The Way of the Peaceful Warrior is a book by Dan Millman and was originally published in 1980. I remember picking it up and reading in the early 90s. It is a semi-autobiographical story of a young Dan Millman and his introduction to Zen related perspectives on life and the universe from a gas station attendant that he names “Socrates”. When I started reading it and evaluating my own life from its perspectives, I found it revolutionary. I remember being at a university Christian meeting of InterVarsity or some organization in the Spring of 1993 and sharing that I was reading this book and that it was so mind-bending and of course, everyone was put-off and thought it dangerous.  It has been many years later and though I do not still agree with 100% of it (I will share with you what), it is still one of my life-impacting books that I put on the same shelf as a couple books by Philip Yancey, one by Henry Miller, Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, and other books which define my life. My Bible is not just a book that defines my life but my daily sword! There are several tenets in The Way of the Peaceful Warrior that I believe that should be taken with a grain of salt and a couple that we should all consider.

One point that the book makes that I believe to be incorrect is that Socrates calls Jesus one of the great warriors. To some extent this is surely true but the Bible teaches that He was not only here to teach us how to live. Jesus declared Himself to be the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. This is not something that The Way of the Peaceful Warrior mentions. You cannot have the great teacher Jesus without accepting  His payment for our sins and the need to ask Him to cover them and to help us bear fruit. Many today and throughout history have wanted to separate Jesus the Teacher from Jesus the Savior, but it doesn’t work. Almost everytime that Jesus said to love your neighbor, He also said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to the but through ME.

Another point that I do not agree with is that The Way of the Peaceful Warrior does not call one to live life in relationship to God. While the book does acknowledge “a God” in the initial dedication, nothing about being a Warrior relates to relating to God. It is all about living. While this is obviously important, according to Jesus, to live this way is missing a big part of living…and beyond!

Part of Mr. Millman’s reasons for sharing his experiences maybe that he believes that God wants us to live as warriors. However, such a concept would be very un-Zen as Zen Buddhism does not acknowledge a God at all. Most of the path of the Peaceful Warrior is built on Zen Buddhism.

A tenet from the book that I think is important and is often avoided in Christianity (probably because leaders are worried about introducing “Eastern” concepts into worship) and that we SHOULD look at, is idea of meditating and meditating on scripture. I find meditating on the Word of God to be useful.  I was able to find over 20 verses that tell us to contemplate, think deeply about, and meditate on the Word of God. We are to incorporate meditation on God’s Word into our spiritual lives!

Another tenet that the book encourages people in and that Christians should do more of having unreasonable happiness. Now, I know there is a difference between happiness and joy but the idea to rejoice despite our circumstances is throughout the New Testament and the Old. We should always be looking at the bright side of life and being thankful in all our circumstances.  I found a place that referenced 49 scriptures regarding this. Having unreasonable happiness is part of the Christian life as we believe that God is ultimately in control and that He loves us and is involved in our lives and in the world.

There are other concepts which I agree and disagree with from the Way of the Peaceful Warrior. However, here are just a couple for and against. I still believe that it is a useful and positive life-changing book. As a friend of mine once told me at Christian college, all truth is God’s truth!

John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

————————————————————-W.