Eat Pray Love in Theaters August 13 2010

On August 13 2010 in the United States, the much anticipated film, Eat Pray Love, starring Julia Roberts, begins playing in theaters. Much more than a chick flick, it’s a story of self-discovery, much like in Under the Tuscan Sun, which stars Diane Lane (another beautiful, wholly incredible film that takes place largely in Italy).

If you’re like me, you’re going to be first in line to see it (well, if you’re like me, it’ll also depend on a reliable babysitter. )

Why the fuss?

Yes, Eat, Pray, Love the film is actually based on a memoir book (aka true story) written by author Elizabeth Gilbert. But I think it’s more than that now. The very idea of Eat, Pray, Love has sort of grabbed hold of this huge human-powered, worldwide, pop quiz on understanding life, who we are as people, and how to make it better. It’s not an entirely selfish movement either. In fact, what I’m seeing is that people who have lived their whole lives very selfishly are now seeking to finally get connected to what is going on around them. The whole thing is encouraging, in my opinion. It’s a shift in our belief system that says, okay, man is much, much smaller than we originally thought. There is indeed Divine power. There is indeed a spiritual connection here somewhere. Let’s find it.

Why Eat, Pray, and Love?

So what do food, prayer, and love have to do with one another?

I haven’t read the book yet – I have something like 19 days left to do so before the film comes out – but here is my take on eating, praying, and loving.

Firstly, they are all sensory experiences. Experiencing food – the physical act of consuming it – awakens at least three senses: smell, touch, and taste. If you are not blind, add to that the sense of sight. If you are not deaf, add to that the sense of sound. And so the majority of us use all five senses when eating, whether we realize it or not. And that’s just the beginning.

For prayer, if you’ve ever experienced it, the sensory experience is altogether different and yet, the same. Close your eyes, and you actively block out your sense of sight; or, open them in beautiful decorated prayer rooms or gardens to take in beauty. The idea being that by removing external distractions, you can tune into prayer more easily. Typically, prayer rooms and locations are silent, blocking your sense of hearing. Some prayer areas are filled with ambient music, stimulating sense of hearing rather than shutting it out. Depending on the religion, sometimes incense is used as a sensory experience for the nose.

Love, particularly romantic love, is incredibly sensory. The deeply physical touch experienced between two people who love each other can never truly be replicated or copied by an unloving duo. It, like food, employs all five senses in order to completely involve our bodies in the experience. It has been said that even a simple kiss (or the thought of one) can raise blood pressure and elevate heart rate.

But isn’t there more than just senses to tie them together?

I think so.

Eat WELL to remind yourself that even something so vital to life such as food should be experienced with vigor, joy, and utter happiness. Eat with others, enjoy your food, and use everything around you to make it plentiful and rich.

Pray to remind yourself that you are small, and that life is great, and that God is greater. Pray in every season of life and turn of the day – in gratitude, in doubt, in sorrow, in pain, and in joy.

Love to remind yourself that people were meant to connect; that our bodies and minds were created for such a purpose. Love to remind yourself that it is okay to be loved back.

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