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The Life You Were Born to Live: A Guide to Finding Your Life Purpose
Dan Millman presents an entirely new way of understanding life and the forces that shape it. The Life-Purpose System, a modern method of personal growth based on ancient wisdom, has helped thousands of people find new meaning, purpose, and direction in their lives. The Life You Were Born to Live features:
The Life-Purpose System explores key spiritual laws — universal principles specific to each life path — that help you clarify the past, understand the present, and shape the future. It can generate a quantum leap in self-understanding and may even change the course of your life.
The Life-Purpose System explores key spiritual laws — universal principles specific to each life path — that help you clarify the past, understand the present, and shape the future. It can generate a quantum leap in self-understanding and may even change the course of your life.
468 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
604 people are currently reading
3643 people want to read
About the author
Dan Millman
115 books1,172 followersDaniel 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
July 8, 2017
I just love this book! The insight it provides is accurate and helpful and sometimes confronting - which is how we instigate change within ourselves. I have lent this book out to friends 3 times - all three times the book was never returned to me. So I have purchased it four times - because it is one of my all time favourites.
What I like about it is that I can always refer to it at any given time and I always understand something new when I do. I love that. And I found it is a book that grows as I grow as a person - never to be outdated.
The way that Dan Millman wrote this book is supportive, informative and authoritative all at the same time - quite unique.
I highly recommend "The Life You Were Born to Live: A Guide to Finding Your Life Purpose", especially to those who are willing to entertain different perspectives on life.
:)
What I like about it is that I can always refer to it at any given time and I always understand something new when I do. I love that. And I found it is a book that grows as I grow as a person - never to be outdated.
The way that Dan Millman wrote this book is supportive, informative and authoritative all at the same time - quite unique.
I highly recommend "The Life You Were Born to Live: A Guide to Finding Your Life Purpose", especially to those who are willing to entertain different perspectives on life.
:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2008
This book goes into numerology and provides insight to the life you were born to live based off of calculations you do with your birth numbers. I only read the part in this book relevant for my numbers, and a few of others close to me whose birthdays I knew. And for me and those I checked, the things that Millman had to say were pretty right on. It was very helpful and I think if you put the title in you google search you should find a PDF version which can allow you to peruse the pages on your computer at ease absolutely free! Have fun :-)
June 2, 2013
I am obsessed with this book. I'm not a hippy, I just find this kind of thing fascinating. Don't be fooled by the terribly cheesey title & cover; it is a fascinating numerology system that has Pythagorean lineage and appears to be scarily accurate.
It's unlike your typical horoscope-esque guide etc., it covers every possible number combination of the 20th century and gives a detailed 4-5 page break down for each of those combinations. The book is very easy to read, with an introduction to the system, a chapter on each key number and some additional information that is of interest. It's clear and straight to the point.
What I liked about this system of numerology that Dan Millman presents, is that it doesn't define your personality as many other systems of this sort do. Rather, it addresses the central things that you will deal with in your life, which may be reflected either positively or negatively (and not indefinitely positively or negatively either, but differently in different situations, for example).
I am now a creep who asks people their birth dates within minutes of meeting them. Not to say I absolutely sincerely put all of my faith in this system - I just, as I have said, find it incredibly fascinating. In the way that someone is fascinated by and acts according to superstition, without necessarily truly believing absolutely in it. I do however find that it reflects accurately and relevantly in my life; and I do encourage people to look into it if it is something that is of interest to them.
It's unlike your typical horoscope-esque guide etc., it covers every possible number combination of the 20th century and gives a detailed 4-5 page break down for each of those combinations. The book is very easy to read, with an introduction to the system, a chapter on each key number and some additional information that is of interest. It's clear and straight to the point.
What I liked about this system of numerology that Dan Millman presents, is that it doesn't define your personality as many other systems of this sort do. Rather, it addresses the central things that you will deal with in your life, which may be reflected either positively or negatively (and not indefinitely positively or negatively either, but differently in different situations, for example).
