"I think about the woman I have become lately, about the life that I am now living, and about how much I always wanted to be this person and live this life, liberated from the farce of pretending to be anyone other than myself. I think of everything I endured before getting here and wonder if it was me--I mean this happy and balanced me, who is now dozing on the deck of a small Indonesian fishing boat--who pulled the other, younger, more confused and more struggling me forward during all those hard years" (330).
At the end of the memoir, Liz is reflecting on her journey to happiness and how she became the woman she is now. This new Liz is so much happier--more carefree, more passionate, more spiritually centered, and more self-confident. She realizes that although there were so many people who helped her along the way, (Giovanni, Luca Spaghetti, her guru, Richard from Texas, Ketut Liyer, Felipe, Wayan, and Tutti), the main administrator of her rescue was herself. She herself was the one who made the effort, took the time (a year!) to change and become happier. Without her own will to do so, she would never have reached the point she is at now, no matter how many people she had to help her along the journey. I think this is extremely true in everyday life--we cannot be forced to make changes. Only once we ourselves recognize that we need to change and make the decision to put forth the effort to do so can we finally be "rescued". Whether it be a rescue from a bad relationship, from alcohol or drugs, or from depression, nothing can be accomplished without one's own will to accomplish it.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Week 5, Post A
VOCAB:
feudal (236): pertaining to the political, military, and social system in the Middle Ages, based on the holding of lands in fief or fee and on the resulting relations between lord and vassal.
emissary (247): a representative sent on a mission or errand in order to negotiate.
APPEALS:
1. "The next day...I get hit by a bus" (253). This is an emotional appeal that is suspenseful and a definite cliff-hanger. It surprised me and left me anxious and eager to see what happens next.
2. "And from that meeting, everything that was meant to happen...happened" (255). This is an emotional appeal because it makes the reader eager to see what happens but also gives the reader a sense of calm because the author sounds like everything will work out in the end.
3. "I could not believe I was still up at 3:30 AM, and not to meditate, either! I was up in the middle of the night and wearing a dress and talking to an attractive man. How terribly radical" (268). This is both a logical and an emotional appeal. The fact that Liz is still out partying at 3:30 AM is a fact, therefore a logical appeal. It is also emotional because Liz is finally out having fun again and letting go, which is a big step for her!
QUOTE:
"I love this girl, Liss. Very beautiful. But not good character, this girl. She only want money. She chase other boy. She never tell truth...She stop loving me, go away with other boy. I am very sad. Broken in my heart. I pray and pray to my four spirit brothers, ask why she not anymore love me? Then one of my spirit brothers, he tell me the truth. He say, 'This is not your true match. Be patient.' So I be patient and then I find my wife. Beautiful woman, good woman. Always sweet for me. Never once we argue, have always harmony in household, always she smiling. Even when no money at home, always she smiling and saying how happy she is to see me" (279). Ketut, the medicine man, tells Liz exactly what she needs to hear: that if she is patient, she will find the right man--her soul mate. After her painful divorce she thought she would never love anyone, that no one would ever love her again. However, Ketut reassures her that she will find love again if she is patient. She shouldn't be discouraged. This gives Liz renewed hope and comforts her.
THEME:
I think the theme of this book is the struggle people go through in order to achieve a balanced, happy life. Some people never achieve this, as it is difficult and requires effort. However, once one reaches a balance between spirituality and the pleasures we find on Earth, the rewards are boundless.
feudal (236): pertaining to the political, military, and social system in the Middle Ages, based on the holding of lands in fief or fee and on the resulting relations between lord and vassal.
emissary (247): a representative sent on a mission or errand in order to negotiate.
APPEALS:
1. "The next day...I get hit by a bus" (253). This is an emotional appeal that is suspenseful and a definite cliff-hanger. It surprised me and left me anxious and eager to see what happens next.
2. "And from that meeting, everything that was meant to happen...happened" (255). This is an emotional appeal because it makes the reader eager to see what happens but also gives the reader a sense of calm because the author sounds like everything will work out in the end.
