Questions & Answers

While a college gymnast, it struck me that no matter how much I improved myself, only one person benefited – but if I could influence other people in a positive way, that made my life more meaningful. So I developed an interest in teaching and coaching. Over time, however, my interests took me out of the gymnasium and into the challenges of everyday life. Where I once sought ways to enhance a talent for sports, I began to seek ways to enhance a talent for living. I traveled and studied and explored the depths of my own mind and heart. I also began to study and practice writing and speaking. I’m still a teacher at heart – that hasn’t changed.

These two stories contain reminders about life’s bigger picture and our higher potential.

 

Then, in response to many questions like this one, I found it necessary and helpful to write No Ordinary Moments: a peaceful warrior’s guide to daily life, and over the years, numerous other works.

My core teaching books also include:

• Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior
• The Four Purposes of Life
• Everyday Enlightenment (available as an online course, “Master the Path of the Peaceful Warrior”)
• The Laws of Spirit
• The Life You Were Born to Live

These books offer tools for insight and comprehensive, practical guidance for living with a peaceful heart and a warrior spirit. Each book is another piece of the puzzle, another facet of the way.

In the spring of 2017 I’ll offer a six-hour audio program that touches upon key aspects of all my core teachings.

Castañeda’s early writings involve a brujo, or shaman, in the Sonoran desert who uses psychedelics to shake up his naïve student. In contrast, I found my teacher in the midst of daily life, in an old service station.

 

Castañeda’s early work and Way of the Peaceful Warrior are similar in the sense they involve a struggling student and mysterious mentor. But life, literature and film overflow with such pairings: Arthur had Merlin, Frodo had Gandalf; Mitch had Morrie; Luke Skywalker had Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda. And I had my Socrates.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior is an autobiographical novel (blending fact and fiction). I did indeed meet a flesh-and-blood character, a cosmic old service station mechanic, about 3 A.M. one starry night in December of 1966. Because he reminded me of the ancient Greek sage, I called him Socrates.  My more recent novel, The Journeys of Socrates, relates the challenging saga of his life. (For a short video commentary about Socrates, CLICK HERE)

 

A more recent book, Wisdom of the Peaceful Warrior, responds to nearly all the questions I’ve been asked over the years about Socrates and the teachings. I consider “Wisdom…” an essential companion to my first book, to truly understand the original teachings.

Sacred Journey is a novel — largely fictional, but containing some higher truths. Mama Chia is a composite of many women I’ve admired. I wrote it to convey the model of the three selves and the seven-tiered model of our human evolution, which explain much about healing, awareness, and other aspects of our lives.

It’s best to treat this book as a novel to avoid questions and confusion. Bearing in mind Pablo Picasso’s observation that “Art is a lie that helps us to see the truth.” As to the revelation about relationship near the end of that book, I can’t comment here since others who haven’t (yet) read the book may read this.

I believe it is my ordinary humanity that helps me to build bridges with my readers, and why so many readers personally relate to the material. My work isn’t just about me, it’s about all of us. I am not asking readers to trust me; I’m here to help you trust yourself. My purpose is to remind you of that you already know but might have forgotten. Simplicity is not easy; it’s quite a challenge to bring metaphysical abstractions down to earth. Those who prefer abstract concepts and intellectual philosophies can find them elsewhere.

In the course of the story, Socrates poked fun at me to show me how easily I became offended. He treated most people with respect. He had his style; I have mine. Sometimes it may be necessary to shake a student out of denial or lethargy. But I teach with compassion and with respect for the process of each individual.

I support my family through book royalties and speaking fees. It is all straightforward. Money is neither my god nor my devil, but only a form of energy and natural part of life. Those who live alone need less income than someone with a family. I invite anyone with issues about “money versus spirituality” to read the fourth chapter of my book, Everyday Enlightenment, which explores money in the context of a spiritual life.

