My Favorite Audiobook

At this point, I have read, and re-read this book enough times to know most of it by heart - not just the main story line which is pretty simple, but the lessons contained within the story that are really what the book is all about.

I initially made the mistake of trying to figure out which parts of the story were claimed to have actually happened vs which parts were just there to illustrate a point. Eventually I came to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter how much or little was fact - The basic point of the book is to guide the reader to a philosophy that is aligned to the world around them instead of living one that is opposed to natural order. Without challenging religious beliefs, the book can lead you to look at how you live, how you interact with others, and to think carefully about all aspects of your life - from breathing to eating, to exercise, to how you look at the world every minute of the day

Read it, think about it, then read it again. I don't normally take the time to write reviews of the hundreds of audiobooks I have read, but I feel very strongly about this one

66 people found this helpful

Very realistic and fun

Just finished listening to this audiobook. It was wonderful... so realistic despite having elements of fiction. It is incredibly fun and entertaining to read, even if read just as a novel. Reflecting on the book lessons, I realized that many of its revelations are valid even in the world we live in. Many of my questions about life got answered in this book, and it brought me closer to awakening. Enjoy!!!

15 people found this helpful

Way of Simple Happiness

Not many unabridged titles can be listen to, with such ease and pleasure. The 'Way of the Peaceful Warrior' is a story about finding pleasures in every aspect of our lives.
This title shows a great way how to distance yourself, from everyday chaos and madness. It shows step by step, how to rediscover happiness and simple pleasures.
In my personal case, I was able to better understand what I really, really, really want...

28 people found this helpful

Happiness is a Full Tank

I first read this book 20 years ago, and fell in love with it. Much like Dan in the book however, I don't think it all stuck--as I've read it again multiple times in the past year, I'm now a little more ready for the messages of the book.

And what messages there are! The character of Socrates is just terrific; I have no doubt the author has nothing but pure love for this man (along with every other person, per his teachings of course).

While I am not a world-class gymnast like the author, I am a local-class distance runner (age group awards, Boston Marathon finishes) and found a great role model in the author. The message of "you've learned how to achieve, but not how to be happy" rings loud and true not only for me, but for most of modern Western society I wager. His candor about sexual urges, depression and failed relationships is important--"men don't talk about this stuff," but really should. (Ironically it was a female friend of mine who was a big fan of Warrior, and pointed me to this book.)

The fantasy elements of the book are largely enjoyable for the purposes of getting messages across. The ending gets a little too fantastical (meeting Soc in the middle of the woods; the random college girl in Ohio just-so-happens to be his future wife), but it's a story so you have to wrap the plot up somehow. I'm not reading for the plot.

Millman does a good job with narration. Not the best narrator--the publisher could have found someone better from a pure voice acting perspective--but I appreciate a book like this being read by the author. It makes the experience more personal. Millman is far from being annoying, distracting or any other qualities of a poor narrator.

I took scratch notes as I worked through this book. The list got long. Certainly I'll come back to Warrior again in the future. A must read for any student, young or old.

- Fear, sadness, anger. Move emotions up that chain, then convert to action and let go.
- Stop being proud of your mediocrity.
- The mind is mortal. Everything else is immortal.
- Where are you? Peel the onion. What's left at the end? The universe.
- Meditation: intent and surrender. Attention Attention Attention.
- Making mistakes at full attention is better Tha not making mistakes with a trembling spirit.
- The priest who thinks abut praying while lovemaking, and vice versa.
- Unconscious ritual is negative. Not the actions.
- Urges do not matter. Actions do.
- Death is not sad. The sadness is that most people do not live.
- Choose when, where and how to act without the expectations of others.
- Defeat the Giant. The Giant is your mind.
- Philosophers' rock: there are no unimportant moments.
- Stop being superior in ordinary standards. Be ordinary in superior standards.
- Use aikido, don't resist forces.
- Muscles like a cat.
- Expert vs master. Mental and emotional vs physical. Body, mind and emotions.
- Stay in the now. Pentagraph with zombies and women.
- You've spent your live learning how to achieve, not to be happy.
- Birth of the mind is the death of the senses. Re, infants.
- Happiness finds you, only after surrender. You don't find happiness.
- Happiness is the only power.
- Happiness now without reason.
- Plato's cave, we are all a part of the consciousness continuum.
- Relax into life. Do your best. What you know as you will be dead someday. Paradox, humor and change are the only rules.
- Enlightenment is a realization, not an attainment. (a la ZMM's Copernican revolutions).
- Goal is to be vulnerable to life and love, NOT invulnerable.

8 people found this helpful

An Inspiration

I truly love this book. I have already listened more than once. I give it 4 stars because of the narative is not great. I know it is Dan Millman himself so I'm not going to be harsh and I do appreciate when a writer reads thier own story.

5 people found this helpful

What Is the Fuss?

Have you ever seen a professional version of a play and then seen a high school production? There is a big difference. The author chooses to narrate his book for the audio version. It is painful to listen to this. After listening on Audible to 20+ professionally read books, the amateur attempt sounds, well, amateur. The story is one big tease; one waits and waits for profound insights into happiness, but once we hear what the author has to offer, it is unfulfilling. It is like going to a sales pitch where the presenter goes on for 50 minutes telling you how much you will love the product and what a great product it is and then showing you said product for 5 minutes and having it be a complete let down. The six hours listening to the book felt more like six months.

4 people found this helpful

couldn't get past first chapter

I couldn't even get past the first chapter. It was that painful. The storyline just seemed really poorly put together. I really tried to like it because I saw potential in it obviously that's why I purchased it.

4 people found this helpful

Disappointed. He missed the point.

Would you try another book from Dan Millman and/or Dan Millman?

NOPE!

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I did like some things such as his idea of Live now and where you are. Happiness is all within your control. You are master of your thoughts and body so take control of it. Life is to be lived and only by loving others can you really live. But the guy never seemed to get that. Even thought he says he did in the end.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

What parts are real and what is not????

Any additional comments?

He still seemed like a selfish man in the end to me.

4 people found this helpful

Very Fun

This is a very fun book. I thouroughly enjoyed it and pretty much needed it. This is the book that I thought "motorcycle maintenance" was going to be and turned out to suck wind. Have a great time with this book. There's a gem here and there for you to carry forever. Great stuff.

9 people found this helpful

Inspiring and Reflective

Where does Way of the Peaceful Warrior rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top 5

What was one of the most memorable moments of Way of the Peaceful Warrior?

The story is just a beautiful reminder of being at one by living in the moment, there is no other moment in time than the now. Live in the now

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

There already is a movie on this book!

3 people found this helpful