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I would highly recommend it. The book is really fantastic, and it came in brand new condition.
I relate to what she went through in her first marriage and I completely understand the need for her to find herself. I'm perplexed by all the negative reviews about the author being self-centered. I can't wait to read her new book, Committed. If all of us could just get up and go to 3 countries in a year.I found the second part of the book to be a bit tough to get through in the beginning but as she started to "get" the meditation for what it is supposed to be, it got a little easier to read.I think any woman who has gone through a not-so-great marriage and then decides to divorce will relate to this book and the author's feelings. This is a book about her so of course it's going to be "about her". The author is genuine and honest.
I read many books focusing on the needs and tragedies on earth( I have 9 children, 5 of whom were adopted from 3rd world countries), and its a nice change sometimes to live vicariously through someone who can live onto herself, once in awhile. It is beautiful, descriptive, and engrossing. One night, as I was headed to bed, I picked it up to see how it started. Although It is not my own path.I do not have to agree with her, and do not on many points, especially her religious perspective. I find myself re-reading paragraphs, rolling the words around my mouth. I am enjoying this book more than any other book in a very long time, and I read a lot.
I thought I'd page through it. I do see others' point, in that she does seem a little self- consumed, but it IS a memoir. However most of the books I read are of a practical nature, rarely do I read fiction, or books for fun. Mostly I envy her, both her travels, adventures, and journey of self-discovery, and also her writing style. to enjoy it- but it is amazingly written, and a joy to read.Read it, enjoy it. I picked this up because the author was in Italy, which is a fantasy of mine, Venice in particular.
I ended up standing in my living room for 3 chapters reading, enthralled.
Came in great condition and in great timeing. This was a book I'd been looking for and was happy to find it for such a great price.
with an overblown sense of entitlement.The India part really bothered me. No. And I hope her readers are more discriminating than her.It took me several days before I could stomach the Indonesia section, and I'm glad to say that it redeemed the first two parts. Not because I'm a devoted Christian or anything like that, but because I have been connected to a highly respected, authentic Indian ashram for almost 40 years and the picture she presents is so very misleading. I'm concerned that the millions reading this book will get the wrong impression.
I'd have preferred more about Italian culture than about its food. The adult thing to do in that case is accept that life doesn't always adapt to your plans for it; that her husband's reaction is the consequence of HER decision. It is all free, has been for almost a century, and that is how it should be. I'm really not into self indulgence, telling yourself how much you're worth it, how much you deserve to be spoilt, and gorging. A genuine Guru just does not do this.
Yoga and meditation is big business. Also, if there's one thing I can't stand is people complaining of the consequences of their own actions. Here, I really connected to Gilbert and cheered her on. Generally, any organisation that attracts thousands of Americans/Westerners and charges overpriced fees for meditation is suspect. Stand up like a woman, for God's sake, and don't go on and on about how generous you were and how mean he is. Her guru's guru was involved in sex scandals; there are financial and power issues going on in the organisation. I groaned all the way along and skipped huge chunks here.
Today there's a veritable supermarket of gurus (note the lower case). I couldn't say Yes to Italy. It's new age fluff, but as such adequate.So, my verdict of the book is: No. I hope Gilbert manages to free herself one day. Yes.
This should however not be taken as a life-changing spiritual manual. Good luck to her. There are a lot of moneymakers out there. So the trip was worth it; she did grow out of her narcissism and is to be commended for that.The book is a light read; she does know how to engage the reader. Back in the days, finding a real Guru came only after a prolonged and difficult period of intense searching, and even today it should not come easily. Yes. After reading parts one and two I stopped.
The Ashram I go to never charges a penny, not even for food. when she found Felipe. all the way through. She came over as a privileged [.]. I was so disappointed; I'd hoped to read a book to which I could say Yes. Accept nothing at face value; be as sceptical as the most hardened atheist.I researched Gilbert's guru and unfortunately her record is not clean.
A few sentences would have done the trick. SHE wanted to leave her husband. I was happy (and a little envious). A lot of powerhungry people who speak authoritively and use their charisma for non-spiritual ends. Yes.
She did well by her friends in Bali, and was obviously loved by them (another thing I did not like in the India part was that almost no Indians featured in it). Google is your friend. I know many lovely, sincere seekers who belong to a similar cult with the same issues, and it breaks my heart for friends whose trust was abused and eventually destroyed with gurus unworthy of the name. A spiritual teacher can climb very high, but at those heights the ego gets particulalry slippery and that's when the power trips begin. What a delightful man. A lot of scams. I do not like to read long essays on depression and loneliness. Real Gurus are few and far between, today more than ever.
Gilbert really blossomed in Bali, became a full woman, and it seems to me this was more "her" than the Ashram Liz. As many of the 1* reviews complain, all she does is whine. Beware of sex scandals and power struggles. and if you don't want to get into trouble then PLEASE BE CAREFUL, and DO YOUR RESEARCH. SHE made that move. First of all: the way to find a true Guru is not to walk into somebody's house, see a picture of a beautiful woman, and declare "I want a spiritual guide too." And then unquestioningly accept that beautiful woman as your Guru.
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