Karen Berg, a spiritual leader at the Kabbalah Centre and an acclaimed author of books such as To Be Continued, God Wears Lipstick, and Simply Light has been noted for her significant contribution in the realm of spirituality.
Students Speak – Lessons from Karen Berg
Together with her husband, Rav Berg, Karen tirelessly worked for over four decades. Their mission: is to make Kabbalah accessible and applicable in everyday life.
Karen and Rav Berg’s purpose was clear: to provide spiritual tools based on Kabbalistic wisdom. These tools are designed to enrich people’s lives and, in turn, contribute to a better world.
Under Karen Berg’s leadership, the Kabbalah Centre witnessed exponential growth. What started as a modest location has transformed into one of the leading sources of spiritual knowledge globally. Currently, the Centre boasts over 40 global branches and has benefitted tens of thousands of students through books, online courses, workshops, retreats, and classes.
Karen was known for her relentless pursuit of world peace. Her approach focused on highlighting the similarities among people, rather than their differences.
Children Creating Peace
In line with this commitment to peace, Karen founded “Children Creating Peace.” This initiative, part of the Kabbalah Centre, works directly with children in conflict-affected areas. It currently focuses on assisting Palestinian and Israeli children.
Karen traveled extensively to spread her message of peace. She visited Moscow, Mexico City, London, Caracas, and other locales. Her goal was to encourage collaboration among diverse groups.
She was a speaker at events such as Mastering the Ultimate Challenges in London and Poland with Donna Karan; the 2009 Women’s Conference presented by Maria Shriver; and the “Power of Peace” conference in London alongside Dr. Jehan Sadat.
A significant milestone in her career was leading over 1200 students of various faiths from the Kabbalah Centre in a peace march. This march, conducted with the Governor of Nablus, Palestine, took place in an area historically marked by conflict and hatred.
Love vs. Need
According to Berg, genuine love differs from need. While need seeks personal gratification through others, true love manifests as unconditional dedication and an effort to meet the physical and spiritual needs of another.
Nightly Reflection and Transformation
Karen suggests a nightly self-reflection exercise. Identify our daily shortcomings and negative reactions, and then seek assistance from the Light by scanning the Zohar to transform these traits. This process could eliminate the need to observe Rosh Hashanah the following year.
Consciousness in Communication
Karen Berg’s wisdom advocates for moderation in expressing our thoughts. She advises silence when we are driven to speak impulsively and to speak courageously when fear silences us. The key is the consciousness behind our actions, not the actions themselves.
Teaching with Love
Karen emphasizes the importance of love and affection in transmitting spiritual wisdom. It’s not just about imparting knowledge, but doing so with a genuine feeling of care and love for the other.
Facing the Negative with Love
When encountering negative aspects in others or painful situations, Karen urges us to awaken love before reacting. It’s crucial to question the motivation behind our actions: Does it stem from a place of unconditional love or a desire to satisfy our ego?
Perfection and the Ego
Karen recognizes that perfection is an elusive ideal but encourages striving towards it. It’s important to be aware that part of our pleasure may derive from the ego. By keeping the ego in check, even in difficult conversations, we are not acting from ego.
Falls as Ascents
In Karen’s view, we never truly collapse; we only fall upwards. Every fall is a step towards a higher spiritual level and a deeper connection with the Light. True descent only occurs if we allow guilt to dominate us.
Messages in Criticism
When facing criticism, whether out of love or anger, Karen advises listening in silence. There’s always a message for us, even if the messenger is mistaken. This criticism could be a reflection of our past actions.
Nighttime Influence on Children
A unique practice suggested by Karen is to talk to sleeping children. Whispering words of encouragement, wisdom, and simple truths can have a profound impact on their subconscious.
Karen Berg’s teachings offer practical guidance for everyday life, emphasizing love, self-reflection, and spiritual growth. Her focus on consciousness, compassion, and spiritual connection resonates with her followers and students, providing a solid foundation for personal and collective transformation.
Intelligence and Consciousness
She clearly distinguishes between intelligence and consciousness. While intelligence relates to the accumulation of information, consciousness is linked to the quality of the soul, purity, and the ability to love unconditionally. Intellectual brilliance is not indicative of a high level of consciousness, and vice versa.
The Essence of Prayer
She emphasizes that true prayer is not dependent on language or the ability to read sacred texts like the Zohar. What matters is the sincerity and depth of the heart. A simple tear or a profound sigh can be as powerful as the most elaborate prayers.
Kindness in Action
Karen Berg’s teaching on prayer and kindness is compelling. If one stops to help an injured animal on the way to prayer, they have achieved more than if they had completed their prayers. Kindness is the true end of prayer.
Good and Evil, Light and Connection
Karen proposes a unique view of good and evil. In her vision, the Light is infinite and encompasses all aspects of existence. Therefore, instead of seeking to be right, we should strive to connect with the Light, through tolerance and unity, even with those who challenge us.
Love and Marriage
Contrary to many popular beliefs, Karen argues that true love is the result, not the cause, of a successful marriage. A marriage grounded in spiritual growth, hard work, and genuine transformation is the fertile ground for the blossoming of authentic love.
The Power of Our Tears
Karen offers a dual perspective on the power of tears. Tears shed for others can open the gates of heaven, while tears for one’s suffering keep them closed. This distinction underscores the importance of empathy and altruism in our spirituality.
Karen Berg’s teachings not only provide us with a guide for spiritual practice but also invite us to reflect on the nature of our actions, feelings, and beliefs. They challenge us to look beyond the superficial and seek a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the divine.
