The Origins of Consciousness, Volume Two takes readers deeper into Rav Ashlag’s study of the ancient spiritual text, the Ten Luminous Emanations by Rav Isaac Luria (the Ari), a renowned 16th-century Kabbalist, who revolutionized the study of Kabbalah. Presented in the original Hebrew with English translation, and brought to life through the masterful commentary and explanation of Michael Berg, this volume offers an exploration into the very origins of existence.
With over twenty years of guiding students through this profound study, in Volume Two, Michael discusses the stages that formed the Creation of the Worlds. Here, he draws a distinction between two types of Vessels—the Circular Vessel of the Endless World before Tzimtzum (the Contraction), and the Linear Vessel after the Tzimtzum. Through his masterful commentary, we also learn about the Straight Line (Kav), which symbolizes the precise, straight path of our spiritual work, governed by justice. This is the realm of Tikkune, or Kabbalah’s teaching of one’s soul correction.
What Michael makes clear in his commentary is that the Desire to Receive draws the Light down, and it is the Desire to Share—or the resistance of that receiving—that returns the Light back up. It is in the drawing down of Light via desire, and a reflection or pushing back of the Light—through a total sharing effort, only for the sake of the Creator and of others—that creates the Line. This is why the Line represents our entire spiritual work, which is developing a Desire to Receive for the Sake of Sharing.
Both a continuation of Volume One and a profound study on its own, The Origins of Consciousness, Volume Two invites seekers of Jewish mysticism, spiritual wisdom, and sacred texts to engage with these ancient teachings to understand their existence and purpose in this lifetime.
About Rav Michael Berg:
Michael Berg is a spiritual leader, scholar, teacher, and best-selling author dedicated to making the spiritual wisdom and tools of Kabbalah widely accessible and practical for modern life. As co-director of The Kabbalah Centre - a global nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive global change through empowering humanity to transform and achieve true fulfillment - he teaches globally through books, lectures, podcasts, and digital content, guiding students toward personal transformation and deeper connection to the Light of the Creator.
A lifelong student of Kabbalah, Michael began studying with his father, Rav Berg, at the age of 14. He is fluent in English, Hebrew, and ancient Aramaic, and is renowned for editing and translating the first-ever complete 23-volume English edition of the Zohar over a 10-year period.
He is the author of 20 books, including Secrets of the Bible, Becoming Like God, and providing original commentary for the Origins of Consciousness and Gate of Reincarnations series. His translations of foundational texts by Rav Ashlag have been published in over 10 languages.
Michael co-hosts the Spiritually Hungry Podcast with his wife and fellow co-director of The Kabbalah Centre, Monica Berg.
