Archive for the ‘Dan Millman’ Category

On Inspired Music and “Warriors”

Greetings Peaceful Warriors:

There’s a poster on my office wall that says, Without music, life wouldn’t be fair — a creative and quirky idea, yet somehow it rings true. Music celebrates, for humans, not only the gift of sound, of vibration, but also its unique ability to resonate different chakras, or energy centers. There’s hard rock moving our third chakra of power, and some classical and modern music that resonates the fourth or heart chakra, and other music, like the mental creativity of jazz, that resonates the mind — and some “angelic” pieces in every musical genre that we never tire of, that can play up and down our spines and lives.

I appreciate all music well done, every kind — and I celebrate musicians everywhere — those in the limelight and on stage, and unknown artists, in creative fevers in their room or garage forest meadow, writing, composing, listening to their muse, waiting for that perfect chord or riff, that auditory gift of inspiration, the music of the spheres.

Many musicians have enjoyed my work, as I enjoy theirs. And while it is not my intention to single out only one of so many gemlike talents around the world, I happened to meet a new friend in Germany, who asked me to help with a piece he had conceived. So —

For those of you who enjoy inspiring music, I present my friend and musical visionary Ansgar Ueffink – producer and recording artist in Germany. Our little collaboration turned out nicely. Below you will find his letter, as well as links to… “Warriors” (and a 2-minute video interview he did with me).

My Encounter with Dan Millman

I’ve know Dan’s books for a long time, including his two gripping, semi-autobiographical books, Way of the Peaceful Warrior and Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior.. They’ve always inspired me and helped me through various situations and had a great influence on my personal growth.

In October 2008 I learned that Dan was on a lecture tour throughout Europe. I was able to contact Dan and suggested we create a track based on the “Warriors” topic together. To my surprise, Dan agreed immediately. To achieve the most authentic result possible, I planned to ask him a number of questions in my studio, then to summarize the essence of his answers and weave them rhythmically and artistically into the “Warriors” track.

Our first meeting was tremendously enjoyable, as Dan (who, by the way, is also a former world trampoline champion) is as uncomplicated as you can get. Despite a sinus infection resulting from all his travel, he was ready to drive straight to the studio without even checking into his hotel first.

Having arrived at the studio, he gave everyone a friendly hello and took his time to chat with every person he met. Once again I noticed that Dan was honestly interested in everyone, giving them his undivided attention.

We recorded the interview as planned, which I later edited and fused with the track. Dan stayed another couple of days in Hamburg and I had more opportunities to spend some wonderful time with him. I’ve got to know a person who not only writes books that are helpful to millions, but who lives his teachings. He is now back home in Northern California, but we remain in contact. – And I am so gratified that he enjoys and supports Vargo.

Have fun discovering the Warrior!
All the best wishes and, as Dan says, Good journeys,
Ansgar

THE MUSIC: Video with Dan Millman & VARGO

This summer we dedicated ourselves intensely to our “Warriors” music. As a result, we have two new EPs which are infused with the warrior spirit. We are particularly happy about the collaboration with our friend Dan Millman. Not only did he inspire the song with his book Way of the Peaceful Warrior; he also lent his wonderful voice to the music.

EP #1: WARRIORS

Here are nine exciting interpretations of “Warriors”– one of our favourite tracks from the current album “Precious”. The song is a pulsating hymn to warriors for peace. What’s more, the EP has enriched by the work of a number of remixes, among them downbeat legend Afterlife (UK), the two winners of our remix contest – Softwaver (GER) and SLim Nasr from Egypt – as well as Ibiza’s electronic wiz Ohm-G and Progressive House duo “School of Light” from Hamburg. Have a look at iTunes or Amazon.

EP #2: WARRIORS IN THE MIX – Remix Contest Favourites

Ten tracks. Our favourite interpretations from the remix contest on one sublime compilation. In fact, so many outstanding remixes were submitted that we just had to release another ten of them. So we’re very happy (and a little proud to be honest) to present you with this surprise EP. Have a look at iTunes or Amazon.

“PRECIOUS” album finally released in the US

At last the “Precious” album is available in the USA. As of 3rd September, you will be able to download two versions from all online stores: the normal version and the Deluxe Bonus Video Version with a digital booklet.

Don’t miss the release date: you can pre-order it at iTunes.

* * *

This is Dan, reminding you that not only Ansgar and his VARGO team of artists, but all musicians benefit from our support. It is not an easy time for musicians (or so many others). But together, with mutual support, we can continue to . . . make beautiful music together.

