William S Burroughs:

Danger is a biological necessity for men like sleep and dreams. If you’ve faced death, for that time, the period of direct confrontation, you are immortal. For the western middle classes danger is a rarity and erupts only with a sudden random shock, and yet we are all in danger at all times; since our death exists, Macdoug it is written, waiting to present the aspect of suprised recognition. Is there a technique of confronting death without immediate physical danger? One can reach the western lands without physical death.