Receta Lost: The End
Aww... we're besties on the Lost finale
There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same. ~Chinese proverb
MindfulEats is deviating from its regular programming to discuss the last episode of Lost. Yup. I am outing myself as a nerd (as if you didn't already know). As a casual Lost watcher, I loved the finale which tied everything together beautifully. I know that most people couldn't care less about Lost, and some devoted Losties are unhappy with the finale, but I think it was a potent reminder to live life mindfully. It reminds us that the important things in life are our relationships and our actions. And isn't that what we want from art? Flashes of revelation and inspiration about the greater things in life.
Lost was about science vs. faith, and it came down on the side of faith. Which feels right because faith is more inspiring than science. The big reveal in the finale was that all the Island scenes were real, and everything in the "Sideways world" was a Matrix-type construct. The Lostaways had bonded so closely on the Island that their souls chose to reconnect after they died so they could enter the next phase of their lives together. Since they all died at different times, they created an alternate world to wait for each other in.
Lost served up a powerful reminder to be present and engaged in the right now. Jack says, "There are no shortcuts, no do-overs. Whatever happened, happened. All of this matters." He's right - your actions define who you are. They shape your community and relationships. You can choose to wait for the perfect tomorrow instead of investing in today, but relationships and love are passing you by. The most important thing for the Lostaways in the end were the community and soulmates they developed in life, on the Island (notice I said developed. Relationships aren't easy - what you do matters. Each pair of soulmates had to work at it, even Jin and Sun).
Your best friends make you. Have you ever started reminiscing about an event with a really close friend, and noticed that neither of you could remember everything? You need each other to remember the whole thing. So it was with the Lostaways in Sideworld - they needed each other to remember their past. Cherish and develop your connections - they are the only important things you have a shot at carrying with you. The rest of the stuff - money, houses, status - can't go with you. Besides, would you rather spend eternity with a house or your bestie? It's your community that gives you a purpose and helps you reach enlightenment. Jack was only fulfilled because he could save his besties, and through his actions and his integrity, he found his soulmate in Kate. In the end, he didn't die alone, but with a faithful friend (how awesome was Vincent, the dog?). Relationships and love don't fall into the science camp, so chalk one up for faith.
As for the Christian overtones of the show - the show was about reaching enlightenment and was interfaith - the religion doesn't matter. Since it's an American show, the obvious religion to most viewers was Christianity (but there was a pastiche of a lot of other religions if you recognized them).
It's kinda like the time I wanted to study martial arts, but couldn't get started because I didn't know what style to pursue. I did a lot of research, and one school said "There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same." (I know, sounds like mystical Asian stuff). The point was that it didn't matter which discipline I choose - it was about sticking to it and practicing, since once you're a martial arts master, you're a master, and you can kick butt all the same. A Westerner once asked the Dalai Lama if he should become Buddhist, and the Dalai Lama said no - changing religions was too painful on a person's family and society - it was fine to learn as much as you could about other religions, but stick to what you grew up with. I think the Dalai Lama was saying the same thing - it doesn't matter what religion you choose - once you reach enlightenment, you're at the same place.
Lost was about each person finding enlightenment, and since I'm most familiar with Buddhism and Christianity, I saw strong elements of each. The writers sampled from many religions though - Hinduism, Islam, Taoism and others. Indeed, the interfaith church the Losties collected in had symbols from all the major world religions, which were obvious in the stained glass of the room that held Christian Shephard's coffin. A much more knowledgeable professor than me identifies the stopper and hole at the Source as a lingam and yoni, or Hindu representation of male and female. How great was the Source by the way? Anyone that's taken a few yoga classes recognizes it as the light in me and you.
Many think of Sideworld as purgatory, but it wasn't. Purgatory is where you are cleansed with punishment if you don't get a ticket straight to heaven. Sideworld was more of a bardo, which is the Tibetan term for the transitional place you hang out in before reincarnation. When I first heard about reincarnation as a kid, I was terrified that if it were true, people I loved might die at a different time than me and I'd never see them again. Sideworld is a beautiful concept that solves that fear. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you entered your next gig with your soulmates? As for why Walt wasn't in the church - Walt was a kid, people! I would hope that he had an opportunity to grow up and develop much more meaningful relationships and soulmates than the Lostaways.
It doesn't matter what your vehicle to enlightenment is. There might not be any do-overs, but there are second chances. So get out there, live, and love. Namaste.
Want to read more mindful Lost analyses than mine?
What I ate: latte, strawberries, hard-boiled egg, Mindful Mix, NYCheese raw milk cheddar, 3 slices When Pigs Fly Tuscan Wheat, 3 French radishes, 1 medium grapefruit, fried brown rice + broccoli + spinach, quinoa, boiled shrimp, steamed asparagus + broccoli + shrimp, Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip cookie dough, 12 oz. kefir, 24 oz. pomegranate + acai coconut water, 50 oz. water
Exercise: jogged 4 miles