Since time immemorial, humankind wonderd about the mysteries of existence. And since we have had a brain to wonder, we have asked ourselves some of the same age-old questions that relate to life, the world, and our place in it. I've asked myself these questions, and I'm still searching for answers to some of them. Some of you probably have answers for some, but are left wondering about others. That is the purpose of this hub. For while many of us have had these questions answered by our faith, spiritual beliefs, personal philosophies or life coaches, there are some who still don't have the answers to all these questions. So, I've decided to ask the same questions to spiritual leaders, life coaches and members of different religions. I hope that by doing this, many of you can identify with some answers by some of those I've chosen to interview.

The first in line to interview is none other than Dan Millman. If you don't know who he is, he's a true inspirational story. He was once a world-class athlete who, after suffering a painful injury that threatened to end his career and break his spirit, instead overcame his injury and went on to many successes throughout his life. His story was first published by himself in the book "The Way of the Peaceful Warrior." This book was later translated to film, in the film "Peaceful Warrior" starring Nick Nolte. It is an excellent book and film. I suggest that you check it out. You'll see from this interview why Mr. Millman's life is an excellent story and source of inspiration for all of us. Some even find him to be a spiritual leader of sorts. Whatever your opinion of Mr. Millman might be, I'm sure you'll find some of his answers to my questions to be very interesting.

These are the questions I chose to ask him. Read them and take a moment to reflect on how you would presently answer these questions prior to reading Mr. Milman's responses. Then see if you find that Mr. Millman's answers have challenged your way of believing.

1. How do I find a solid path on which to walk through this life?

2. Is there a God? And if so, does he have a plan for me?

3. Does God care about me, or did He create then vacate, so to speak?

4. As the fatalist believes, am I destined to finish this life in a particular way, regardless of the choices I make in life?

5. Or, the opposite of the fatalist belief, do we make our own luck in this life? For example, the way my life proceeds (whether I'm happy or sad for most of it) depends solely on the choices I make.

6. Is there a life after this one? If so, what kind of life?

7. Have I lived another life before this one?

8. Is organized religion and group fellowship, with the aim of reaching God as a team, the best way to find one's path, or is it by a solo, contemplative, monk-life walk through life that one is to achieve enlightenment and personal happiness?

9. Is there an eternal accounting for the way we live our lives to be carried out in the afterlife, such as punishments for sins, or rewards for good works?

10. Is it possible that mankind was created simply by accident?

11. Is it possible that some other kind of Entity, perhaps not God but some other type of life form created us?

Brad Pettit: Your books have been inspirational to millions of readers. So, the first question I have for you is this: Did you ever imagine, in your wildest dreams, that your formulas for living would strike a chord with so many?

Dan Millman: I only knew that I was called to share what I had learned on my own journey. I didn't have any clear sense of how it would be received, but I was hopeful that the message(s) originally expressed in Way of the Peaceful Warrior — and more extensive teachings in my twelve other books — would find a receptive audience. I only knew that I was called to share what I had learned on my own journey. I didn't have any clear sense of how it would be received, but I was hopeful that the message(s) originally expressed in Way of the Peaceful Warrior — and more extensive teachings in my twelve other books — would find a receptive audience.

BP: You've made it known that you weren't always on the right path in life, and then you managed to somehow find it. In a nutshell, how would you sum up how some of us, who are seemingly wandering through this world, can begin to find solid ground on which to walk?

DM: Now I understand that I was always on the perfect path for me. I believe that no matter what it may appear to be, wherever we step the path appears beneath our feet. We make mistakes, we learn, we move onward.

BP: Do you believe in God, or a Supreme Being of sorts? If so, what role do you think that Entity has in how we live our lives?

DM: I respond to this question in the FAQ section at my web site, Bradley -- feel free to excerpt any of that for my response. (There is a link to his website further down on my hub).

BP: Do you believe in an afterlife or reincarnation?

DM: Reincarnation is an elegant theory that explains many phenomena. I do not know what happens after the body dies, but I find the notion that some part of us, some soul or essence, continues its journey fits within my world-view. Life makes more sense that way, so I have adopted this theory as a working belief in my life. Still, it is best to treat this life as the only one we have, and to make it count for something.

