Eat, Pray, Love
I recently finished reading the book Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert, strongly recommended by my friend Zoe.
The book talks about the author's personal search for pleasure, god, love and balance, through a 1 year trip to Italy, India and Indonesia, following her divorce and a crushing depression.
There are 2 short dialogues between Liz (bold) and an Indonesian medicine man I'd like to share, are they show that paradoxes can make a lot of sense.
"Ketut, why is life all crazy like this?
"Bhuta ia, dewa ia. Man is a demon, man is a god. Both true."
"So what can we do about the craziness of the world?"
"Nothing. This is nature of world. This is destiny. Worry about your craziness only - make you in peace."
=========================================================
"What's it like in hell?"
"Same like heaven."
"Then how can you tell the difference?"
"Because of how you go. Heaven, you go up, through seven happy places. Hell, you go down, through seven sad places. This is why it better for you to go up."
"You mean, you might as well send your life going upward, through the happy places, since heaven and hell - the destinations - are the same thing anyway?"
"Same-same. Same in the end, so better be happy on journey."
"So, if heaven is love, then hell is…"
"Love, too."
I would love to read your comments!
Labels: Books, Spirituality
posted by Gabi Werner @ 4:41 PM
5 Comments:
I remembered Bali vividly while reading those dialogues. They are pretty representative of the way they think about live. Very simple and clever in their simplicity. Great pieces!
Gabi darling!
I just finished reading this book. Its amazing how Gilbert memorials through her year of search transport one with her. I loved it!
I believe its amazing that not only balinese, 65-112 year old, medicine man are able to express such tender, simple and yet wise things. But hopefully there are a good people in this life sharing their knowledge and wisdom.
About man, heaven and hell... One must be aware of which side we are talking, and remember that in the end, despite the similitude of heaven and hell, "Today and Now" are the most important things. In the book, she found it through meditation, love, good friendship.
I believe its a fair enough combination. And for sure not the only one.
One should find joy and serenity while living; as long as you are not hurting anybody else... balance shall be there.
Have a very nice week!
Cheers,
KT
muitas pessoas me recomendaram este livro, ainda mais pela situação em que estou hoje.
mais um motivo para lê-lo em breve.
bjo
Rodrigo, the more I read, observe and think about life, the more I get interested in traditional wisdom. I reckon native communities and indigenous tribes have a whole lot of knowledge they developed through time that is amazing, at the same time incomprehensible and making all possible sense.
Karla, I totally agree that wisdom and kindness are not rare qualities and therefore can be seen in almost every person. In fact, however we treat people, that's how they behave back (see next post for the explanation).
If you guys are interested in more of Liz Gilbert's thoughts, check her speech on TED about the genius inside creative people - http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
Thanks for the comments!
hey Gabi, hello :)
I also finished this book recently, picked up randomly in a store- liked the description, and then found out it's quite a famous book :)
I liked it, have a few pages marked up; I think this book is especially great when people already have some life baggage/experience and can relate to what she is going through. I think I might re-read it a few years later :)
also watched the TED video - when i watched I didn't know she was the author of the book, but never the less found the speech very interesting, makes you take a notice, different take on creativity
sending love from the best harbour city in the world :)
Sveta
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