Becoming Like God

Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: "Becoming Like God" is a rude awakening to the lethargic spiritual activity of the modern times. The language, the clear expressions and the vivid graphics of the book are nothing short of a revolution, a daring call for duty in the face of a life-threatening situation.

"Becoming like God" pushes the envelope far beyond anything I could expect in a book of spiritual context. The bluntness and the simplicity of the author's proposition are both compelling and shocking. It is definitely out-there.

The extreme approach of this book, as I have seen from other reviews on this site, will most likely generate equally extreme, very opposing reactions from its readers. Some will reject it as powerfully as many of us have embraced it. However, this likely controversy and the opposite reactions, rather than constituting defeat, will further illustrate the powerful message of this book: there are no gray areas in the proposition of "Becoming like God", we either choose the light or we choose the darkness, we either live or we die.

"Becoming Like God" is a book of extraordinary powers. Michael Berg brings us closer to stepping away from conformity and getting out of the box - our prison.



Rating:
Summary: Lacks Breadth, Depth, And Clarity
Review: "Right now, this minute, as you read these words, you're either heading for eternal life or you're committing suicide...God exists. And he would never consign the human race to endless suffering and unavoidable death. Union with God is possible, and its consequence is never-ending joy and the removal of death. God does not suffer and die; therefore, we don't need to suffer and die." --Michael Berg in Becoming Like God - Kabbalah And Our Ultimate Destiny

It seems that everywhere I turn anymore, I see the Kabbalah. Or Cabala. Or Qabalah. Or...well, you get my drift. A recent skit on Saturday Night Live featured a fake quote by Madonna where all she said was "Kabbalah, Kabbalah, Kabbalah"--a reference to the pop star's interest in this mystical off-shoot of Judaism. Her pilgrimage to Israel made the news, and People magazine recently featured a small piece on the party that she and Demi Moore threw in London for Kabbalistic Rabbi Michael Berg. Gwyneth Paltrow was in attendance, as were other luminaries like Guy Ritchie, Valentino, and Versace.

What were they all celebrating at this posh party? The release of Berg's new book Becoming Like God - Kabbalah And Our Ultimate Destiny. Michael Berg is the director of The Kabbalah Centre, and has achieved the amazing feat of translating the 23 volume Zohar from the Aramaic into English--all by the age of 28. (He began the translation at age 18.) The Zohar is the foundation of the Kabbalah, and according to Kabbalistic teachers like Berg, is not a book of religion but of ancient technology--a technology so powerful that it can end death itself.

I've tried to read books on the Kabbalah before, but I usually give up early in the game--bored to tears by Hebrew words that I don't understand and a Tree of Life that's never really explained in lucid terms. When I received a copy of Becoming Like God, I thought that perhaps this would be the facile version of this ancient mystical tradition that would finally hold some relevance.

An easy-to-read book that's peppered with quotes in hot-pink, all-caps script--there is nary a mention of the Tree of Life, Kether, Malkuth, Binah, Chesed or any of the usual Kabbalistic buzz-words. One of the fuschia quotes in this book is FOCUS AND CLARITY ARE THE OPPONENT'S MORTAL ENEMIES. WE MUST FIGHT FOR CLARITY EVERY MOMENT: CLARITY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CLARITY, CLARITY THAT WE'RE IN A PRISON, CLARITY THAT THERE'S A GOD FORMULA TO BE APPLIED, CLARITY THAT WE'RE DESTINED TO BE LIKE GOD. (Forgive me for cyber-shouting, but this is an example of how these quotes look in the book.)

With all this talk about clarity...well, you'd think the book would be more clear. Instead, there is mention of an Opponent who's a "he"; I thought for sure he'd be unmasked as Satan himself at the end of the book, but instead, this nebulous Opponent's name is Why do you ask my name? (no lie)--as well as the desire to receive for self alone. What isn't explained is exactly what ego is within the context of the Zohar or the Kabbalah. Rather, Berg tries to convince us that we're all in a prison, that this Opponent is prison guard, that life must be a constant struggle of ruthlessness against this hated Opponent and that we must be ever-vigilant in the battle to become like God.

There is much talk in Becoming Like God about evil versus good, deception versus truth, and life versus death. Some concepts I totally agree with and "get": that the illusion of separation causes needless suffering, that the ego is crafty and seeks to keep us isolated, that we were made in the image of God and are ever-evolving to realize our Divinity, etc.

Yet, God is really never explained, either, and Berg portrays "Him" quite similarly to the typical male Patriarch of the Old Testament. The Earth is described as a warzone where the stakes are high (our very souls, in fact), and that we are basically warriors that are either committing suicide or becoming like God in every moment. Wow, the pressure! There is an urgent tone to this book that almost borders on paranoia and apocalyptic gloom. I agree that it would be nice for critical mass to occur and for humans to spontaneously evolve into Oneness...but quite frankly, I don't think the Creator is fretting about us going to hell in a handbasket because He/She knows that all is well.

