Interesting about Slumdog… I, like Linda, had a different reaction. First off, the beginning (1st hour or so) was really rough to get through. I went with a friend and she kept leaning over and whispering in my ear that she had to get out of the theater, she couldn’t watch anymore. I didn’t respond to her (this is unlike me), I assumed she would do what she needed to do for herself (she did stay). I felt compelled to stay (and for the life of me I didn’t know why) and watch how this film rolled out. I didn’t really know anything about the film at that point in time (not as much publicity about it when I saw it), but I just felt compelled for some reason.

Anyhow, as the film unfolded and then finished, I felt, somehow, complete. For me it wasn’t about the wealth at all. It was about destiny, the soul’s journey, and about living in integrity. Like the main character in the movie, 0ver my 40 plus years I have seen in my own life how very specific incidents of pain/struggle actually prepared me for a very specific incident in my future. Since this has happened more than a handful of times, I am finding that I am more and more accepting of the difficult times now, rather than merely fighting and resisting everything. (and I am one hell of a fighter!)

Anyhow, after reading your review I can certainly understand how you could see it in that light. The whole glitz/glamour/money aspect of the film is so typical of our Western way of viewing “success”. Like real life, the whole “spiritual” aspect of this film could get lost in the external details, if one did not look carefully for the deeper meaning.

It is an indictment of catitalism and all the things you said and the living conditions are deplorable but it was a good story, presented in a compelling way. I liked it.

Thanks everybody for your great comments – Linda, I LOVED your much most astute look at Slumdog, thanks for sharing that.

And yes Grace and yes Dee, that idea of listening, of granting ourselves the same love and attention, ah what a feeling of peace rises in me each time I remember that one!

Dee’s last blog post..My truth and Elizabeth Gilbert