I think the biggest warning sign for this new-age fluff piece is that it says in the title "a book that changes lives"...if a book has to say it in the title, it ain't true. Let the text of the book speak for itself, and it's effects on the reader - don't make it a "sell point". Lame.

I *AM* a new-age, eclectic person and I gagged audibly at some of the tripe in this book. Yes, I finished it (yecch), but like a meal which one eats at the in-laws house as to not offend them, it left me with indigestion.

What really ticked me off was that it's presented as a true story by Millman, but then he goes off on these hallucinogenic tangents that are NOT "real life" (yes, he may have experienced them allegorically), which just cheapens the whole thing as he passes them off as "god's honest truth" (I swear he really just jumped up on top of the gas station, really!)

Not recommended for people SERIOUS about changing their lives. If you want to follow a vegetarian diet like Millman, read 'Diet for a New America' by Robbins. This is just a mish mash of personal stories embellished a LOT to make them INCREDIBLE and MEANINGFUL.

Gründe, weshalb ich das Buch nicht empfehlen würde:
- schon das "dieses Buch, das Leben verändert" wirkt reißerisch
- der Schreibstil ist holperig und so mitreißend wie eine fünfstündige Dokumentation über Rechtsverordnungen als historische Textsorte
- die "weltbewegende Lehre" besteht eigentlich aus den buddhistischen Grundsätzen gepaart mit der Weltanschauung eines Spinners oder einer Sekte - insbesondere dieser Zwang der von der Lehre ausging, gefiel mir überhaupt nicht!
- die beiden Hauptfiguren (Dan und Soc) habe ich als unsympathisch empfunden
- die "Wunder" - ernsthaft?! Passt überhaupt nicht zu diesem biografischen Touch- oder was auch immer das Buch sein will!

Alles in allem habe ich das Buch eine Weile lang weitergelesen, weil hier und da ganz interessante Gedanken formuliert waren, aber generell ist mir das zu krass eingefärbt!
Da bleibe ich lieber "unerleuchtet" und lese anderes als Dan weiterzufolgen! Laut der Welt des Autors hab ich wahrscheinlich einfach nicht den Humor dafür, aber ich habe auch kein Interesse daran. O.o

During his college years champion gymnast, Dan Millman, meets a mentor (an old warrior) that will not only give a life, but take one away as well... in a very good way.
Millman's story displays many "newbie" writer errors, which is understandable considering it was his first novel. It is easy to breeze by these mistakes as the reader is so literally caught up and taken away by the content of the writer's message. This book is packed full of easy, yet sometimes painful, philosophical beliefs and theories that one can incorporate in their own life and spiritual journey. Way of a Peaceful Warrior is packed full of little snippets that one could post-it all over their home.

Don't remember how I came across this book but remember I read it at a troubling time in my life and the book provided me with great comfort. I passed the book along to several friends and family and they all found this book transformational. A simple tale but loaded with powerful life lessons.

A highly readable and entertaining book to begin a journey beyond the five ordinary senses. Efficiently written. Plenty of ponder-able ideas. This was the best book i read in 1994, other than scriptures, of course! If you're feeling lazy you can watch the 2006 movie version.. it's good, but nothing like reading the book.

This book teaches the concept of simplicity. Living simply and not letting your achievements rule your life. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect as I read this book. It borrows from Christianity a little. Certain things made sense like:
Infants let it go, why do adults hold on to grudges
No matter what happens your response should be, "Is that so?"
Don't wobble in life
All of us are born into the Garden of Eden, the fall from grace begins when our mind awakens.
Boredom is nonawareness.
Think less, feel more
Stay in the moment
Act happy without reason
Most of the book is a nice read, in the form of a teacher training a student, telling him to show love and do his best.
Yet, the one flaw in this book is that the student does not do his best towards his wife and daughter. He does not love where he should despite his teacher telling him to do so. And that's where the book separates from Christianity and reality. No man can live and be on his own. His relationships are as important. You may be filled with love for nature but if it can't translate to your fellow human beings especially the most difficult ones, its pointless.
Since he teaches self control, I don't understand how he justifies infidelity. That's where this book disappoints. It has no place for relationships and allows for them to be betrayed or broken

The book The Way of The Peaceful Warrior is a story of how a man named Dan Millman became a "warrior". By finding out on his own just what really matters and what is most important in life. This book is great for people who are struggling to find out the important things in life. It is a good life lesson, and it uses powerful words and sayings that help the reader better understand the importance of the book. It shows how young people can often that they have full control over their lives when in fact they have no control over anything. It is very inspiring to read this story, because it shows how one person could see what his mistakes were, learn how to fix them, fix them and then become a brand new man. The book shows many ways that a person can change their life for the better. These ways include better ways of interacting, eating, breathing, and many others. It shows how love is the main and most important aspect of life. Also, how everything happens for a reason, whether it's good or it's bad. If I was to give this book a rate, a rate from one to ten, it would probably be within the eight range. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes an adventure and also likes to learn a good life lesson and likes a book that you can learn a lot from. I have really enjoyed reading this book. I have gotten alot out of it.

