5:59 PM PST, January 16, 2006, updated at 8:43 PM PST, February 24, 2006
Way of the Peaceful Warrior was the natural result of my prior life experience. Having discovered the emptiness of living for myself alone, and found a corresponding urge to teach, to share what I had learned with others, and a belief that I might express what had been said before in perhaps a more effective way, I set out to learn something of the craft of writing (and later, speaking).
Having met an unusual and energetic old sage who worked as an all-night gas station attendant in an old Texaco station in Berkeley, I felt a tale centered around this student-mentor relationship might be worthwhile, and began writing down notes and ideas. I thought a few college students might enjoy it. It took shape, then changed shape over the years. Between the time I met the man I called Socrates and the publication of the book, thirteen years had passed, during which time I had met other interesting mentors who contributed to the the book.
Although it is not a work of great literary sophistication, perhaps that's part of its charm. I wasn't terribly sophisticated myself, but I wrote it with heart; it needed to be born so I did the typing.
Especially of late, there has been a great deal of controversy over writers who claim to write non-fiction, or memoir, but are actually writing fiction. For twenty-five years, in person at my seminars, or in response to anyone who asked, and in recent years at my web site (www.danmillman.com) I have been most open about the book being a blend of fact (much is literally, factually true) and fiction (some dramatic elements and chronology changes for the sake of a good narrative). To call this book totally true or totally fiction would thus both be inaccurate and unjust. But on the back of the book it says, simply "Personal Growth/Fiction." I can live with that, and hope my readers are also comfortable with this small paradox.
In 2006, twenty-five years after the book was written, "Peaceful Warrior" -- the movie -- will be released (with Nick Nolte as Socrates, Scott Mechlowicz as Dan, and Amy Smart as Joy). While the film adapts only the first 2/3 of the book, it conveys valuable messages from the book. Joy and I saw an advance screening and we both appreciated the dedication shown by director, actors, producers and entire crew. It is a challenging book to adapt, but the director did it with style, atmosphere, and heart. Clearly, as with any adaptation, the book has one kind of magic, and the film medium has another. In the case of "Peaceful Warrior," the lessons and reminders it conveys may, like the book, make a positive difference in many lives.
People who love (or critize) this book (and upcoming film) are both right. Both have strengths and flaws, as do I. But both also reach out to new generations of souls seeking sense and spirit. Some have criticized the book (and those of its type) for being too self-centered (rather than politically active, for example). Perhaps. But that is a topic for future commentary.
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Dan Millman "Peaceful Warrior" sent the following posts to customers who purchased Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives