The ninety degree shift does not cancel the effects of old age upon the physical body, but it does enable warriors to retain control of all their faculties, their knowledge, sobriety, and power, right up to and even beyond the moment of physical death. This is every warrior's reward for having been willing to fight impeccably right up until the final breath.

IN WORKING WITH MIRRORS IT IS NECESSARY TO RECAPITULATE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE, FROM THE PRESENT MOMENT RIGHT BACK TO THE MOMENT OF BIRTH. SUCH A RECAPITULATION DEMANDS A LEVEL OF HONESTY WHICH IS ONLY ATTAINABLE THROUGH AN ACT OF RUTHLESSNESS. RUTHLESSNESS MUST BEGIN WITH YOURSELF. ONLY WHEN RUTHLESSNESS HAS REPLACED SELF-PITY CAN YOU ACHIEVE THE SOBRIETY NEEDED IN ORDER TO DISCRIMINATE WITH WISDOM.

When one looks at the world directly, the eyes fixate the assemblage point, and no more movement is possible. Under such conditions there can be no fluidity or sobriety. Therefore one should not look at the world directly; that is, one should not stare, but glance around casually and at ease. This is true even if one is using the inner vision to look at one's own inner world.

Fear can only be prevalent in the absence of sufficient sobriety. In the full light of sobriety fear evaporates like mist before the sun.