The Laws of Spirit: A Tale of Transformation [Paperback]

Dan Millman (Author)

Book Description

Series: Millman, Dan | Publication Date: September 2001

The Laws of Spirit opens with the story of Dan Millman’s encounter with a sage in the wooded hills near his home. Through stories, tests, and experiences in the wild, the sage challenges Millman to examine 12 core principles that underlie human existence: balance, choice, process, presence, compassion, faith, expectation, integrity, action, cycles, surrender, and unity. The book shows how these keys — at the heart of every religion, culture, and moral system — can lead to a deeper sense of meaning, connection, and harmony with the world. It also shows readers how these principles can transform relationships, careers, finance, and health. Quotations and reminders from across the centuries inform and inspire readers as they accompany Millman on his journey.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Former world-champion athlete turned best-selling author (The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and Secret of the Peaceful Warrior), Dan Millman proffers his latest book, The Laws of Spirit, in that time-honored form of storytelling, the parable. In a series of fictional allegorical tales, Millman is taken on a tour of wild forest and mountain habitats by a shaman-like wise woman he meets in a mountainside cove. Together they explore and observe nature and her creatures who show them much about principles such as faith, compassion, choice, action and surrender. A modern-day oracle of uplifting wisdom, this little book aims to open the heart and enlighten the mind. -- Body, Mind, Spirit magazine, January 1996

Millman's parable of a wise woman and laws of spirit which help to make life work smoothly contains gentle reflection and spiritual education for all who consult his title. The laws of spirit are at the basis of all religious traditions: Millman's outline documents their importance. -- Midwest Book Review

Millman, the author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior, has another likely bestseller in his latest book. The fictional story begins with the author/hero taking a walk in the mountains and meeting a wise woman who leads him on a journey to places not connected by our understanding of spatial reality. Along this journey, she teaches our hero some simple spiritual principles, such as The Law of Balance, The Law of Integrity, The Law of Action. Each of the twelve laws is illustrated by coupling the heros simple ignorance with the wise woman's storytelling. Readers who have enjoyed Millman's other books will certainly want this one; his easy conversational style is still engaging. -- NAPRA ReVIEW, Fall 1995 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

While hiking in the mountains, Millman encounters a mysterious woman sage who invites him on "a mission of great importance". Over the course of several days and nights, she uses the mountain wilderness as a means to reveal the "laws that make life work". The Law of Spirit represents Millman's most accessible and far-reaching vision of spiritual growth to date. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: HJ Kramer/New World Library (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0915811936
• ISBN-13: 978-0915811939
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Most people who've read Way of the Peaceful Warrior (or seen the movie) already know a few aspects of my life. But here are some personal notes: I love to teach; so over the years I've honed writing and speaking skill in order to share what I've learned with others. I consider myself blessed to have my books embraced by so many people around the world.

Joy and I have been married for 35 years and we grow closer each day, it seems, as we gain perspective and cultivate a sense of humor (about ourselves and one another). I'm a proud dad of three grown daughters and two grandsons so far.

I believe you'd find me a good (but not perfect) example of what I teach; I continue to learn, grow, and practice. I have my head in the clouds but feet on the ground.

For more info about my books and seminars, please visit www.peacefulwarrior.com, sign up for my eList, follow me on Facebook or Twitter, or just google peaceful warrior.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of Millman's titles!, February 19, 2002

By 

Steve McCardell (Rochester, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Laws of Spirit: A Tale of Transformation (Paperback)

Many of you will know Dan Millman for his Way of the Peaceful Warrior, or perhaps one of his other many books. I've read a good number of them myself. But for its easy reading, its graceful approach, and its universal laws condensed, The Laws of Spirit is my favorite of all his titles.

Standing in line with that ancient tradition of sharing truths through fable, the book tells of a fantastic Millman adventure; with his family away for a few days, the author heads out for a day-long hike into the nearby hills, and there he meets with a sage who extends his intended time away. In the course of a few days, she shows him all the most important laws of Spirit, and makes them real for him through immediate experience.