3. "I could not believe I was still up at 3:30 AM, and not to meditate, either! I was up in the middle of the night and wearing a dress and talking to an attractive man. How terribly radical" (268). This is both a logical and an emotional appeal. The fact that Liz is still out partying at 3:30 AM is a fact, therefore a logical appeal. It is also emotional because Liz is finally out having fun again and letting go, which is a big step for her!
QUOTE:
"I love this girl, Liss. Very beautiful. But not good character, this girl. She only want money. She chase other boy. She never tell truth...She stop loving me, go away with other boy. I am very sad. Broken in my heart. I pray and pray to my four spirit brothers, ask why she not anymore love me? Then one of my spirit brothers, he tell me the truth. He say, 'This is not your true match. Be patient.' So I be patient and then I find my wife. Beautiful woman, good woman. Always sweet for me. Never once we argue, have always harmony in household, always she smiling. Even when no money at home, always she smiling and saying how happy she is to see me" (279). Ketut, the medicine man, tells Liz exactly what she needs to hear: that if she is patient, she will find the right man--her soul mate. After her painful divorce she thought she would never love anyone, that no one would ever love her again. However, Ketut reassures her that she will find love again if she is patient. She shouldn't be discouraged. This gives Liz renewed hope and comforts her.
THEME:
I think the theme of this book is the struggle people go through in order to achieve a balanced, happy life. Some people never achieve this, as it is difficult and requires effort. However, once one reaches a balance between spirituality and the pleasures we find on Earth, the rewards are boundless.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Week 4, Post B
Dear Liz Gilbert,
Well, I am wrapping up the India portion of your book and I must say it was not as exciting as I would have hoped. I thoroughly enjoyed the Italy portion--your journey for happiness was fun to read about and there were so many funny experiences! I did enjoy parts of the India portion of the story--some of your reflections were so insightful and refreshing. However, the plot throughout these months was overall very slow and was not characterized by funny events like Italy. Instead, your chapters were centered mostly around the many long hours you spent in meditation and the powerful experiences you had. While these are definitely interesting experiences to hear about, reading about these similar occurrences over and over again started to feel very repetitive. Perhaps I didn't enjoy it as much because my religious beliefs are very different from yours--it's fun to learn about other perspectives but in the end I simply disagree with many of the beliefs expressed by you and your guru.
I am, however, really looking forward to the Indonesia portion of the book, as you have summarized that leg of the trip with the word "Love" in the title. That has always been one of my favorite part of books and movies-the love story (the other part being humor), so I have a feeling I'll enjoy reading it a lot more! I still love your book and your writing style, I just felt that the descriptions of your time in India became slightly repetitive and boring after awhile.
Can't wait to keep reading!
~A-Rod
Well, I am wrapping up the India portion of your book and I must say it was not as exciting as I would have hoped. I thoroughly enjoyed the Italy portion--your journey for happiness was fun to read about and there were so many funny experiences! I did enjoy parts of the India portion of the story--some of your reflections were so insightful and refreshing. However, the plot throughout these months was overall very slow and was not characterized by funny events like Italy. Instead, your chapters were centered mostly around the many long hours you spent in meditation and the powerful experiences you had. While these are definitely interesting experiences to hear about, reading about these similar occurrences over and over again started to feel very repetitive. Perhaps I didn't enjoy it as much because my religious beliefs are very different from yours--it's fun to learn about other perspectives but in the end I simply disagree with many of the beliefs expressed by you and your guru.
I am, however, really looking forward to the Indonesia portion of the book, as you have summarized that leg of the trip with the word "Love" in the title. That has always been one of my favorite part of books and movies-the love story (the other part being humor), so I have a feeling I'll enjoy reading it a lot more! I still love your book and your writing style, I just felt that the descriptions of your time in India became slightly repetitive and boring after awhile.
Can't wait to keep reading!
~A-Rod
Week 4, Post A
VOCAB:
seva (191): the Sanskrit term for the spiritual practice of selfless service
transcendence (194): a state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material experience
APPEALS:
1. "It's over 100 degrees already at 10:00 AM, and most of these people have been flying all night in coach. Some of them walk into this Ashram looking like they jsut woke up in the trunk of a car-like they have no idea at all what they're doing here" (194). This is a logical appeal that refers to Liz's first time running a retreat for visitors to the Ashram at which she is living. It is logical because the temperature and time are clearly stated facts about the weather in India.
