Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Dan Millman’s Way of the Peaceful Warrior serves as a self-help book in disguise. Millman is the author as well as the protagonist. The book is based on his college experience at UC Berkeley.
At the beginning, it appears as though Millman is Mr. All American. Big man on campus, accomplished gymnast, educated, etc., though something is missing. It isn’t until he wanders into a gas station in the middle of the night and meets Socrates, the gas attendant, that he realizes something in his life must change.
From that moment on, he spends his days practicing gymnastics and nights with Socrates studying meditation, learning how to ignore mental noise, and trying to find inner peace. The entire book, start to finish, is a spiritual journey of a young ignorant college student who discovers there is more to life than life itself.
The relationship between Socrates and Millman is mentor and student but it’s more complicated than that. As a mentor, Socrates is vague and leaves many questions unanswered. His approach is the food for thought method. He offers ideas to Millman and expects him to figure it out on his own. Despite Socrates’ ambiguity or his teaching methods, Millman returns to the gas station every night for another lesson. Millman craves that inner peace which I believe everyone does. Everyone wants to feel secure with what they have.
This year the book celebrates its 30th anniversary. I came across this book while I was at the library browsing through the spiritual section. I’m not spiritual but I have been telling myself for years that I need to learn “to let things go.” In other words, not be such a stress bucket. Way of the Peaceful Warrior teaches you exactly that without the constant reminder. Millman uses his experiences to express why people are unfulfilled in their lives. Instead of focusing on the imperfections, learn to work with what you have. Dwelling on the negatives, not only wastes time and leaves you feeling empty.
If I haven’t persuaded you enough, in 2006 this book was adapted into a film, Peaceful Warrior.
I will leave with you my favorite quote from the book, “Release your struggle, let go of your mind, throw away your concerns, and relax into the world. No need to resist life; just do your best. Open your eyes and see that you are far more than you imagine.”
