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Bestselling author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior, which was made into a film, Dan Millman is a former world champion athlete, university coach and college professor. His books include both fiction and non-fiction dedicated to taking practical steps towards reaching our highest potential.
Tayler Bloom: What drew you to set your second book, Sacred Journey of the
Peaceful Warrior in Hawaii, as opposed to one of the other exotic
locales you visited during your 1973 trip around the world?
Dan Millman: After publication of my first book, Way of the Peaceful Warrior, I didn't write another book for 10 years, since I had nothing new to say. Then, after meeting a new mentor and having a flood of new information to share, I was moved to write what was going to be a small book about "awakening the three selves" based upon ancient Huna wisdom (from the Hawaiian sages and healers). But as I wrote, the book took on a life of its own, and turned into the full-blown story of that adventure in a Hawaiian rainforest on the isle of Molokai.
Tayler Bloom: While Socrates is based upon someone you know, Mama Chia is
entirely fictional. As such, what made you choose a female shaman over
a more traditional male kahuna for this role as teacher?
Dan Millman: Yes, the wise and loving Kahuna I named Mama Chia is a composite character of different women I've known - but I was also moved to make the teacher a female so as not to simply duplicate a character too similar to the man I called Socrates (in my first book). So it seemed appropriate, for the sake of balance, to present a woman teacher with a different style from my first old mentor. Also, she was modeled in part from my fond memories of the late Bella Karish, an intuitive woman and healer I had known.
Tayler Bloom: In The Laws of Spirit you write in your preface that the book is
born of the question, “If I met my Higher Self in the form of a wise
being, what would that being teach me?” I am intrigued that your
Higher Self was expressed as a woman rather than a man. What lead to
that decision?
Dan Millman: Again, it just felt right to express these teachings through an ageless woman sage in this teaching parable. Again, for the sake of balance — I didn't want it to be "two guys on a camping trip" although that could have turned into a different story.
Tayler Bloom: In Living on Purpose, you write that you used to be “living at
random.” Can one live at random as a practice of surrender? That is,
can it be desirable to trust in the Universe enough to release
personal goals?
Dan Millman: Of course it is certainly possible, even desirable at times, to live spontaneously, randomly, taking what comes and flowing with it. But most of us also need to move through life with tasks and goals, whether it's getting in a workout, or calling a friend or associate or getting an education or looking for a job. So it isn't an either-or. I once traveled around the world with no set agenda; didn't even know where I'd be sleeping each night. I just got up in the morning and stayed open for opportunity and serendipity. I met with (and surrendered to) interesting circumstances. At times I might have gotten more done if I had a more strategic itinerary. There are both strengths and liabilities to either extreme. That's why the Arab sages advice, "Trust in God, but tie your camel."
Tayler Bloom: In The Laws of Spirit, you write about integrity, and give an
example that someone giving to charity out of guilt rather than love
as being out of integrity. In a later chapter, you write: “It’s better
to do what is best than not to do it and have a good excuse.” How does
integrity fit in with compassion if, using the example of charitable
giving, one does not feel love in the giving, even though giving is
what is best?
Dan Millman: Today I can explain that idea of integrity — and the larger issue of actions and motives behind the action — with more clarity than when I wrote that book. I am quick to advise, these days, that actions are what ultimately count; not our motives or subjective lives. That is, if I donate a large amount of money to a deserving charity, whether I do that act because I want to impress someone, or out of heartfelt altruism, the charity benefits either way. So integrity to me, today, is not about what we're feeling or thinking, but about how we are behaving.
Tayler Bloom: How would you describe the relationship between compassion for
others and forgiveness for others. Based on an example under the Law
of Compassion chapter, forgiveness is a moot ideal. Would you agree?
Dan Millman: I would first refer your readers to the blog topic at my website Blog section, titled "On Forgiveness," where I address this question in more depth. What I can say for now is that if we are able to see ourselves realistically, beyond our self-serving self-image, we may come to realize that our most important order of business is not forgiving others, but in asking forgiveness for our many mistakes. And let me just add that compassion is based upon that realistic self-knowledge. To know ourselves and also be able to forgive ourselves for our foolishness and flaws, we also then find the ability to show compassionate understanding for others.
Tayler Bloom: You write that if we align our lives with the Law of Unity, our
world will become "sweeter, more intense, beautiful, humorous and
peaceful." Humor is rarely a quality mentioned when it comes to
describing Unity, or Oneness. I’d love to hear more about your take on
humor as a universal quality.
Dan Millman: When one allows the reality of our essential Unity to penetrate us, many aspects of life (including our own lives) become quite humorous (or perhaps let's just say, not so serious!) I try to avoid sanctimonious or ever-so-serious earnestness that plagues many spiritual aspirants. Awakening to reality is quite liberating, and also quite humorous! Please understand, I am referring to a transcendental matter of liberation. Conventionally speaking, this world has (as well as joys and great beauty), cruelty, tragedy and great suffering. I do not make light of the challenges we face worldwide at our current state of evolution. But this transcendental matter of realizing the Great Play of life (called Lila in some traditions) and realizing our essential Unity — well, this is cause for quiet celebration!
Tayler Bloom: What brings you the most professional joy?
Dan Millman: Writing and teaching. This is when I feel the most on-purpose. Of course the normal pleasures of life — my family, and relaxing with my wife, going for walks, enjoying popular entertainment, reading good books — these are also lovely.
Tayler Bloom: What question would you love to be asked in an interview?
Dan Millman: I think you've asked some good ones already.
Tayler Bloom: The answer?
Dan Millman: Asked and answered!
Thank you so much Dan for your time. I can’t tell you how much I
appreciate it…and I am very much looking forward to your upcoming book, My Search for Spirit.
Visit Dan at his website: www.danmillman.com
3:25 PM
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