These laws begin and end with the important principles of balance and unity; but they also cover so many others that can transform lives: choice, process, presence, compassion, faith, expectation, integrity, action, cycles, and surrender. They're all here, and explained with humor, and with real art - this is the most beautifully written of all Millman's work!

I'm also a fan of the short and sweet - something people can use in our hurried world to slow themselves down just a little, and to get a real gem out of reading in those spare moments. The book itself is a lightweight champion, easy to keep on hand; each chapter is about eight pages, simple to tackle over breakfast, on the bus, wherever. It sort of kicks our excuses in the rear. Each chapter is poignant, and really filled with wisdom - almost like a book of wise quotes, so focused is the writing. But meanwhile, one enjoys the tale itself.

Written as a tale like this, I believe it is also a book that would be well received by those who are looking for Spirit, but who don't want to be shocked by the more outrageous or risqué ideas available. So if you have a friend that you'd like to share some beauty of Spirit with, this could be your title. Wonderfully written, entertaining, a real gem among works. The Laws of Spirit is one for everybody's shelf.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-changing truths equal to any holy book ever written., December 2, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Navarre, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Laws of Spirit: Simple, Powerful Truths for Making Life Work (Hardcover)

My search for a kind of unfiltered universal truth is over after reading this masterpiece. The author, Dan Millman, has written a work for the ages. Never have words from a book jumped out and expressed so much in so few pages.

I have never assumed religion and truth to be necessarily synonymous (although they could be). This book has nothing to do with religion and yet is everything about truth. I was consciously aware that my normally cynical attitude on matters spiritual was literally being reshaped with each turn of the page. For example, The Law of Faith really hit home for me when the Sage says to the Traveler, "What if you suddenly knew with certainty that a higher intelligence was working through you and everyone else for the highest good of humanity--that there is indeed a purpose for every pleasure and hardship?" and the Traveler says, "If I knew that, it would make a difference." The Sage responds, "The Law of Faith doesn't require you to believe this, Traveler, but it guides you to live your life as if this were true; in other words, on faith." Later adding, "Faith is not the opposite of reason. Applying the Law of Faith is one of the most practical, reasonable, constructive things you can do to live an inspired life."

The book seems to literally crescendo towards the final law--The Law of Unity: "Whether we are One or many depends more upon our perspective than on any objective reality. Conventional knowledge tells us that we are separate; higher wisdom informs us that we are One. We are all the same Consciousness, manifesting in different bodies, the way leaves are part of the same tree. Later, "The Awareness that looks out through a billion eyes is the One Consciousness of infinite Love and Wisdom that we call God, who watches life unfold with mercy and compassion, and who is life itself. . . . As you begin to see friends and adversaries, loved ones and strangers, through the eyes of the One Being, then all dilemma and conflict are dissolved, all wounds are healed, and all paradox is resolved in the light of this essential truth. This is the end of all seeking, because you are everyone and everywhere. It is the end of all fear, because you grasp as living truth who you are--that pure Awareness which never dies."

I dedicate this review to my wife who gave me The Laws of the Spirit as a gift. I am buying several copies as Christmas presents to my closest friends and relatives.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book of Laws to Live By, November 5, 2005

By 

Katie "book worm" (PA , USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Laws of Spirit: A Tale of Transformation (Paperback)

"The Laws of Spirit" is a wonderful tale through which the author has woven 12 essential laws to live by - laws that, when brought to our awareness, and utilized, can literally change your life!

The story is based around a man who has recently begun both a physical & spiritual journey, and the sage he meets along the way. This sage teaches him about each of the 12 laws, providing wonderful examples & showing him how to apply each one to every-day life.

I love that each "law" is explained in "down-to-earth" language and that, due to the examples given, it becomes quite easy to see how they can be used to better our lives on a day-to-day basis.

"The Laws of Spirit" is a relatively small book, as it can easily be read in 1 or 2 sittings. However, I would suggest either keeping the book handy so that you can re-read it, or taking some notes so that you can easily be reminded of the many insights given. (I chose to take notes, so it took me a little bit longer to finish the book - but I now have the info. I need to put into practice all that I learned).

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in spirituality & personal growth. It's an easy, interesting read, that is jam packed with wonderful insights.