Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives

In one sentence: see the movie instead. It's more engaging and far less condescending, arrogant and self-important. The longer review is below.
I read this in a day when I was fourteen or something. It was recommended to me and my mom by a then-family friend. She was super into faith healing, New Age philosophies and culture, and appropriating as much Indian culture, both Northern and Southern, as much as she possibly could (she's white) to help her feel spiritual. The friend was a very proud Amma Devotee and wanted everyone to become one, too. She'd visibly pout and condescend to you if you weren't interested. Somehow, she'd read this book. She touted it as the author's autobiography. Impressionable teenager that I was, I described the show more book as such to my mom. I remember thinking the author was weird, but not telling anyone. A few years later, my mom and I saw the movie. It was far more exciting and well-done than the book, I thought at the time. Now, I'm re-reading it as an adult with a vastly different set of life experiences and views. As of the time of this writing, Seattle is experiencing triple digit weather. We do not have air conditioning. We do not need it. Now, we need it because this is not a heat wave: this is the new normal. Some signs of heat stroke are belligerence, mental confusion, and difficulty with speech. I didn't want to read the book in hot weather in case I was unable to tell the difference between a one-star review and a medical emergency. The contrasting statements on the book's copy, the preface, and the thirty-page prologue, combined with the classification of "personal growth/spiritual" genre had me grimly preparing to classify this as one-star, and determined for me to read it through because I'd bought it.

The book doesn't work at all in first person. Spiritual books aren't my thing, so maybe I'm wrong, but it would've been better in third person. I realize Dan is supposedly describing something that apparently happened in his twenties, but as it's in first person, he sounds incredibly stuffy and world-weary. This apparently took place starting in the late 60s, so New Agey stuff had just begun on a large scale. Why, then, does Socrates make such fun of a New Age group that was probably a little high on weed? They forgot to ask for gas, and he gives terrible customer service. This, while doling out standard New Age-isms to his young charge as though they're rare gems. Things like that have been said since the 1930s. The relationship between Socrates, Dan, and Socrates'...students I guess...reminds me heavily of the nine years I spent in a cult. Gross. Especially the "I need to eat meat to help my broken leg heal!" "No meat, you horrid person!" "It's medical!" "Vegetarianism because I, someone with no medical background, say so or banishment!" The cult I was in did that a lot. I went on a medication. It took awhile. The cult was extremely against the medication and me seeking attention for the condition, which they tried for years to tell me I didn't have. They were going to ban me. The medication works wonders to this day. When the cult found out the medication worked, they tried to tell me they convinced me to take it all along, and they tried to take credit for other results. Gaslighters. Dan gets all worked up over the fact that a nurse he slept with sleeps with a teammate of his a week later. This...is why I establish whether things are a one-night stand or a date or whichever, right away. I used to not, and was like Dan. (sigh) This is a creepy book. I'm glad I know now. show less

People seem to have extreme reactions to this book. They either love it or hate it. After thirty years of experience in the martial arts, I've come to see that most people have a similar view of the martial arts. I don't know that there's necessarily a strong correlation between those who truly love the martial arts and those who love this book, but there probably are some similar underlying attitudes. You can't look at this book as a documentary. It's not. It's an exploration into the warrior mind, the eccentric master-disciple relationship that has become somewhat cliche in martial arts, and the ability to break free of the mundane in order to unlock performance. Don't take yourself--or this book--too seriously. If you do, you've show more missed the point. show less

Several weeks ago a library patron asked for Dan Millman’s “Way of the Peaceful Warrior.” Of course, I answered, my voice oozing optimism. The book is a classic. It’s right here on the shelf.
But it wasn’t. The Estes Park Public Library didn’t own the book. After profuse apologies, I put in a request and we ordered the book. When it arrived a week later, I checked it out, took it home and read it over the weekend. It had been more than 20 years since I had read the book, and since then I have had some martial arts training and years of life experience. Not surprisingly, Millman’s journey of self discovery still packs a punch after all these years.
At the beginning of the book, a young Berkeley student wanders into an all show more night gas station and meets an old man. Although a good student and successful gymnast, the young man feels emptiness, a strange dissatisfaction with life. Thus begins his journey of self awareness with a cigarette-smoking old man Dan calls Socrates. Once he has destroyed Dan’s preconceived notions of academics, athletics and achievement, Socrates shows the value of consciousness over intelligence, strength of spirit over strength of body.
What I enjoyed most about the book is its sense of humor. Like most young college students, Dan is self-absorbed and a little too sure of himself. When Dan pronounces that he understands a concept, Socrates quickly pierces his bubble with another startling insight. show less

This book had me really conflicted. There were times when I hated it for its style and its oversimplification of big ideas. But there were also times when I loved it for its accessibility and for its descriptions of Berkeley (a town where I lived for 4 years).

