Illana Berger, Ph.D., earned a Ph.D. in Transformative Spirituality with an emphasis in Traditional Knowledge and Recovery of the Indigenous Mind from California Institute for Integral Studies in 1999. Illana is an expert in the field of relationship, divorce, Zen, indigenous wisdom, spirituality of aging and personal transformation. She incorporates the study, experience, and integration of the world’s spiritual practices in her work as vehicles for the expansion and awakening of consciousness. Based in Zen, indigenous wisdom and diverse spiritual practices her work emphasizes that healing and change begins with an internal shift and the ability to consciously perceive ones thoughts and actions in order to make conscious choices in life.

      Illana received Zen transmission in 2023 from Steven Grant Roshi in the Zen Rinzai traditiona. She is the founder and director of Illana Berger PhD, Mindful Partnership ~ Mindful Divorce® and Seven Directions Zen. She has been working with individuals, couples and groups for more than 25 years assisting them to move their lives from suffering to joy and possibility.

        Illana trained with healers, elders and medicine people from around the world. She is a Zen Roishi working with Koans, as well as a Kriyaban in Kriya Yoga. She facilitates vision quests, seminars and workshops and offers initiatory travel & programs. She was Adjunct Professor at JFK University in Campbell, Ca, a spiritual teacher, counselor and healer in private practice in Oakland and Santa Cruz, California. She works almost exclusively remotely from her home in Scotts Valley, Ca.

      Illana has worked closely with Zen Master John Tarrant from Santa Rosa, California, Zen Roshi Steven Grant, Urban Shaman, elder, healer and author Deena Metzger from Topanga, California, Indigenous Healer Mandaza Kandemwa from Zimbabwe, Africa, Traditional Drum Maker & Sun Dance Chief Dennis Miranda from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Jewish Shamanic Healer Rabbi Gershon Winkler from Thousand Oaks, California.

Illana presented “The Gift of Conflict” at “All My Relations” intensive training seminar as well as taught for “The Inner Circle” for Harv Eker”s Peak Potential Programs. She designed, coordinated and directed “A Day of Meditation and Prayer for Peace” for Zen Teacher Cheri Huber and Living Compassion, Inc, designed and coordinated “A Gathering of Shamans Conference in Big Bear, California, designed and coordinated the Bali Institute for Global Renewal Conferences in Bali, Indonesia as well as presented “Indigenous Wisdom for Healing and Transforming the World” in 2004 & 2006. Illana was also an invited participant in an international gathering of faith leaders called “A Global Dialogue on Compassion” at Dharma Drum Mountain in Taipei, Taiwan and presented “Indigenous Spirituality as a Forum for Personal and Social Awakening” at the University of Toronto’s conference on Democracy in 2007.

      Illana leads transformative adventures to Africa, Bali and Israel. Based in diverse spiritual practices, Illana’s work emphasizes that healing and change begins with an internal shift and the ability to consciously perceive ones thoughts and actions in order to discover the truth of who you are. She inspires people to remember the totality of who they are – spiritual beings expressing the vast potential of the universe.