Insightful Reading

Kabbalah may seem like the trendy spiritual movement du jour, but its celebrity following should not taint Kabbalah’s genuine and inspiring teachings. Karen Berg and her husband Rav Berg direct Kabbalah Centres worldwide. In her book God Wears Lipstick (Kabbalah Publishing, 2005) Berg reveals women’s special spiritual role in Kabbalah and sheds light on a variety of topics and taboos. Chapters are divided into different Kabbalistic tools, including dealing with conflict, the deeper meaning of sex, and the importance of friendship. Although an easy read, God Wears Lipstick is thought provoking and best read with a highlighter in hand.

Andrew Weil, M.D., isn’t trying to stop the aging process. A necessary part of life, Weil believes, aging can be enhanced both in longevity and in quality of life by diet, activity, and attitude. In Weil’s new book, Healthy Aging (Knopf, 2005) he explains biogerontology (the biology of aging) and explores the impact of our environment, lifestyle, and biological factors on the aging process. In the second portion of the book, Weil explains in great detail his anti-inflammatory diet and provides inspiration and motivation for stress-reduction, exercise, and more. Tips are abundant and topics rarely discussed in standard aging books are addressed, including sex, emotion, and spirit. Healthy Aging is on track to be the healthy living bible not only for the baby boomers, but for anyone looking to enhance their ‘living’ experience.