I am now a creep who asks people their birth dates within minutes of meeting them. Not to say I absolutely sincerely put all of my faith in this system - I just, as I have said, find it incredibly fascinating. In the way that someone is fascinated by and acts according to superstition, without necessarily truly believing absolutely in it. I do however find that it reflects accurately and relevantly in my life; and I do encourage people to look into it if it is something that is of interest to them.
February 2, 2012
I'm a 33/6. The laws section is the most significant area of the book. The book does seem to be eerily correct in nailing people's challenges and such. Not sure if this is due to the wording being generic enough for anything to be true or applicable, similar to fake psychic readings, but regardless it is fun to look up friends and family and will give insights into people. Some numbers so perfectly nailed people I know I was amazed and it helped me understand them better.
People who like this book will also love the book "Know the Name, Know the Person", find handwriting analysis interesting, find colorstrology entertaining, and may like astrology. Whether any of these are true or not is probably not as important as the words and what they can teach you about people and personalities. I figure nearly everything in these has something worth evaluating.
To better understand people I recommend "The Five Love Languages" and learning about NLP.
People who like this book will also love the book "Know the Name, Know the Person", find handwriting analysis interesting, find colorstrology entertaining, and may like astrology. Whether any of these are true or not is probably not as important as the words and what they can teach you about people and personalities. I figure nearly everything in these has something worth evaluating.
To better understand people I recommend "The Five Love Languages" and learning about NLP.
April 3, 2021
I was sure this book was going to all be about in soul-searching and goal setting. I was wrong. This book is more like a fancy horoscope, using your birthday date to determine the series of challenges you'll need to focus on overcoming in order to live your life to the fullest.
It's always a bit fun to read these kinds fo things to assess how closely you can relate to them. I found the stuff in here interesting but also a bit convoluted seeing you are assigned several different numbers, each of which mean different things and come with a lot of information.
I'm interested to use the questions at the end of each Number and Law as journalling prompts which I expect will prove useful. I also think the Laws were particularly interesting and got me thinking.
This book gave me ideas, many of which I've previously contemplated, about things I could focus on or try to live a more fulfilled life. I appreciated the affirmation this book provided me on those things like dedicating time to creative pursuits and exercise. It's given me the push I've been looking for to get back into prioritising these activities.
Since reading this book, I noticed that I have more awareness about how I communicate. Rather than falling into default behaviours, I have a better understanding of where my actions are coming from and can turn them into something more productive rather than repeating old patterns. If I can keep this up, I should be giving this book 5 stars.
I definitely need to spend more time with this book, reviewing the suggestions and putting some of it in to practise to truly determine what benefit can be reaped from it.
It's always a bit fun to read these kinds fo things to assess how closely you can relate to them. I found the stuff in here interesting but also a bit convoluted seeing you are assigned several different numbers, each of which mean different things and come with a lot of information.
I'm interested to use the questions at the end of each Number and Law as journalling prompts which I expect will prove useful. I also think the Laws were particularly interesting and got me thinking.
This book gave me ideas, many of which I've previously contemplated, about things I could focus on or try to live a more fulfilled life. I appreciated the affirmation this book provided me on those things like dedicating time to creative pursuits and exercise. It's given me the push I've been looking for to get back into prioritising these activities.
Since reading this book, I noticed that I have more awareness about how I communicate. Rather than falling into default behaviours, I have a better understanding of where my actions are coming from and can turn them into something more productive rather than repeating old patterns. If I can keep this up, I should be giving this book 5 stars.
I definitely need to spend more time with this book, reviewing the suggestions and putting some of it in to practise to truly determine what benefit can be reaped from it.
January 26, 2019
This book is all about confirmation bias, which you ought to familiarize yourself with if you found the contents informative at any level.
April 10, 2012
This book was a lot of fun and also very helpful. I was pleasantly surprised because this book exceeded my expectations. This is a book that I would consider a go to throughout my life. It is not overwhelming in its analysis or In the advice it gives for change. The way that Millman presents numerology makes you feel empowered and inspired. I am truly impressed with his writing, his message, and his mission to help people find meaning and purpose on their lives.
