Book cover of Eat, Pray, Love

I have finished reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert on the night of my March 7, the last day of our read along.  I said “my” March 7 because where I am is 8 hours behind of Jo and 16 hours behind of Wilfrid during the daylight saving.

Eat, Pray, Love is about Elizabeth Gilbert’s, the author of this book, one full year of travel and search experience for pleasure, spiritual and love across Italy, India and Indonesia.  What triggered Elizabeth (Liz) to set out for such searches?  The story begins with the experience of dealing with  her divorce, issues with her then boyfriend, David, and a crushing depression.

This is my first Elizabeth Gilbert’s book and I find the journey of reading this book rather pleasant.  It is not my kind of “page turner” book though and in fact it was quite hard to get through the first twenty chapters as there just seem to be relentless moaning of her marriage, relationship and depression issues.  Despite I agree with most of the things she said about how all the meltdowns have affected her life, I was really hoping that the pace of the story would progress faster. 

So why did I pick up the book again and again? I truly felt Liz’ desperation for an answer and guidances to her issues.  Particularly the time she cried and prayed to god on the floor of her toilet every night. 

“Please tell me what to do…..”

I prayed and asked god the same question, also on my toilet floor, every day when I was going through a rather traumatic time many years ago.  I have been there and I understand the moaning is neccessary.   I did the same thing.  After I cried and cried and felt that that’s enough, the little voice inside me told me to go back to bed.  (Pg 15 & 16) so I did and at times wished I will never have to wake up again to face the pain.

The story became interesting when Liz started her journey in Italy where she met new friends.  One of them is Luca Spaghetti.  I found Liz’s conversations with Luca Spaghetti entertaining and always I wonder why Liz mentioned Luca’s name in full throughout her book.  That itself is very hilarious.  There were a few of their conversations worth mentioning but I particularly like the one about pleasure seeking.  Liz and Luca agreed that the Italian are the masters in pleasure seeking.  Apart from food and sex, the Italians have proudly claim themselves to be the master of “il bel far niente” which means the master of being the beauty of doing nothing. (pg.61)  Now, I wish I am a Italian.  One of my wishes for many years is to take time off from work and do nothing.  I have actually attempted to plan for such time off but I end up doing something during my time off either catching up on movies, reading, shopping, doing my laundry or cooking a nice meal….so I don’t think I am qualify to be an Italian but an average person of don’t really know how to do “nothing”.

I spent a long time on reading Liz’s experience in India.  To me this part of the story has a lot of heavy contents particularly on meditation and spiritual philosophies that require digesting.  Liz talked in lenght about her meditation experience.  She also talked about the chant of Gurugita and how she struggled with both the meditation and chanting.  I am a buddhist myself and daily chanting is part of our daily practice.  I, too, find my mind wandering while I chant.  I tried to concerntrate on the chanting and I tried to focus on what I am chanting for but most time my mind wander off thinking about something else so I can totally relate to Liz’s experience on this.

Among the different types of meditations Liz has talked about, I find the Vipassana meditation very appealing.  Vipassana meditation according to Liz is the practice of pure regarding, witnessing your mind and offering your complete consideration to your thought patterns, but allowing nothing to move you from your seat.  So this is just like pure “sitting” with a license for your mind to wander.  It was like “shhh….leave me alone, my mind just want to wander without being distracted.” Pretty good deal. 

And then, I totally enjoyed reading Liz in Indonesia. I think I sailed through Indonesia within a couple of days.  Liz conversations with Ketut Liyer, Wayan and Yudhi were  funny and hilarious, so funny that I have to read them to my husband. (pg 300 – 303) 

There is a sense of calmness in Indonesia.  Liz has lighten up so much after her experience in Italy and India. Her relationship with Felipe started and progressed so naturally that I thought there is no reason why this two persons shouldn’t be in love with each other. 

I am happy with how the story ended though there were no details on how Liz and Felipe will manage their long distance relationship, after Liz has returned to America while Felipe remained in Bali. 

I suppose I will get to find out in her book titled “Committed”.

I will discuss my thoughts of the discussion questions we have selected for this read along in my next post purely because this is a long overdue posting and I should really get it out now.

Meanwhile stay tuned. 🙂