Welcome to Eat, Pray, Love Book Club! About This Page:

[Sandra Bostwick]

[quote=DDuff;2106221]I. I can feel that her journey has been complete when she says, "the chronicle of our marriage's failure will remain untold here."
Do you mean because she was able to go on with the story without the gory details?

Bead 3: "the loaded word - GOD-" Boy does she have it right! I remember when this book was discussed on Oprah and there was a huge backlash from the more conservative Christian viewers.

I know when I first realized how much of this book dealt with that slippery slope, I was concerned. I love the way the author says something about excusing herself from their business if people are offended.

Bead 4: My recollection is that this is one of my favorite beads in this book. quote]

I also loved this bead. I loved the simplicity of the revelation. The basic goodness with being advised to take care of your basic needs...rest.

DDuff, did you click on the link for Liz Gilbert's website? If you put two and two together, you will figure out how the book REALLY ends!

I loved your comments. Thanks so much for such thoughtful reflections, EVERYONE!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Danielle Harmon

That is exactly what Bead 4 reminds me of...and I hope that everyone, through prayer or meditation or both, expereinces the peace that it can bring.

I love that hymn. When I read bead 4, I sort of exhaled. Something about the simple command to take some rest seemed so WISE! I can get so distracted from the things that are really important. The basics around which everything else really is built really needs attention, but priorities get so jumbled.

I find it interesting that many people turn to prayer, relaxation techniques or meditation only when they are at their wits end.

God must always feel like the only accountant in Procrastination-ville on April 14th.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Here is our first question of the week. If your answer is too personal to post, just give us some insights into generalities.

???Liz'z wise answer was go back to bed. If your higher power were to share the next-right-thing-to-do in order to keep balanced in your current situation, what would that be????

[DDuff]

Originally Posted by Danielle Harmon

That is exactly what Bead 4 reminds me of...and I hope that everyone, through prayer or meditation or both, expereinces the peace that it can bring.

What a beautiful hymn. I think now more importantly than ever it is important to take time for prayerful meditation. Our lives are so full of background noise that sometimes it is our only opportunity for that peace that we all need.

[DDuff]

[quote=Sandra Bostwick;2107322]

Originally Posted by DDuff

I. I can feel that her journey has been complete when she says, "the chronicle of our marriage's failure will remain untold here."
Do you mean because she was able to go on with the story without the gory details?

In part, yes. But also because she is able to reflect on both she and her ex as whole people not only flawed but also wonderful. This is one enlightened woman.


DDuff, did you click on the link for Liz Gilbert's website? If you put two and two together, you will figure out how the book REALLY ends!

Because I've read the book before, I did know how the book really ends. I also really enjoyed the Oprah episode where she was a guest. It was really insightful. Plus, Richard was in the audience so it was interesting to put a face to the man.

I loved your comments. Thanks so much for such thoughtful reflections, EVERYONE!

Thanks for getting this discussion started. I am really enjoying working through the book with a group.

[DDuff]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Here is our first question of the week. If your answer is too personal to post, just give us some insights into generalities.

???Liz'z wise answer was go back to bed. If your higher power were to share the next-right-thing-to-do in order to keep balanced in your current situation, what would that be????

Good Question: I'll be in prayerful meditation on this one.

[BelmontBelle]

I'm just catching up, although I did have a hard time stopping after Bead 4!

You ladies all have a lot of great thoughts, I don't have much to add, but here a few of my thoughts.

The intro was really interesting, I had no idea where the rosary came from. I just read an article not to long ago about the growing popularity of prayer beads. I think it is a great idea and have considered getting some to help keep me focused during my quiet time.

Bead One. Great way to get started on her story. I think if she had jumped right into her spiritual quest, she might have lost some people. I loved that after all her thoughts about Giovanni kissing her, she ended the evening on her knees in a prayer of thankfulness for being alone. It really made me want to keep on reading!

Bead Two. This one just broke my heart. Not only her grief over not knowing what to do about her marriage, but the fact that she had never prayed to God before. To me it's sad because I feel that if she'd had a relationship with God prior to her marriage things may have turned out differently for her.

Bead Three. I appreciate that she calls God, God and not by one of the many other names she listed. I have to say here that I am one of the "strictly speaking" Christians who believes there is only one way. However, as Danielle so eloquently stated, I am not taught to judge, but to love. It is definitely not up to me to judge anyone at all, only God Himself can do that.

Bead Four. I too loved this bead. I actually found it a little humorous in spots. It didn't surprise me at all that the voice she heard was her own. That voice that we hear in our heads telling us to do or not to do something is there for a reason and we really need to listen to it way more often. Even if it is as simple as "Go back to bed, Liz." I also found it very cool that she called it a "religious conversation." After all you can't have any type of relationship with out conversation!

I can't wait to read more!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by BelmontBelle

I'm just catching up, although I did have a hard time stopping after Bead 4!

I agree. It is easier for me because this is my 2nd time reading. The first time, I could NOT put the book down and finished it in a few days. Feel free to move ahead, as long as you don't give away any secrets!

Bead Four. I too loved this bead. I actually found it a little humorous in spots. It didn't surprise me at all that the voice she heard was her own. That voice that we hear in our heads telling us to do or not to do something is there for a reason and we really need to listen to it way more often.
This comment made me think of the joke...why is it when we talk to God we are praying and when God talks to us, we are schizopherenic!
I can't wait to read more!

Thanks for the interesting comments. It's good to have you onboard.

Sandy

[Danielle Harmon]

Originally Posted by Sandra Bostwick

Here is our first question of the week. If your answer is too personal to post, just give us some insights into generalities.

???Liz'z wise answer was go back to bed. If your higher power were to share the next-right-thing-to-do in order to keep balanced in your current situation, what would that be????

I'm with DDuff on this one. I will have to prayerfully meditate and find the answer. I am not at a particularly stressful moment in my life right now, but even so, answers come when you least expect them.

[DDuff]

Well gee Sandy - now I'm not sure if I should post my answer to your question. I know that God speaks to me so now I'm starting to question my sanity. Oh well, it wouldn't be the first time. So I prayed and I meditated and then I ran. Running is very spiritual for me and I have many conversations with God while out on a run. My answer was Stop thinking, Start feeling. It wasn't exactly the answer I was looking for but it makes a lot of sense to me. I'm am so analytical and logical sometimes I just can't stop thinking about the problem of the day/week/month/year/life.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Good Night, Book Club!

[Danielle Harmon]

Good morning Book club!

In response to Sandy's first question of the week:

I did my prayer/devotion time last night before bed and focused on this exact question. What would God tell me is the next, right step?

I was not really surprised when the answer was "slow down and enjoy life, be grateful." Sometimes we all get so busy that we forget every day is a gift and that we are all blessed by what we have in life, no matter how simple or extravegant (sp?) our life may be.

[BelmontBelle]

This morning I spent some time in prayer and really focused on Sandy's question of the week. I'm not really in any difficult situations right now, so I was really curious and intent to see if God had anything specific to say to me as far as what He would have me do next.

Well, what I heard Him say to me was, "Lisa, get back into the Word."
I do a weekly Bible study from Sept. through mid April and since then I haven't opened my Bible aside from Sunday mornings at church.

Hmmmm, OK God. So I got out my Bible and a 6 week study that I purchased (actually a couple years ago ) to do during the summer. It's called Living Free by Beth Moore. Anyway I got started and what do you know, the entire study is about learning to "pray God's word" as in using scripture during your prayer time to bring you closer to God and to demolish strongholds in your life.

Very interesting that He should lead me in this direction as I'm reading this book and thinking and talking with others about my prayer life. Definitely not a coincidence!

[Sandra Bostwick]

WO!! Amazing thoughts, book club! I'm so happy that you are interested in this book. Please, anyone reading who has not joined in, feel free to post and comment. Everyone is welcome!

[KimM]

I just bought the book yesterday, so I hope it's not too late to join in. I'll be starting the book tonight. I loved reading everyone's posts so far and am eager to start reading. Sounds like this book might be just what I need right now.