​      There are books that inform and then there are books that transform. Christian Howard’s From My Soul to Yours: The Poem Journeys of a Mystic Mind unmistakably belongs in the latter category. It is not merely a collection of poems, it is a transmission, a soulful offering and a decades-spanning testament to one seeker’s profound inner journey toward the divine. 

      To read it is to walk briefly beside someone who has not only looked deeply into the mysteries of life and God but who has also been shaped, humbled and illuminated by the answers that came from within. Howard’s work emerges from a remarkable spiritual period in his life, one rooted in deep devotion, rigorous meditation and a heartfelt commitment to Self-Realization Fellowship teachings.

      These poems were not crafted in pursuit of literary acclaim but rather received as one might receive sacred instruction. That origin imbues each piece with authenticity and spiritual charge. You feel almost physically the raw sincerity and longing embedded in the verse. The voice behind the lines isn’t that of an academic or literary poet, it’s a soul in conversation with the Infinite.

      What sets Howard’s poetic voice apart is its earnest mysticism, its refusal to polish or posture. These poems are not ornate or syntactically complex, their power lies instead in their unfiltered clarity. They are personal yet universal, intimate yet expansive. There’s no artifice, no poetic ego. The writing often feels like prayer, pure and direct, asking nothing of the reader but openness. That rawness can disarm and then, slowly open the door to deep reflection.             In reading them, I found myself slowing down, almost meditating over the lines. One of the most distinctive aspects of the book is how it embraces the idea of poetry as spiritual documentation. As Howard beautifully describes it, these poems are “scenic heart and mind points” along the journey toward God. That metaphor deeply resonated with me. So often, we seek guidance through maps written by others but here is a map drawn in real time by someone whose compass was internal and unshakably rooted in love.

      This book feels less like a volume of verse and more like a candlelit path through a forest of questions we all eventually enter. There is also something deeply moving in the story behind the manuscript’s resurrection after more than half a century. That Howard chose to finally share it now after 50 years is not an accident, but a divine appointment. As the world grapples with uncertainty, disconnection, and existential fatigue, From My Soul to Yours arrives like a spiritual balm. Its timing feels prophetic.

      In terms of style, readers should not expect formal poetic structures or literary allusions. Instead, they will encounter a spontaneous, flowing cadence that prioritizes spiritual insight over rhetorical flair. This simplicity is a strength. It reminds us that the soul does not speak in syllabic constraints or metaphoric riddles, it speaks in direct knowing. Howard’s work is akin to the writings of Rumi, Kahlil Gibran or even the spontaneous sacred utterances of mystics across cultures, not because it imitates them but because it emerges from the same wellspring.

      As someone who has spent years reading spiritual literature and poetry, I found From My Soul to Yours to be less a book I read and more a space I entered. It invited me to reflect on my own inner journey, to listen again for the still small voice that is so often drowned out by noise. It reminded me gently and insistently that love is not only the destination but the vehicle. And that the soul always knows the way home.

      Verdict: From My Soul to Yours is a humble yet profound offering—an unassuming spiritual companion for those yearning for something deeper than words. It is less about poetry as performance and more about poetry as presence. If your heart is open, you will not leave unchanged.

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Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.8/5) ©PROFESSIONAL REVIEW

 

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An official OnlineBookClub.org review

of "From My Soul to Yours"

by Christian Howard.

5 out of 5 stars

      The question I ask myself is, am I following the path of our creator or following the path of the world? Today, the world is so busy that it is sometimes hard to say. That is why I found this book, From My Soul To Yours: The Poem Journeys of a Mystic Mind, written by Christian Howard, a reminder of what journey I am taking. I was not sure at first about reading poems that were written by a mystic. Christian Howard was a member of Yogananda's Self-Realization Fellowship. I do not have any experience with this fellowship. I am a Christian, but I have not practiced meditation and was not sure what to expect. These poems took Christian years to write. Reading these poems is like taking the journey alongside Christian.

       I was in for a treat and enjoyed the journey immensely. The book contains 228 poems. The first poem is titled Awaken. It is a beautiful poem that uses nature as an example of awakening our souls. The book ends with poem 228, Welcome, which declares the blessing of the spirit and shares the Lord's way. The book has so many examples of Christian Howard's journey into the spiritual world. The journey is thought-provoking and inspirational. I will never look at another sunrise again in the same way. Each day, the light shines through the darkness just as the Lord shines through all the darkness of this world.

       I do not have anything negative to say about this book. I did not find any errors in the book. The illustrations by Keith Matthewson were so enjoyable. Therefore, I am pleased to rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. Occasionally I read them a second time to understand the message. This is a great book to have in your possession to read over again when you might feel that you are losing your spiritual way.

      It is my belief that this book is a good read for those with a spiritual belief. Jesus is the center of this book, so those of the Christian faith would most benefit from it. At the same time, those with no belief may take this journey and find Jesus.

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From My Soul to Yours
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