Shambhala Book Study Group (for adults)

This book study group is open to all adults! Previous meditation experience is not required; however, combining the study of this book with a meditation practice is encouraged. Each week the group will focus on a different assigned chapter. Regular attendance is encouraged but people may attend as best they can and drop-ins are welcome.

Please bring the book to the group meetings. Copies can be purchased during book study sessions.

About the Book - Smile at Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery

In 2010, Smile at Fear: Awakening the True Heart of Bravery was published by Shambhala, and it has resonated with a great number of readers. The idea that we could disarm our fear by smiling at it is a rather outrageous proposal, yet one that seems intriguing. Fear seems to be a topic for our time. Each of us is afraid of something: afraid of losing our job, afraid our relationships won’t last, afraid of dying, afraid of living—afraid of ourselves altogether. What can we do about it? That’s the thing!

In language that is fresh, accessible, and startlingly direct, this book explains:

• How the practice of sitting meditation can help us to uncover our inherent confidence and bravery
• How fear and embarrassment about ourselves keep us trapped in cycles of suffering
• The wisdom of loving-kindness and nonaggression
• How true invincibility depends on becoming more open and vulnerable

About the Author - Chögyam Trungpa

Chögyam Trungpa (1939-1987)—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.

“When you are frightened by something, you have to relate with fear, explore why you are frightened, and develop some sense of conviction. You can actually look at fear. Then fear ceases to be the dominant situation that is going to defeat you. Fear can be conquered. You can be free from fear, if you realize that fear is not the ogre. You can step on fear, and therefore you can attain what is known as fearlessness. But that requires that, when you see fear, you smile.” - Smile at Fear by Chögyam Trungpa