The only thing that I really want to emphasize is that Millman states to be careful of labeling, which I think is good advice. And birth numbers are related to astrology which makes me think they might be a little hocus pocus. So I am taking this not as the end all be all but as a way to improve your life and overcome personal weakness.
The only thing that I really want to emphasize is that Millman states to be careful of labeling, which I think is good advice. And birth numbers are related to astrology which makes me think they might be a little hocus pocus. So I am taking this not as the end all be all but as a way to improve your life and overcome personal weakness.
January 10, 2014
I need to re-read this book because I only remember being kind of underwhelmed at the time. I'm seriously considering re-reading just about everything on my bookshelves mainly because I am not the person I was when I originally read these books and I'd love to see how my perspective has changed over time and how well the books hold up. This book just might be more meaningful to me now - or not. If so, I've found a treasure. If not, I can send the book on its way. Since I now have my beloved kindle I have the opportunity to (potentially) pare down my book cases which are stuffed over-full. I have books in many other places stacked up as well. My New Year's resolution is to review, read and keep, add to kindle storage or give away. But I absolutely won't do that till I know what I've got in my hands first.
January 27, 2013
The book made a huge difference in answering questions that I had about myself and now am checking it against the important people in my life. I read some of the other reviews and found them interesting. Some believe in the numerology and others don't. I guess the most important thing is that if you find inspiration great and if you don't. . you have the right idea to keep looking.
April 29, 2019
Als ich mir zum ersten Mal den Text zu meiner Lebenszahl durchlas, dachte ich nur „was für ein Schwachsinn“. Heute nach 2 Jahren muss ich sagen: „Das Buch hatte recht“.
May 18, 2020
Yalnızca kendi sayılarınız üzerinden okuma yapacaksanız sabah kahveniz eşliğinde bir saat içinde bitiyor. Benim açımdan müthiş cuk oturan tespitler ve güzel sorgulamalara kapı açan sorular vardı.
November 2, 2020
There’s definitely some truth here. This book made me getting into numerology, which about I can tell the same. It is a rather abstract, but true art form and ideology(?)/order. Milman offers a pattern, a schema to systematise this abstract mass. Which is a pretty ambitious undertaking. And mostly it works, if You ask me. Not necessarily for the whole image, but for the primary lines it does! Would give it a 3.7; which also equals with my birthmark number. Probably no coincidence.
July 20, 2009
This book is eerily accurate.
I'm a 30/3 and so learned that people with my numbers have "inherent gifts in any form of teaching, counseling, healing, performing or creative expression due to their ability to tune into people and subtle dimensions. They can be successful in any field, but they feel most fulfilled if their work offers opportunities for self-expression."
You might not want to hear what this book has to tell you.
Reading the sections on the 3, 0 and 30/3 brought things into clear relief for me. I truly believe numerology can be a tool for self-improvement and isn't a dark art. You have to suspend your belief that something that can't be proven actually works like a scientific method or is as accurate as handwriting analysis.
Read this book if you dare.
p.s. - For the numbers of the famous people listed in the back, add up their birthdate because the numbers given for Hillary Rodham Clinton were 34/7 and her birthday numbers actually add up to 30/3, which was listed elsewhere.
It figures that the women I admire-Nikki Giovanni, Hillary Rodham Clinton and my style and humanitarian idol, Audrey Hepburn, were all 30/3's, as am I. It's said that like attracts like and I have no doubt I felt a connection to these women because they share these numbers. So you will possibly find that the famous people you admire have a lot in common with you.
The ultimate case for charting your own destiny and daring to dream big.
I'm a 30/3 and so learned that people with my numbers have "inherent gifts in any form of teaching, counseling, healing, performing or creative expression due to their ability to tune into people and subtle dimensions. They can be successful in any field, but they feel most fulfilled if their work offers opportunities for self-expression."
You might not want to hear what this book has to tell you.
Reading the sections on the 3, 0 and 30/3 brought things into clear relief for me. I truly believe numerology can be a tool for self-improvement and isn't a dark art. You have to suspend your belief that something that can't be proven actually works like a scientific method or is as accurate as handwriting analysis.
