'Peaceful Warrior' author to visit Juneau

Author Dan Millman has taught thousands of people to live the way of a "Peaceful Warrior" over the past several decades.

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"It's really about striving to live with a more peaceful heart, but also the recognition that we need a warrior spirit at times because it takes courage in this world," he said.

Millman, author of the celebrated novel "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" and a dozen other books, will hold an informal one-hour seminar and book signing at the Douglas library at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Millman's visit to Juneau coincides with a week-long cruise seminar through the Inside Passage that he is hosting this week.

Readers have elevated "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" to near cult status since it was first published in 1980. It has been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies worldwide. The fictional autobiography centers around an unfulfilled world-champion college athlete that begins a "spiritual odyssey" with an eccentric mentor named Socrates that he meets at a gas station.

"A number of the major events, including meeting the old man I called Socrates, actually did happen but I also wove in fictional elements for the sake of drama and visual appeal and the narrative," Millman said.

And while Millman has acquired success as both an athlete and as an author, he said his true calling has always been toward teaching. He said he works to help people find meaning, purpose and connection through his "Peaceful Warrior" way.

"I think what we're all looking for as human beings through the chaos and drama of everyday life; I think we're looking for a deeper sense of meaning and purpose and connection," he said. "You know, we're wondering what is the good life? What does it mean to live well - to make our life count for something?"

In 2006 the book was adapted into a major motion picture staring Nick Nolte that follows the spiritual transformation of a college gymnast.

"The book is based loosely upon my life and the movie was based more loosely upon my life," Millman said, adding that he did not have much of a hand in the production of the film. "I was a cheerleader. It was a lesson of getting out of the way and letting go."

Millman said his work goes far beyond the fictional narratives of his first novel and its sequel, "Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior." He has also published a number of other nonfiction spiritual "guidebooks."

"Taken together, all my books are kind of a comprehensive course in various facets of this (Peaceful Warrior) approach to living," Millman said.

And anyone is capable of living the way of a "Peaceful Warrior," he said.

"I've never seen really anyone who wasn't, in training at least," Millman said. "Even people lost and ignorant, fearful and greedy are still searching for a meaning, purpose and some kind of fulfillment in their own way."

When asked what he most hopes people will take away from his work, Millman replied that he hopes people will receive the knowledge they most need at any particular time.

"I think any universal book can act like an oracle where people can flip open to any page and find something that speaks to their situation at that point in their lives," he said. "I just share what insights I can in my own way, which is what any writer can do. I happen to leave it to people what their needs are at the time and hopefully it speaks to their needs."

Wednesday's event will be a brief synopsis of the "Peaceful Warrior" way of life followed by some time for a question and answer session, Millman said.

"I love answering questions for those interested, whether or not they're familiar with my work," he said.

• Contact reporter Eric Morrison at 523-2269 or e-mail eric.morrison@juneauempire.com.