Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives Paperback – April 13, 2006

Truly an amazing book for those in a self discovery phase of their lives. This book is a super simple and quick read giving the illusion that it isn't filled with wisdom that will resonate with you for years to come. Nothing could be further from the truth. Beautifully written in a way that almost anyone can relate to, the book does an excellent job of opening your mind and helping you realize that wherever you are is okay. In the vein of many Buddhist texts, the idea is to be in the moment so that you can fully appreciate your life (gross oversimplification but you get the point) but instead of Dan Millman just preaching this to you, he tells a beautiful story through the eyes of a college gymnast who thinks he has it all figured out. This college gymnast happens upon a man named Socrates who very quickly informs him that he doesn't know anything. Socrates then goes on to teach him many lessons on happiness and how to be in life for real deep fulfillment and it is a story that may very well leave you in tears. The book is fantastic, just do yourself a favor and read it.

This is one of the must-reads of the self-awareness and empowerment movement. It is the story of a champion college athlete who stumbles across a man who teaches him the tai-chi principle of non-resistance: Don't fight what comes your way, use it. The story spends much of the time in a reality most of us don’t live in very often, if at all, so accept what you want and see the rest as teaching stories. But it's a fascinating and informing story in any event.

Entertaining and super enlightening. Millman has a way of storytelling that keeps your interest and makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the story as if it were real-life. I had heard about the movie and watched it first. I personally enjoyed it and then when I told a friend about it, he got a serious look on his face and said, "You HAVE to read the book. It changed my life." I knew he meant it. The subtitle "A Book That Changes Lives," is true. It's just a magical book. You must check it out.

Almost a whimsical introduction to the academic and theological field of 'mindfulness,' a concept as ancient as Buddhism and as modern as modern cognitive psychology.
It has lots of moments that are pop culture and pop psychology but those are overshadowed by the powerful presentation of the concepts and the moments of valuable story-telling.
A good, formidable, worthwhile read, especially if you're the kind of person who likes to play at reflection and 'light' philosophy.

I absolutely love this book!
Before I finished it, I was already on Amazon purchasing the next one that way I had it just in time.
I am 100% certain that the Author Dan Millman has first hand experiences with some of the more mystical esoteric subjects!

It is an extremely inspiring novel, and I would liken Dan to the author Paulo Coelho as this book and The Alchemist while different subjects; are still written and inspiring in the same manner.
Dan is now on my list of Favorites, and forever a fan.
So, if you like The Alchemist; purchase this book

A great book that more people should read. It's the Rich Dad Poor Dad of spirituality and self-development. Easy to read and really makes you understand age old concepts that are looked as woo woo in modern society but probably shouldn't be forgotten so easily.

I can always tell when I have found a good book because either I finish the book in 24 hours of reading time OR my hand develops a mind of its own and begins systematically highlighting the important contents of the book.

When I encounter a book that I do BOTH . . . then I know I have found a GREAT book worthy of typing up the important points that are in colorful highlighting. Since I see most people are giving positive reviews and I'm one to read the 5 and 1 star reviews to assist in making my choices, I have decided to paste the points that I highlighted in the book and those of you who find the information interesting and would like to read it in full context can buy the book.

Terms and Reminders from "Way of the Peaceful Warrior"

Body Wisdom - Everything you'll ever need to know is within you; the secrets of the universe are imprinted on the cells of your body.

Understanding - the one-dimensional comprehension of the intellect. It leads to knowledge.

Realization - the three-dimensional, simultaneous comprehension of head, heart and instinct; comes from direct experience.

Life requires more than knowledge; it requires intense feeling and constant energy. Life demand right action if knowledge is to come alive.

You have to cleanse your body of tension, free your mind of stagnant beliefs and open your heart to loving-kindness.

The best performers have the quietest minds during their moment of truth.

Dis-illusion - is literally a `freeing from illusion'.

In your habitual quest for achievement and entertainment, you avoid the fundamental source of your suffering.

Your mind is your predicament. It wants to be free change, free of pain, free of the obligations of life and death. But change is a law, and no amount of pretending will alter that reality.

Life is not suffering; it's just that you will suffer it, rather than enjoy it, until you let go of your mind's attachments and just go for the ride freely, no matter what happens.

Brain - directs the body, stores information and plays with that information. The brain's abstract processes are `the intellect'.

Brain and Mind are not the same. The brain is real, the mind is not.

Mind - an illusory reflection of cerebral fidgeting. It is all the random, uncontrolled thoughts that bubble into awareness from the subconscious. An obstruction; an aggravation; a kind of an evolutionary mistake in the human being; a primal weakness in the human experiment. I have no use for the mind.

Consciousness is not mind; awareness is not mind; attention is not mind.

When you can't stop thinking of that math problem or phone number, or when troubling thoughts and memories arise without your intent, it's not your brain working, but your mind wandering.

Your mind - not other people or your surroundings - is the source of your moods.
Observing how you become angry when you notice that another is not the least bit upset.

Stressful thoughts reflect a conflict with reality. Stress happens when the mind resists what is.

