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INTERVIEW
:
Dan
Millman: The Man With a Way
by
Brent Csutoras
For
the last fifteen years, Dan Millman has been walking the "Way
of the Peaceful Warrior", authoring books that show us a simple
path to living a happier, more fulfilling life. Here is the advice
he gives to BLISS readers.
As
a student at U.C. Berkeley, Dan first found the path to his own
enlightenment. Dan's trials with school, love, and life are best
explained in his first book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". Written
in 1985, the biographical fiction describes the story of Dan's meeting
with Socrates, an elderly man he met at a Texaco gas station early
one morning, and how it changed his life.
Dan
Millman: "I wrote Way of the Peaceful Warrior to help
readers remember the bigger picture and larger game in all of our
lives, and to present one man's (universal) experience on the winding
path of awakening. I did not write it as a complete guide to living.
"It
wasn't until almost twenty years after my original book that I was
ready to write Everyday Enlightenment. I believe that this
book will in time become a classic in the field of personal and
spiritual growth.
"Not
only is it my complete teaching (that clarifies many issues raised
by Peaceful Warrior), but it reveals a practice of enlightenment
anyone can undertake, once they have passed through the twelve gateways
described in that book. We each have to make our own journey, but
Everyday Enlightenment provides a good map."
-
So with all the teachers and authors who doctrine enlightenment
today, what makes Dan Millman's way better than the rest?
Dan
Millman: "I have no idea if my way is better. After all, it's
not some kind of competition. No way, teacher, or path is better
in some absolute sense -- only better for a particular person at
a particular time.
"There
is only one light, but many lamps. Each teacher is like a radio
station. We tune into those stations with which we can resonate.
Those men and women who gravitate to the 'Peaceful Warrior Way'
and find my work accessible, realistic, practical, and doable seem
to have found real benefits in their life, that is if my mail is
any indication."
-
Better or not, your "Peaceful Warrior" method seems to be working.
But why? What exactly do you offer through your books?
Dan
Millman: "Maybe you have heard the story about the five blind
men who came upon an elephant. Each one touches a different part
of the creature, such as the tail, the trunk, or an ear. Each has
a different experience.
"It
is the same with my work. Each of my ten books presents quite a
different facet of what I describe as a 'peaceful warrior's approach
to living wisely and well.' We are all peaceful warriors in training
in the school of life. In a sense, I can only remind readers of
what they already know on deeper levels, but might have forgotten."
-
Peaceful warriors in training we all may be, but what about the
athletic warriors in our world today? As an athlete, you were named
All American, Student Athlete of the Year, and even won the Trampoline
Championship in 1964. So how does enlightenment affect the performance
of an athlete?
Dan
Millman: "My work emphasizes (1) accepting thoughts and feelings
(as they are, without trying to fix them), (2) Focusing on your
goal or purpose, and (3) constructive action toward that purpose.
Working on the mind, beliefs, trying to think positive, visualization,
or the usual 'spiritual' strategies don't really enter into it.
"Certainly,
in the process of training, one gains mental skills and learns emotional
transcendence, but one need not pay special attention to fixing
one's insides (although that is popular today), as I clarified this
in 1999 with my book Body Mind Mastery."
Writing
books may have taken the place of competing in your life, but it
hasn't taken your competitive edge from you.
Dan
Millman: "I no longer compete, but still enjoy trampoline training.
I start each morning with some balanced exercise. I begin with 'The
Peaceful Warrior Workout', a four minute workout routine that's
quite effective, and then follow up with a hike in the hills or
a little time on the treadmill, stair climber, or a bicycle ride.
No heroics -- just moderate daily exercise."
-
For you the exercise and the warrior's path have become a daily
routine, but even a great teacher must sometimes stray from that
enlightened path...
Dan
Millman: "It's difficult to walk any path, and of course I find
some days, some moments, harder than others. Daily life is spiritual
boot camp. Some moments are more illumined or enlightened than others.
"In
some moments I'm more (or less) open and flowing. I have not mastered
the Twelve Gateways I describe yet, but I sincerely practice each.
I have reached a point where I generally embody a positive example
in the areas I teach. I respond to related questions on my website
(http://www.danmillman.com)
--one can click on 'About Dan's Work'".
-
So, in short, Dan Millman lives what he writes and believes what
he lives. But let's face it, most of us are still caught up in life's
distractions. There are issues that we face everyday that tend to
set most of us back in our search for enlightenment. What
about technological advances today, for example? Many say that we
have gotten so wrapped up in our toys, our material possessions,
we forget what life is really all about. But has our Spirituality
really been affected by technology?
Dan
Millman: "The word spirit has the same root as inspiration.
Some aspects of technology inspire me. For example, the Internet
and computer hook-ups are like the nervous system of the planet,
linking to form a more interconnected whole. Soon, translation programs
will enable anyone to communicate directly with anyone else on the
globe (who has access to a computer).
"Technology
is part of the process of evolution. It's not about idolizing or
fearing it, but making wise use of it."
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And what about the generational issues facing our young people today.
Do new generations deal with new trials or do we all still face
the same universal struggles we have always dealt with?
Dan
Millman: "Of course the times change and each new generation
faces a different landscape. But the universal challenges still
apply: finding love, appreciation, understanding, friendship, honesty,
etc... Young or old, we are each enrolled in the school of daily
life and must face the issues of the twelve gateways I discuss in
Everyday Enlightenment."
-
What about music? Since the beginning of recording, and even before,
there has been musical influence in our lives. So does music have
a connection to our spirituality?
Dan
Millman: "Always has, always will. But like any area of life,
we tend to 'pave paradise and put up a parking lot'. Much of the
Internet is porno sites because that's what seems to sell. We're
still interested in the basics, the primitive levels of experience,
for all our human posturing and talk.
"There's
all kinds of music. Some of it 'sooths the savage beast' and can
inspire, while other music is more primitive. Just depends on what
interests someone. Different folks resonate with different music
just as they like different books, food, etc...
"I
like many types of music, but tend toward (some) film scores, Broadway,
classics-whatever uplifts, inspires, or excites me. Good music is
good music, whether classical, rock, country, western, or rap. Of
the popular songs that play at any given time, I tend to like about
10 percent."
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What's your next project?
Dan
Millman: "In September 2000, I will give readers yet another
aspect of my teachings with Living On Purpose. Many
of us spend much of our lives living 'by accident -- stumbling into
our careers and wandering into relationships. The new book offers
principles for living wisely and well, and contains Q&A that
illustrates how anyone can apply the principles for greater wisdom
and fulfillment in everyday life.
"Trust
the process of your life unfolding. Notice that we have no direct
control (or responsibility) for the emotions or thoughts that pass
through us like weather fronts-but we do have control over responsibility
for our behaviors. So rather than trying to 'fix' thoughts or feelings,
focus on behaving well and you will go far in life".
Copyright
© 2000 Brent Csutoras
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