A Warrior Lesson from Mass Effect 3:
Warning: The following contains spoilers for the Mass Effect franchise. Particularly Mass Effect 3. If you've been under a rock for the last few years and haven't played it. You've been warned.
Mass Effect 3 invoked many emotional responses in it's myriad players. Indeed the massive "Retake" movement in response to what was seen as a weak/anemic ending that didn't do the franchise justice wouldn't have gained the massive following and momentum it had without the powerful emotional moments binding us to various characters throughout the franchise. Of the relationships we cultivated, many of them had powerful conclusions in ME3 as the universe fell apart in strife around Commander Sherpard and his/her crew.
One of the more powerful single moments from ME3 is the death of the Drell assassin Thane Krios. A popular character with fans, this contemplative, spiritual, professional assassin made quite an impact and his death was a very well written and emotional moment for all. As life begins to fade from his body Thane's last words are the following:
“Kalahira, mistress of inscrutable depths, I ask forgiveness.
Kalahira, whose waves wear down stone and sand--
Kalahira, wash the sins from this one,
and set him on the distant shore of the infinite spirit.”
Thane is wracked by pain, prompting Kolyat to continue the next two lines of the prayer. Thane remarks that Kolyat speaks as the priests do. Kolyat explains that he brought a prayer book, and asks the Commander to join him:
“Kalahira, this one's heart is pure,
but beset by wickedness and contention.
Guide this one to where the traveler never tires,
the lover never leaves, the hungry never starve.
Guide this one, Kalahira,
and s/he will be a companion to you as s/he was to me.”
By the end of this prayer, Thane is gone. Shephard asks why Thane would choose to ask for forgiveness in his last moments when his last deeds were that of a hero's, and Kolyat informs the Commander that Thane had made his peace, the prayer was for Shepard.
Again as I said it a powerful scene with a strong emotional impact.
As warriors we can learn many lessons from these few moments at the end of Thane Krios's life. One, he was at peace. While the concept of finding one's peace with their life and deeds is a massive concept that religions and philosophers have struggled with for centuries and that most individuals will struggle with all of their lives. I encourage you all to seek this peace in your every day life. Meditate, write poetry, take the time for a cup of tea in a quiet room, and balance yourself every day.
However the quest for inner peace is well known, and I find the second lesson that Thane has to teach us is the more pertinent of the two. Thane died thinking of forgiveness and peace, not for himself but for another. As warriors we must remember that we are out our very hearts, servants. Indeed the Japanese word "Samurai" comes from the word Saburai, from the Chinese word "Saburau". Both these words mean "servant". We serve many masters in a democratic society and a volunteer military. Our families, communities, chains of command, the government and of course our nation as a whole, we also serve our personal honor.
To live with honor, and in service is not a simple calling, and a warrior is known and respected by this will to live well as well as being willing to die for others. To act with forthright virtue in all things, to live peacefully and act with kindness in your heart when not engaged in conflict alone is a great challenge to face in life, many people warrior or not struggle with this path all of their lives, and it is a vital part of seeking out inner peace.
To this life long battle with our human failings, warriors add the challenges of taking up sword, or in modern times rifle and pledging themselves to do battle in the name of others. Battle presents it's own life long challenges, as does training and mentally preparing for such, A warrior should seek to comport themselves well in battle, to fight calmly instead of with rage, with a cool intellect leading a courageous heart instead of the heart ruling the mind. Ask yourself in mediation and self contemplation, at your heart of hearts, do you have the conviction and selfless courage required to die with only concern for others on your lips?
This is one of many truths at the heart of a warrior's calling.
Please don't reprint this one without crediting it back to my DA if you want to guys. Link is here:
http://kalashnikovmarine.deviantart.com/art/Warrior-Philosophy-and-Mass-Effect-3-393353691And this is a separate bit I wrote in response to someone who noted that despite being a soldier (he's foreign so I refrained from taking insult at the slight) I'm a fairly benign individual.
A warrior who does not maintain a calm and balanced center is no warrior at all. The man who chooses to take up sword or rifle in defense of himself and others is merely a servant to a nation, to a people and to his own personal honor. One doesn't carry himself honorably if he allows his inner peace to be affected, or if he cannot be kind and gentle when he is not actively fighting. A man who is always angry all the time is a sloppy fighter, and more of a brute or thug then a professional soldier. I've always admired the ideal of the samurai in this regard. One is to be courteous, fair and just, while the art of the sword is of course vital, along with other martial arts such as horsemanship and archery, so too was more traditional artistry, from tea ceremony to poetry valued and vital to a samurai's education and upbringing. Sadly, few cultures have done similarly. Warriors of what is now called the Middle East during the early 1000s had some similarities, with art forms such as the copying of holy texts and administering one's holdings well seen just as vital to one's well being and duty to one's lord as pure martial skill.
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