Spiritually Hungry

When we encounter challenges on our way to achieving our goals, we can get discouraged and feel the impulse to give up. The truth is the middle is often messy, and the process never really ends. Join us as we discuss how perseverance shapes us into the people we are ultimately meant to be.“The natural trajectory of the human experience is to become more pessimistic over time. The reality of living longer is seeing more negativity. So we have to nurture a growing optimistic view of our lives.” – Michael Berg

In this season of reflection, we often revisit the question of who we are meant to be in this lifetime. This episode of Spiritually Hungry was recorded live during Rosh Hashanah. Listen as we discuss the art of living your purpose in the New Kabbalistic Year.“Simply being a good person is not even close to what our souls are meant to do in this world. Only when we consistently remember this point can the potential of who we are actually meant to be, become reality.” – Michael Berg

In the window of time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we have the opportunity to return to our past and set things right. In this mini-episode, we discuss the act of teshuvah and how we can make amends and reconnect to the Light at this powerful time of year.“There is no experience that we go through in which we don’t see through our own lens first and foremost. It is an added step, a conscious effort, to ask, ‘How did that person feel when I did this?’” – Monica Berg

Life is too short to spend energy worrying about what other people think. Yet, a vast majority of society places value on the opinions of others. In a world where ideas and thoughts are shared freely, how do we guard ourselves against negative influences? Listen to this mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry as we discuss how to use insecurity as an opportunity to learn about ourselves.“The only thing that should matter is what you think of yourself.”— Michael BergFurther Readings:“Why Does Everyone Feel So Insecure All the Time?”NYT Article by Astra Taylor

Who’s with you wherever you go—ever present, even when you can’t see them? The Creator. Just like your shadow, the Creator watches every action. And each action influences the unique relationship you have with the Creator. In this mini episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss the importance of consciousness as you foster a positive connection with your source.  “As I behave, so the Light of the Creator must behave with me.” – Michael Berg

In the quest to achieve our dreams, we can get stuck in thoughts about yesterday and tomorrow. Kabbalists teach that the key to reaching our potential is living for today with gusto. Join Monica and Michael in this mini-episode as they explore key ingredients for fulfilling our greatest desires in life.“Understanding potential means there is a duality of thought—on the one hand, who I am, what I am, and where I am is perfect. On the other hand, my desire of who I am meant to be is endlessly greater than where I am right now.” – Michael Berg

Whether you are naming a business, a child, or a new pet, you are likely to pour a good deal of thought into choosing a name. And for good reason—names are the conduits or channels through which the Light of the Creator flows into our lives. In this mini episode, Michael and Monica explore fascinating kabbalistic teachings around the significance of a name.“Imagine we are born with the outline of our name, and every day we are filling it in with life through actions of sharing, transformation, and growth.” – Michael Berg

We often assume our children are blocking us out. Our words of wisdom seem to go unacknowledged. However, they are listening more intently than we think. In this mini-episode, we discuss the importance of modeling the kind of humans we want our children to become because they are paying attention, even when it doesn’t seem like it.“How you deal with positive things and how you deal with life’s challenges is going to be the model upon which they begin to create their own personality and their own life.” – Michael Berg

There is so much goodness in store for us. But we often waste time and energy worrying, ruminating, and second-guessing ourselves. In this mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss how to surrender to the process and trust in the Creator so we are free to spend our energy pursuing passions and living in the moment.“Holding onto things, like anger or resentment, actually stops the Light of the Creator with its positive intentions from entering into the situation. Not letting go, not training ourselves persistently to actively let go, actually precludes many positive benefits and blessings from entering into our life.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule Itby John Tierney & Roy F. Baumeister

Only a fraction of what we see is based on input from our eyes. Everything else is filled in by connection in other parts of the brain. Meaning the way to change the negativity we experience in our lives is not by changing the world around you. It’s by changing your mind. In this summer mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry, we talk about how to embrace radical optimism for the most fulfilling life.“If you’re experiencing negativity in your life right now, the way to change it is not by changing the outside world. It’s by changing your mind.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:Deviate, by Beau Lotto