BP: Do you believe that organized religion is a benefit or detriment to mankind?

DM: Both. Religion for many is a source of comfort and a community of shared belief (and hopefully, practice). Religion's impact depends upon each individual who practices that religion. Because people differ over time, I would say that organized religion has done both great good and great harm. This is not an original or revelatory idea. Electricity can do great good and great harm; so can a hammer. It depends on how we apply it.

BP: From which past "masters" of worldly or spiritual / knowledge have you drawn your life knowledge?

DM: I'm working on a new book that will describe the four masters who have most influenced my life and work. I'll reveal all in that book, tentatively titled "My Search for Spirit." I expect that it will be published in late 2009, or early 2010.

BP: Were you raised in any sort of religious background?

DM: See my FAQ and feel free to excerpt. (Also available in his website, which is linked at the bottom of this page.

BP: I've heard that you have a problem with the "New Age" section in bookstores, where your books are often found. Under what genre would you prefer your books to be shelved?

DM: The world loves labels, and bookstores need some sort of category in which to include niche books. There are a number of labels for books that don't fit neatly into Religion or Psychology or Philosophy. Some of those categories include: Inspiration, Spirituality, Personal Growth, Metaphysics, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, or the catch-all "New Age." It's like the kitchen "miscellaneous drawer" in most homes. The booksellers throw many different kinds of books from occult to witchcraft to UFOs to pop spirituality into the New Age section. One or two of my books might appropriately fit there, but not all. Eventually we need to look beyond labels and discern the difference between wildly speculative and idealistic notions and practical, grounded guidance.

BP: Probably a stupid question for me to ask you, but for the benefit of my readers, who perhaps have not read any of your books, are you fatalistic, or do you think we make our own luck in this life?

DM: As the proverb goes, luck occurs when preparation meets opportunity. We can influence our lives to be more or less "lucky" by our choices and actions. However, there is also an element of random chance and timing, it seems to me. As the "good luck, bad luck" story in Way of the Peaceful Warrior illustrates, it is not always easy to tell one from the other.

BP: You suffered a severe injury in a motorcycle accident when you were in your prime as a world-class gymnast. From what I understand, the prognosis was not very good. First of all, could you explain the extent of your injuries, and then perhaps how you kept for giving in completely to despair like a great many people do when they get "bad news" at the doctor's office?

DM: My right thigh-bone (femur) was shattered into about 40 pieces. People have sustained far more serious injuries, but it was serious enough. Applied effort and rehabilitation over time, and a clear goal to which I was dedicated, gave me direction and purpose. Both Way of the Peaceful Warrior and the movie adaptation (Peaceful Warrior movie now on DVD) pretty much tell the story. Yes, I was naturally despondent, but while despondent, I began to heal and to train.

BP: Some people prefer to find their path with the help of a group, or in a religious setting with friends. Others feel that a lone walk, spiritually, is preferable to meeting with others in groups or at churches. Which of these beliefs do you find to be true with regard to helping the individual stay on his or her correct path?

DM: Again my response is not either-or, but both-and. Sometimes solitude can be quite useful, so I encourage people to take time to be alone and to remember who we are. But extreme solitude over time can in many cases lead to illusions, as if enlightenment were possible for the separate self sitting in a cave somewhere. It is also useful to practice and to live in community and to the demands that represents, whether that is a spiritual study group, or a spouse and family. So yes, both solitude and community are useful on our journeys.

BP: Is there anything else you would like to add regarding a person's spiritual path or how to find inner peace in a world of poverty, war, drug addiction, violence, and basically the whole negative side of the human condition?

DM: The world can be a difficult place. We are perfect but not yet perfected. It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. There is much about which we can feel sad, but much beauty and courage and kindness as well. It is for each of us to do what we can to bring a little more kindness, a little more light, into this challenging world. That is why we are all peaceful warriors in training — striving to live with a peaceful year and a warrior spirit.

--END OF BRADLEY PETTIT'S INTERVIEW OF DAN MILLMAN--