Customer Reviews

God Wears Lipstick: Kabbalah for Women

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I don't know much about Kabbalah, but I do know that the section in this book called "TOOLS" has just become my Bible. The author explains how to have compassion without being a doormat, how to take responsibility without feeling guilty, how to love yourself without becoming full of yourself and more. In life, you can never have enough support. I feel like Karen Berg has become one of my best girlfriends, guiding me along life without being condescending, and with all of her wisdom, I truly wish she could be my friend.

I've read a lot of Kabbalah, studied with a lot of 'experts', but no one's words have spoken to me the way Karen Berg did. This book shows a real, live woman putting Kabbalah into action in her own life, and therefore changing the world. This book is obviously a must read for any woman who feels even remotely like she could use a little help here and there, and would also be a big help for any guys who are looking for insight into Kabbalah and the female mystique. Karen does an amazing job of keeping her feet on the ground and her sights on the heavens, and I think we could all use a little guidance on how to do that in our own lives.

"All energy is good because there's only one source for it. And what is that? The Light of the Creator, of course. There are no other batteries in this world. But the manner in which we receive the Light will determine if that energy will manifest itself as a short circuit or as a lasting current of fulfillment." - From the book

There was a time when the ability to study the Kabbalah was reserved only for 40-year old men. Thankfully, Kabbalists such as Karen Berg-co-founder of the Kabbalah Centre-are bringing this ancient Hebrew wisdom to the mainstream, allowing women and people of all ages to benefit.

There are three types of "Kabbalah". The original Kabbalah-and that which the Kabbalah Centre teaches-is an ancient Hebrew esoteric system. At some point, Christians began tailoring the teachings to their beliefs, which is known as Cabala. Finally, ceremonial magicians and some Tarot readers use an occultic version of this system-Qabalah-concentrating mostly on the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life is a consistent part of all three systems, and while Berg doesn't mention the Tree directly, she does address the left, right and middle columns in her book God Wears Lipstick. According to Kabbalah, the right column is the Desire to Share and is characterized by giving, strength, and the energy of fulfillment. This is the masculine part of the Tree called Zeir Anpin. The left column is the realm of feminine energy and the Desire to Receive. That is, there is a natural motivation to accomplish things and get things in life. This is known as Malchut, which means recipient or vessel.

Using a light bulb analogy to explain the creation of the Universe according to Kabbalah, Berg describes the middle column of the Tree as a "filament" that resists the energy given by the left column. This resistance to receiving for the self alone determines whether we have a megawatt shine or the proverbial dim bulb. Humans generate Light when they "restrict", or hold back, habitual negative, selfish reactions and allowing our proactive, sharing nature to emerge.

Berg has written God Wears Lipstick to show the spiritual complexity of women as Light bearers, who are imbued with dual energy-that of both receiving and sharing. She says, "The female is born with tremendous spiritual power, whereas the male has to earn his." Thus, masculine energy needs to be corrected in both males and females so we can live out of the middle column of the Tree. That is, the idea of being proactive and not receiving for the self alone, which is known in Kabbalah as the Bread of Shame.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from God Wears Lipstick:

"...Kabbalah explains to us that spirituality is about accepting that our whole reason for being is to share."

"Rather than relying on an ego that says, `I'm okay and the rest of the world is a problem', it's the capacity to say, `I'm willing to see that I need to improve myself, and I'm willing to give before I take.'"

"We are attracted to those who reveal unresolved issues in our own lives-the tikune we have come to earth to correct."

"You must share of yourself in a way that permanently improves the quality of life in this world."

"Spending too much time concentrating on yourself-the gravitational pull of `me, me, me'-is the seed of all problems."

"A sense of entitlement and the act of complaining are two clear-cut indicators that you're mired in Bread of Shame."

"From your soul's perspective, you're fortunate when a driving force appears from above that removes you from your comfort zone."

The author encourages women to be proactive and self-responsible, explaining Kabbalistic tools such as forgiveness, tolerance, honesty, astrology, reincarnation and prayer. Berg believes that relationships are the number one Kabbalistic tool, providing us with wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth and transformation. Thus, she spends a good deal of time discussing intimate relationships, as well as friendships and the parent/child interactions.

