Every individual is unique. This is not the most outstanding statement, but the one people know from their childhood. This is actually true; human beings have different characters, habits and reactions to the same events. A lot of personal qualities are determined in the early years of each individual. The character is formed in the childhood and a lot depends on the way the parents bring their son or daughter up. The environment, friends, relatives and even country, everything is essential to influence the future of adult man or woman. The surprising thing is that in spite of the differences, all of us have a lot of aims that may be unite into one. Pursuing the happiness, the wish to enjoy life and live it to the full, all these make representatives of different nations and citizens of different countries very much alike (Tolle 47). Unfortunately, the vast amount of people cannot say that they live happily and remind every period of life without regret or sorrow. Anna Karenina, the novel by Russian writer Leo Tolstoy begins with the words that happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way (Tolstoy 3). The famous classic wrote about relations. Without trying to argue with the writer, these words may imply each individual. Happiness is the feeling that unites, although there may be different ways to achieve it. The aim of this work is an attempt to analyse the book of Dan Millman The Way of The Peaceful Warrior. This is a try to understand the principles of happiness which are described and to see the way of its achievement.
EVERLASTING WAY
The book The Way of The Peaceful Warrior describes one period of life of the writer. The young and very talented gymnast Dan leaves his hometown and his family to join Berkley, the University of California. Dan is successful sportsman and he enters one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. In spite of the fact that his dreams come true, he feels himself unhappy and lost. In addition, he suffers from nightmares. One day he meets the service station attendant who says that Dan does not live true life and the reason of all sufferings is in his mind. The attendant becomes the teacher of Dan and his spiritual mentor. The young guy starts to call him Socrates. Socrates is a very unique individual; he acts different, talks different and always says simple but very meaningful phrases. The book is full of his wise words and stories of wisdom.
Teaching process. The whole process of teaching is simple and very hard for Dan at the same time. Its simplicity is determined by not so complicated advices, which Socrates gives. For example, his words that there is no need to make sense out of this world; it has always been a puzzle (Millman 8). Socrates tries to motivate Dan to get rid of the misconceptions and trust only his own experience (Millman 13). The hardest part of the tuition for Dan is to follow his teacher’s words. The old man calls himself a warrior and tries to show his student the way of peaceful warrior (Millman 57). During the course of tuition the young man tries very hard but the harder he tries the unhappier he becomes. He understands his own imperfection in almost every aspect of life and he suffers more and more. Dan is much further from happiness then he was before the acquaintance with Socrates. The book shows the stages of young man’s tuition. From stage to stage he finds something new and tries to overcome what he considers as weakness.
The Most Important Knowledge. On the process of reading the book, there are always evidences of how Socrates shows his student the way of feeling pure emotions, the way of clear and wise thinking. The teacher definitely succeeds in his efforts. Dan finds out a lot of interesting and essential things about this world and himself. He even survives life dangerous moments and understands more about his own world and the world around him. The issue is that his new knowledge of life which he gains from own practice does not bring happiness or piece of mind. The more Dan knows the more miserable he becomes. There is more easiness in his attitude to this world, though. He admires simple things and gets satisfaction and joy from things he has never thought of before. Dan understands more now and at the same time the new perception doesn’t make his life simpler or happier. The fact that Dan got to know Socrates changed him drastically. He is a warrior now, but still wandering to find his own way. The last stage of Dan’s education is the process of changing his attitude towards death. The fear of death is the most powerful emotion that has its impact on the days of living (Lama, Cutler 82). Changing attitude towards death means different attitude to own body, thoughts and different people. In his book Dan Millman pictures different trips of a young man’s imagination, sometimes they are pleasant and sometimes they are appalling and really dangerous. This one is maybe the worst and the most healing. Dan understands that the death actually does not exist. He sees his body aloof, sees its decay and how it becomes the earth and the sky. Dan exists apart from his body, but he feels and understands everything. The reader can see that the book is not only autobiographical but it is also fictional. This fact does not make it worse or less significant, though. Dan is not afraid of death now and, maybe this is the most important lesson that his teacher has given to him. The fear of death is that kind of emotion that determines people’s acts and attitudes towards many things. The young man knows now that there is no end of the way, the way is everlasting. When Socrates goes away, Dan is sad but this sadness is bright. He knows that he can see his teacher in a tree, sky or grass. The new knowledge calms Dan and brings peace and some easiness in his life.
Happiness. The most important event for Dan on his way to live simple life and be happy is his marriage. Dan has been married before and he has a daughter. He loved his wife or at least he was sure of it. This marriage was unfortunately unsuccessful and they divorced. Dan’s second marriage takes place in different circumstances. He was deeply in love with the girl, his future wife and she loved him. Life makes them separate and close to each other from time to time. Their marriage may be called a happy ending of the book, but this is not end of the way of life, of course. Love, as the most important treasure and luxury in life finally finds Danny. Life gives him an award for all his doubts and sufferings. The only wish Dan has on his weeding day is to have Socrates, his friend and his teacher near him to share this wonderful moment with. This is impossible, but at the same time the young man knows that his teacher is always with him and he may talk to him wherever he wants. Two warriors will never be separated.
CONSLUSION
Everybody knows that life is difficult. People understand it, having their own experience or hearing these words from adults in childhood. That means great effort and persistent in making a carrier, in attempt to full realization in life. People should be warriors, but in terms of being strong and get what they want from this world. The book of Dan Millman is also about warriors but of absolutely different kind. There is nothing in this book about qualities which help to earn money or to get a higher social position. The reader may get much more important and useful information. The word warrior in the book means the master of own emotions and the solder, who leads the war with own fears and preconceptions. The reader may have quite a controversial attitude towards this book. From the one hand, the author really inspires readers to act, because action means experience. The writer with the words of Socrates says that happiness is something that exists today and not yesterday or tomorrow, people must learn to appreciate every moment. These words are very motivating; humans always tend to learn something new, especially when it comes to their own lives. On the other hand, during the whole period of the tuition, the number of Dan’s questions has been enhancing and there are quite a few answers. Maybe knowledge of any kind doesn’t lead to happiness anyway What really makes the main character happy is such simple, rare and essential thing as mutual love. The simplicity itself is the essence of the Socrate’s life and his teaching. To follow or not to follow the advices in the book depends on the reader. The story is unique in the way it is written and will sure provoke interest and desire to think and to learn more.
Works Cited
Millman, Dan. The Way Of The Peaceful Warrior. Tiburon: H J Kramer Inc, 1980. Print.
Tolstoy, Leo. Anna Karenina. New York: Penguin Books, 2002. Print.
Lama XIV Dalai, Cutler Howard. The Art Of Happiness. New York: Riverhead Hardcore, 1998. Print.
Tolle, Eckhart. The Power Of Now: A Guide To Spiritual Enlightenment. San Francisco:
New World Library, 2004. Print.
