Kindle Price: $13.99

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $2.62

Save: $1.77 (68%)

You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions

Buy for others

Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group.
Learn more

Buying and sending eBooks to others

  1. Select quantity
  2. Buy and send eBooks
  3. Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.

Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Smile at Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 261 ratings

Insights and strategies for claiming victory over fear, from “one of the most remarkable and brilliant teachers of modern times” (Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart)  
 
Many of us, without even realizing it, are dominated by fear. We might be aware of some of our fears—perhaps we are afraid of public speaking, of financial hardship, or of losing a loved one. Chögyam Trungpa shows us that most of us suffer from a far more pervasive fearfulness: fear of ourselves. We feel ashamed and embarrassed to look at our feelings or acknowledge our styles of thinking and acting; we don’t want to face the reality of our moment-to-moment experience. It is this fear that keeps us trapped in cycles of suffering, despair, and distress.

In
Smile at Fear, Chögyam Trungpa offers us a vision of moving beyond fear to discover the innate bravery, trust, and delight in life that lies at the core of our being. Drawing on the Shambhala Buddhist teachings, he explains how we can each become a spiritual warrior—a person who faces each moment of life with openness and fearlessness.
Read more Read less

Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Powerful dharma encouragement to awaken our own fearless and wise heart—from one of the most remarkable and brilliant teachers of modern times.”—Jack Kornfield

“The teachings presented in this book are transformational—and especially relevant today, when so many of us are facing uncertainty and anxiety. Chögyam Trungpa shows us how to uncover our innate strength, confidence, and joy under any circumstances. I strongly recommend this book to all those seeking awakening and freedom.”—Pema Chödrön

“There is no one better than Chögyam Trungpa to show us how to be fearless. He overcame great difficulties while remaining true to his principles—bravery, compassion, and gentleness. These are the qualities of a Shambhala warrior, which shine through brilliantly in this book.”—Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

“Throughout [this publication] it is stated many times that the road to compassionate enlightenment and change is sitting meditation.  These gentle reminders are always welcome because it is so easy to go to sleep and forget what is useful.”—
The Bloomsbury Review 

“Particularly relevant, as modern day life presents the aspirant with many challenges that provoke anxiety and worry.  His suggestions are practical, accessible, and simple.”—
The Beacon

“An excellent place to start for anyone interested in exploring Trungpa Rinpoche's remarkable Shambhala teachings."—
The Middle Way

About the Author

Chögyam Trungpa (1940–1987)—meditation master, teacher, and artist—founded Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, the first Buddhist-inspired university in North America; the Shambhala Training program; and an international association of meditation centers known as Shambhala International. He is the author of numerous books including Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, and The Myth of Freedom.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00HQM20N0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shambhala (October 5, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 5, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1767 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 162 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 261 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Chogyam Trungpa
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Chögyam Trungpa (1940–1987)—meditation master, teacher, and artist—founded Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, the first Buddhist-inspired university in North America; the Shambhala Training program; and an international association of meditation centers known as Shambhala International. He is the author of numerous books including Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, and The Myth of Freedom.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
261 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2010
This is a wonderful, rich book -- a real tool for your toolbox, when it comes to making your way in the world.
I appreciate the insights and wisdom, but mostly I appreciate the specific ways to implement this lovely spiritual framework, into the nitty gritty of your very human life.

I have suggested this book to many friends, gave away my own copy, and I intend to buy more to pass along to other Spiritual Warriors I bump into on the path.

With all of the problems we are facing, all of the complexity and confusion of our daily existence, "Smile At Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery" offers a very simple, yet profound way to connect with life, in all of its richness and layers of pleasure and pain.

