--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The central question of a warrior's…" description: "\"The central question of a warrior's training is not how we avoid uncertainty and fear but how we relate to discomfort.\" — Pema Chodron" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_discomfort_the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-trai_1769495.png" --- # The central question of a warrior's training is not how we… ![“The central question of a warrior's training is not how we avoid uncertainty and fear but how we relate to discomfort.” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_discomfort_the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-trai_1769495.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_discomfort_the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-trai_1769495.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_discomfort_the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-trai_1769495.png) > “The central question of a warrior's training is not how we avoid uncertainty and fear but how we relate to discomfort.” [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True growth comes from embracing uncertainty and discomfort rather than avoiding them, learning to relate to them constructively. **In simple terms:** Growth is about relating to discomfort, not avoiding it. Key Takeaway Engage with discomfort as a teacher. Themes self‑development resilience mindfulness Mood reflective calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - meditation practice - leadership training - therapy sessions - adventure sports - creative work Key Concepts impermanence attachment fear Questions to Reflect On - What does discomfort teach you? - How can you transform fear into curiosity? A Different Perspective Discomfort may be overwhelming without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discomfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discomfort/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Uncertainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty/) [Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warrior/) ## Related quotes > [So the Dark did a simple thing. They showed the maker of the sword his own uncertainty and fear. Fear of having done the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cooper/so-the-dark-did-a-simple-thing-they-showed-the-maker-of-the-sword-his/) [Susan Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cooper/) > [Seldom, if ever, has a war ended leaving the victors with such a sense of uncertainty and fear, with such a realization that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/seldom-if-ever-has-a-war-ended-leaving-the-victors-with-such-a-sense/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [“Researchers believe laughter may in fact be a release valve when we experience the discomfort and excitement of uncertainty, but without fear of harm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nir-eyal/researchers-believe-laughter-may-in-fact-be-a-release-valve-when-we/) [Nir Eyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nir-eyal/) > [“The uncertainty, the fear of the unknown was driving him, almost to the point of desperation. He felt as if he was going down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-puddicombe/the-uncertainty-the-fear-of-the-unknown-was-driving-him-almost-to-the/) [Ken Puddicombe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-puddicombe/) > [I realize that if I were stable, prudent and static; I'd live in death. Therefore I accept confusion, uncertainty, fear and emotional ups and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rogers/i-realize-that-if-i-were-stable-prudent-and-static-i-d-live-in-death/) [Carl Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rogers/) > [“To treat my first multiple, as to raise my first child, I had to commit myself deeply to the experience in order to tolerate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-i-wilson/to-treat-my-first-multiple-as-to-raise-my-first-child-i-had-to-commit/) [Lynn I. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-i-wilson/) > [There must be more to life than uncertainty and fear, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-must-be-more-to-life-than-uncertainty-and-fear-right/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I wasn't going to be one of those people who died wondering what if? I would keep putting my dreams to the test -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-haley/i-wasn-t-going-to-be-one-of-those-people-who-died-wondering-what-if-i/) [Alex Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-haley/) > [In a climate of uncertainty and fear, without strong and visionary leadership, people panic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dodson/in-a-climate-of-uncertainty-and-fear-without-strong-and-visionary/) [Patrick Dodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dodson/) > [“Anxiety is a state of apprehension, uncertainty, and fear resulting from the anticipation of a realistic or fantasized threatening event or situation. Often, men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/anxiety-is-a-state-of-apprehension-uncertainty-and-fear-resulting/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [The essence of our whole path is in that place of discomfort, and what do we do with it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-our-whole-path-is-in-that-place-of-discomfort-and-what/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [It is a commitment to respect whatever life brings that we develop wholehearted determination to use discomfort as an opportunity for awakening, rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-is-a-commitment-to-respect-whatever-life-brings-that-we-develop/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Difficult things provoke all your irritations and bring your habitual patterns to the surface. And that becomes the moment of truth. You have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/difficult-things-provoke-all-your-irritations-and-bring-your-habitual/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [We think that by protecting ourselves from