268. Elizabeth Gilbert On Her Most Important Daily Practice
Jan 2, 2024
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Elizabeth Gilbert, author of 'Eat, Pray, Love', shares her transformative practice of planning her days with two-way letters to love. Topics include finding solace and guidance through a higher power, the concept of two-way prayer, and the importance of self-love and acceptance.
The practice of writing two-way letters to love every morning can transform one's life by providing guidance, comfort, and a sense of unconditional love and support.
Embracing change and living authentically involves self-acceptance, challenging societal norms, and reclaiming personal power, as demonstrated by the decision to shave one's head.
Recognizing and trusting the presence of love in one's life can give direction, guide actions and connections, and help bring the best to each day.
Deep dives
Prioritizing the well-being of your dog
The speaker emphasizes the importance of providing the best care for their dog, ensuring a happy and healthy life. They discuss the benefits of feeding dogs fresh, healthy, vet-recommended food from the farmer's dog, emphasizing the positive impact on a dog's coat, breath, and digestive health.
Taking steps to support mental well-being
The podcast episode highlights the practice of writing and receiving letters from love, where the individual engages in a daily dialogue with a higher power referred to as love or source. This practice instills a sense of unconditional love and support, providing comfort in dark times and guiding individuals through challenging decisions, such as prioritizing self-love, ending unhealthy relationships, or overcoming addiction.
Living authentically and embracing change
The episode explores the journey of embracing change and living authentically. It touches upon self-acceptance and the realization that external appearances or societal norms shouldn't dictate one's identity or worth. The decision to shave one's head is highlighted as an act of self-expression and reclaiming personal power, challenging conventional beauty standards and allowing oneself to be seen as they truly are.
Discovering the presence of love and receiving guidance
The speaker shares her personal journey of recognizing the presence of love in her life and how it has given her direction. At first, love's job was to convince her that she is loved, and once she accepted this, love began to guide her. Love instructs her on how to bring her best to each day and provides guidance on what actions to take and who to connect with. The speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting love's direction and not operating from her own ego.
Letters from Love and the power of vulnerability
The speaker introduces her recent project called Letters from Love, where she and a community share letters they receive from love. Writing these letters is not about being a writer, but about listening and receiving revelations. The speaker highlights that this practice is a way to connect with the loving intelligence that exists within each individual. It allows for spiritual reparenting and finding love internally rather than seeking it externally. She encourages others to embrace vulnerability and accept the infinite love that is always present.
Liz Gilbert returns to share with us her transformative practice of planning her days and her life by writing two-way letters to love every morning.
Why Liz shaved her head!
The unwavering presence that’s accompanied Liz her whole life;
The concept of "two-way prayer" – and how it can help us find the kindest, wisest version of ourselves.
How to find solace and guidance in creating a higher power of your own understanding; and
Abby shares her own letter on self-love and acceptance, a declaration that she will not abandon herself.
About Elizabeth:
Elizabeth Gilbert is author of the international bestseller, EAT PRAY LOVE, which has been translated into over thirty languages, and sold over 12 million copies worldwide. The book became so popular that Time Magazine named Elizabeth as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2010, Elizabeth published a follow-up to EAT PRAY LOVE called COMMITTED—an instant a #1 New York Times Bestseller, as well as BIG MAGIC: CREATIVE LIVING BEYOND FEAR. She is author of two novels: THE SIGNATURE OF ALL THINGS, and CITY OF GIRLS. And she is the creator of the Onward Book Club, which takes place on her Instagram via a live chat, as a way of spotlighting, studying, and celebrating the work of Black women authors.
You can also find her on Substack and subscribe to her newsletter: “Letters From Love with Elizabeth Gilbert”.