Awakening your Brave Heart, is the very remedy called for, in these times. A welcome relief! It's the very essence of what is needed and what will get us through: It is the only thing that can propel us forward as these times (like all times) unfold before us.
13 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2014
I've read many books for self-development over the last fifteen years....
firstly, it's humbling to read this book. One of the only books that reiterates the limitation of intellectualising or trying to speak / talk about concepts and ideoligies. It reminds and pushes you to cultivate action-your practice of living through tools like meditation etc.
it is useful for anyone who wants to learn more about themselves. Don't worry about not understanding certain concepts (this is especially for the younger readers), they will make sense as you carry on living your lives with ideas discussed in this book (dignity, fearlessness, grace etc). So this book is timeless in so many ways.
The people who have experienced a broken heart and have managed to walk forward with a smile, will be pleasantly reminded that their 'basic genuineness' is always protecting them and that they are on the right track. But, most importantly to keep cultivating the warriorship :)
Loved reading this book. Thank you Chogyam trungpa
8 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2009
This is really the third in a series of what I would consider essential teachings from one of the most important Buddhist teachers of our time. It follows "Shambhala, Sacred Path of the Warrior" and "Great Eastern Sun." I love reading this before I sit for meditation in the morning. I salute Carolyn Rose Gimian for a loving and elegant job editing these talks.

In case you have any doubts, this is no little book of "left-overs" that are being put out long after Trungpa's death. This is the "real deal." I find these teachings--arranged in bite sized chapters--to be profound and literally enlightening. The material not only covers diving into your fears or being present with them rather than recoiling; but more importantly to me, it explains how to shine with the unconditional fearless, doubtless awareness that fuels the confidence and joy of Windhorse energy.

This pithy little book is surprisingly powerful--at least it is to me. I recommend it very highly, especially to anyone who has found resonance with the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa, Pema Chodron or Sakyong Mipham.

Very rich and rewarding indeed!
107 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2015
A good teaching. My only gripe is that Trungpa would not have known about Starbucks. The editorial decision to 'update' the cultural references was not really effective.

It's really great to have the audio version available- so thanks for that.
2 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2011
I was skittish about buying this book knowing the good, the bad and the ugly about Trungpa Rinpoche and his legacy.
Trungpa founded Naropa Institute, was Pema Chodren's primary teacher, and began a number of meditation centers. His personal life was a disaster and embodied the worst of what can happen when Tibetans encounter the West with its perversions and their self restain fails.He died at a young age from the ravages of alcoholism.

Now we have that out of the way, this book is amazing. Although it is a compilation of Trungpa's talks on this subject, it flows as if these talks were meant to be sewn together. It is written with the characteristic openness and bluntness of many Tibetan masters which I find refreshing in this time of political correctness and self-soothing. The first chapter is titled Face Yourself-in which he elaborates unblemished self-examination, The second chapter gives specifics of meditation, the book proceeds on about how to develop fearless which is actually the process of finding one's own true nature, basic goodness and developing one's windhorse which arises out of mindfullness and is characterized by natural gallantry and fearlessness.
This books has many gems including the need to embrace the paradox that constitutes one's true nature...happiness but always with a touch of sadness.To get all this book has to offer requires more than one reading.
Perhaps that is what we are called upon to do with Trungpa himself...see the paradox of this brilliant man...the dark and light. By Trungpa's own words that doesn't mean condoning his actions.
26 people found this helpful
Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Joshua Loucks
5.0 out of 5 stars Brings your life back in focus
Reviewed in Canada on January 25, 2021
A must read for anyone. It's a inspiring book that is a game changer for the mind. I suggest it to anyone, especially if you are feeling lost in life and need to recentrer.
Femme
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy bueno
Reviewed in Mexico on October 2, 2019
Muy bueno
K. Greer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2011
I really enjoyed it. In fact I didn't want it to end. It contains his magic and as I read it found myself thinking about his finely tuned words all day. I even tried practicing many of his ideas and it resulted in a light happy mood every day. I can hear his voice and humour and recommend it to anyone who is even a little interested in this famous teacher...
7 people found this helpful
Report
JJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the analogies and reoccurring mantras to reinforce and connect ...
Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2018
Very inspiring. Love the analogies and reoccurring mantras to reinforce and connect concepts
Christina Gonzalez
5.0 out of 5 stars A Life Changing Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2016
This book can open up new possibilities in our lives by showing us how to understand our own minds and make friends with ourselves. It leaves us smiling, hopeful and joyful.
3 people found this helpful
Report
Report an issue

Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?