I just finished watching the popular 2010 Hollywood release 'Eat, Pray, Love'. A touch long I would say, but I'm not here to critique the film. I'm here to talk about what I learned from it.
Of the many lessons that the movie teaches those viewers who are willing to learn one of the most striking in my opinion would be that 'Destruction is imperative to construction'. The protagonist narrates an analogy about the Mausoleum of Augustus which had to experience ruin before it was restored once again just like we must face the destruction of our spirits before we rise from the ashes once more. It is not so much the physical destruction of our bodies but the destruction of our egos. The Hindu custom of lighting the lamp also symbolises likewise. The wick in the lamp is our metaphoric ego which is burned in order for light to shine. A popular teaching of Christ Jesus also points towards destruction; this time that of our worldly peeves in order to find ourselves; unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground it still remains a grain of wheat, but if it falls and dies then it bears much fruit so it is with those who loose themselves in me (God).
I want to use an analogy that I've used in another article before this; the lessons that God tries to teach us through the happenings in our lives occur as infinite loops; they will keep occurring unless we add input, they will keep occurring unless we learn. Learning the hard lessons in life demands a breaking of our pride and that is exactly the input, the effort that we use to break the fetters and liberate ourselves.
Time is another important dimension. Every purpose under heaven has a time. We try to be in control of so many things in our lives only because we fear so many things. Surrender is the first step to facing our fears; and not just surrender but surrender to Him. Sometimes we need to let bigger forces act in our lives. Hence the prayer, God give me the grace to accept what I cannot change and the courage to change what I can. We cannot change the world but we can change ourselves. We cannot change what happens to us but we can change how we react to it.
Freedom never came free to anyone. It takes a broken heart and a shattered spirit to taste the sweetness of freedom. Life in limbo; a never ending fall; the interim; we need to live these phases to reach the moment of truth and cross over. Only the one who endures will be rewarded and the valuable lessons learned throughout the draconian process of the suffering of our souls is our reward. We need to wait for the Lord; and yes He will come!
Of the many lessons that the movie teaches those viewers who are willing to learn one of the most striking in my opinion would be that 'Destruction is imperative to construction'. The protagonist narrates an analogy about the Mausoleum of Augustus which had to experience ruin before it was restored once again just like we must face the destruction of our spirits before we rise from the ashes once more. It is not so much the physical destruction of our bodies but the destruction of our egos. The Hindu custom of lighting the lamp also symbolises likewise. The wick in the lamp is our metaphoric ego which is burned in order for light to shine. A popular teaching of Christ Jesus also points towards destruction; this time that of our worldly peeves in order to find ourselves; unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground it still remains a grain of wheat, but if it falls and dies then it bears much fruit so it is with those who loose themselves in me (God).
I want to use an analogy that I've used in another article before this; the lessons that God tries to teach us through the happenings in our lives occur as infinite loops; they will keep occurring unless we add input, they will keep occurring unless we learn. Learning the hard lessons in life demands a breaking of our pride and that is exactly the input, the effort that we use to break the fetters and liberate ourselves.
Time is another important dimension. Every purpose under heaven has a time. We try to be in control of so many things in our lives only because we fear so many things. Surrender is the first step to facing our fears; and not just surrender but surrender to Him. Sometimes we need to let bigger forces act in our lives. Hence the prayer, God give me the grace to accept what I cannot change and the courage to change what I can. We cannot change the world but we can change ourselves. We cannot change what happens to us but we can change how we react to it.
Freedom never came free to anyone. It takes a broken heart and a shattered spirit to taste the sweetness of freedom. Life in limbo; a never ending fall; the interim; we need to live these phases to reach the moment of truth and cross over. Only the one who endures will be rewarded and the valuable lessons learned throughout the draconian process of the suffering of our souls is our reward. We need to wait for the Lord; and yes He will come!
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