Hard to recommend unreservedly without knowing another person's taste in books, but overall I enjoyed it.

An exceptionally inspirational book of timeless New Age ideas, based on the experiences of the author in his college days, as a gymnast in mid 1960s, and later on during his spiritual search, including some fictional events that contributed to the book's premise and helped promote its important message.

I found it hard to rate this book, because the ideas at its core are superior (for lack of a better word) to the plot and the writing. But at the same time, the author's approachable, less esoteric style probably made sure that more people read it, and what can be better. After reading this novel, I came away thoroughly optimistic and thankful for the reinforcement of the long cherished spiritual concepts and mental tools for right show more living.

"When thoughts touch the present they dissolve" (one of my favorite quotes from the book). show less

"This book is so appealing," commented Virginia Satir, "because it provides an easy access for people to naturally identify, connect and be in touch with the spiritual part of themselves."
Indeed, Way of the Peaceful Warrior does just that with its piercing truths, lively narrative and humorous wisdom. Like Castaneda, it enables the reader to reflect on the deepest questions of life. Yet unlike Don Juan, it spotlights the path to a happy, uncomplicated life without dependency on drugs.

Told with drama and insight, the novel revolves around Dan, a world champion gymnast and student at the University of California at Berkeley. The story begins when Dan meets his powerful 96-year-old mentor Socrates, an all-night gas station attendant. show more

Guided by this wise old mentor and tempted by an elusive and playful woman named Joy, Dan journeys through everyday reality and metaphysical realms. He travels the paths of flesh and spirit, romance and terror, light and darkness, laughter and magic, learning new ways to see the world and live life fully.

Thematically, this tale of the eternal human quest for the meaning of life is the path of transformation and enlightenment. It uncovers concepts known deep inside but really allowed to wake up and be content with this knowledge. There is no need to search, so just be happy now! Love is the only reality of the world, because it is all One - and the only laws are paradox, humor and change.

After reading Way of the Peaceful Warrior don't tuck it away on a bookshelf to gather dust. Keep it close at hand, and recapture guidance from many of the metaphors sprinkled throughout the story. The secret of happiness, Socrates so aptly points out, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. -- Association for Humanistic Psychology Newsletter, July, 1984

Remarkably wise, provocatively humorous, and hauntingly beautiful. It may even change the lives of many who peruse its pages. -- Dr. Stanley Krippner show less

Many of the events in this book are said to be true, but the book is fictional. Right from the start, I was yearning to hear Dan Millman's true story, not a fake one. And I never got past that. As a guide to changing lives, as the title suggests, I applaud the author's efforts to introduce spiritual elements into everyday living. An introspective way of life can be rich and rewarding, and for those searching for deeper meaning this tale points the way. Clearly, many people have found it useful.

As a novel, the characters are one-dimensional and the dialog clunky and there's not much of a story. It's seems to be stuck between fiction and non-fiction with elements of both mixed together, although we don't know which is which. There show more doesn't seem much point in reading a fake autobiography unless it has a good story arc. Maybe if the main character's name wasn't the author's name I wouldn't have been so hung up on this. It's kind of Dan Millman's story, but not really. If it's going to be a novel, I would've been more interested in a captivating story that demonstrates spiritual growth and development rather than fictional characters telling me how to do it. However, I'd rather Dan just write a autobiography that's true. Either one would've been better than something in-between.

If a reader wants to learn meditation and an introspective way of living, I'd suggest one of many good authors/teachers in Zen or Work-centered practices. Not this book. However, I gave this book 2 stars because it may lead someone to deeper study in these areas and, for that reason, it would be worthwhile. show less