"A warrior considers himself already dead, so there is nothing for him to lose. The worst has already happened to him, therefore he's clear and calm; judging him by his acts or his words, one would never expect he has witnessed everything." ~Tales of Power
Usually there is a precipitating, life-changing event preceding the warrior finding his path. He is not dead in the sense of "dead" of course. But his old life has been shed. He may be in the same skin, but he is a new being. The past is but an illusion now. Any terrible events are behind him. In saying the worst has happened to him, this is because the present is more peaceful and more real to him.
The warrior realizes as he is dead to the past, the future can be detached from the past. The key to this freedom is within him. There comes a time that no matter what is done to him, no matter what difficulties lie ahead of him, he can know peace in all circumstances. He has Spirit, he has intent, and he has control. He can think clearly, and act deliberately. He does not miss his old life and rarely reflects back. the ghosts flee from him cause they cannot haunt him. The pain of the past is now just a mirage.
