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Sit and Smile

A very simple way to reach the state of happiness. Just sit in silence and smile, even your liver should be able to smile. Then you will reach the ectasy of happiness. At least this is what Ketut Liyer, the spiritual guide of Elizabeth Gilbert taught her to in her spiritual journey to pursue happiness in Bali. Great advice!! Sit in Silence and Smile. Have you ever tried it ?

This piece of advice comes from Elizabeth Gilbert latest book: Eat, Pray, Love. Another story of her travelling pilgrimage around three “I” countries; Italy (for pure indulgence in pleasure–therefore Italy chapters called as Eat), India (to learn the devotion to God-this is the Pray chapters), and Indonesia (to learn how to balance these two–yeah baby this is the LOVE chapter). Yes yes…another book…as if we haven’t got the chance to see any films…so this time why not write about a book…especially with such a mystic title: Eat, Pray, Love.

I was a skeptic at the beginning. It must be some kind of another self-finding-help-book that targets women in their 30′s and all their misery (if there’s any).  It is so obvious from the title: EAT, PRAY, LOVE. Must be some kind of book full with advice on how to balance your life blabla yabyab nabnab. So I start reading it with skeptism. Hate the first three chapters. Some mambo jambo about her difficulties in getting divorced, being needy, being sad, talking to God, at some points a thought crossed my mind, “who CARES?!”.  So I fast forward to the area that I found more interesting…her journey in Indonesia (well we need to stress here that in this blog we like everything about Indonesia so yes this part of this book better be really interesting to read and should be unique).

And here..things are getting interesting. I hoped to be dissappointed and find she’s some young writer that tries to judge how Balinese society lead their lifes. Luckily my assumption was not true at all. She’s actually able to write the piece with some airy-light-tone but with some good sense in it about her journey in Bali. It is seriously all about her own journey. How she choose to act on different things everyday. No judgemental attitude whatsoever. Just a “plain” spiritual journey of Ms. Gilbert.  Her spiritual journey and learning points that came from the discussions and events that she shared with Ketut Liyer, the healer/Balinese spiritual teacher, Wayan-fellow healer/tough Balinese woman, and some other characters that taught her what is the meaning to live your life to the fullest (no empty hole in your heart). Read More