NO ORDINARY MOMENTS: A Peaceful Warrior's Guide to Daily Life

by Dan Millman

After the publication of Dan Millman's first two books, which have since become classics in the realm of spiritual literature, many readers responded with thanks and questions, "I was inspired by your first two stories — but how do you apply all these lessons in daily life?"Millman's answer came in the form of his third book, aptly titled, No Ordinary Moments. Containing perspectives, principles and specific practices that formed the core of "the peaceful warrior's way" — too much information to convey in a narrative story format as he had done in his first books — so he wrote his first comprehensive "guide to daily life."Structured in five parts — The Peaceful Warrior's Way – Up the Mountain Path – Tools for Transformation – The Battle Within – and The Expanded Life — and containing chapters with titles like Heart of the Warrior's Way… In the Arena of Daily Life … When the Going Gets Tough … Getting Real … Universal Addictions … The Will to Change and many more, the book has guided hundreds of thousands of people. As Millman puts lives are like a journey up a mountain path. As we climb, we face challenges in relationships and sexuality, money, work and health. We can find abundant information and advice on these subjects. So many of us know what to do, but it remains for us to turn knowing into doing." Dan Millman presents a peaceful warrior's approach to turning intentions into action, challenges into strength, and life experience into wisdom. Based on the premise that by changing ourselves we can change our world, No Ordinary Moments offers simple, practical ways to balance the body, liberate the mind, accept our emotions and open our hearts.

Genres: Spirituality, Self Help, Nonfiction, Inspirational, Philosophy, Psychology, Personal Development

359 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 1992

About the author

Daniel Jay Millman is an American author and lecturer in the personal development field. He is best-known for the movie Peaceful Warrior, which is based on his own life and taken from one of his books.

Reviews

[Bharath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched the movie ‘Peaceful Warrior’ many years back and liked it. That is when I learnt of Dan Millman and his books. Many start their mindfulness reading with ‘The Power of Now’. There are other good starting points including “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer, “The Miracle of Mindfulness” by Thich Nhat Hanh, “Be Here Now” by Ram Dass. The explosion of interest in mindfulness has led to huge number of (many being sub-standard or simply aping other books) books being published recently. There are nevertheless very few authors who offer you a progression into in-depth practices. Om Swami is one of those in the recent past who does do that in the Yoga & Vedanta tradition (his “A Million Thoughts” is an excellent advanced practice guide). Some good options for follow-up reads are “How to Meditate” by Swami Vivekananda, “Meditation & Life” by Swami Chinmayananda, “The Presence Process by Michael Brown among others. Another way to progress (possibly better as well) is to join a course (with apps such as insight timer/headspace, or those offered by Vipassana International Academy/Chinmaya Mission/others).

In the ‘Peaceful Warrior’ a master referred to as Socrates teaches Dan the ways in which he can “live the moment”, and he goes on to recover from a serious injury to succeed in his sports life. This book continues the lessons using a model of the self as a combination of – “Conscious Self” (Left brain based rational actions”, “Basic Self” (right brain based intuitive reactions/subconscious mind) and the “Higher Self” (mature spiritual decisions with joy, love and inspiration as outcomes). While this feels a little like pseudo-science, Dan does say that this categorization is to explain the techniques involved in each, and it is ok not to take this categorization literally. The subsequent sections go into details of ways to build each of the selfs.

There are concepts, examples, short anecdotes & stories and simple exercises. These cover the expected topics – full immersion in the moment, attention, courage, love, simplicity, perspectives, aspiration, responsible thinking, (unreasonable) happiness, diet, exercise, acceptance, energy flow and others. The matter never gets dense and the book is well organized. Many of the concepts/examples/anecdotes would be known to many.

This (audio)book is a good one to take up after your initial introductory mindfulness read(s) (possibly after one or more of the referred in the early part of the first paragraph). I found the audio narration by Dan Millman to be good.

My rating: 3.75 / 5.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just watched a movie last week called Peaceful Warrior, about a gymnast who's inspired by a mythical, elderly gas station attendant. The movie is based on the life of it's writer, whom also wrote No Ordinary Moments. Some people may find this to be sluggish and "another run-of-the-mill" self help books, but it's so much more. Read between the lines and you'll discover so much more.

[Gungho · Rating 5 out of 5]

great shorter bk on life. He defines three main aspects of life, basic needs, mental needs, and spiritual needs. A good build on his original books.