2. "Then she told me that my work detail had been changed. Due to a special request from mangement, I was no longer to be part of the floor-scrubbing team. They had a new position in mind for me at the Ashram. And the title of my new job was-if you will kindly dig this-'Key Hostess'" (191). This is an emotional appeal referring to the moment Liz hears of her new job at the Ashram. She had recently resolved to be less social and avoid monopolizing conversations, when she finds out her new job involves hosting people-a very socially oriented job! After this funny coincidence the reader is eager to hear more about the details of this new job.
3. "They're all afraid. They're all going into silence, deep into their own minds and souls. Even for an experienced meditator, nothing is more unknown than this territory. Anything can happen in there" (195). This is another emotional appeal as Liz is describing the intense fears of the people on her retreat about meditating. These fears make sense because one's mind and soul can definitely be scary places. I, the reader, agree with Liz on this point and it makes me think about how scared I would be to meditate for hours on end.
QUOTE:
"We search for happiness everywhere, but we are like Tolstoy's fabled beggar who spent his life sitting on a pot of gold, begging for pennies from every passerby, unaware that his fortune was right under him the whole time. Your treasure-your perfection-is within you already. But to claim it, you must leave the busy commotion of the mind and abandon the desires of the ego and enter into the silence of the heart" (197). I love this quote because I think it describes such a beautiful belief-that everyone can reach a state of blissful perfection. It's very intriguing that Liz believes this can be achieved simply by forgetting about material goods and human wants. She believes that if one can reach the "silence of the heart" bliss can be reached. This is such a refreshing opinion about the purpose of human life, for so many of us seem to have forgotten that money, success, and power do not necessarily equate to happiness.
THEME:
At this moment, as the book is centered in India and on Liz's spiritual development, the theme seems to be more focused on letting go of the day to day wants, worries, and grievances of life and focusing instead on finding happiness within oneself.
seva (191): the Sanskrit term for the spiritual practice of selfless service
transcendence (194): a state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material experience
APPEALS:
1. "It's over 100 degrees already at 10:00 AM, and most of these people have been flying all night in coach. Some of them walk into this Ashram looking like they jsut woke up in the trunk of a car-like they have no idea at all what they're doing here" (194). This is a logical appeal that refers to Liz's first time running a retreat for visitors to the Ashram at which she is living. It is logical because the temperature and time are clearly stated facts about the weather in India.
2. "Then she told me that my work detail had been changed. Due to a special request from mangement, I was no longer to be part of the floor-scrubbing team. They had a new position in mind for me at the Ashram. And the title of my new job was-if you will kindly dig this-'Key Hostess'" (191). This is an emotional appeal referring to the moment Liz hears of her new job at the Ashram. She had recently resolved to be less social and avoid monopolizing conversations, when she finds out her new job involves hosting people-a very socially oriented job! After this funny coincidence the reader is eager to hear more about the details of this new job.
3. "They're all afraid. They're all going into silence, deep into their own minds and souls. Even for an experienced meditator, nothing is more unknown than this territory. Anything can happen in there" (195). This is another emotional appeal as Liz is describing the intense fears of the people on her retreat about meditating. These fears make sense because one's mind and soul can definitely be scary places. I, the reader, agree with Liz on this point and it makes me think about how scared I would be to meditate for hours on end.
QUOTE:
"We search for happiness everywhere, but we are like Tolstoy's fabled beggar who spent his life sitting on a pot of gold, begging for pennies from every passerby, unaware that his fortune was right under him the whole time. Your treasure-your perfection-is within you already. But to claim it, you must leave the busy commotion of the mind and abandon the desires of the ego and enter into the silence of the heart" (197). I love this quote because I think it describes such a beautiful belief-that everyone can reach a state of blissful perfection. It's very intriguing that Liz believes this can be achieved simply by forgetting about material goods and human wants. She believes that if one can reach the "silence of the heart" bliss can be reached. This is such a refreshing opinion about the purpose of human life, for so many of us seem to have forgotten that money, success, and power do not necessarily equate to happiness.
