The Peaceful Warrior

Copyright (c) 2007 Char Cooper RN, MSN, APRN

The previews ended and the movie was starting, or was it? Black screen and no sound. It took me awhile to realize, but I believe the director was trying to get the audience to be present. I of course was in the future, "When's something going to happen?" Being in the moment is one of many enlightened messages in the movie, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. It was one the first books on spiritual growth that really made a difference in my life.

The story is about a chance encounter with a wise stranger that changes the life of a college gymnast, and is based on real occurrences in Dan Millman's life. Dan Millman is the author of many self-help/spiritual growth books, Peaceful Warrior being his most popular. The movie opened nationwide last weekend. I gathered eight friends and we headed out with low expectations (the critics didn't give it rave reviews). The critics are entitled to their opinions, of course, but everyone of us liked the movie. This passage from the book which is depicted in the movie is one reason why:

"Then I look up at the shining mountain peak. If the jewel is to be found, it must be at the top. I climb and climb, beginning an arduous journey that takes many years. At last I reach my journey's end. I stand bathed in bright light. My eyesight is clear now, yet the jewel is nowhere to be found. I look upon the valley far below, where I began the climb many years ago. Only then do I realize that the jewel had always been within me, even then, and that the light had always shined. Only my eyes had been closed."

The movie condenses a book's worth of messages into a couple of hours. Important things like, be present, there are no ordinary moments, enjoy the journey, what you give you receive, trust yourself, are some examples. Everyone can get something from these messages. The more we expose ourselves, remind ourselves, reteach ourselves (we already know this on some level, we just need to be reminded), the more we live in that enlightened place. By living in that enlightened place I mean applying the principles of spiritual growth to all we do, and all we are. That is our purpose, to grow and live fully in a life of spiritual awareness.