Little Gems from Baba

In addition to being an author and therapist and for many, a spiritual teacher, Phyllis Krystal was also a poet. From time to time during her 43 years as a devotee of Sri Sathya Sai Baba in India, love poems to her guru would "come through" her as she would say. She kept track of these poems and in the last few months of her very long life (she lived to be 102 and 8 months having died on December 10th in 2016 near London her birthplace) she compiled them into this sweet illustrated book devoted to Sai Baba. Her love of flowers led her to commission a local artist to render her favorites which can be seen on the page facing each poem. In the Sufi tradition these poems can be read as prayers to guru and God and demonstrate the progress of her spiritual development under Sai's guidance. They are inspirational and clearly demonstrate her love for her guru and her determination to surrender to his will, trusting that every circumstance of her life was for her growth and development as she endeavored to accept and receive the teachings offered in each event. Her well known mantra "Surrender, Trust and Accept" is evidenced in these poems which can inspire us all to do likewise, thus helping us to cut the ties that bind us to maya or the illusory world of the senses and conditioned mind and helping us to let go of the will and desires of the egoic mind. Phyllis only recently decided on the final titles of the poems which reflect their content beautifully and clearly especially for spiritual seekers: Dispel the Cloud of Maya, Give Me What You Know I Need, Surrender and Trust, Let Our Inner Light Shine, My Love Alone Can Satisfy, I am Always with You and Within You, Loosen Attachments, Beloved Baba, Be My Instrument, Hold On Tight and Never Let Go, We Are All God and Not the Body, Wake Up, Beloved Baba Take My Hand, Let Go and Let God, Be Happy, Keep It Simple, Near and Dear, You Are All Walking Temples, Find Me In Your Heart, Our Conscious Search, When The Pupil Is Ready, Abandon All Your Plans Even The Best Ones, Move Forward Unencumbered. Most of these 23 poems were inspired by the teachings and aphorisms of Sai Baba and some are written in his voice and many in Phyllis' own voice. Phyllis says in her introduction to what she called her "baby book": "For each generation there are profound moments and hopeful words that carry us forward through crisis and in celebration. I hope this little book of poetry will continue to guide, inspire and give you the courage to meet the challenging moments on the spiritual path. As I write this I am 102 years of age, and I can say they have helped me immensely throughout my life." May they guide, inspire and help us all