Way of the peaceful warrior
A Book That Changes Lives
by Dan Millman · first published 1980
89% recommend11% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Story-driven introduction to warrior-style self-discovery, finding your limits, and happiness as awareness rather than achievement. Suits readers wanting a Zen-like, mind-bending read on inner growth and sport.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
A world champion athlete visits "other worlds" with the help of an old warrior named "Socrates."
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…advanced. Advanced or not, the first couple chapters are worth reading. It too is also available for free online. A method that is not of the Buddhist tradition (though influenced by it) is Dan Millman's "Way of the Peaceful Warrior." The book is written as a teaching story. If you want more of a step-by-step guide, Millman's "Everyday Enlightenment" will work.
on “The Power of Concentration” ↗…I'll make a suggestion I have already on a different, although somewhat related thread. Anything in the warrior literature will help you find yourself, your limitations and help unlock your potential. Way of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millmann, is a very good introduction to the whole subject. It's fairly easy to read but absolutely full of little gems of wisdom if you're willing to see them. Once you get that, look for the…
on “Ask HN: How do you take care of yourself?” ↗…get the same way. Since you already called this "warrior mode", I'd recommend reading the warrior literature for tools and techniques to help deal with this in a positive way. If you're new to it, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman is a great introduction and there should be enough references on it to start digging deeper. There is a movie for the book as well but I don't recommend it.
on “Study: Time-Restricted Eating Improves Cardiovascular Health for Firefighters” ↗…are so arrogant after a few accomplishments and some people are so humble even after many huge victories. * 37 Signals - Their fundamental ideas & execution style work. * Dan Millman - Author of The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Even though it doesn't directly deal with entrepreneurship, the lessons it teaches about living life transfer well to the business world. * Ron Sutton - Taught me about 50% of everything I know about…
on “Ask YC: Who's Your Role Model? ” ↗…you agree with the quote, then what is missing from your life? That's a good place to start. For books, I'd recommend reading Epictetus' Discourses, he was raised a slave and became a great teacher, Way of The Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman and Siddhartha by Herman Hesse.
on “Ask HN: I am a depressed student, looking to travel + just be, please advice.” ↗…friends have found that book awesome. Hell, so have I, and I'm not training in the lineage. Chances are, that book is gooblygook to you and you're better off with something gentler like Dan Millman's Way of the Peaceful Warrior instead. I'm being a bit of a trickster here. @samsteve has some direct sources.
on “Japan's ninjas heading for extinction” ↗…reality is difficult. So there are other practices that can lead up to doing this. If you are still interested in this, but find Mindfulness in Plain English intimidating, I suggest Dan Millman's The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and followup with his Everyday Enlightenment.
on “Psilocybin shows success in medical trials” ↗…many traditional martial arts are considered "enlightenment vehicles". In modern times, sports can be used for that vehicle. If you want to know more about this, I recommend reading Dan Millman's _The Way of the Peaceful Warrior_. From there, Millman has a separate book specifically about using sports as a meditative practice. This one provides more of the context.
happiness is not obtained by achievement, its acquired by consciousness and awareness. read way of the peaceful warrior by dan millman if you get a chance. stumbling upon happiness is another great book, good to know how your mind works, allows you to be aware of why you think the way you do and act accordingly. if your…
on “Ask HN: 21-year-old coder recent grad has no idea what to do with his life” ↗…Buddhism. Haven't read it in over 10 years now, so if I were to read it again I might not think the same, however. He probably directly mentions the koans thing himself haha. Around the same time I read Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman [1], and Illusions by Richard Bach [2], and felt they were both better than Zen. At the end of the day I think the real value of any of those texts is the introduction to philosophy/self-discovery…
on “Robert M. Pirsig has died” ↗So many! - Never Split the Difference - From Zero to One - Way of the Peaceful Warrior - Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman It's _based_ on a true story (but added to it), but the concepts of living in the moment and philosophy for how to treat loss and our reaction to it has made both the movie and book one…
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗- Way of the peaceful warrior - Range - Conversations with God - Factfulness - Accelerate: Building and Scaling High-Performing Technology Organizations
on “Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?” ↗…"should" be doing to be a "proper" adult. You have to remember to show yourself some compassion. What advice would you give to someone that came to you with these concerns? I recommend reading "The way of the peaceful warrior" by Dan Millman. I too am naive and overly trusting. I would rather live my life with the occasional screw over and manipulation then living jaded and distrusting. I want to live a life of kindness and…
on “Ask HN: Trauma has broken me. Nothing has worked. Alternatives to suicide?” ↗The books that made me decide to be a philosophy major: Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Ishmael Days of War, Nights of Love: Crimethinc for Beginners The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
on “Ask HN: Can anyone recommend some philosophy reading?” ↗