Read this book if you dare.
p.s. - For the numbers of the famous people listed in the back, add up their birthdate because the numbers given for Hillary Rodham Clinton were 34/7 and her birthday numbers actually add up to 30/3, which was listed elsewhere.
It figures that the women I admire-Nikki Giovanni, Hillary Rodham Clinton and my style and humanitarian idol, Audrey Hepburn, were all 30/3's, as am I. It's said that like attracts like and I have no doubt I felt a connection to these women because they share these numbers. So you will possibly find that the famous people you admire have a lot in common with you.
The ultimate case for charting your own destiny and daring to dream big.
May 14, 2016
Are you intrigued by numerology? Have you been curious about checking into it? Millman was curious, and he began studying it a while before publishing this book. He was so impressed by the insights it gave, he decided to write a full-length treatise on how numerology can offer insight and guidance to one's own self and path. The results are at very least fascinating, whether you "buy" them or not. The book, all the way through, is about reading your numbers and interpreting them. There is a full description of correspondences--exhaustive really--and it will give nutritious food for thought to anyone who studies it closely.
I see this book as a gigantic, complex journal prompt for anyone seeking to look further inside her/his self and fathom the depths and purposes of her/his life. Study the numbers, look up the results, and then reflect at length on their meaning. Whether it's "real" or not ends up being a moot point. The book is there to challenge you and get you to look deeper into who you are. I personally benefited greatly from this process, and I found that the correspondences were surprisingly accurate.
Highly recommended as a kind of meaningful oddity of a book. Suspend your disbelief and try it!
I see this book as a gigantic, complex journal prompt for anyone seeking to look further inside her/his self and fathom the depths and purposes of her/his life. Study the numbers, look up the results, and then reflect at length on their meaning. Whether it's "real" or not ends up being a moot point. The book is there to challenge you and get you to look deeper into who you are. I personally benefited greatly from this process, and I found that the correspondences were surprisingly accurate.
Highly recommended as a kind of meaningful oddity of a book. Suspend your disbelief and try it!
April 14, 2016
A life changing read ! Though written in 1993 this book remains quite relevant many years later. Introducing the Life-Purpose System which is a modern way of applying ancient wisdom the author travels a path that reveals meaning, direction and purpose that anyone can travel to find their life's meaning, their purpose and direction.
Often a funny read, this book gently guides the reader towards many realizations and to a desire to change within themselves what needs to be changed for their happiness and success.
Years ago this book really helped me to see the meaning to my life, to overcome challenges, and gave me direction and purpose. And it worked! Now, years later, I reflect back and know of the many times I re-read this book and can also say that the book has helped me along my life's journey and to meet the many challenges that are now behind me.
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. A great read !!!!!!!!!
Often a funny read, this book gently guides the reader towards many realizations and to a desire to change within themselves what needs to be changed for their happiness and success.
Years ago this book really helped me to see the meaning to my life, to overcome challenges, and gave me direction and purpose. And it worked! Now, years later, I reflect back and know of the many times I re-read this book and can also say that the book has helped me along my life's journey and to meet the many challenges that are now behind me.
I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. A great read !!!!!!!!!
April 10, 2020
As much as I loved Dan's other well known book, Way of the peaceful warrior, I think this is the exact opposite of that. This is one of only a handful of books that I did not finish ever (and never will) and just abandoned because it is simply not worth the time. I do not believe in numerology, I think that this is quite clear until now. This book is all about that, some people might find that powerful and inspiring, so give it a go. Just out of curiosity and for fun, I did compute my "number" and a few friends/family members, and the descriptions were either way too vague, totally wrong or some that would apply to a big percentage of the population, therefore increasing the rate of applicability.
February 20, 2009
Can your birth date really tell you about your life purpose?
Pick up a copy of The Life You Were Born To Live, you might be surprised. I know I was. I began working through the numerology exercises with a healthy amount of skepticism. Then, I started looking up my results. For me, the answers were spot on, even on the more negative parts of myself.
Now I have a little more clarity about my direction. I can watch for the negative traits and behaviors and see the insecurity that is actually at the base of it. Then, I can choose to make better choices so that my life flows a little more freely.