The tone of this book is far different than what I feel in my Spirit and what I've read from books like Journey of Souls, which chronicles copious amounts of information from past-life regressions on the nature of creation, souls, the afterlife, life between lives, and the purpose of incarnating. Even if the Earth were to blow up, I'm confident that the Creator would find another suitable place in this vast Universe for us to continue our spiritual schooling! And, in books like Journey of Souls, we are informed that all things serve a purpose and for our highest good.

Yet, in Berg's book, I feel like I'm back in Pentecostal Sunday School where I'm being admonished that there's a boogey man out to get me and that I better get my act together or go to hell. For a book that proclaims Oneness, sharing, and the "illusion of the middle" (in other words, there's no in-between on the road to godhood: We're either on the road to light or on the road to darkness, says Berg)--there's a heckuva lot of duality and fear-based dogma therein.

It just doesn't jive with me. I see all the people flocking to this kind of teaching and I can't help but feel like the child in Emperor's New Clothes--wondering why celebs fawn over elaborate, silken clothes that just aren't there.

Review Originally Posted At http://NewAge.BellaOnline.com

Rating:
Summary: Trapped by the words, captured by its concepts.
Review: After exposure to the real purpose of existence there is no turning back. Michael Berg liberates us from the entrapment of this life and gives a practical and yet simple direction that will change the face of humanity. Becoming Like God takes you to the essence of being, adds a refreshing spark of energy and tells you how to use it to really see a change in this lifetime.

I already started applying these principles with my own well-being by giving up my coffee habit. I realized having that wired up feeling all day clouded my concentration. Did you you know one cup of joe raises your blood pressure by 14%! Fortunately for me I was able to find a wonderful tasting replacement made from soybeans. You brew like coffee and it even helps lower my cholesterol. I found it online at www. soy coffee.com. Gaining this understanding will effect every move you make from this point on and will bring with it the necessity to share it... THIS BOOK I RECOMENDED!!!

Rating:
Summary: Don't Even Bother...
Review: DON'T EVEN BOTHER with this one~! Unless you are a totally egomaniacal, out-for-number-One money grubbin' type. In which case, you probably wouldn't be looking at this genre of books anyway. If you've never pondered the query, "how can I be a better person?" even this tiny tome will fly right over your head. If you have done a modicum of self-examination, leading to spiritual growth, this book is apt to leave you cold, as it did me.

A MUCH better, and meatier book, for around the same price, is Wayne Dyer's The Power of Intention -- it fills in all the blanks left in this Berg book, while leading one to get OUT of their own ego, into service for others and moving toward the life they would desire or intend, at the same time, with plenty of "exercises" for attaining both.

This book could well have been summed up in one sentence: GET OUT OF YOURSELF ~! and saved a lotta trees (for printing). After having read Yehuda Berg's The Power of Kabbalah, not once but twice, and passing it around to my friends, I eagerly anticipated at least as much inspiration and instruction from Michael Berg's work. Instead, I was greatly disappointed.

As someone living on a small (under $600.00/month), fixed (social security) income, I only spend around $25.00-30.00 every other month on books, anyway, preferring to share as much as possible with organizations helping those less fortunate -- Native American college fund, medical services for Africa and environmental causes -- so in a sense, Berg was preaching to the choir, here.

There IS much to be gained from a study of the Torah, the Kabbalah and in the Zohar -- but this is watered-down trivia and by being so simplified, it almost totally misses the mark. Rather like telling someone the recipe for German chocolate cake "has flour in it" -- there's a lot more to spirituality than Becoming like God.

A seeker would be just as well off going to the Berg consortium's websites, www.72.com or www.kabbalah.com and reading, there, for free.

Rating:
Summary: Goes against - Command and Control based thought
Review: I am always amazed at how the Divine reveals information though people and various belief system paths.

You always know when something is interesting where the reviews are either really high, or really low with not much inbetween. It's a sign that the information strikes a cord.

If you've found yourself seeking and have come across this book for consideration - trust there is a reason for that. Read the cover pages if your inspired continue - if not - it may not be for you right now.

You can always trust that the Divine - is just that Divine, being such there is no limitation as to what is possible. You may discover there is no "silver bullet", and the more you look, the more you find evidence of the Divine Creator surfacing in many places <laugh>.

I enjoyed the book and it inspired me to see the Divine from yet another perspective. It's not about agreement, it is about inspiration to inspire you - me to look at life and living without limitation - this is a big challenge when most of us are taught to be "less than" in our beliefs of life, living and who we are.

"Becoming Like God" - if "God" is unlimited and "God" is unconditional love - how could becoming more like that ever be a bad thing? - please excuse the gender bias, I personally would prefer "Divine" rather than God because Diety in my view is beyond gender - unfortunatly our very language has no personal pronouns to support a non-genderized Creator.

