Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Way of the Peaceful Warrior

For my book project I read the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior, by Dan Millman. Set in Berkeley California, Dan Millman a college student 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 that I had never thought of before. It shows the many steps it takes to become, "a warrior." 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. Socrates states and continues to explain how the brain has abstract processes of dealing with information called, "the

intellect." 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 simple words allows one to think about what the book is saying, and to figure out if there is truth to what the book says. 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. 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.

After reading this book I looked at class notes which might represent this book and I found a relation between almost all the concepts and people. The first being Ludwig and his interpretation on language. When Ludwig talks about language and how it limits our mind and keeps us from looking outside the box is a prime example of how Socrates is trying to make Dan look outside the box by explaining that the brain and the mind are separate. Socrates is trying to limit Dan's mind and trigger his brain to see things differently without all the other thoughts cluttering his brain. Dewey also makes valid points towards this book in the context concept. The context concept that Dewey illustrates follows along the line with Socrates showing