of my loss not to make any major life decisions. I postponed any changes, and 10 years later, have made peace with living in the same house and not moving. I have traveled several times since then, but have my home to come to. I am content. (Sorry for rambling, I was just going to write 2 sentences, but....)
 
bobcat48 said:
Very true, and I do have copious notes on my introspection and my spiritual journey, however, I wouldn't agree that all I want to know about everything is within myself. I learn many things from nature, from other people, other cultures, and exploring other philosophies and wisdom of the ages. So that part, I feel somewhat differently. But that's just me.
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Interesting. I must ponder this.

Do you seek words which are a reflection of you? (the self?) Most of us tend to watch or read, study what reflects our beliefs or knowledge. We view news stations which are the same as our political views.
I watch or read time-travel movies and history movies, reincarnation, literature, the paranormal, physics, metaphysics; words that expand my consciousness and evolve the soul.
Point is; we generally don't tend to study things opposite to our beliefs.
i did read varied religious books and the Book of Mormon, Sylvia Brown books, etc., and found myself saying, " Don't believe THAT!"
Sylvia Brown was tossed across the room! Somewhere, in your zillions of lifetimes, you already KNOW THINGS IN YOUR SOUL!

About your selling out, I agree with @palides2021! You are still in mourning, whether you realize it or not. Pleas be gentle on yourself
and most careful in making decisions.

The movie? so-so. IMO.
 
Saw it but can't remember much about it. It did not make a big impression on me.

I do believe "it is not the destination, it is the journey" and also that "no matter where you go, there you are". What that means to me is we should be open to new ideas and experiences. That is how we grow. If I just take myself to a new place I will not grow, I will just be there. Being open and staying curious is how I grow and thrive.

Being this age takes a lot of the fear out of traveling solo for me. I have a more que sera, sera attitude. I like to travel and learn, Sounds like that is what you are seeking too. Good luck.
 
palides2021 said:
Although I have not seen the movie, it sounds inviting, so I will look for it, @bobcat48 ! Thanks for the mention.

I also traveled extensively in my youth, but being young is a totally different way of life than being a senior at this late stage in life. Things that were easy then are not easy now. The 60-some year-old body of mine makes sure I am aware of it! Also, I have way more experience now than I did in my twenties, so I weigh things more carefully before acting upon them.

Reading, watching movies and videos, socializing, traveling, and being close to nature are many ways we can reach out and touch the world. However, I agree with you and @Gaer, to go inward; writing, creating, and meditating allows us to go inward, self-reflect, and share a part of ourselves with the world. Journaling also helps to go inward and get your thoughts down.

I believe that giving back to the world (creating) is not a prominent focus in our modern society/media, IMHO. It's more about surviving by working, taking/buying, improving ourselves, and assimilating (reading how-to books, learning how to do something, following influencers/gurus), yet there's a whole world that is not being accessed if we are focused too much on the outside worlds. It's the still world within us which is quite rich, and thus only a few are creators (making art, music, books, etc.). Yet we all have the ability to create.

Finally, I see nothing wrong with the "life preservers" you mention. There is a reason why we have them. Stability is the foundation of our life. There is no "addiction" (as someone posted) in living a routine life that brings comfort and well-being. What is wrong with that? If we are constantly searching outside ourselves, when will we know when we've had enough?

You mention about selling your house and traveling. I was told in the first year of my loss not to make any major life decisions. I postponed any changes, and 10 years later, have made peace with living in the same house and not moving. I have traveled several times since then, but have my home to come to. I am content. (Sorry for rambling, I was just going to write 2 sentences, but....)
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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.
 
Gaer said:
Interesting. I must ponder this.

Do you seek words which are a reflection of you? (the self?) Most of us tend to watch or read, study what reflects our beliefs or knowledge. We view news stations which are the same as our political views.
I watch or read time-travel movies and history movies, reincarnation, literature, the paranormal, physics, metaphysics; words that expand my consciousness and evolve the soul.
Point is; we generally don't tend to study things opposite to our beliefs.
i did read varied religious books and the Book of Mormon, Sylvia Brown books, etc., and found myself saying, " Don't believe THAT!"
Sylvia Brown was tossed across the room! Somewhere, in your zillions of lifetimes, you already KNOW THINGS IN YOUR SOUL!

About your selling out, I agree with @palides2021! You are still in mourning, whether you realize it or not. Pleas be gentle on yourself
and most careful in making decisions.

The movie? so-so. IMO.
Click to expand...
To answer the first part, I guess takes me back to the OP. The movie (Even though it was several years ago), got me to thinking about pilgrimages and quests that people undertake to sort out priorities in their life, their purpose (Or if there is one), and find meaning that imparts true satisfaction. Well, the more I pondered the matter, the more I realized that I had been on that pilgrimage for years.

I began questioning what I believed some 30 years ago, and it was an uphill climb because those beliefs were so much a part of who I was. It was only after considering that I may be wrong about all of it, that I began to digest everything I could find that fit actual reality. Granted, there will be some things that I cannot "know", but I am OK with a belief in those cases.

Lastly, I do thank you for your concern over my selling of the house, but my decision has no relevance to my loss. I had to honestly ask myself what I want for the rest of my life, and this wasn't it. I designed and built this house, and I will always have that, but it doesn't fit my life now. It's much too big and too much responsibility to keep up, and too costly.

Time is something you can never buy back, and freedom is of more value to me than property value. It is sweet that you are concerned, but I really believe I am doing what is right for me. If I am wrong, I will buy a smaller place down the road and make it home, once I decide it's where I want to spend time.
 
Eat, Pray, Love, is based on the true story of Elizabeth Gilbert,the writer. She spent a year on a journey of personal discovery… Gilbert travelled around the world searching and found nothing. The character of Liz Gilbert comes across as selfish and a quitter.

She leaves her husband and has a joy ride with different men. This movie carries a false spiritual message. After she married Jose Nunes in Bali, they returned to the US and ran a large Asian Import store! Then she left Nunes!

She began a relationship with her best friend. A wonan called Rayya Elias who died a few years ago.

Liz Gilbert is not a person to use as an example she made money from her book, sure, but she did not find herself and never will because she is too fickle and cannot face her problems, but she will continue to laugh all the way to the bank!

Her book was indigestible....
 
Jamala said:
Eat, Pray, Love, is based on the true story of Elizabeth Gilbert,the writer. She spent a year on a journey of personal discovery… Gilbert travelled around the world searching and found nothing. The character of Liz Gilbert comes across as selfish and a quitter.

She leaves her husband and has a joy ride with different men. This movie carries a false spiritual message. After she married Jose Nunes in Bali, they returned to the US and ran a large Asian Import store! Then she left Nunes!

She began a relationship with her best friend. A wonan called Rayya Elias who died a few years ago.

Liz Gilbert is not a person to use as an example she made money from her book, sure, but she did not find herself and never will because she is too fickle and cannot face her problems, but she will continue to laugh all the way to the bank!

Her book was indigestible....
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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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