Smile At Fear: Awakening The True Heart Of Bravery !!TOP!!
"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
Smile at Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery
The ground of fearlessness is to develop renunciation. Renunciation here means overcoming that very hard and tough, aggressive mentality which wards off any gentleness that might come into our hearts. Fear does not allow fundamental tenderness to enter into us. When tenderness tinged by sadness touches our heart, we know that we are in contact with reality. We feel it. That contact is genuine, fresh, and quite raw. That sensitivity is the basic experience of warriorship, or human bravery, and it is the key to developing fearless renunciation.
Andy, standing in the little group about the open grave, at this raisedhis eyes, and he found Ruth's wide, tearless gaze fixed upon him. Andysmiled bravely back at her, for his heart was strong within him.
"My heart has been filled with horror," Ruth went on, giving Andy timeto catch his breath. "I dared not tell any one what really happened.They think you merely went as guide. I never expected to see you aliveagain. I am not sure that I do now!" She smiled pitifully, and came nearAndy to chafe his cold hands.
And while he dreamed of peaceful walks with the master under sunnyskies, and smiled in the dreaming, Ruth had summoned Janie, and themother sat waiting patiently the awakening. There was much to tell andmore to do. But Andy dreamed on.
"It is ten years since my wife died," he continued, in a low voice, hisworn old face softening, "and yet I have not recovered from her death.I think each day that I miss her more and more, and there is an achingvoid in my heart that naught can fill. It was only a few days ago thatI came upon a little piece of needlework that she had sewed upon andleft unfinished, and though thou wouldst not believe it, I fell uponmy knees in front of that bit of cloth, and burst into tears. Dear,patient Jane! It is only when we have lost the gem that we prize itmost. A noble woman, my boy, is God's best gift to man, a bad[Pg 166] one hisworse curse. A woman, true and sweet, can raise a man's life towardsheaven; can be a benediction to him that will last as long as life; andan unfaithful and nagging woman is as near a hell on earth as man evergets.
"Is it possible!" I cried in surprise. "Let me congratulate thee.She is a lovely girl, and I have no doubt is as amiable as she isbeautiful. Dame Fortune has indeed smiled upon thee," and I shook hishand heartily.
"Thank thee, old man," he said huskily. "None but a heart of true steelsuch as thine could bear this grief so nobly. But I fear that thou artmistaken, for never has the lady given me any cause to think that sheregarded me as more than a friend; thou hast misinterpreted her words."
"He is a man," I replied; "a true and noble soul, stripped of all thedross that eats and corrodes the pure metal from the heart of hisbrother, the white man, who calls himself his superior. He has notlearned to forsake his friends when they have fallen into misfortune,or to crowd with fawning smile around the great and powerful. He hasmuch of worth, Governor, that we, who laugh at his barbarous ways,might do well to imitate."
I laughed bitterly as I replaced the paper in its hiding place. It haddone its work well, and I now knew why Margaret was here. That imp ofSatan, Father Francis, had carried this message, and she, in the pityof her woman's heart, had accompanied him to some house where Dunravenawaited her. Then they hurried her aboard his vessel and set sail,thinking to be safe in this wild country. But fate, weary with thesmiles which she had bestowed upon him, had at last turned her frown,and I, like a sleuth hound, was on their trail.
"It is nothing; the Eagle for a moment thought that Manteo would betrayhim, but he knows better now, and Manteo's heart is glad. He but struckup his brother's thunder tube because he knew that if a Cherokee hadfallen, then would the Eagle have been burned at the stake." And with asmile he left me. 041b061a72
