9. Questions I developed while reading

1.Elizabeth mentions that Americans "have an inability to relax into sheer pleasure. Ours is an entertainment-seeking nation, but not necessaily a pleasure-seeking one. Americans spend billions to keep themselves amused with everything from porn to theme parks to wars, but that's not exactly the same thing as quiet enjoyment. Americans work hader and longer and more stressful hours than anyone in the world today" (pg61)
-Why is it that Americans rightfully own the stereotype of being overstressed executives who go on vacation but cannot relax?

2.She brings up the idea that our language often refers to a location. Like when someone says "I've been there," where is there? She explains it by saying, "When you are standing in that forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever find your way to a better place. But if someone can assure you that they themselves have stood in the same place, and now have moved on, sometimes this will bring hope" (pg71).
-Time after time we refer to things as "coordinates on a map," can you consider other phrases or situations that we refer to in this way and how it brings meaning to the word?

3. When you're lost in those woods, it sometimes takes you a while to realize that you are lost. For the longest time, you can convince yourself that you've just wandered a few feet off the path, that you'll find your way back to the trailhead any moment now. Then night falls again and again, and you still have no idea where you are, and it's time to admit that you have bewildered yourself so far off the path that you don't even know from which direction the sun rised anymore"(pg48).
-At what point can we realize that we are lost? Are we actually lost or are we found? If we do become lost how do we find our way back?

4."If I love you, I will cary for you all your pain, I will assume for you all your debts, I will protect you from your own insecurity, I will project upon you all sorts of good qualities that you have never actually cultivated in yourself...until I get so exhausted and depleted..." (pg65).
-Why is it that we bend around backwards for someone when we love them? Shouldn't all the emotions and sacrifices be shared, instead of one person giving themselves up in order to please someone. If we MAKE love work how do we know if it really is love in the first place or just an altered projection of our efforts?

5. "Its(ego)only job is to keep itself in power. Your ego's scared to death cuz it's about to get downsized. You keep up this spiritual path, baby, and that bad boys days are numbered. Pretty soon your ego will be out of work, and your heart'll be making all the decisions"(pg140).
-Elizabeth was having trouble meditaing because her ego kept getting in the way of her heart(where medication comes from). This brings fourth some questions:
-It seems as if our ego gets in the way of our heart, how do we stop that from happening? How do we know which one is in control of our actions and thoughts? When and in what situatin do we use our heart, our ego, or should they work together?