PEACEFUL WARRIOR

A film starring Nick Nolte, Scott Mechlowicz and Amy Smart
Directed by: Victor Salva
Review by: Michael Barclay

It has always been clear that those who excel in any profession have a singular quality in common: the ability to be fully and passionately “present” in the moment. Teaching this quality is often challenging, but the value of this outlook on life is imperative in order to fully access the potential that exists inside of each person.

In 20 years of working with professional athletes and top business executives, I have never found a better tool for teaching this quality of “presence” than the new movie, “Peaceful Warrior,” based on the bestselling book by Dan Millman.

A top achiever consistently has the ability to be in the moment, to truly “show up” for the task at hand. It doesn’t matter if an individual is playing baseball or selling a product, this basic quality is a necessity to achieve peak performance. For years, I have taught meditative techniques, exercises, and tools for self-awareness in order to help clients be passionate and present in their lives, but never have I found such a terrific tool as this new film.

For those not familiar with the book on which the movie is based, it follows a gymnast at U.C. Berkeley who encounters a strange and amazing teacher whom he calls Socrates (played by Nick Nolte). Socrates seems to have the ability to perform amazing feats, and has an outlook on life that at first both confuses and intrigues the young gymnast, Dan (performed admirably by Scott Mechlowicz). But after Dan suffers a terrible trauma, it seems as if the teachings of Socrates are all that stand between him and a life full of depression and failure.

What are these powerful teachings? Only what every top achiever in any field has always known. To be present in the moment. To realize that the only time, is right now. To find the love in what you do. To realize that every action has both its pleasures and its price. To understand that knowledge is not the same as wisdom. The basic teachings that can be found in every spiritual tradition from Judeo-Christian philosophy to Buddhism to the neo-shamanic traditions of Central and South America are expressed simply and beautifully in this script written by Kevin Berhardt, and taught through the powerfully subtle acting of Nick Nolte in a way that is neither preachy nor schmaltzy. Director Victor Salva does a wonderful job of guiding the audience on their own journey of awakening… an awakening into themselves and their souls’ dreams.

Almost 30 years ago, top athletes and coaches started understanding the mind/body relationship, and how the discipline of the mind can manifest amazing changes in the body and peak performance. Recently, we have started to recognize that there is an additional component to long-term success -- the spirit. This spirit/mind/body relationship is the triad upon which ultimate peak performance is built, and this new film demonstrates the blending of these components in order to achieve success in a rich and beautiful way.

Fun and exciting, “Peaceful Warrior” is an enjoyable movie for the entire family. For anyone who has ever competed, or had a desire to excel in any arena, this is an inspiring and wonderful film that should be seen. Like any good book, each time it is seen, there are more teachings that can be gleaned on a personal level, and the beauty of the film becomes even deeper the more it is contemplated.

Socrates teaches, “There are no ordinary moments”. If we could all remember only this one phrase, then our lives would be filled with more joy and success than most people can imagine.

Be here. Right now. See “Peaceful Warrior” for the fun of it, and go home with a renewed sense of commitment about life, relationship, and success.

Michael Barclay is a Peak Performance and Spiritual Coach. He is also currently completing his rabbinical studies, and plans to be ordained this summer.