THEME:
At this moment, as the book is centered in India and on Liz's spiritual development, the theme seems to be more focused on letting go of the day to day wants, worries, and grievances of life and focusing instead on finding happiness within oneself.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Week 3, Post B
"One of the hardest things about this divorce was the fact that my ex-husband never forgave me for leaving, that it didn't matter how many bushels of apologies or explanations I laid at his feet, how much blame I assumed, or how many assets or acts of contrition I was willing to offer him in exchange for departing...I was unredeemable. And this unredeemed dark hole was still inside me. Even in the moments of happiness and excitement (especially in moments of happiness and excitement) I could never forget it for long. I am still hated by him. And that felt like it would never change, never release" (182).
This quote is so emotionally revealing and I love Liz's openess here, and throughout her entire story. She is so free with her feelings and seems to know herself so well; it's truly inspiring. I especially like this passage because I can relate to her feelings, although on a much lesser level. I obviously have no experience with the heartache involved in a divorce, or anything that serious. I do, however, know what it guilt feels like and how it feels to believe someone will never forgive you for something you've done. I am the kind of person who has an annoying need to please people and I tend to be sort of a perfectionist. I hate letting people down, even over the stupidest things. So, even though the guilt Liz Gilbert is feeling over her divorce in no way compares to the guilt I feel when I forget to call a friend back, her experiences still appeal to a universal affliction that we all suffer from: guilt.
This quote is so emotionally revealing and I love Liz's openess here, and throughout her entire story. She is so free with her feelings and seems to know herself so well; it's truly inspiring. I especially like this passage because I can relate to her feelings, although on a much lesser level. I obviously have no experience with the heartache involved in a divorce, or anything that serious. I do, however, know what it guilt feels like and how it feels to believe someone will never forgive you for something you've done. I am the kind of person who has an annoying need to please people and I tend to be sort of a perfectionist. I hate letting people down, even over the stupidest things. So, even though the guilt Liz Gilbert is feeling over her divorce in no way compares to the guilt I feel when I forget to call a friend back, her experiences still appeal to a universal affliction that we all suffer from: guilt.
Week 3, Post A
VOCAB:
pamphleteers (159): Writers of pamphlets or other short works taking a partisan stand on an issue
seditious (179): arising to action or rebellion
caustic (156): severely critical or sarcastic
APPEALS:
1. "I met an old lady once, almost one hundred years old, and she told me, 'There are only two questions that human beings have ever fought over, all through history. How much do you love me? And Who's in charge?'" (157). This is an emotional appeal in two ways. At first the reader is eager to hear the two questions. Once these are presented, the reader wants to hear the reasoning behind this generalization and is looking forward to the examples given by the author.
2. "This morning I overslept. Which is to say-sloth that I am, I dozed until the ungodly hour of 4:15 AM" (167). This is a logical appeal because the Elizabeth's oversleeping is factual, along with the time she eventually awoke.
3. "I decided I needed to stay here at the Ashram. This was totally not in my original plan" (170). This is an emotional appeal because it sparks curiousity and surprise in the reader. Elizabeth had maintained throughout the story that she was planning on spending six weeks at the Ashram and then traveling all over India to end the trip. With the deliverance of this change in the plan the reader is eager to hear how the rest of the time will go and leaves the reader wondering about what caused Elizabeth to change her mind.
QUOTE:
"The search for God is a reversal of the normal, mundane worldly order. In the search for God, you revert from what attracts you and swim toward that which is difficult. You abandon your comforting and familiar habits with the hope (the mere hope!) that something greater will be offered to you in return...Faith is the belief in what you cannot see or prove or touch. Faith is walking face-first and full-speed into the dark" (175). I love this quote because I think it speaks very truthfully to the essence of faith and the strength required to maintain faith, not just in God but in anything. Elizabeth provides many thoughtful insights such as this throughout her memoir. Her deep self-analysis and her analysis of the world around her encourage me to rethink many ideas I would never have questioned before.
