The Secret Life of God: Discovering the Divine Within You [Hardcover]

Rabbi David Aaron (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 2004

How much does our perception of God really matter? Many of us aren't conscious of our image of a "higher power." For some of us, that unspoken image is a judgmental Parent or an exacting Old Man in the Sky. For others, God is an imaginary Friend who is there to fix problems after we create them. Rabbi David Aaron, an inspiring and gentle guide, can help you discover a mature new understanding of God and lead you to discover the wellspring of Divinity within you. By drawing on teachings of Kabbalah that were secret for millennia, he helps you to reclaim the power you've given away to negative images of God or passive images of yourself. These mystical secrets of Judaism can offer reassuring guidance, meaning, and purpose to the lives of people of all faiths. In the journey to discovering God's secret life you will: Awaken to your life's deepest purpose Know that you matter and that everything you feel and do is important to God Delight in a deeper connection to your true inner self, God, and others Learn to experience God's infinite love for you Rise to new heights, cope with challenges, and make courageous choices Achieve true peace of mind and freedom from anxiety Rabbi Aaron shares these profound ancient teachings in simple, everyday language with a touch of wit and humor. Rich in personal stories and anecdotes, his examples from daily life help us tap the transformational power hidden within and illuminate the surprising paradoxes of spiritual growth. Awakened to finally experience a personal connection to God, we are at last able to receive God's love unconditionally and discover our ultimate identity, divine purpose, and true happiness.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

According to one ancient sage, "Kabbalah is not the path to paradise but the path to paradox." Yet Rabbi Aaron untangles enough of that paradox to leave us with a much clearer picture of paradise. He takes the existential and makes it tangible; his answers of "yes" to either/or questions somehow make sense, and at the end of the day, his love for and delight in the study of kabbalah is contagious. With a tone that is soft but firm, Aaron offers a particularly embracing sort of guidance. His approach, open and honest with a nice dose of humor, makes the mysteries of God less frightening. Contemporary analogies share time with family anecdotes and Talmudic lessons. He gently pushes the boundaries of what we think we know to be true and encourages us to broaden our perspective. Most striking is his ability to logically explain a theological abstraction. For example, "when the Kabbalah talks about why God created the world, it is not asking 'For what reason?' but rather, 'For what purpose?' " He illustrates his point by asking why Henry Ford invented the car—for what reason? To please his mother? Impress a girlfriend? No one knows. Ask for what purpose and the answer is simple: transportation. Aaron notes that "When we talk about God, we are not simply saying we don't know the reason why God created the world, but rather that there really is no reason. There's a purpose for which God created the world, but not a reason. Although the world is purposeful, it's still unreasonable." Though at times a bit repetitive in a sermonic kind of way, anyone seeking answers about the nature of God—those familiar with Aaron's writings and teachings and those new to the study of kabbalah and even Judaism—will feel equally comfortable within these pages.
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Review

"He [Rabbi Aaron] takes the existential and makes it tangible. . . . His love for and delight in the study of kabalah is contagious."—Publishers Weekly

"David Aaron is a wise, compassionate, brilliant teacher who uses irony, paradox, and gentle humor to reveal the deepest, ultimate teaching of Jewish mysticism. It is simple and simultaneously profound. . . . An essential read."—Rabbi David A. Cooper, author of God Is a Verb



"Many signposts are needed in our lonely spiritual journey. Heartwarming, personal, and soulful, The Secret Life of God is a very welcome companion to travelers on the challenging roads that lie ahead. It infuses us with hope and direction."—Rabbi Simon Jacobson, author of Toward a Meaningful Life



"Inspirational, wise, warm, and witty. . . . David Aaron gives us a down-to-earth understanding of the Kabbalah, revealing the secrets to living a soulful, happy, and more meaningful life."—Deepak Chopra, author of How to Know God



"With David Aaron's characteristic common sense and extraordinary array of life experiences, he fills The Secret Life of God with wise advice that can help every reader."—Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of The Book of Jewish Values



"One can study music in two ways: looking at the notes written on paper or hearing the music. The same is true for the study of Kabbalah. With Rabbi David Aaron we hear and feel the marvelous music of this ancient source of wisdom."—Dr. Gerald Schroeder, author of Genesis and the Big Bang Theory, The Science of God, and The Hidden Face of God



"The Secret Life of God is the most brilliant and profound exploration of the Kabbalistic teachings and philosophy about our transcendent and immanent relationship with the Divine that I have read in twenty-six years of Kabbalah study. Rabbi David Aaron has revealed and clarified deep Kabbalistic insights in a way that makes them accessible to every level of spiritual seeker."—Gabriel Cousens, M.D., director of the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, Patagonia, Arizona

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Shambhala (May 11, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590301463
• ISBN-13: 978-1590301463
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,095,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God and Mental Health, September 23, 2005

By 

Dr. Timothy C. Hoffman (Spencer, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret Life of God: Discovering the Divine Within You (Hardcover)

In my thirty-five years of practicing as a Professional Psychotherapist/Pastoral Counselor, I have never found a better book to lead one to the center of one's being. The Secret Life of God by renowned Rabbi David Aaron puts to rest all the hyperbole and hype approaches to Kabbalah, from the Hollywood in-crowd to the Los Angeles cultic (albeit popular) so-called Kabbalah practice of the Bergs, who try to sell this mystery as one would try to sell a commodity.

The Secret Life of God by David Aaron addresses the absolutely real drawing near to the center of the life of God. I don't care what religion you may be, even an atheist can relate to this book. I have had many patients come back to me and claim to have found healing using the book as a starting point on their journey, under my direction. They say that for the first time in their lives they now understood why they felt so alone. For me as a therapist this melds the spirituality and psychotherapy paradigms together for the very first time to create an unique approach to mental health.

With The Secret Life of God to guide you to yourself, you will never feel alone again! I cannot express enough gratitude to Rabbi David Aaron, who has had the courage to share and guide the common person to this Divine Truth, not for his own popularity or personal fame or gain but to be a "Light Unto the Nations."

I can recommend this book without reservation to all who are looking to make sense out of the life they do not have NOW! So I invite you to read this book to come from the "No-where" to the Now/Here. It all depends on how you were taught to see yourself along side God. Rabbi David Aaron has written an instruction manual for the soul. Come and taste the goodness of the Lord, via one of His best, selfless teachers.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowered and Pleased, June 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secret Life of God: Discovering the Divine Within You (Hardcover)

This book was amazing. It gave me a whole new perspective on myself and my relationship to God and the world. I get a sense that the choices I make matter on a global level. Each of us is in partnership with G-d to bring beauty and goodness into this world. The author explained complex topics in such a plain and simple way that what was hidden seems suddenly obvious.

I think this is one of those rare books that leaves you with new eyes for yourself and the world. And just from reading it, you find the way you interact with yourself and the world has altered.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Insightful, June 29, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Secret Life of God: Discovering the Divine Within You (Hardcover)

Rather than get into the technical aspects of Kabbalah, Rabbi Aaron simply explains many of life's toughest questions. After reading this book, I guarantee your outlook of the Ultimate as well as your own life will be much clearer. This book changed my way of thinking completely. I love this book.