I left a long comment on your note, so won't leave it here again, but essentially: yes. In a culture so lacking in true connection to God, it's no surprise we turn to humans to become the source of our guidance. Here for the de-pedestalling. X
“Leaders in the self-help world are looked to with the hope that they are clean and clear in the areas most people are not. But most of them are just great at marketing. Great at positioning.”
Love how you wrapped that up. Jesus 💕. Such good insight as I’m writing my first non-fiction/memoir style book, a book I wouldn’t be writing without God behind the wheel!
I also read the book and had a similar reaction. I loved Eat, Pray, Love back in the day because it felt so honest then and definitely do pedestal Liz probably until I had children. I was also jarred from her admissions, but again, there’s something so deep in raw storytelling and I respect her as a creative for that. Thanks for sharing your reaction.
Potent and powerful reflection. Especially as I’m about to share my memoir here on substack very soon. Raw, unfiltered, shadowy. Still deciding on how much to reveal, what is necessary, what is the most true. It’s a wobbly line to walk. That’s all I know for now.
I appreciate your reflections here, and had similar thoughts myself when I read All The Way to the River. It’s interesting that you make the comparison with guru-culture and self-help wellness culture. It’s something I’m exploring as I see the prevalent cultural shift away from love & light - which is a necessary and timely awakening.
I wrote this is my review:
“And what of Liz Gilbert?
Did she sit on her throne, meditating peacefully and smiling graciously at the global white-women’s ashram she’d inadvertently helped to create?
Turns out she didn’t.
She’s been facing the same shit-show of her own shadows, herself.”
And you can find it here if you’d like to read it:
After this book, I also read Harley Loco by Reyya Elias, to dive deeper into the back story. Reyya shares a lot about her own dark side and personal traumas, too.
There’s a ‘punk’ aesthetic about both books that I really enjoyed.
I saw your post today on insta and loved it. I agree. Half of the greatest writing I’ve ever done stays in my notes. It would make an INSANE Book, but half of the people are still alive and while I don’t really care for thier opinions- I do care about them. Immortalising the story in print feels unnecessary.
And yes to the pedestal. I was walking around saying last year that God was kung fu kicking any remaining pedestals I had built for others. Like “hey girl - love you and all- but this has got to go. Ok. I’m gonna kick it down now. Thanks bye”
But half the time he didn’t leave a note. Just kicked it down 🙄hahah.
Thanks for sharing your take on this book. I randomly went to see her last year in Sydney. Was an interesting experience 🤭
Excuse me, did I read that right?? I have not followed her work since Big Magic, and honestly most self help has fallen off in recent years...but heavens...Normalizing that kind of violence and harm and manipulation in the vein of "authenticity" is not okay. We may have harmful thoughts and the work is then returning to something neutral at best. I hope that was at least talked about. De-pedastaling indeed. I agree.
I left a long comment on your note, so won't leave it here again, but essentially: yes. In a culture so lacking in true connection to God, it's no surprise we turn to humans to become the source of our guidance. Here for the de-pedestalling. X
Amen my girl. You should write your piece on it. I love what you have to say about it xx
Aw, thank you. I put some of it into words/voice last month, actually! X
https://clairebaker.substack.com/p/004-all-the-way-to-the-river-and
Yes, to not pedestaling people!
“Leaders in the self-help world are looked to with the hope that they are clean and clear in the areas most people are not. But most of them are just great at marketing. Great at positioning.”
So many…
Good analysis and post!
Honestly? Most of them. I know some who still teach about 'conscious relationships' who are yet to share about their affairs.
My “so many” was in agreement 😅
YUP
What are conscious relationships?
Love how you wrapped that up. Jesus 💕. Such good insight as I’m writing my first non-fiction/memoir style book, a book I wouldn’t be writing without God behind the wheel!
I also read the book and had a similar reaction. I loved Eat, Pray, Love back in the day because it felt so honest then and definitely do pedestal Liz probably until I had children. I was also jarred from her admissions, but again, there’s something so deep in raw storytelling and I respect her as a creative for that. Thanks for sharing your reaction.
Potent and powerful reflection. Especially as I’m about to share my memoir here on substack very soon. Raw, unfiltered, shadowy. Still deciding on how much to reveal, what is necessary, what is the most true. It’s a wobbly line to walk. That’s all I know for now.
I totally hear you ! It’s a fine line but you will know. Congrats!!
I appreciate your reflections here, and had similar thoughts myself when I read All The Way to the River. It’s interesting that you make the comparison with guru-culture and self-help wellness culture. It’s something I’m exploring as I see the prevalent cultural shift away from love & light - which is a necessary and timely awakening.
I wrote this is my review:
“And what of Liz Gilbert?
Did she sit on her throne, meditating peacefully and smiling graciously at the global white-women’s ashram she’d inadvertently helped to create?
Turns out she didn’t.
She’s been facing the same shit-show of her own shadows, herself.”
And you can find it here if you’d like to read it:
https://writingthriving.substack.com/p/a-generational-antidote-for-eat-pray?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
After this book, I also read Harley Loco by Reyya Elias, to dive deeper into the back story. Reyya shares a lot about her own dark side and personal traumas, too.
There’s a ‘punk’ aesthetic about both books that I really enjoyed.
You're the best! Every. Dang. Time. Thank you for this!
I saw your post today on insta and loved it. I agree. Half of the greatest writing I’ve ever done stays in my notes. It would make an INSANE Book, but half of the people are still alive and while I don’t really care for thier opinions- I do care about them. Immortalising the story in print feels unnecessary.
And yes to the pedestal. I was walking around saying last year that God was kung fu kicking any remaining pedestals I had built for others. Like “hey girl - love you and all- but this has got to go. Ok. I’m gonna kick it down now. Thanks bye”
But half the time he didn’t leave a note. Just kicked it down 🙄hahah.
Thanks for sharing your take on this book. I randomly went to see her last year in Sydney. Was an interesting experience 🤭
Excuse me, did I read that right?? I have not followed her work since Big Magic, and honestly most self help has fallen off in recent years...but heavens...Normalizing that kind of violence and harm and manipulation in the vein of "authenticity" is not okay. We may have harmful thoughts and the work is then returning to something neutral at best. I hope that was at least talked about. De-pedastaling indeed. I agree.
She didn’t normalise it- shared about it in the context of addiction. Have a read of the book - or some reviews. it’s a whopper