The initial clash of his newfound wisdom with his old life and friends is painful. Although Dan seems to have unlocked the answer to living a peaceful life, following through with this knowledge is not so simple.

He teaches Dan that he must tame his thoughts and learn to live free of the shackles of his own mind. The key to true freedom is in learning to live in the moment, accepting things as they are. According to the old man, attempting to decipher the meaning of life and the world around us can only bring unhappiness. Through these techniques, Socrates reveals the mind is the ultimate source of dissatisfaction. Passing along his knowledge through lectures, Socrates also sends Dan visions. Dan nicknames the man Socrates for his extensive knowledge and wisdom. Dan haphazardly bumps into the old man at a gas station and concedes to be his disciple, learning everything the man has to teach him about the proper way to live. Dan’s recurring nightmares focus on the subject of his own mortality, depicting a strange old man with white hair, an important figure that Dan sets out to find in real life. He searches for that which will give his life meaning and truly ignite his spirit. Dan discovers this to be untrue, and it causes him to call into question everything he took for granted in his life.

As a society, we constantly strive to meet our goals, believing that once we get there we will find a sense of satisfaction or peace of mind. He has realized that, regardless of his accomplishments, he feels an enduring sense of emptiness. The book starts with the beginning of Dan’s journey for enlightenment. However, Dan has recurring nightmares that he is unable to shake, leading him to question his morality and values. At first glance, Dan’s life seems idyllic - he is a top gymnastics athlete being recognized for his prowess with trophies and awards, and he has a reputation around school, making him very popular. The story follows Dan when he was a junior in college in the 1960s, outlining the details of his daily life as a student at the University of California at Berkeley.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman is based on real events from his own life.

Way of the peaceful warrior audiobook