 

Writers own the fruits of their labors and manner of creative expression. Ideas are free, but it takes considerable labor to bring those ideas into the world in the form of well-chosen words. If all music and literature were free, then few musicians or writers or other artists could support themselves through their creative work.

After years of giving out bits and pieces of advice, I finally collaborated with my daughter, author Sierra Prasada, to write The Creative Compass: Writing Your Way – from Inspiration to Publication. Aspiring authors (and other creative artists) will find this book encouraging, informative, and inspiring in their own way. We wrote the book to answer any questions that aspiring authors might have about the craft and five-stage process of writing, from initial dream to sharing with the world.

 

While my schedule does not allow me to review or endorse or comment on developing manuscripts or even finished books, I can refer you, on request, to free-lance editors who can help you develop your work.  But first, read The Creative Compass!

On a typical day, I rise early and begin each day with The Peaceful Warrior Workout, a 4-minute routine of flowing movement and deep breathing, along with other exercises tailored to my needs, followed by a half hour of cardio such as biking or walking – nothing heroic, just regular, moderate exercise.

 

Then, after a shower and breakfast, unless I’m traveling and speaking, I begin my work day of writing and emails, plus whatever tasks or other duties arise. It used to be family duties, but now that our daughters are grown, Joy and I have settled into new daily and weekly routines and rhythms.

Life is a series of moments. So it depends on which moment you catch me. Some moments I behave in an illumined manner, with clarity and compassion; other times, less so. If you observed my day-to-day life, you would likely find qualities that reflect a certain maturity, discipline, and balance. I have not mastered all that I teach, but I sincerely practice and do my best to teach by example.

 

My wife and (now-grown) children don’t view me as a teacher, but as a husband and father, respectively. I have my quirks and human foibles, which they point out with regularity (having become my ongoing teachers). We cannot truly know anyone else’s degree of spiritual maturity except by observing how they live, moment to moment.

My grandparents came from Ukraine. They were Jewish, but I was not raised in any religious school or tradition. I had to find my own connection to spirit. I am a member of no religion but a friend to all traditions that call us to our highest ideals.

I am glad my writings remind you of Zen teachings. Many have also noted an affinity to Taoism, Sufism, the Kaballah, Christian mysticism, and the other paths. I cling not to stoicism or any other philosophical school, but to simple humanity. In the face of pain, I hurt. This is natural. I am not trying to be other than who I am. This is also Zen.

Years ago, when bookstores needed a category for books that did not neatly fit into religion, or psychology, or philosophy, they created the “New Age” section. I have never related to this miscellaneous drawer and catch-all category that includes books on positive thinking, shamanism, mysticism, ghosts, speculative healing methods, the occult, subliminal suggestions, affirmations, and so forth.

 

Most of my work presents realistic principles, perspectives, and practices from the conventional and the transcendental – how to live with a peaceful heart and a warrior spirit — with our head in the clouds and feet on the ground. (Now that I have five grandchildren, the bookstores may finally move my books from the New Age to the Middle Age section in the stores.)

 

In the current, 25th Anniversary Edition of The Life You Were Born to Live, I’ve done some significant revisions, increasing the number of life paths (for all those born between 1750 and the present day) from 37 to 45, to include those individuals born after the year 2000, some of whom have new and unusual (mostly single-digit) birth numbers, and I included updated insights into what makes these life paths different, also related to what numerologists refer to as “master numbers.”  I believe the insights I share, while relatively brief, are original, and help us to understand the challenges and gifts on all our life paths.

 

Yes – because no one is smarter than all of us. And there is only one Light but many lamps. However, a book or teacher with whom I resonate may not be a good fit for someone else. So above all, I encourage you to trust your inner knower and follow your heart.

See Dan’s answer by clicking here.

 

It is best to treat my new book as a novel that reveals higher truths. It does contain or reflect elements from my life.  (especially Way of the Peaceful Warrior). As Neil Gaiman wrote, “Tales and dreams are the shadow truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes and forgot.”