Eat Pray Love Book Club - Post #4

Finish India, where she prays a lot. Richard is a major character in this part of the book. He really is a true friend and is brutally honest. I think everyone has a Richard, maybe write a post about that person in your life as well as any general discussion about this section.

Liz's spiritual journey is fascinating, and I started thinking of it in the context of my own religion. The idea of God I've been taught growing up... I don't know. The words "infinite" and "loving" and "powerful" and "omniscient" are different from the concepts they represent, and I think Liz's time at the ashram put her in touch with those concepts. It's something I daresay I would like to look into.

As far as having a friend who gives me straight talk, that would be my friend C. She lives her life in a constant state of fabulous, not content with mediocre things or people. Or attitudes, which is why sometimes it's difficult hanging out with her, because she cuts right through all my crap. I know I can count on her for honest opinions of all my decisions, from the small things like what I'm reading or wearing, to the big things like who I married (she approves, by the way) or how I'm coping with things.

Quotes I liked from this section:

The other problem with all this swinging through the vines of thought is that you are never where you are. You are always digging in the past or poking at the future, but rarely do you rest in this moment. It's something like the habit of my dear friend Susan, who -- whenever she sees a beautiful place -- exclaims in near panic, "It's so beautiful here! I want to come back here someday!" and it takes all of my persuasive powers to try to convince her that she is already here. If you're looking for union with the divine, this kind of forward/backward whirling is a problem. There's a reason they call God a presence -- because God is right here, right now. In the present is the only place to find Him, and now is the only time. (p. 132)


He says, "Give it another six months, you'll feel better."
"I've already given it twelve months, Richard."
"Then give it six more. Just keep throwin' six months at it till it goes away. Stuff like this takes time." (p. 148)

"See, now that's your problem. You're wishin' too much, baby. You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughtta be."  (p. 150)

It was only after a few verses that I caught my breath and was able to think my normal, instinctive morning thought: I don't want to be here. After which I heard Swamiji burst out laughing in my head, saying: That's funny -- you sure act like somebody who wants to be here. (p. 168)

Of course God already knows what I need. The question is -- do I know? Casting yourself at God's feet in helpless desperation is all well and good -- heaven knows, I've done it myself plenty of times -- but ultimately you're likely to get more out of the experience if you can take some action on your end. (p. 176)
In fact, I like the entire 58th bead. It talks about being proactive in prayer, and not just asking for help but being specific about it and doing your part afterwards. Then she goes on to talk about the control over her life she has and how much of her life is based on her choice. And also, how many of her thoughts are based on her choices and how she can control the thoughts that are allowed to dwell in her head.

Constantly he was teaching that austerity and renunciation -- just for their own sake -- are not what you need. To know God, you need only to renounce one thing -- your sense of division from God. (p. 192)


This installment of the Eat Pray Love Book Club is hosted by Erika at Kiss My Book. Go see what the others had to say!