Kabbalah for Beginners

So you want to study Kabbalah, but don't know where to begin. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be a man. You do not have to be Jewish. You do not have to be over the age of 40. You do not have to be famous. You do not have to wear a red string. You do not have to listen to Madonna's albums. (Although that last one does help.) The truth is, anyone can study Kabbalah thanks to the recent simplification of the original texts. When the Berg family started the Kabbalah Centre, it was their goal to take this very complicated and complex study and boil it down to its core, to reveal its most important elements so that people of any gender, age, denomination or education could benefit and understand its wisdom on a more elementary level. Some people call their work "new age." I call it "Kabbalah for Beginners."

You do not have to go to the Kabbalah Centre to study Kabbalah. Nearly all of my studies have been done from home. I find I can pull more from the study when I can do so at my own pace, take extensive notes and look over the material again and again. If group study is your thing and you're looking to make new friends, head on over to the Centre and get a schedule for their lectures and seminars. However, if you'd like to study Kabbalah the way I have, here are the materials I would suggest studying in the comfort of your own environment:

"The Power of Kabbalah" by Yehuda Berg - This is the best possible study for beginners, in my opinion. This is a classic introduction to Kabbalah and even if it is the only thing you ever study on the subject, will change your life forever. Yehuda Berg explains in her simplification of the original texts where we came from, why we're here and where we're going. This book contains the keys of the universe, helping you move beyond where you are right now to where you truly want to be -- emotionally, spiritually, financially, creatively, in all aspects of your life in the real world.

* You can purchase the book here:
http://store.kabbalah.com/product_info.php?cPath=144&vcats=144&products_id=244


If reading isn't your thing, then I would suggest:
"Power of Kabbalah" Audio Set - This is also an excellent starting point for anyone interested in studying Kabbalah. These six cassette tapes put you in class at the Centre without actually having to be there, including a workshop book from which you will study and take extensive notes on your own personal progress.

* You can purchase the audio set here:
http://store.kabbalah.com/product_info.php?cPath=150&vcats=150&products_id=249


After you have completed one of these two books, I would say its safe to move onto what has been, for me, the most powerful book I've ever read:

"Becoming Like God" by Michael Berg - If the other studies had merely peaked your interest in Kabbalah, this book will turn you into a hardcore fanatic! I don't know anyone who hasn't come away from this book with not only a renewed sense of their own power, but also as a more compassionate and understanding human being. This book, for me and many of my friends, was the major turning point in our spiritual growth.

* You can purchase the book here:
http://store.kabbalah.com/product_info.php?cPath=144_145&vcats=144&products_id=269


At this point, I would also suggest a great deal of meditation, both before studying to clear your head and after studying to retain the knowledge.

"The 72 Names of God - Meditation Book" - These meditations have the power of changing your entire outlook on any given situation. Through scanning the Hebrew letters and reading the English meditations aloud, you release your negative energy and ego while taking in the Light of the Creator, directly from the source of the language of the original text.

* You can purchase the book here:
http://store.kabbalah.com/product_info.php?cPath=144_145&vcats=144&page=2&products_id=129


If you don't have the means to spend money on studying Kabbalah, but are interested in furthering your spiritual growth, I would suggest staying tuned to KabbalahCurious.com. Read the blog entries here and if there's something about them you don't understand, speak up by clicking on the Comments link at the bottom of each entry. I will answer any questions you may have about the posts. I will also be pouring over the aforementioned books myself, looking at my old highlights and scribblings to post more "Kabbalah for Beginners" entries in the future, giving you a summarized version of the basic knowledge therein.



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Kabbalah.com
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The Zohar - Weekly Studies
Weekly Kabbalah Wisdom
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Exclusively Kabbalah Group
SpiritualityforKids.com


Have questions? Need advice? Want to share? EMAIL Jason at jason@jasonsechrest.com