Liner Notes for A Peaceful Retirement
Liner Notes for A Peaceful Retirement Agonistes has everything he ever wanted. The greatest champion in the history of the arena. And now he’s retired in good health, with riches and acclaim. What more could he want? To fight is to exist in the moment and to exist in the moment can supress the sense of self. In other words Agonistes experiences fights as transcendent. Yet such transcendence is overwhelming, even for one so self-centred, so egotistical, so arrogant as Agonistes. He has been in the timeless place where self does not exist, he doesn’t need to go back again. Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. Or in this case practise fighting. As for spiritual practices, the faction trying – and succeeding – in seizing control of the city and empire also try to bring Agonistes into the inner circle. Which has a mystical, magical component. This though is par for the course; “He was a member of three warrior societies, ...
