Socrates and Zen
Socrates View of Life to Zenism
The objective of this work, Socrates View of Life to Zenism, will be to see if the sage Socrates agrees or disagrees with the way of the Zen masters. I noticed upon completion of the book, Dan Millman's semi-auto biographical tale, 'Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives,' that I was reminded of something I saw on TV in the cable system's reruns. Although simple, I was reminded of this -- When the student is ready the teacher will come.
That mantra came from a television series about a 'half American' and 'half Chinese' Shoaling monk. The Television series was Kung Fu and although the story was a little out of date, even for a western, the star of the show, Kwi Chang Cain, whenever in trouble or in a situation needing reflection, had an ancient memory jarred into the present from one teacher or another from his past who had prepared him for just that situation that he was in. The scenes played like a video of the ghosts from the temple preparing the new monk for what was surely to come in the future. Millman's Socrates reminded me of those video like memories in Kung Fu. If no other character could interact with Socrates throughout the book there would be no difference between him and the ancient monks from the Shoaling Temple.
To begin, I would like to focus on Dan Millman because to know the author in this case is to know the story. Dan Millman was a gymnastic champion who went on to coach the prominent Men's Stanford gymnastics team and also became a professor at Oberlin College. As an author, Millman's spiritual sagas have been translated into well over twenty languages worldwide and continue to inspire and enlighten millions.
Through his literary success, he has moved into the talk circuit where he continues to attract large audiences of many different backgrounds and affiliations. When asked what his inspiration was to write 'Way of the Peaceful Warrior' and 'Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior,' he responded on his web site that, "I wrote Way of the Peaceful Warrior and Sacred Journey to offer inspiring reminders about life's bigger picture and higher potential. But they were not intended as practical guidebooks for living (or about diet or fasting or meditation)." (Millman, 2003) When asked if the book was based on fact he answered on his site that the story is merely a novel that contains some autobiographical material.
Millman's character Socrates was a bit abrasive throughout the work. The abusive tone made the reader think that Socrates was overly condescending for the lack of a better word. The reader got the impression that Socrates was talking down to Dan while implying in a sarcastic demeanor that Dan should in fact already know this stuff.
Millman was asked on his website why Socrates was harsh to a point of sometimes humiliating the other character or if Socrates was in fact a good role model and he replied, "In Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Socrates poked fun at me to show me how easily I became offended. Soc treated most people with respect. He was, in any case, an unconventional teacher. Socrates had his style; I have mine. I do not mimic him or anyone else. In a personal apprenticeship, where the teacher understands the student, that teacher may affirm, deny, frustrate, or make light of a student. In such a relationship, mutual trust and respect are implicit and essential. But this does not in any way excuse a teacher's abuse or exploitation of students in this sacred relationship. To my liking but overall, the character was well thought out." (Millman, 2003)
The ancient Zen teachings known as the Hsin Ming ("Faith Mind Verses") were virtually an unknown document outside of scholarly circles for many hundreds of years. "Happily, the twentieth century produced a translator who rose to the challenge. Robert H. Clarke's rendering is that rarest of accomplishments in the field of translation. He has not only retained the sense of the Chinese but has re-created much of the poetry." (Sengtsan, 2003) Clarke in his translation kept the Chinese word, tao (pronounced "dow"). There was no equivalent in English. A translation of tao is equates to the "way." "In this context, it can be taken to mean "all that is -- both visible and invisible," with the implication that there is vastly more to our existence that what our waking senses tell us." (Sengtsan)
The Hsin Ming verses it is estimated...
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