Because we focus our awareness on our mind we live in a state of reaction to the mind's thoughts. Our behaviour becomes nothing but habit. Someone dies and we cry, we agree to the expectations of others and we feel stressed, our business goes under and we feel depressed, someone makes a joke and we laugh, someone gives us a gift and we are grateful. Both the "good" and "bad" behaviours are reactions. They are habits. 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 postscript states that Dan and his Berkeley Gymnastics Team won their first National title. It is implied at the end, in a postscript appearing on screen, that Dan of the film and Dan the author of the book on which the film is based are one and the same. It is also stated that the latter Dan lives with his wife Joy. If our expectations are not met, either by others or by ourselves we get upset. As if the comsos is obligated to comply. It also fails as an instructional book, as the story telling makes the lessons seem disconnected from reality, and often useless. The teacher character in the book isn't a real person who we can direct our questions at, and the book leaves many. I feel like the book gives an overview of spiritual line of thought, but is really skimpy on the details. It tells you what to do, but there is very little about "how" to accomplish it. To live then We have to let go of such an egotistical attitude, and let life flow by itself. To stop trying to grasp the wind. ControlTherefore the way of the warrior has a lot to do with cultivating energy and living a healthy lifestyle. How are you going to act on what you know if you have no energy?

I personally used to be under constant assault from my own mind. Incessant thoughts, fantasies, anxieties, etc, would be playing internally all damn day. I would try to numb it through alcohol, weed, video-games, junk-food, etc, but all those things are just crappy short-term solutions. There is a part of us, a childlike part, that wants to be taken care of. To have others make decisions for us. That sort of life never belong to us, it’s neither fulfilling nor authentic. Knowledge is good, but the experience is better. No amount of reading books or watching vids can make never you an artist. The only way is to get some materials and practice what you have studied. That was to develop your will, you see, and to give your instincts a refresher course. And we can say that habit itself--any unconscious, compulsive ritual--is negative. But specific activities-smoking, drinking, taking drugs, eating sweets, or asking silly questions are bad and good; every action has its price, and its pleasures. Recognizing both sides, you become realistic and responsible for your actions. And only then can you make the warrior's free choice--to do or not to do.We need to find the middle way, the part that recognises we not in charge of the world, but we’re not powerless either. We get to show up as see what will happen. however, this is ultimately a story (however modified -- Millman admits to fabricating details here and there) of how one man achieves Supreme Ultimate Happiness. sometimes, you get those lessons he learns; but then when he has out of body experiences, the text gets all loopy and circular, making the reader feel a bit like they're reading about an acid trip. the lead character, Danny, is also a bit irritating -- he's so damned dense and proud it's almost painful to try to follow along with him. There is no need to search; achievement leads to nowhere. It makes no difference at all, so just be happy now! Love is the only reality of the world because it is all One, you see. And the only laws are paradox, humor, and change. There is no problem, never was, and never will be. Release your struggle, let go of your mind, throw away your concerns, and relax into the world. No need to resist life; just do your best. Open your eyes and see that you are far more than you imagine. You are the world, you are the universe; you are yourself and everyone else, too! It’s all the marvelous Play of God. Wake up, regain your humor. Don’t worry, you are already free!” The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”

Everyone should take the path of the peaceful warrior, and oppose the egoic sensations which seem to gain momentum. Who Should Read “Way of the Peaceful Warrior”? And Why? My life changed when I started to bring my attention to the present moment here and now. If your basic necessities are handles (food, shelter, water, etc) then there isn’t much to really worry about. This doesn’t mean that you don’t seek to build wealth and increase the quality of your life but rather it means that you move towards your goals gently and without incessant stress and obsession. Relax, turn off the mind and enjoy the ride. Your life will be better because of it. Insight #5 Anger is a powerful emotion that can be transmuted to give your gifts It's better to make a mistake with the full force of your being than to timidly avoid mistakes with a trembling spirit. Responsibility means recognizing both pleasure and price, action and consequence, then making a choice.” Thought experiment: Change your clothes and the music you listen to, are you still you? Yes. Cut off your leg, are you still you? Yes. Change your behaviour and are you still you? Yes. Change your opinions, are you still you? Yes.Although acting on angry impulses that are destructive towards oneself and others is not recommended, anger itself is a powerful emotion with a lot of charge. You can transmute that charge into productive action if you know how. Insight #6 How a warrior uses meditation Like most self help/new age spirituality novels, Way of the Peaceful Warrior tries to have it both ways, and ultimately fails. The lessons imparted by the book get in the way of the narrative, making the story structure very odd, with shallow characters, improbable plot elements and long boring sections of instructive passages. This approach allows you to enjoy life more as opposed to half-living. Insight #9 Being a warrior is cheaper I have long wished for one of my own. I want my Master Yoda. Someone who will support me through my spiritual struggle for meaning, purpose and happiness.