Although I am familiar with the western magical tradition known as Qabalah, I'm not well versed in the pure Hebrew version of Kabbalah. Yet, I "got" the author because of my familiarity with the columns. If I wouldn't have had some background on the Tree of Life, however, I would have been lost reading God Wears Lipstick. Yet, I found this engrossing book irresistible. Berg is an able teacher and engaging writer, taking the Kabbalah from the realm of the abstract, distilling it, and presenting its wisdom for practical use. If you're interested in exploring Kabbalah, especially in terms of feminine energy and self-empowerment, God Wears Lipstick is a fine introduction to this fascinating Hebrew esoteric system.

I read it, my husband read it and we both got so much out of this book. It's really amazing how enlightened relationship/marriage becomes after reading this book. I highly recommend it and I am giving to my friends for Christmas.

Oh wow! I broke a fingernail! Hmmm....Gd must be telling me to have patience. Come on. Surely pop psychology is not Kabbalah. I was hoping for a kabbalah for women and men, but it's mostly self-help and an advertisement for the Kabbalah Center. On the positive side, this book could be useful if you're looking for character development, and don't mind wading through sexist systems:
1) If "God Wears Lipstick" were egalatarian or even feminist ("lipstick" in the title is an allusion to feminist power symbols like stilettos and lipstick) couldn't we get an attempt at gender-fair language? Students are not all "he"! There are acceptable sentence constructions that avoid sesxist language for humanity, students, and Gd, used by Shakespeare and Jane Austin "Students who" or "they" - nothing new or weird but definately sensitive to the "lipstick" crowd.
2) After telling us women we became chattel to men due to Eve's wrongdoing in the Garden of Gd--is that women really are superior to men and oh look! We're on a pedestal now! Oh look, a bunny! It really hasn't been 4,000 years of subjugation, we're actually superior, not inferior (like all the prayers and social systems say). This is a common apologetic approach. I just get nervous on a pedestal -- too easy to fall off.
Well, maybe I'm expecting too much of a book subtitled "Kabbalah for Women". I was looking for a feminine voice of Kabbalah not the Victorian classic "Mathematics for Ladies" or "Kabbalah for Dummies".
I wish someone would come up with a serious Kabbalah for Women. Maybe Gd wearing stilettos? The other book with a similar title by Perle Besserman "A New Kabbalah for Women" was more critical and scholarly but took a similar turn as Karen Berg. Both suggest new traditions -- Berg' solution is to join the Kabbalah Center, and Besserman's solution for herself was Buddhism and meditationa replacing Kabbalah. Still waiting for a kabbalah for Women!

This is a very refreshing book. Karen Berg de-mystifies Kabbalah for women of all religious backgrounds. It is written with clarity and insight. Based on the secrets of Kabbalah this book explains the spriritual advantage that women have without down playing the man role in the universe. The positive and negative are truly in polarity as you will see within the pages of GOD WEARS LIPSTICK. Karen Berg and her husband Rav Berg have brought this most ancient wisdom to the masses. It is no longer a hidden secret for only the most holy Rabbis. "Women are the nourishers of the world, and as such, we are the messengers of God" states Karen Berg in her wonderful new book she take you on a journey from before time the present.

This book offers a view of relationships and how to handle difficulties in them. The author goes a little bit into the differences between men and women. She offers a way for women to make changes in their lives for better even when their men are not on the same page yet. It is very encouraging and helpful. It lightens one's spirit and gives hope for a better life and better relationships, and more love.

If you are a female out there of any age young or old weather you are in your 20's or 120 this is a must read book. If you are single or married a mother grandmother or even if you have no children I highly recommend this book. If you are a man I higly recommend you buy this for you sister mom daughter aunt grandmother or even a female friend. This is an inspiring book that's a spiritual religious even self-help book. I learned so much from this book about many things. This book has helped me tremendously now I hope they get a kabbalah for men book so I can share that with my male relatives friends and spouse.

This book is great! It at once presents a delightful journey into the wisdom of Kabbalah and the How-To of creating a rich and functional attitude on life! As a woman, it validated and empowered me, having been much more than an uplifting read. I am glad I read it and I highly recommend it!

Nancy Lea Speer

Fast, and book was in condition as described. Very satisfied with this seller. I will use them again!