Ceiling on Desires
On April 3, 2009, Legendary Publishing announced the release of what may be the ultimate personal challenge, entitled simply, Ceiling on Desires. The Official publication date is April 22, 2009, Earth Day. The wisdom of the East finds its way to the West in this thought-provoking, practical program, which delivers the essential tools to achieve personal transformation to all who are ready for positive change. Author Phyllis Krystal eloquently outlines the loving instruction from well-known Eastern Indian Avatar, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, on how to live a simpler, more meaningful life in moderation by eliminating wasteful uses of money, food, time and energy.  Ceiling on Desires truly answers the current global economic crises call for help, the timing of which is not coincidental. With entire societies, monetary systems, and even fundamental familial philosophies based upon consumption and instant gratification, is it any wonder that the Western World now finds itself in such a state of uncertainty and instability? Global change begins at home. It begins with one forward-thinking person at a time. Ceiling on Desires is thoughtfully arranged into three primary parts. Part I outlines the four major areas of waste identified as money, food, time and energy. Part II discusses negative emotions and how they can lead to waste in each of the four areas. And in Part III, Phyllis Krystal points out ways in which the five senses hold one hostage to the unceasing desire for more, which leads to the ever-increasing propensity for excess and waste in all four key areas.  Putting a ceiling on personal desires requires complete honesty with oneself to properly identify wasteful practices, to find opportunities for improvement, and perseverance to maintain long-term changes in lifestyle habits. The end result is liberation from unhealthy attachments to money and food and more productive uses of time and energy. It is a transformative endeavor. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born in the small village of Puttaparthi in South India, November 23, 1926. As he rightfully claims, My Life is My Message, Sai Baba is providing state-of-the-art medical care, education, clean drinking water and housing to the masses living in remote Indian villages, and does so at no cost. While his mission on Earth is not to start a new religion or to amass followers, it is certainly easy to understand why the Sri Sathya Sai Organization has now expanded to 167 countries, and why millions of people journey each year to Baba's ashram to be in his Divine Presence. Baba outlined the basis for Ceiling on Desires in a 1983 personal interview with author and long-time devotee, Phyllis Krystal. During the past 26 years, Baba further enlightened Krystal with numerous other in-depth realizations, now revealed in the Expanded Edition. Ceiling on Desires is about balance and promotes basic common sense. Its message is universal and applicable to all. --Legendary PublishingWhen Creative Director, Travis Clancy, asked me to write a blog entry announcing the press release for Ceiling on Desires, I sat down with the intent to write a jazzy, catchy blurb that would stir interest and generate sales. Somehow, the idea of that leaves me cold. So I will write what s in my heart. I also think it's appropriate to add this to Amazon's review section. Some things are apparently meant to be. In January 2009, Phyllis Krystal engaged Legendary Publishing to publish Ceiling on Desires. At that time, she asked if it would be possible to have it ready by May 2009. I wasn t sure we could perform, particularly given that this was our first book to publish, ever! Honestly, I was scared to death, not only because of the aggressive schedule, but also because of the importance of the message Ceiling on Desires delivers. I was also scared of failing. Still am by the way. I was already intimately familiar with the subject matter and know that it is from Sathya Sai Baba, whose very name Sathya means Truth, for which I have a deep respect and to whom, profound gratitude. I have been to India twice to see Baba at his ashram and can say that the experience of him on the soul's level is beyond my ability to explain in words. I ve attempted with music, but even that falls short. Sometimes, we are so touched by Spirit that it changes us forever. And such has been my experience with Baba and the Divine.  So, back to January 2009. I swallowed the big lump stuck in my throat, told Phyllis we would do everything within our power, took a deep breath (multiple times a day over the last three months), stepped into the gap, as coined by author Wayne Dyer, and turned over the rest to Baba, remembering the mantra he gave to me one day, It doesn t matter what you do, as long as you do it, and think of me. So apparently, it was meant to be, as we are actually ahead of schedule and releasing Ceiling on Desires on April 22nd, 2009, Earth Day. In just a little over two months, COD was professionally copyedited by Sage Rountree, three beautiful cover designs were provided by Travis Clancy, Suzanne Schwiertz & Steen Piculell provided permissions to use their lovely photographs, and Phyllis was key in approving changes quickly and facilitating the whole process. But there s a little more to this story. As I have been back through COD, reading, proofing, typesetting, editing, typesetting again, scrutinizing every little detail you can possibly imagine, again and again, and driving Travis Clancy nuts, it has forced me, once again, to really read the message in COD and examine my own life. For instance, I would be irritated at someone or frustrated that something wasn not going just a certain way and then I would read the part about the effect of negative emotions on our desires, (including irritation & frustration) and couldn t help but notice the image in the big fat mirror that was staring back and looking a lot like me. I might have a prideful thought about how awesome it is to be the publisher for this book, then I would read about dealing with pride and vanity. Ouch! As I would put in 10-12 hours a day, day after day, going over things, perfecting things, changing things, tweaking things, I would read the part about dealing with control or being a work-a-holic. And the list goes on, and on. I suppose what I m trying to say is that publishing COD has had a profound impact on me personally. It has forced me to examine my motives, be honest with myself, and to stay focused on a bigger picture. It is just another role to play and it isn't forever. That having been said, publishing Ceiling on Desires is indeed an honor and a responsibility not taken lightly. It is my heart's utmost desire that we have done it justice. And Baba, I ask for your blessing and know with all my heart that it has been your will, not mine. --Carole Tapp, Publisher--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.