Hugh’s Blog

The Peaceful Warrior…still relevant today

I watched with fascination The Peaceful Warrior flick (based on San Millman’s brilliant best seller book written in 1980) last night with friends. I say with fascination because it seemed that this message was entirely relevant now 29 years after Millman crafted this wonderful tome.

I remember my brother Dan reading this book shortly after it came out and getting copies for friends and family. At the time it was completely lost to me. “Pretty cool, but pretty kooky” was my reaction. I was into cars, summer, beer and bank accounts (OK some things never change). And while remember reading the book it didn’t hit home until I read it again 10 years later. Maybe a bit more life had to pile up for Millman’s ‘shovel’ took hold.

If you haven’t taken this work in, check out Dan’s web site http://www.peacefulwarrior.com/ I’ve been getting his blog’s for eight years and there is nothing kooky about this guy. Follow Dan on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pwDan/

Also the movie with Nick Nolte (who plays the part of Socrates the sage) is a great interpretation of the book and not over the top Hollywood.

A couple of messages that hit home (again) while watching the movie:
Take out the trash. You will never be able to really listen to the truth until you get rid of the confusing, conflicting crap that fills our consciousness all day. Learn to listen to yourself.

It’s about the journey, not the destination. You will never be as satisfied or rewarded by outcomes as you will by the journey to the outcome, so don’t rush through it.

Let go of outcome and you will have more mastery in the moment. The closing scene is brilliant: as Millman (played by Scott Mechlowicz) is on the rings at the American national gymnastics trials the voice of Socrates asks: “Where are you?”, answer “Here”, “What time is it?”, answer “Now”. What else do you need to know.
Take it in.