The thoughts that assail you are actually created by you.

Stop taking yourself so seriously.

When you are in trouble, let go of your thoughts to see through your mind.

Silence is the warrior's art - and meditation is his sword.

The highest purpose of the human body is to become a clear channel for this light - so that its brightness can dissolve all obstructions, all knots, all resistance.

Attention - the intentional channeling of awareness.

Real Meditation - to expand awareness; to direct attention; to ultimately surrender to the light of consciousness.

Meditation consists of two simultaneous processes:
1. Insight - paying attention to what is arising.
2. Surrender - letting go of attachment to arising thoughts.
This is how you cut free of the mind.

Relax and stop acting so serious! (Do you see a pattern here?)

You still believe that you are your thoughts and defend them as if they were treasures. Your stubborn illusions are a sinking ship. Let them go while there's still time.

Consciousness is not in the body; the body is in Consciousness. You are that Consciousness.

Body - is Consciousness; never born; never dies; only changes.

Mind - your ego, personal beliefs, history and identity - is all that ends at death.

Sitting meditation is the beginner's practice. Eventually, you will learn to meditate in every action. Sitting serves as a ceremony, a time to practice balance, ease, and divine detachment. Master the ritual before you expand the same insight and surrender fully into daily life.

Emotions are not the problem. The key is to transform the energy of emotion into constructive action.

Food:
First, give your complete attention to what you are making.
Second, love is one of the primary ingredients in everything you make.

Purifying, regenerative practices are essential.

You'll need to refine every human function - moving, sleeping, breathing, thinking, feeling - and eating. Of all the human activities, eating is one of the most important to stabilize first.

That means your good habits must become so strong that they dissolve those which are not useful.

Eat only what is wholesome and eat only as much as you need.

The pleasure from eating is more than the taste of the food and the feeling of a full belly. Learn to enjoy the entire process - the hunger beforehand, the careful preparation, setting an attractive table, chewing, breathing, smelling, tasting, swallowing, and the feeling of lightness and energy after the meal. When you pay attention to all elements of the process, you'll begin to appreciate simple meals.

Avoid foods that contain refined sugar, refined flour and meat as well as coffee, alcohol, tobacco, or any other drugs.

Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
Breakfast: fresh fruit meal with occasional yogurt.
Lunch: your main meal should be a raw salad, baked or steamed potato and wholegrain bread or cooked grains.
Dinner: should be a raw salad and, on occasion, lightly steamed vegetables. Make good use of raw, unsalted seeds and nuts at every meal.

Find your thrills in fresh air, fresh food, fresh water, fresh awareness and sunshine.

Let feelings flow; then let them go.

Any unconscious, compulsive ritual is a problem. But specific activities are both bad and good; every action has its price, and its pleasures. Recognize both sides; then you can make the warrior's free and conscious choice - to do or not to do. Responsibility means recognizing both pleasure and price, action and consequence, then making a choice.

My actions are conscious, spontaneous, intentional and complete.

There are no ordinary moments! Treat every moment as special, worthy of your full attention.

Satori - a Zen concept; occurs when attention rest in the present moment, when the body is alert, sensitive, relaxed and the emotions are open and free.

Your task is to expand this clarity into your daily life. Satori must become your everyday reality. Satori is your key to the gate.

Meditating an action is different from doing it. To do, there is a doer, a self-conscious `someone' performing. When you meditate an action, you've already released attachment to the outcomes. There's no `you' left to do it. You become what you do, so your action is free, spontaneous, without ambition, inhibition or fear.

The master dedicates his training to life.

House Rules reveal that you can control your efforts, not outcomes. Do your best; let God handle the rest.

The birth of the mind is the death of the senses.

Jesus of Nazareth once said you must become like a little child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The dry concepts of the mind obscure your direct perception.

You have to `lose your mind' before you can come to your senses.

There are two ways to be rich:
1) You earn, inherit, borrow, beg or steal enough money to meet all your desires; or
2) You cultivate a simple lifestyle of few desires; that way you always have enough money.

A peaceful warrior has the insight and discipline to choose the simple way - to know the difference between needs and wants.

The secret of happiness is found in developing the capacity to enjoy less.

There is the way of the peaceful warrior and the way to the peaceful warrior. As long as you tread the way, you are a warrior. The way is now; it always has been.

A fool is `happy' when his cravings are satisfied. A warrior is happy without reason. That's what makes happiness the ultimate discipline. Happiness is not just something you feel - it is who you are. Sometimes sorrow, sometimes joy. But beneath it all, remember the innate perfection of your life unfolding. That is the secret of unreasonable happiness.

As the title states this book was the most influential book I've ever read. The journey takes you on a so spiritual that you can't Help but to go along. I've never felt a character so alive in a book I felt like Socrates was my teacher and I knew him and he is change my life through the book. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone is thinking about reading it. I ordered it on Kindle and had to order the book just to know I have a hard copy always.

The book is about life wisdom that is beyond New Age and transcends any self-help type subject matter out there. This book will wake you up in life if you're already awake it will remind you and refresh you