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Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
I picked up this book because i had read that Phil Jackson had passed it on to one of his players in order to send a message. I wish i had never read that article about Phil, because i wasted 2 weeks try to get through that book. I am a very fast reader usually, but the horrible writing and the ridiculousness of the story just kept making me put the book down. I really wanted to throw the book away, but i kept searching and hoping for some great revelation, so i eventually finished it. How do i feel now? Like i wish i could get that portion of my life back. The message was hokey, the story telling was stupid, and the writing was garbage. Did i really need to read 200 pages to understand Dan's message of living in the moment and being happy? Nope. One paragraph would have been sufficient.Even if you have an IQ of 75 and are a remedial read at best,DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY ON THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
A book that changes lives!? Inspirational, perhaps. (Though surely not as inspirational as the many true stories of people who have overcome exceptional setbacks such as cancer). But it escapes me how so many reviewers can assert that this book has been life altering since it offers little more than spiritual truisms? How many people read the book and do anything differently? Do they become vegetarians? Or gymnasts? Or do they hang around gas stations waiting to meet their mystical master? Far better for someone to actually take lessons in Tai chi or Aikido which provide practical means to put some of the tenets in Way of Peacful Warrior to work.Way of Warrior seems to be a compilation of various spiritual paths: a little Zen, a little Aikido, a little Castenada, a little _____ (fill in your favorite new age discipline). In the 1970s there was a popular book making the rounds called "Be Here Now," which proffered the Eastern principle of living in the moment.If you want to read a book that might challenge your conceptions of how you approach the world, try Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." If you want a book to provide some practical advice on following a non-western spiritual journey, try William Reed's "KI - A Path Anyone Can Travel" which offers actual methods for breathing, meditating, healing, living.Parting shot -- Dan Millman should have taken more writing courses at UC Berkeley. Maybe then he would have avoided the juvenile, melodramatic style that he succombs to.
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
While I enjoyed the book, there were aspects of it that just didn't allow it to leave the impact a lot of other people felt.I found the dialogue written far too poorly for my taste. People just do not talk like that. It was far too corny, and it really took me out of the story quite a bit, smiling at how absurd some of it was. I was also, surprisingly, turned off by the whole "magical" aspect of the book. Stories like this always seem to work best when you believe they could happen. With this one, I found myself openly thinking to myself (quite often), "I'm supposed to be buying into this?"I thought it was a decent story, and I can certainly tell it is something that could be very meaningful to some people. It just didn't touch me.
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
In some ways the movie is better than the book; in some ways the book is better than the movie. Each is great and I heartily recommend them. An excellent unintended presentation of a lot of Buddhist and Advaita insights.
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
this book really does change lives...i've had a whole new outlook on life since i've read the book, which was two years ago
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives
I bought this book after hearing Dan Millman on a local radio program--he sounded caring and interesting, so I gave it a shot. However, I didn't find much inspiration in "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior." Dan's whole journey of self-discovery seemed incredibly selfish and isolating, almost the essence of a male model of success (not a model that all males would agree with, but a model based on stereotypically male values and power). I wonder if others have noticed this--if women in particular have felt alienated by the path he took and message he puts forth. Dan's first wife and daughter sure seemed to get pushed aside, and his union with Joy read like pure fantasy. I know they are really married, and I wish them all the happiness in the world, but to me Dan's story read like a cautionary tale to make sure people don't make life-long commitments until they have a better idea of their own identities. To those readers who already love this book, I don't me! an to diminish its value for you. But to those who haven't picked it up yet, know that not everyone loved it!