Pick up a copy of The Life You Were Born To Live, you might be surprised. I know I was. I began working through the numerology exercises with a healthy amount of skepticism. Then, I started looking up my results. For me, the answers were spot on, even on the more negative parts of myself.
Now I have a little more clarity about my direction. I can watch for the negative traits and behaviors and see the insecurity that is actually at the base of it. Then, I can choose to make better choices so that my life flows a little more freely.
April 28, 2009
Amazingly accurate to the point of anxiety - drills right down to the issues that have been haunting me for years and unfortunately does not provide any "quick fix" solutions but just acknowledges that that is something you will need to struggle with and overcome in your life. The 3 people including myself who read their "numbers" in the book all were taken aback how much it resembles their life issues so I would highly recommend it even for those who do not believe in horoscopes, zodiacs or any other prediction "tools". The second part is also a good reminder of universal spiritual laws more in line with the Millman writing so there is something for everyone in it.
May 1, 2013
I have had this book since 1999 and have retread it so many times. I have found it most helpful if I am having issues with a particular individual. I just find out their birthday, read all about them and it amazes me how much more understanding I then have of who they are and how they relate to things. For myself when I first read it I thought well, that has absolutely nothing to do with me!!! I would read it once a year and slowly but surely everything that was in the book was totally relevant to me. It is an eye-opener into parts of your personality that you may not even be aware of. Great book.
August 27, 2009
My sweet daughter gave this to me this Christmas. She knew my fondness for Millman with The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Like the genius she is, she went to the book store and picked a book out by author. I thought it was brilliant. Indeed, this book plays the mystery of numbers game and it is something of a mystical rendition of reality. But holy crap! It was so accurate I couldn't read it late at night because it was too scary. LOL It's like getting my step-daughter to read your Taro. You just don't go there before bed time. It's too real and that's what makes it spooky.
December 26, 2014
This book is based on numerology. But even if you are new to that system it will be such an eye opener for you once you work out your numbers and read the relevant sections. Then do the same for the people in your life, and you will get a really good understanding of what makes each one of you tick, your strengths and weaknesses and how to work with them. I have given this book to friends as gifts as I think it really gives us a great understanding of who we are and in what direction we should be focusing our efforts.
January 9, 2013
Other than some interesting math and some good, general advice, I really don't put much into the theory that our birthdays determine who we are "meant to be." The section on "Laws" was interesting to read - I especially resonated with the "Law of Cycles." I'm all about the circle, y'all. Other than that? Kind of a waste of my precious reading time.
June 1, 2015
Brilliantly written, easy to follow and truly accurate in "analyzing" our life purpose according to our birthday. This is unexpected as Millman struck me always as a spiritual guidance guru and what he wrote this time even surpassed his reputation, for what he offered in this book is more valuable than a simple "astrological" reference but a genuine life tool.
August 19, 2015
Surprisingly very accurate, and full of insight. I am typically skeptical, but whether the science is there or not, I have found it to be very illuminating on areas that hold me back from pursuing my purpose.
February 23, 2022
Praktische handleiding die je kan helpen je weg te vinden in het leven. Verschaft informatie over je levensdoel, karaktereigenschappen, obstakels, je talenten en nog veel meer. Daarnaast geeft het je een mooi overzicht van de universele wetten en hoe deze in te zetten.
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September 17, 2008بعضيها به اين تيپ كتابها علاقه دارند ولي براي من يك شوخيه
April 27, 2009
Dan Millman's guide to numerology. Fun to take a look at, but I didn't agree with alot of the information about my numbers. Interesting to keep around and look at every once in awhile.
June 12, 2011
Beautifully insightful. Uncanny how it matches mine and those personalities, gifts and life struggles so perfectly.
July 15, 2015
I am sorry to say it, but I didnt enjoy this at all. Found it to be similar to a horoscope.
July 20, 2016
Awesome book . Lots of learnings to find out the purpose of Life on Earth . Inspiring to follow the passion which is actually the purpose as per the Millman calculator too !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews