Yes, yes. I am behind. While BlogHER caused the first delay (no, I didn’t attend but Maria did), my mother being in town for a two week vacation caused my personal delay in my sticking with the Eat, Pray, Love postings. Here’s the background. Maria of BOREDMommy fame is reading and writing about Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love.
The section of Eat, Pray, Love that deals with India also deals with Gilbert’s internal search for spiritual recognition. Gilbert heads to an Ashram in India that practices yoga and meditation. Even my first read of this book left me thinking that this was not me. Of course, with the exception few moments in my life, I have been a big follower of organized religion. I question parts of organized religion, still, to this day. But I am not sure I am fit for an Ashram or for meditation on a regular basis.
Near the beginning of this section of the book, there is a bit about yoga and that the word means UNION. This is an idea I can get behind. I have spent a lot of time trying to create a union between my beliefs and my way of living. I have spent a lot of time creating a union between my mind and my body. I believe I do live as I believe but know I sometimes slip up. I also have moments of that mind-body union. These mind-body moments frequently occur as I am on a long run. I can see myself running, feel my feet hitting the pavement but not truly feel it. I love the idea that both my mind and my body will come together.
I also had a huge feeling of being just like Gilbert as she described introducing a new chicken to a flock and how her arrival at the Ashram was the same – under cover of night and so no one knew she had arrived. I can picture times in my life when I have wanted to be silent and arrive without notice. This is not like me but I do see the benefits. I, on the other hand, like to be noticed, at least at some points in time.
I am awed by Gilbert’s progress in her life as she is at the Ashram. She goes from not being able to still her mind at all – a feeling I can relate to in many ways – to being able to be still while anticipating her departure. I do not know that the discipline acquire while during her stay in India is one I could grow into. My mind does not like being still, does not like being quite.
Have you read Gilbert’s Eat, Pray, Love? If so, what did you think of her time in India?
Nicki's Nook 
I read the book years ago and saw the movie over the weekend. I enjoyed both (I’ve stopped comparing books and movies because they’re very different experiences and I no longer look for the movie experience to replicate the book experience).
What I remember from the India section is her vivid account of how lonely or alone she felt. There is a point when she lets go and either she had almost an out-of-body experience or a spiritual awakening. While I couldn’t relate to her loneliness or alone-ness overall, I felt the intensity of what she may have been experiencing. I was moved and I’m pretty sure it was one of the many parts where I cried.
This is one of my MOST favourite books of all time. I read it a few years ago, but I actually think it ignited my journey to find myself. My own certainly hasn’t been as dramatic as hers, but she inspires me. My mind has trouble with the quiet too…it’s the next thing I really want to work on. Now if only I could find the time! (I know…I know!)