Way of the Peaceful Warrior – Notes & Quotes

                                          

I recently finished reading “Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives”, written by Dan Millman.  I was inspired to read the book after seeing the movie “Peaceful Warrior”, one of my all-time favorite movies.

  Reading the book, I definitely found a lot to connect with, it was a very uplifting, inspiring read!  Below are a few of my favorite quotes from the book, enjoy!

 

“It is better for you to take responsibility for your life as it is, instead of blaming others, or circumstances, for your predicament.  As your eyes open, you’ll see that your state of health, happiness, and every circumstance of your life has been, in large part, arranged by you – consciously or unconsciously.”  p. 28

 

“The world was peopled with minds, whirling faster than any wind, in search of distraction and escape from the predicament of change, the dilemma of life and death – seeking purpose, security, enjoyment, trying to make sense of the mystery.  Everyone everywhere lived a confused, bitter search.  Reality never matched their dreams; happiness was just around the corner – a corner they never turned.
    And the source of it all was the human mind.” p. 42

 

“If you don’t get what you want, you suffer; if you get what you want, you still suffer because you can’t hold on to it forever.  Your mind is your predicament.  It wants to be free of 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.” p. 51

 

“Stress happens when the mind resists what is”

“when you resist what happens, your mind begins to race; the thoughts that assail you are actually created by you.” p. 72

 

“The warrior neither seeks death nor flees from it…Death is not sad; the sad thing is that most people don’t really live at all.” p. 130

 

“There are no well-defined edges of reality, Dan.  The earth isn’t solid.  It is made of molecules and atoms, tiny universes filled with space.  It is a place of mystery, light, and magic, if you only open your eyes.” p. 168

 

“One day you’ll discover that death is not what you might imagine; but then, neither is life.  Either may be wondrous, filled with change; or, if you do not awaken, both may turn out to be a considerable disappointment.” p. 185

“Wake up!  If you knew for certain that you had a terminal illness — if you had little time left to live — you would waste precious little of it!  Well, I’m telling you, Dan — you do have a terminal illness: it’s called birth.  You don’t have more than a few years left.  No one does!  So be happy now, without reason — or you never will be at all.” p. 185

Last Updated: July 5, 2013