Chogyam Trungpa discusses the peaceful Buddhist warrior’s vision and the satisfaction found in walking the warrior’s path in an upcoming book from Shambhala Publications.
The Warrior’s Weapons
If victory means having no enemies, then everyone in the world becomes a friend. This reflects the true warrior’s philosophy. Unlike someone who constantly looks over their shoulder in fear, the genuine warrior isn’t about carrying a sword and being scared. That fearful view represents what Trungpa calls the “setting-sun warrior,” which is a form of cowardice. True warriors always possess weapons of fearlessness and gentleness. These qualities make the real warrior genuinely gentle because they recognize that there are no enemies.
The Joy of Warriorship
Talking about fearlessness, it’s a state where you feel delighted and cheerful, with bright eyes and good posture, regardless of external circumstances. Even if your living situation isn’t ideal—like having no hot water, poor insulation, or using an outhouse—maintaining good posture and carrying yourself well brings a sense of joy. This joy isn’t superficial; it’s a sense of individual dignity. It’s the natural healthiness and goodness that comes from truly being yourself.
Meditation helps you start experiencing this joy. Once you meditate and then engage with the world, you’ll understand which joys are essential and which aren’t. This joy might last a moment or a long time, but it’s always enlightening, making you less afraid of the world. The joy of warriorship is always relevant.
From the manuscript of Conquering Fear: The Heart of Shambhala, forthcoming from Shambhala Publications in 2009.