THE ART OF WITHDRAWAL

A warrior of light who trusts too much in his intelligence will end up underestimating the power of his opponent.
It is important not to forget that, sometimes, strength is more effective than strategy. When we are confronted by a certain kind of violence, no amount of brilliance, argument, intelligence, or charm can avert tragedy.
That is why the warrior never underestimates brute force. When it proves too violent, he withdraws from the battlefield until his enemy has exhausted himself.
However, be very clear about one thing: a warrior of light is never cowardly. Flight might be an excellent form of defense, but it cannot be used when one is very afraid.
When in doubt, the warrior prefers to face defeat and then lick his wounds, because he knows that, if he flees, he is giving to the aggressor greater power than he deserves.
The warrior of light can heal the physical suffering, but will be eternally pursued by his spiritual weakness. In difficult and painful times, the warrior faces overwhelming odds with heroism, resignation, and courage.
In order to reach the necessary state of mind ( since he is entering a battle in which he is at disadvantage and could suffer greatly), the warrior of light needs to know exactly what might harm him. Okakura Kakuzo says in his book on the Japanese tea ceremony: “We see the evil in others because we want to hide it from ourselves. We show our strength, so that no one can see our frailty. That is why, whenever you judge your brother, be aware that it is you who s in the dock.”
Sometimes, this awareness can avoid a fight that will only bring disadvantages. Sometimes, however, there is no way out, only an unequal battle.
We know we are going to lose, but our enemy and his violence leave us no interest to us.
Man is not born, nor does he die. Having come into existence, he will never cease to be, because he is eternal and permanent.
Just as man discards old clothes and puts on new clothes, so the soul discards the old body and puts on a new one.
But the soul is indestructible; swords cannot pierce it, fire cannot burn it, water cannot wet it, the wind cannot dry it. It is beyond the power of all these things.
Since man is always indestructible, he is always victorious (even in his defeats), and that is why he should never be sad.