I had seen the movie first, and thought it an amazing insight into the practice of Eastern philosophy. Naturally, the book delves much deeper into these ideas. The subtitle of the book is: "A Book that Changes Lives". At first, such a claim seems quite conceited. How many other such self-help/spiritual books have made this claim, only to be touchy-feely, but ultimately useless, feel-good crap? However, Dan Millman has done his homework, channeling such gurus as Ram Das and philosophers like Plato, with his personal account of his spiritual journey. One gets a sense that Millman's journey was genuine and sincere. While my life hasn't drastically changed after reading the book, that isn't really the point: life is always in a state of change - it's your perception on life that is supposed to change after reading the book, and I think if one is open minded enough, this book is almost guaranteed to do that. Other books to aid you in this journey: "Be Here, Now" by Ram Das, and "The Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das.

کتاب میخواد بگه با هیولای درونتون یعنی ذهن و افکار پریشانتون(اضطراب و افسردگی و پریشان حالیو...) با استفاده از مراقبه بجنگین و شکستش بدین و تا همیشه به آرامش برسین. دو ستاره دادم چون همین جمله منو اندازه یه کتاب کش داد. خسته کننده شد از یه جایی و حوصله مو سر برد.

My number #1. Totally.

This book is one of those, which you can (and you should) read many times. Every each time you will find something new, something what you need - right here, right now.

V popisu knihy je uvedeno, že se jedná o autentický příběh. Podle výkladu ze slovníku cizích slov "autentický" znamená původní, pravý, nefalešný, opravdový, skutečný. Bohužel příběh přednesený v této knize, nemohu považovat za opravdový a skutečný. V příběhu jsou popsány situace, které porušují fyzikální zákony a daly by se nazvat zázrakem. Je evidentní, že jsou smyšlené. Pokud by autor na rovinu uvedl, že se jedná o fantasy s duchovní tématikou, bylo by to mnohem více fér ke čtenářům než se schovávat za tvrzení autenticity.

I first read this after college when my father gave it to me as a graduation gift. I almost didn't read it, but was very glad I did as it was very impactful on me, and I think helped shape me into the person I am today. I recently decided to re-read it after a meditation teacher was talking about it - and was glad to discover that it's just as relevant to my life now as it was before. It's a book I can easily see myself re-reading every 5-10 years.

The book is a story about how to be mindful and live a happy, aware life - coached in the story of young Berkeley gymnast who meets an old man - who he names Socrates - at a gas station. Socrates becomes his coach and mentor - and teaches him that his goals in life were all wrong.

If there is a motto of the book it's this quote, which I've had on my wall since I first read this book:

"There are no ordinary moments!"

The way of the peaceful warrior is to appreciate every moment, regardless of how dull or ordinary it may seem. To live in the now. Once you become aware of this, it's kind of amazing how much of our time we don't spend in the current moment - instead worrying about the past or the future. Our minds are swimming with the thoughts and worries of our lives, and we lack the easy ability to just be present. As Socrates said:

My mind is like a pond without ripples. Your mind is full of waves because you feel separated from, and often threatened by, an unplanned, unwelcome occurrence. Your mind is like a pond into which someone has just dropped a boulder!"

The best way to live in the present moment is to learn to meditate. Meditation teaches you to become aware when the mind wanders, and that awareness is a muscle that like all muscles, needs constant exercise or it becomes diminished. What I liked about the book was it discusses where meditation can go - and how one can be meditating constantly. In fact, it's not really meditation, but the art of focusing the mind that feels so good and fulfilling to us. This is why sports are so great - you are forced to focus your mind 100% on what you are doing, and distracting thoughts fade to the background. That ability to focus is calming, and appealing. I like how the book explains that using gymnastics.

"Silence is the warrior’s art — and meditation is his sword. With it, you’ll cut through your illusions. But understand this: the sword’s usefulness depends upon the swordsman. If you don’t know how to use the weapon properly, it can become a dangerous, deluding, or useless tool. Meditation can initially help you to relax. You may put your ‘sword’ on display, proudly show it to friends. The gleam of this sword distracts many meditators until they abandon it to seek other esoteric techniques."

But I liked how the book goes much deeper than meditation. There were cool bits about breathing properly, monitoring your internal organs, massage, having the mindset of a child, and eating healthily.

"The pleasure from eating, Dan, 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. You can even enjoy the full and easy elimination of the food after it’s digested. When you pay attention to all elements of the process, you'll begin to appreciate simple meals."

Highly recommended.