MANILA, Philippines – There are no random acts in this world. Everything has a reason. For every cause, there is an effect.

This is what best-selling spiritual author and Kabbalah Center co-director Yehuda Berg continuously emphasized during his lecture “Why Kabbalah, Why Now?” on January 15 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay.

Kabbalah, which literally means “receiving,” is an ancient wisdom that teaches the physical and spiritual laws of the universe.

It is based on sacred texts written 2,000 years ago and earlier, one of which is the Zohar, a commentary on the Bible’s first 5 books, the Torah. 

And yet, despite the age of Kabbalah’s teachings, Berg showed that they are still applicable now as they were thousands of years ago.

“There is a reason for everything — the people in our lives, the situations we are in,” Berg explained.

“Things only seem random when we are missing some information.” He added that there is a need to understand more. 

And because everything has a reason, a cause and an effect, Berg said that everyone has a choice, and can actively create a desired outcome.

Here are some of Berg’s insights on achieving outcomes good not only for you but for others, too: 

1) Release blocks like anger or any form of negativity.

Often, getting what you want is just about releasing these blocks, or releasing yourself from these blocks.

“We can’t close the deal, we can’t get the job, because we have blocks,” Berg said. “When we finally have that breakthrough, it is because we have allowed.”

2) Recognize and use your gifts.

Related to creating breakthroughs is recognizing your gifts and talents. Reflect on your core competence and develop and enrich it. Invest in yourself.

“We all have gifts which we should use,” Berg said with conviction. “Each person can be the absolute best at what he or she does.” 

3) Raise children who want to earn and who want to earn for themselves.

Berg talked at length about this, earnestly addressing the parents in the room. Parents, no matter how abundant their resources, should not give everything to their children.

Children should have the desire to earn for themselves.

And it’s not just about money. Berg recounted how his father, rabbi and head of the Kabbalah Center Philip Berg, effectively applied this parenting principle.

“When I first asked my dad to teach me Kabbalah, he refused,” Berg recalled. “I thought, What kind of dad is he? He travels and teaches people all over the world, but not his own son!”

After some time, though, Berg understood. “It was difficult for him to say no to me,” Berg realized. “He wanted me to have a real desire to study. Had he said yes, I wouldn’t have appreciated it as I do now.”

4) Be fully present with others, especially those who suffer.

“Going through hell sucks, but when you are going through hell alone, there’s nothing worse than that,” Berg said with strong emotion.

This is why being “fully there 100%” for another person can work miracles. Sincerity and genuine kindness without motive — not the act of “being there” because we want something for ourselves.

5) You have to actively take part in creating the world you want.

“There will come a day when there will be no more pain, no more suffering – only peace,” Berg said emphatically. “But how long it’s going to take is up to us.”

Make small and positive changes in your ways today, and be surprised to realize one day that they are affecting your life and others, too. List down the things you want in your world and identify concrete steps to create that world. Then do them.

People have the impression that Kabbalah is a religion or something similar; but based on Berg’s lecture, it actually teaches practical wisdom for daily life.

Berg’s Manila lecture is only a sampler of the Kabbalah insights taught at the Kabbalah Center:

1) Acquire wisdom.

2) Take full responsibility.

3) Know and challenge your own ego.

4) Be energized by obstacles and see them as opportunities for growth.

5) Accept your imperfection and the imperfection of others.

6) Know your power and use it.

7) Never give up because it’s never too late.

8) Share.

9) We are all One – every human being has the spark of the Creator.

10) Leaving your comfort zone can create miracles.

We all have the power to create miracles. The first step is to jump. – Rappler.com

(It’s #WellnessWed at Rappler, and we are still featuring #NewYearNewYou stories. How did you #Start2013Right? What positive changes have you made to be healthier and happier in 2013? Tell us! Send your story and photos to desk@rappler.com. Use the subject heading #WELLNESSWED.)

(For more information on Kabbalah in Metro Manila, visit www.kabbalahphilippines.com or contact Joseph Cueto at 0908-8998442.)