Spiritually Hungry

Even the most cherished gifts in our lives can begin to lose significance if we do not work to keep our appreciation for them alive. In this summer mini-episode of Spiritually Hungry, we talk about the connection between appreciation and love and how we can awaken them every day.“Our biggest blinder is that when we lose appreciation, we tend to feel like we don’t love—what we once valued is no longer valuable. When we lose appreciation, we can’t access that love.” – Monica Berg

Gaining popularity among young adults is the idea of “doing the work.” And by “work,” we mean self-improvement and becoming a self-actualized being. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we dive into this trendy topic to sort out what it really takes to evolve into your highest self.“Spirituality is having such certainty in your connection with your source that you can make sense of the most challenging things happening in your life, learn from them, grow from them, and appreciate them.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:“‘Doing the Work’ and the Obsession With Superficial Self-Improvement,” by Jessica Grose https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/03/opinion/do-the-work.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage&section=Sunday%20Opinion

Does embracing your greatness make you feel uncomfortable? You are not alone. It seems counterintuitive that it is difficult to step into your highest self. It should be the easiest thing in the world! In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss what it takes to move through the discomfort and achieve your life’s purpose.“Engage with the question, ‘How deep is my positive impact on the people on whom I have great influence?’ That is really living a great life.” – Michael Berg

Have you ever felt like you were meant for something great, but something was holding you back? It’s hard to embrace our greatness. But if we can identify what’s holding us back, we can overcome the discomfort, find flow, and achieve our highest potential. Join us in this episode of Spiritually Hungry as we unpack the steps to your most successful life.“To the degree that we have ego and, more importantly, to the degree that we are not actively working on diminishing our ego, we are not going to be able to express the greatness of our soul as it is meant to be revealed.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:Unlocked: Embrace Your Greatness, Find the Flow, Discover Success, by George Mumford

Our words and our actions live on long after we have left this world. What many of us don’t realize is that the way we live our lives every day, in every moment, has the potential to render us immortal. Join us as we discuss what we leave behind when we die and the single most important question we should be asking ourselves every day.“The nature of life and death is that it is only a tiny glimpse of what lies in the unseen realms.” – Monica Berg Further Readings:“Why We Never Die” by Gabriel Rockhill, New York Times

Are you feeling lonely? While it's normal to feel lonely from time to time, chronic loneliness can have a profound impact on mental and physical health. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss key points for cultivating a stronger relationship with yourself and your community in order to tap into deep fulfillment and joy in life.“A positive interaction between two people creates an energy that neither one alone can create. That explains the physiological benefits of connection because there is a tremendous spiritual energy that is awakened when people come together.” – Michael BergFurther Readings:The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner

Statistics about the rise of depression and anxiety are startling. But recent scientific studies show an interesting link between our physical wellness and spiritual connection. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we discuss what modern research and ancient kabbalists have to say about achieving a greater sense of well-being and fulfillment through a strong spiritual practice.“You will never ever feel lonely if you have a strong connection to the Creator. One of the profound effects of spirituality is the inclination toward connection.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:The Awakened Brain by Dr. Lisa MillerEverything On It by Shel Silverstein

When was the last time you felt awe or wonder? Having a deep connection to the Creator means pausing daily to truly pay attention to what’s happening around you. This has become increasingly difficult with the distractions of our modern world. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry we talk about how to nurture a mindful sense of awareness.“The only way to pray incorrectly is to do it mindlessly.” – Monica Berg“How to Pray with Our Eyes Open” by Tish Harrison (NYT Article)https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/16/opinion/spring-nature-christianity.html A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen

Did you know that children are born naturally spiritual beings? Children who are allowed to be curious and cultivate their spirituality are more likely to thrive. If fostering a spiritual practice has not been a priority for you in your parenting, it’s not too late! This week on Spiritually Hungry, we discuss the importance of supporting the spiritual growth of our children. We invite you to join us for an important conversation about parenting and raising spiritual kids.“What motivates the guidance we offer our children? Is it about us or is it about them? It’s never too late to instill in them that everything they need to know exists within themselves. But they have to be able to find that.” – Monica BergFurther Readings:The Spiritual Child by Lisa Miller

It’s human nature to try to control things. Some of us, in fact, try to control everything! We spend so much time trying to control our thoughts, what people think of us, and each potential outcome around every possible corner. Of course, the truth is we can't control everything, which creates more anxiety and leads to more stress. In this episode of the Spiritually Hungry podcast, Monica and Michael explore how letting go can make you unstoppable in the pursuit of your desires. It's a great paradox. The more we surrender to the moment, the more we can be present, make space for what we truly want and show up for every area of our lives as our true authentic selves.“Letting go doesn’t mean giving up your autonomy. It means surrendering to the process and the outcome. Everything is about what you learn along the way.” – Monica Berg