 |
Thursday, February 12, 2004
|
|
 |
|
Hollywood's Spiritual Haven
Kabbalah isn't a cult, nor is it a religious trend. It's a set of 4000 year-old teachings, predating all religions. Britney Spears and Demi Moore are just two of the celebrities who are new followers of this age-old spiritual tradition.
"Extra" visited with Madonna - perhaps
the movement's most devoted and most vocal star - inside the
Los Angeles Kabbalah Center, which she and scores of other celebrities
are calling their spiritual home.
Rabbi Yehuda Berg runs the center and wrote two of the foremost handbooks on it: "The 72 Names of God", and "The Power of Kabbalah." He tells "Extra," "We really see it as a wisdom."
Madonna says she's all the wiser because of the karmic and meditative qualities Kabbalah offers. "It's helped me to see that a lot of the decisions I’ve made all along have been based on my own egocentric desires," Madonna said.
That's why Madonna sends her daughter to the Kabbalah center - to reinforce at a young age virtues like sharing. She says her spiritual journey is about taking "responsibility for your actions and your words."
Kabbalists wear the red string around their wrist as a badge of honor and a symbol of protection. In her latest music video, "Love Profusion," Madonna prominently sports her string.
"This isn't about going to a mountain top and living like a hermit in a cabin and meditating in the lotus position for the rest of your life," Madonna tells us. "This is about living in the world and dealing with people on an everyday basis, being ambitious, having dreams and really going for it. But always with the intention of sharing what you have with other people."
Despite the celebrity connections, the Kabbalists want you to know everyone is welcome, from all religions, and everyone is treated the same.
|
|
 |
|
