40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: Review, November 24, 2002
This review is from: Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives (Paperback)
For my independent book project I read the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan
Millman. Set in Berkeley California, a young college student, Dan Millman, struggles to find the
part of himself that has always been missing. One night while out walking from his dorm, Dan
comes across a gas station and a strange man that is soon to turn his life upside down. This man,
known as Socrates, shows Dan a side of existence that only few people had ever seen. To
become a warrior like Socrates and have the mind to not allow the regular struggles of life to
control a single part of you. Socrates takes Dan in and tries to create a warrior from a young star
athlete with the ignorance of every other human on this earth. Through his teachings Dan comes
across an elusive women named Joy. This spiritual journey shows Dan a side of life never seen by
his own eyes before, and guides him to his final conflict that hopefully will help him reach his
destination he has always yearned for. The missing piece of the puzzle that is Dan Millman.
This book shows life in a way you may have never thought of before. It shows the many
steps it takes to become, "a warrior." The biggest strength of this book is the way these steps are
portrayed. In most cases it is Socrates showing the ignorant Dan the differences between their
lives. Socrates shows Dan how a warrior looks at several simple aspects of life unlike the normal
human. In one section, Socrates shows Dan the difference between the brain and the mind. Dan
questions the positive uses for the mind and the great minds in history. Socrates shows him that
there aren't any great minds, that there are only great brains. "Mind is one of those slippery terms
like love. The proper definition relates to your level of consciousness." Socrates states and
continues to explain how the brain has abstract processes of dealing with information called, "the
intellect." He adds, "Nowhere have I mentioned mind. The brain and mind are not the same.
The brain is real; the mind isn't." He later explains how the mind is all the random uncontrolled
thoughts that cloud your brain, and how the mind is a useless tool. This way of separating these
two simples words allows the reader to think about what the book is saying, and to figure out if
there is truth to what the book says.
Another strength of this book, is obviously the way it makes you think about the steps it
shows. The difference between the mind and brain is not something most think about in their
regular lives. But as I read each word I found truth to what Socrates was saying. You read this
book and try to realize the hidden messages being put across. The message between the mind and
brain is to not let your brain be attacked by random useless thoughts. In other words, to not let
your, `mind', get in the way of your brain. People think millions of useless thoughts each day.
Without these thoughts a persons brain would be clear and their emotions would be easier to
control. Dan tries to explain to Socrates that he will control his `mind' and change himself in the
process. "That is one of your biggest illusions. You've been willing to change clothes, hairstyles,
women, apartment, and jobs. You are willing to change anything, except yourself." Socrates
states. This again enables the reader to reflect on their life and brain. And to put themselves in
the shoes of the main character Dan.
This book allows you to relate to the main character. The main character is a young man
who has been set to see the world the way most have. He is ignorant when it comes to seeing the
other side of the picture. Readers can relate to him because they share a lot of the same qualities
and ignorance. As Socrates teaches Dan about the mind, he also teaches the reader. As I read
this book I found myself thinking the same questions as Dan asked in the book. It made me
realize how little most humans know and how unwelcome they are to change.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It allowed me to relate to the main character, reflect on
my life, and try to change myself in the process of reading it. I was able to see the parts of my life
that had not been even fathomed before. Through Dan's journey I was able to see the part of
myself that I had been missing. This book is not a challenging book and allows for every reader
to have their own interpretation of it. It is sad for me to say but this book definitely affected my
life and made me see the parts of myself that were in need of change. I recommend this book for
anyone struggling to find them self like most humans are, or anyone in general who would like to
read something that causes them to live through the motions of the main character. This book
creates a world similar to ours where, though he is not real, there is a `Socrates' in each in every
person's life. I recommend it to anyone, and later in life I will read it again to see my growth and
the things in my life I have left to change.
By,
Clayton
Maderia
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