Dan

Peaceful Warrior News & Notes – Summer 2010

Greetings Peaceful Warriors:

I thought you might enjoy this summer edition of News & Notes with a variety of items and, as always, some favorite quotations — wisdom reminders.

If I could, I’d give each of you a howdy handshake or hug.  In these changing (and for many, challenging) times, know that I send some heartfelt best wishes to you and yours.

And note that every week or so I send out a favorite quotation or reminder on my Facebook fan page, and via Twitter – quick and easy ways to stay in touch.

Dan

* * *
Let’s Start with some Quotations:

Desperation can be as powerful
inspirer as genius.
Benjamin Disraeli

We read to know we are not alone.
C.S. Lewis

Look deep into nature, and then
you will understand everything better.
Albert Einstein

* * *
An Older Classic Music Video Revisited

Interesting how we tend to look for the next new thing.  But newer isn’t always better. We do have some pop stars and American Idols and gleeful vocalists belting out catchy tunes.  Well, here’s one worth another look from the King of Pop. (Whatever one thinks or believes about the amazing, creative and ultimately tragic life of Michael Jackson, the art he helped to create — and the sentiments expressed — only improve over time.) Remember the mind-blowing morphing at the end of the video?
* * *
And Speaking of Music . . .  ”Warriors”
My friend and colleague in spirit, Ansgar Ueffink, producer of the VARGO music group, and producer of the hit single “Warriors” (mixing quality music with some of my spoken reminders), has had a warm response, so far, to his:
WARRIORS IN THE MIX – Remix Contest -
Around the World in Twenty-Four Days

From Ansgar: “To be honest: this is so much more than we expected. Our remix contest triggered an overwhelming feedback. 54 colleagues from 22 countries replied to our call to create their personal interpretation of the Vargo/Dan Millman collaboration “Warriors.” Within 24 days our remix files went around the world and brought a global music community into being. As Patricia Leidig from the wonderful Spanish band Almadrava wrote on our Facebook page: “VARGO – connecting people.”

We’re extremely impressed with the quality and the stylistic variety of the contributions, and we recommend you check them out for yourself on our YouTube channel. You can help your favourite mix win the contest. Just spread the word by sending it to your friends or posting it on your Facebook page. Because the mix with the most clicks will win and be included on the Warriors EP to be released on August 20th. Voting wil begin on Tuesday, July 6th, and end on Monday, July 12th, 5 pm GMT. We’ll announce the winner the day after that on www.vargoworld.com.  And now it’s your turn. Please pick your favourite mix.  Have fun listening and voting!
~ Your Vargo crew

* * *
Sometimes I think that
not thinking about oneself
is a form of prayer.
Barbara G. Harrison

The day will happen
whether or not you get up.
John Ciardi

The trouble with life
isn’t that there is no answer,
but that there are so many answers.
Ruth Benedict, anthropologist

* * *
NEW PW VIDEO SEMINAR OFFER
In case you missed the last announcement, you can now gain unlimited access, for 6 months, to all 10 Peaceful Warrior Video Seminars for a one-time payment of $12.95!  Topics include:  Self-Worth, Will, Energy, Mind, Emotions, Courage, Decision Making, Present Moment, Spiritual Law. Click here to subscribe or for more info

* * *
After one look at this planet,
any visitor from outer space would say,
“I want to see the manager.”
William S. Burroughs

Think for yourselves
and let others enjoy the privilege
to do so too.
Voltaire
* * *

Movie Review:
Here’s a little film that may have briefly visited theaters, now on DVD:  “Idiocracy” starring Luke Wilson, Directed by Mike Judge.  (Linked to a “rottentomatoes” review.)  You may love it; you may not.  It’s a mixed bag, for sure — and certainly not your classic “spiritual cinema”!

NOTE: The movie is R-rated, and may be inappropriate or offensive to some. But I tend to like off-the-traveled path, quirky films. Around 1969 or 1970 I walked into a theater in the middle of an afternoon and caught a sneak preview of “Harold and Maude” (and at the end of the film I turned around, and “Maude” (Ruth Gordon) was sitting right behind me!  (Did you know that Ruth Gordon, besides being an actress, was one of Hollywood’s top screenwriters, having co-written a number of Tracy-Hepburn films?)

I don’t know if “Idiocracy” stands up to “Harold and Maude” or one of my all-time favorites — “Groundhog Day” — and wouldn’t exactly call it a “gem” — but it made an impression on me.  A clever satire and almost prophetically scary (if sometimes crass) comedy about one possible dystopian future toward which we may be trending . . . Idiocracy

* * *
Fatigue is the best pillow.
Benjamin Franklin

A life spent in making mistakes
is not only more honorable,
but more useful,
than a life spent doing nothing.
George Bernard Shaw

Our errors are our portals of discovery.
James Joyce

* * *
Book Updates:

PEACEFUL WARRIOR: The Graphic Novel (Oct 2010) is now finished.