THEME:
I now think this book's focus is on balancing the pleasures of life and the spiritual side of life. Elizabeth's focus is on these two competing sides of life (earthly pleasures vs. divine spirituality) and the importance of the presence of both of them in life.
pamphleteers (159): Writers of pamphlets or other short works taking a partisan stand on an issue
seditious (179): arising to action or rebellion
caustic (156): severely critical or sarcastic
APPEALS:
1. "I met an old lady once, almost one hundred years old, and she told me, 'There are only two questions that human beings have ever fought over, all through history. How much do you love me? And Who's in charge?'" (157). This is an emotional appeal in two ways. At first the reader is eager to hear the two questions. Once these are presented, the reader wants to hear the reasoning behind this generalization and is looking forward to the examples given by the author.
2. "This morning I overslept. Which is to say-sloth that I am, I dozed until the ungodly hour of 4:15 AM" (167). This is a logical appeal because the Elizabeth's oversleeping is factual, along with the time she eventually awoke.
3. "I decided I needed to stay here at the Ashram. This was totally not in my original plan" (170). This is an emotional appeal because it sparks curiousity and surprise in the reader. Elizabeth had maintained throughout the story that she was planning on spending six weeks at the Ashram and then traveling all over India to end the trip. With the deliverance of this change in the plan the reader is eager to hear how the rest of the time will go and leaves the reader wondering about what caused Elizabeth to change her mind.
QUOTE:
"The search for God is a reversal of the normal, mundane worldly order. In the search for God, you revert from what attracts you and swim toward that which is difficult. You abandon your comforting and familiar habits with the hope (the mere hope!) that something greater will be offered to you in return...Faith is the belief in what you cannot see or prove or touch. Faith is walking face-first and full-speed into the dark" (175). I love this quote because I think it speaks very truthfully to the essence of faith and the strength required to maintain faith, not just in God but in anything. Elizabeth provides many thoughtful insights such as this throughout her memoir. Her deep self-analysis and her analysis of the world around her encourage me to rethink many ideas I would never have questioned before.
THEME:
I now think this book's focus is on balancing the pleasures of life and the spiritual side of life. Elizabeth's focus is on these two competing sides of life (earthly pleasures vs. divine spirituality) and the importance of the presence of both of them in life.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Week 2, Post B
Dear Elizabeth,
I am continuing to enjoy your book so much! I love your writing style--you're so funny and witty. You're also very open and honest about your feelings throughout your experience. It makes the book so much more fun to read when I feel like I'm experiencing everything along with you. Your many self-reflections help me understand your experiences better as well--you're very insightful and your reflections really make me think.
I also really admire your strong spiritual devoutness. You are so hard-core when it comes to yoga, meditation, and inner reflection! I don't think I would ever have the patience to sit still and just think for that long! And the Ashram schedule is so intense--3:00 AM to 9:00 PM, how do you do it? It must be hard to adjust to such a weird schedule; I doubt my body could ever get used to being awake in the early hours of the morning like that. You seem to be learning so much about yourself and it's so interesting to read about such a unique experience. I had never even heard of an Ashram before reading this so it was fun to hear about it!
I can't wait to continue reading and hear more about India..and soon Indonesia!
Sincerely,
A-Rod :)
I am continuing to enjoy your book so much! I love your writing style--you're so funny and witty. You're also very open and honest about your feelings throughout your experience. It makes the book so much more fun to read when I feel like I'm experiencing everything along with you. Your many self-reflections help me understand your experiences better as well--you're very insightful and your reflections really make me think.
I also really admire your strong spiritual devoutness. You are so hard-core when it comes to yoga, meditation, and inner reflection! I don't think I would ever have the patience to sit still and just think for that long! And the Ashram schedule is so intense--3:00 AM to 9:00 PM, how do you do it? It must be hard to adjust to such a weird schedule; I doubt my body could ever get used to being awake in the early hours of the morning like that. You seem to be learning so much about yourself and it's so interesting to read about such a unique experience. I had never even heard of an Ashram before reading this so it was fun to hear about it!
I can't wait to continue reading and hear more about India..and soon Indonesia!
Sincerely,
A-Rod :)
Monday, October 1, 2007
Week 2, Post A
VOCAB:
mantravirya (123): A Sanskrit term meaning "the potency of the enlightened conciousness" in relation to yoga.
bindi (129): A small, colored ornamental dot worn in the middle of a Hindu woman's forehead.