[Hillary Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in the middle of this book now and finding it rich with solid information and encouragement. We need new paradigms, open minds and hearts today and I'm in favor of anything that helps us get there. I like how he clearly tries to be open to all the traditions and focuses on the needs of human beings in practical, sensible ways that anyone can read, understand and perhaps try.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt that this book actually brought about more change in my life than "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior" did. This is a truly inspirational book and is a must have in your collection.

[Aryne Hornsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this even more than Dan Millman's other books, because it seemed to go a bit deeper. Have reread parts several times and still love it!

[Nicci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this is one of the most important books for living every day life and being aware of the joy that can be found in life. This book will increase both your awareness of your surroundings and the joy you take in living because (as the title suggests) there are NO ordinary moments. Some of the exercises work and some don't... which ones do or don't depends on the personality and preferences of the individual reader. Overall, this book gives one a calming sense with the vitality of knowing that perhaps life isn't as meaningless as we once thought.

[Mike Pietrzak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional addition to my favourite book of all time, Way of the Peaceful Warrior. This one has also become one of my favourites. I'm so happy to have found a practical guidebook that explains these principles. In all my years of spiritual seeking, Dan Millman and Socrates' wisdom seems the most genuine and practical.

[Nadya Booyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It was easy to read, loaded with practical advice that wouldn't scare anyone off as being too out there. Dan really has a way to relate to the average Jo out there, to set out an easy starting point and to make spiritual lessons seem ordinary, even though the book is called No Ordinary Moments.

[Jb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book frequently. It can always send a message which has purpose in my life now. It reminds me not to let the world around me draw my focus away from my greatest joys; introspection and self-evaluation leading to a deeper understand of self and self improvement.

[Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Millman (the author) melds zen philosophy with principles taken from a number of the major religions to form a life guide. You may not agree will a the principles with in the text but you will still benefit from the introspection the book forces you to conduct.

[Sayhi2jeni2007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful thought changing book that helps you get your head together... I re-read it every couple of months.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no ordinary moments.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

great everyday guide to life...should be a staple for human existance.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a continuation of "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior". I really enjoyed it delved deeper that the first book.

[Dennis P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It builds on the foundation on being a peaceful warrior from a person's core level and up. Great for Dan Millman enthusiasts and those practicing interrelated spiritual disciplines.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it everyday to remind myself that there are no ordinary moments and every single day is especial. There it it goes, another moment that I can not get back.

[Susie Cochrane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it inspired to continue to believe in my own inner voice and pursue my experiences, loving outside of the box.

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A basic on my bookshelf. Have referred to it often, for entertainment and for insight.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has helped me significantly during my depression. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to feel better and more fulfilled in their lives.

[Christian Degnboel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing - a book full of one liners

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Millman gives some wonderful ideas on how to improve our outlook in our own lives.

[Gordon Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great in depth follow up to the ideas and concepts outlined in the original Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Dan Millman has addressed something that comes up all to often from fictional works that present such profound ideals and lifestyle changes... he has taken the, beyond the fictional characters and addressed to the readers directly how they can make those ideals a part of their own daily lives. Reading this book gave me a much better insight into some of the things I was struggling to understand and realize from the original text. Thank you for this follow on book. The first one changed my life, this one helped me refine it. I would most certainly recommend this book to anyone interested in a more meaningful, mindful life.

[Jacob Petrossian · Rating 4 out of 5]

No ordinary moments made me look at my own coping mechanisms and basic everyday behaviour. This book is a more provocative read than Millman's other books.

A well written book with lots of exercises therein. Sometimes with the presence of many exercises the book can come across as a manual than a "smooth reading" book.

I recommend this to anybody that wants to look deeper at their everyday behaviours.

[Paddy Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan millman reminds me actually kinda a lot of myself! Paddy likes to write in this way where your constantly demanding the reader to keep an open mind. Would of been proud to of wrote this myself! Top marks from Paddy

[Ryan Paglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great read after “way of the peaceful warrior” this books goes deeper on the specific everyday practices of a warrior that the first book doesn’t talk about in as much detail. If you liked way of the peaceful warrior you will like this book.

[Shubh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ever book

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Great read. This book gives insight to do many questions I've had. The truth is happiness is what you make it. You'll see

[Darko Doko · Rating 1 out of 5]

After wonderful Peaceful warrior saga author just managed with this "help book" to undo everything that I so much liked in his stories. Disaster

[Francesca Zita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, but it lost me when Millman started referencing energy fields & hippie stuff. I really liked the exercises, they're practical, simple, and helped me through so much.