Readin' Up

Just starting the House of Mirth.  But before I do ... let me say ...

Eat Pray Love was a wonderful flick. I am surprised the movie (and book) can't stand as a different perspective on life and its spiritual interpretations without eliciting such a strong reaction. But maybe fine movies do that, no matter which side of the fence you're on, and the discussion that follows is the really meaty stuff worth discussing.

We both enjoyed the movie, the Democrat Cat and Republican Dog, enough to go out the very next day to pick up the book and see it again when there was an opportunity. (For those unfamiliar, it is the story of a woman's miserably failed life and her decision to tackle the issues head-on.  The book chronicles her explorative year long journey: four months in Italy, four in India and four in Indonesia, to help her heal.)

EPL does not have the kinds of problems you see in so many Hollywood movies with violence and cursing and vouyeristic sexuality, and that was refreshing. Reading the book created a serious challenge because I have but a superficial understanding of Hindu teachings (college Eastern Religions course) and it was not enough preparation. I glossed over a bit in the middle. Eastern religions are pretty far removed from Christianity and my own belief system ~ and it is those textural issues at the crux of the matter, philosophical and cerebral and religious differences that are difficult to discuss without retreating to our separate corners.

Let me just say what resonated was how people get lost ... and eventually try to regain balance and purpose in their lives. On the simplest level, that's all this was: one woman's 'way' towards understanding and repurposing her life. We all hunger for it and struggle to attain it, no matter what religious affiliations we hold.

Mankind is selfish and thoughtless and inconsiderate, even Christians. Seekers are everywhere in literature and life in every religion. Christianity is our choice, but it is not everyone's. And so in EPL we recognized the journey and underlying lessons that resonate through the human experience, the aspects we all share because they are part of the search we all know, towards deeper spirituality and a relationship with God, and a springboard to a life of purpose and meaning.
 
We didn't understand it all, not by a long shot, but it was still a compelling story with recognizable lessons, and we came away feeling enlightened and hopeful.