APPEALS:
1. "The word Guru is composed of two Sanskrit syllables. The first means "darkness," the second means "light." Out of the darkness and into the light" (123). This is a logical appeal because the definition of the word "Guru" is a factual statement. The definition is intriguing and the reader is eager to hear more about Elizabeth's Guru.
2. "And the first time I saw her, it was as though she looked at me through her photograph- those dark eyes smoldering with intelligent compassion- and she said 'You called for me and now I'm here.So do you want to do this thing, or not?'" (125). This is an emotional appeal because the reader wants to hear the answer to the question that Elizabeth's Guru "asked" her the first time she saw her.
3. "They want you to come here [the Ashram] strong because Ashram life is rigorous. Not just physically, with days that begin at 3:00 AM and end at 9:00 PM, but also psycologically (128). This is a logical appeal because it states the factual schedule of life at an Indian Ashram. It is also somewhat emotional because it hints at the emotional and psycological change that Elizabeth will experience in the months ahead.
QUOTE:
"This is the first New Year's Eve I can ever remember in my life where I haven't known any of the people I was celebrating with. In all this dancing and singing, there is nobody for me to embrace at midnight. But I wouldn't say that anything about this night has been lonely. No, I would definitely not say that" (130). This reflection signifies a big step, emotionally for Elizabeth. Beginning in the last months of her marriage, through the stressful divorce process, and even occasionally in her months spent in Italy, Elizabeth had admitted to feeling very alone. Now, as she begins her stay in India and celebrates the New Year in a new way with the other Ashram pupils, she finally feels the lonliness lifting. Even though she doesn't know anyone she is singing and dancing with, she feels so happy and full of life that she no longer feels any lonliness.
THEME:
The theme seems to continue to focus on the same ideas as I read farther on. The journey to understanding of oneself and the meaning of one's life continues to be the focus as Elizabeth moves from the "pleasure" leg of the trip to the "spiritual" leg of the trip.
mantravirya (123): A Sanskrit term meaning "the potency of the enlightened conciousness" in relation to yoga.
bindi (129): A small, colored ornamental dot worn in the middle of a Hindu woman's forehead.
APPEALS:
1. "The word Guru is composed of two Sanskrit syllables. The first means "darkness," the second means "light." Out of the darkness and into the light" (123). This is a logical appeal because the definition of the word "Guru" is a factual statement. The definition is intriguing and the reader is eager to hear more about Elizabeth's Guru.
2. "And the first time I saw her, it was as though she looked at me through her photograph- those dark eyes smoldering with intelligent compassion- and she said 'You called for me and now I'm here.So do you want to do this thing, or not?'" (125). This is an emotional appeal because the reader wants to hear the answer to the question that Elizabeth's Guru "asked" her the first time she saw her.
3. "They want you to come here [the Ashram] strong because Ashram life is rigorous. Not just physically, with days that begin at 3:00 AM and end at 9:00 PM, but also psycologically (128). This is a logical appeal because it states the factual schedule of life at an Indian Ashram. It is also somewhat emotional because it hints at the emotional and psycological change that Elizabeth will experience in the months ahead.
QUOTE:
"This is the first New Year's Eve I can ever remember in my life where I haven't known any of the people I was celebrating with. In all this dancing and singing, there is nobody for me to embrace at midnight. But I wouldn't say that anything about this night has been lonely. No, I would definitely not say that" (130). This reflection signifies a big step, emotionally for Elizabeth. Beginning in the last months of her marriage, through the stressful divorce process, and even occasionally in her months spent in Italy, Elizabeth had admitted to feeling very alone. Now, as she begins her stay in India and celebrates the New Year in a new way with the other Ashram pupils, she finally feels the lonliness lifting. Even though she doesn't know anyone she is singing and dancing with, she feels so happy and full of life that she no longer feels any lonliness.
THEME:
The theme seems to continue to focus on the same ideas as I read farther on. The journey to understanding of oneself and the meaning of one's life continues to be the focus as Elizabeth moves from the "pleasure" leg of the trip to the "spiritual" leg of the trip.
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