THE FOUR PURPOSES OF LIFE (April 2011) is nearly done.

Hope to draft yet another book before the end of this year.  Stay tuned…

* * *
No amount of fine feelling
can take the place of faithful doing.
William Barclay

If you think you’re lucky, you are.
Bobby Dodd

When you’re safe at home
you wish you were having an adventure;
when you’re having an adventure
you wish you were safe at home.
Thornton Wilder

* * *
A Preview: One Page from PEACEFUL WARRIOR: The Graphic Novel

* * *
The most beautiful sight in the world
is a little child going confidently down the road
after you have shown him the way.
Confucius

A baby has a way of making a man out of his father
and a boy out of his grandfather.
Angie Papadakis

My father didn’t tell me how to live;
he lived, and let me watch him do it.
Clarence B. Kelland

* * *

A Nice Gift

I recently received a lovely letter and photo I thought you might enjoy:

My Special Gift

Hi Dan, I live in New Jersey with my husband and 2 children, all fans of your writing. For Christmas my husband gave me one of the best gifts ever. He gave me three of your books, and made a sign for me with my favorite quote from Way of the Peaceful Warrior. The sign is now hanging in our  family room so we all can be reminded of it every day. It makes me smile!
~Sally S.
* * *

Here’s to some wonderful summer moments!

Until next time,

Dan

Peaceful Warrior – Announcement and Quotation

Greetings Peaceful Warriors:

Sorry I’ve been out of touch – but I continue to share some quotes and other items on Facebook and Twitter

I’ve been working on two new books:

PEACEFUL WARRIOR: The Graphic Novel – October 2010
A “graphic novel” is a full length novel in comic-book form – about 1,000 illustrations.  This book contains many original elements not covered in either the original book or the movie!

THE FOUR PURPOSES OF LIFE: Finding Meaning and Direction in a Changing World – April 2011
Written for all those in transition or anyone seeking to make more sense of their lives.

Below you’ll find some new quotations and reminders. But first, a NEW ANNOUNCEMENT:

VIDEO SEMINARSNEW FORMAT!

Click here to view our easy-access video seminars:

• Unlimited access
• All 10 Video Seminars
• Six-month membership
• One-time payment of $12.95

These short and personal video seminars share key aspects of the Peaceful Warrior’s Way.

* * *
Reminders for Life:

Don’t go on discussing
what a good person should be.
Just be one.
Marcus Aurelius

Our wisdom comes from our experience,
and our experience comes from our foolishness.
Sacha Guitry

I would rather live in a world
where life is surrounded by mystery
than live in a world so small
that my mind could comprehend it.
Harry Emerson Fosdick

Our first teacher is our own heart.
Cheyenne proverb

Power coerces.
Knowledge persuades.
Love converts.
Proverb

Do not kiss your children
so they will kiss you back,
but so they will kiss their children
and their children’s children.
Noah Benshea

We read to know we are not alone.
C.S. Lewis

Look deep into nature, and then
you will understand everything better.
Albert Einstein

* * *

NEXT TIME:  I’ll have exciting news soon about The Life Purpose App.

Meantime, good journeys —

  • Anasta – book 10 of the Ringing Cedars Series by Vladimir Megré September 5, 2010
    Thre is a new part of the Ringing Cedars Series. Vladimir Mergre wrote 10 part of Anastasia series and it names is ANASTA. It looks like there is no translation to English yet, we have Anasta already translate for one month in Czech Republic. Here is source: www.vladimirmegre.com/biography Nice day. Nice day. […]
    admin
  • On Inspired Music and “Warriors” September 2, 2010
    Greetings Peaceful Warriors: There’s a poster on my office wall that says, Without music, life wouldn’t be fair — a creative and quirky idea, yet somehow it rings true. Music celebrates, for humans, not only the gift of sound, of vibration, but also its unique ability to resonate different chakras, or energy centers. There’s hard rock [...] Nice day. […]
    admin
  • Global Prayer Project (8/24) Postponed August 29, 2010
    Our Global Prayer scheduled for Tuesday, August 24 has been postponed for 2 weeks until Tuesday, September 7. James is working hard to finish his manuscript of “The Twelfth Insight” and must submit it very soon. Thanks for understanding. We look forward to gathering once more on September 7 at 8 p.m. EDT. Please see www.celestinevision.com [...] Related post […]
    admin