"Less than" teachings and doctrines are the root of many dark things. I applaud Michael Berg for producing a perspective which is an all out assult on the concept of "Less Than". Not enough room to get into all of that here. The world is a better place when someone begins to realize they are not "less than", and in fact can get in touch and become Divine.

- David Nelson, founder "Helping Wave" and "The Church of What Works. www.thechurchofwhatworks.com, www.helpingwave.com

Rating:
Summary: What a waste
Review: I am deeply offended that this "rabbi" is using Jewish spiritual texts to write a cheap self-help book. Anyone who finds this book helpful is obviously not mentally suited to interpret kabbalah, and should spend time with a therapist rather than with this "rabbi's" attempt to make a quick buck.

Rating:
Summary: great concept, shabby empty delivery
Review: I am very open to the concept of it being our destiny to "become like God". However, this book is singularly unhelpful to doing so on any level. Sure it puts out the message. Sure it has a lot of related cheerleading. What it doesn't have is any real depth. The authority for the message is supposedly the Kabala and specifically the Zohar. Yet no real meat from these sources is presented. Nor are readers who are not already believers in the veracity and insight of these sources offered any further grounding despite the handwaving claims of this book not requiring any particular religious background.

The biggest lack in the book is the lack of any real spiritual guidance to the task at hand. There is the old platitudinal stuff about overcoming the "seeking to receive only for one's self". But there is very little guidance about how to actually do this or all the myriad guises of this same impulse and how to find a way beyond them all. A Course in Miracles does a much better and far more comprehensive job and is much more spiritually rich. The only guidance given here is to ssek one's deep humiliation and to give when it is disasterous to one's self to do so. This is not at all grounded or deep.

If I sat out to design a book that would make the entire business of Theosis look like an empty New Age rant I would not have done much worse than this empty tome. It is a great pity it is receiving the attention that it is.

Rating:
Summary: What this book's about...
Review: I've never written an amazon review before, but seeing some of the responses on this board have made me decide to respond. Some of the reviews are completely positive, giving it five stars, and others are caked in negativity giving it one star and bashing it as "drivel."

My input is this... I've seen better material from the Kabbalah Centre and other kabbalistic sources. Whereas this book is simple and has some theological weaknesses, it seems to me to be a great introduction to some of the ideas of kabbalah and a great place to launch from. Kabbalah does teach that we are the "fallen sparks" of the Creator. We do indeed possess a portion of the divine within us, and our purpose is to elevate these sparks to reunite with the divine and to cleave to the Creator. That's what the book is about... breaking free from the shells of negativity that seem to encase so many and realizing the divine sparks within each and every one of us. If you see the negativity around you, and you think, "There's got to be a better way..." then this book is for you!

Rating:
Summary: Powerful stuff - when you are ready to receive the message
Review: My life is a spiritual journey - not unlike you, I'm sure. I have studied many different 'religions' 'theologies' and belief systems. Kabbalah was one that I had no interest in. I knew that it was an ancient belief system and probably would have priceless things to teach me - but I couldn't get over the fact that Madonna was a Kabbalist. Well - in the local library this past Saturday, my guides changed that for me. I was about to walk out empty handed when my eyes were directed to this book, sitting on a shelf. I looked at it - read the cover, saw that Carolyn Myss had offered a review - and decided to check it out. After all, it wasn't costing me anything and I could return it with no hassle if I didn't like it.

I couldn't put it down! The messages were simple and complex, at once. Timeless and timely in one moment. The messages in this book really resonated with me. Some of the concepts are similar to those of Buddhism and Christianity. Truth is truth - no matter where you find it. Some folks might take issue with the whole "becoming like God" thing - but even Christ taught that we are brothers and sisters in Christ - that we are direct descendants of God. It wasn't a hard sell for me. I don't consider it blasphemous or self-aggrandizing. If we were all to realize that we are called to be like God - the Light of the Creator - we would have much more peace on this planet.

This book will now become a permanent part of my library.

Rating:
Summary: The devotion and worship of self in another package
Review: The general strategy of this movement of malignant narcissists is this: You too can be spiritual and worship god - yourself. So it was apparent that these ego-maniacs like Madonna already worship themselves, now they have created a religion out of it? Michael Berg turns in one for the ages with his made up devotion to self aggrandizing delusions.

Seldom does such pure and unadulterated garbage get passed off with a straight face. The general rule is that if someone from Hollywood is promoting something, stay far away from it.

I remember the best spiritual words of wisdom I have heard: "I know one thing for certain, there is a God and I'm not it". The rest is the journey. However, with this new Michael Berg delusion, we can change that to the sort of self love rich and out of touch celebrities are known for. Love your neighbor as yourself, takes on a whole new meaning with this latest version of morally bankrupt and meaningless worship of self.

Stay far away from this garbage. Even devotion to a religion devoted to placing herself as god can't save Madonna's career and it certainly won't save you. Literally anything is a better alternative than what is espoused here