Eat, Pray, Love...Yourself...

I went with some lovely Moorewest ladies to see 'Eat Pray Love' tonight.  It is not really my kind of movie...I'm not really the chick-flick type...I went more for the company than the film...


Having said that it was an enjoyable experience.  The movie wasn't brilliant, but it was good for what it was.  It was well shot, using some amazing scenery from Italy and Bali.  The music was generally well chosen, and the acting wasn't half bad.  


I was very interested in the kind of ideas about life and self that were portrayed in the film.  The protagonist Liz is on one of those 'quests' to 'find herself' that so many modern women seem to need to go on.  This seems to be a way of avoiding working through her real issues and spending a very self-indulgent year travelling, eating good food, meeting great people, and basically getting used to being alone after many years in and out of relationships.  


Initially Liz seems to be trying to challenge the idea that you need a man to be fulfilled, and that is great!! Her desperate prayer to God was amusing yet saddening to a Christian viewer.  She kind of says "nice to finally meet you"...I found that ironic because she was in no way engaging with God on a meaningful level (from a Christian perspective).  Her request for a sign was one of those things we all do when we have no idea what to do next, and predictably failed.   


To get to the point, the movie seemed to be all about finding an inner balance or centre.  This could be achieved chiefly through meditation, engaging with gurus (or medicine men), getting advice from all your friends while giving nothing back to the relationship, and generally avoiding taking responsibility for your decisions.  There is little or no mention of God except to say that "God is in you...as you" and another few phrases which had very little to do with God.  Essentially it was saying that you find balance by looking inward not upward.  You find your centre by seeking self, not truly seeking God.  


And in the end the cliche is restored...balance is restored...she flees a relationship to find herself, and she finds herself in a relationship, but only after she becomes able to love herself. 


A question to ponder...how do we use this film (or book if you read the book) as an entry point to talking about God, and through that, Jesus?  


I think it's about looking at the world views, but also, starting with the most glaring thing: relationships are broken...how do we fix them?!