Spiritually Hungry
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Don’t miss this thought-provoking podcast series with authors Monica and Michael Berg. Together, they’ll answer your most pressing questions, offering sage advice for the modern world. Self-proclaimed Change Junkie, Monica Berg is an author and teacher who lectures internationally. Michael Berg is a rabbi and Aramaic scholar who has published almost 20 books on the teachings of Kabbalah. This husband and wife team has been sharing kabbalistic wisdom and relationship expertise with students for decades. Join them for a down-to-earth conversation about the big life questions that spark your curiosity the most.
148 Episodes
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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
3In 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
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§ion=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
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety or depression? What if we told you the key to ridding yourself of these emotions resides within you? It’s true—we are imminently capable of changing our thoughts. In this episode of Spiritually Hungry, we’ll explain exactly what we mean and share ideas about how you can change how you experience life by shifting your perspective and finding more clarity.“If you start to change the lens through which you view your experience of life, your experience will actually change.” – Monica Berg
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I am deeply grateful for this brave and honorable act you just did. The loss of a loved one brings so many emotions, I have been contemplating my life for quite a while and I found this episode. You have been a source of inspiration and vast knowledge in Kabbalah. The both of you have settled my emotions to a calm state and I can breathe. Thnx again, Pablo Hernandez
how can i differenciate when to small my ego and when i have to put a stop to somenone hurting me emocionally?
thanks very much
I am so ever grateful for this broadcast from Monica and Michael Berg ❤️ I am looking forward to listening and expanding my knowledge and belief in the spiritual path of Kabbalah. The world right now is in so much need for their podcast.