suffering, we are being kind to ourselves. The truth is we only become more fearful, more hardened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/we-think-that-by-protecting-ourselves-from-suffering-we-are-being/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The next time you lose heart and you can’t bear to experience what you’re feeling, you might recall this instruction: change the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-next-time-you-lose-heart-and-you-can-t-bear-to-experience-what/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More by Pema Chodron > [“LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/life-s-work-is-to-wake-up-to-let-the-things-that-enter-into-your-life/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-generosity-is-letting-go-pain-is-always-a-sign-that-we/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“If the object of meditation were something concrete, something solid and graspable - an image or a statue or a dot on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-the-object-of-meditation-were-something-concrete-something-solid/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-a-transformative-experience-to-simply-pause-instead-of/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-we-run-a-hundred-miles-an-hour-to-the-other-end-of-the-continent/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“But in this meditation technique, we are with the out-breath; there's no particular instruction about what to do until the next out-breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-in-this-meditation-technique-we-are-with-the-out-breath-there-s/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. Nothing ever really attacks us except our own confusion. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/nothing-ever-goes-away-until-it-has-taught-us-what-we-need-to-know/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn't sit for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/so-even-if-the-hot-loneliness-is-there-and-for-1-6-seconds-we-sit/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If you have rage and righteously act it out and blame it all on others, it's really you who suffers. The other people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-you-have-rage-and-righteously-act-it-out-and-blame-it-all-on/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“When we realize that the path is the goal, there’s a sense of workability. Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Whatever occurs in the confused mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-realize-that-the-path-is-the-goal-there-s-a-sense-of/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Every day is a new opportunity to work with what you have inside toward enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/every-day-is-a-new-opportunity-to-work-with-what-you-have-inside/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-someone-comes-along-and-shoots-an-arrow-into-your-heart-it-s/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) [Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More Discomfort quotes > [A vacation is like love - anticipated with pleasure, experienced with discomfort, and remembered with nostalgia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/a-vacation-is-like-love-anticipated-with-pleasure-experienced-with/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [We are a party of innovation. We do not reject our traditions, but we are willing to adapt to changing circumstances, when change we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-jordan/we-are-a-party-of-innovation-we-do-not-reject-our-traditions-but-we/) [Barbara Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-jordan/) > [“You cannot possibly know what gives you discomfort unless you step outside your comfort zone, this where change begins.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taskinsoy/you-cannot-possibly-know-what-gives-you-discomfort-unless-you-step/) [JOHN TASKINSOY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taskinsoy/) > [“If you want to achieve your objectives, you have to be prepared for a daily dose of pain or discomfort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/if-you-want-to-achieve-your-objectives-you-have-to-be-prepared-for-a/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [The purpose of art actually is, in many cases, to make you feel quite uncomfortable. Or at least to go to that place that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/the-purpose-of-art-actually-is-in-many-cases-to-make-you-feel-quite/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [My wife was gone, all other girls failed to cooperate, so I decided to wear a pouch of animal blood myself and test out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arunachalam-muruganantham/my-wife-was-gone-all-other-girls-failed-to-cooperate-so-i-decided-to/) [Arunachalam Muruganantham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arunachalam-muruganantham/) > [“Even discomfort or pain delivers awareness of life, and an opportunity for gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/even-discomfort-or-pain-delivers-awareness-of-life-and-an-opportunity/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [There is not much sense in suffering, since drugs can be given for pain, itching, and other discomforts. The belief has long died that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-kubler-ross/there-is-not-much-sense-in-suffering-since-drugs-can-be-given-for/) [Elisabeth Kubler-Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-kubler-ross/) > [“It is very difficult to convince a person to come out of his conservative shell, unless he feels discomfort there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarif-naaz/it-is-very-difficult-to-convince-a-person-to-come-out-of-his/) [Tarif Naaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarif-naaz/) > [Monotony and repetition are characteristic of many parts of life, but these do not become sources of conscious discomfort until novelty and entertainment are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-catherine-bateson/monotony-and-repetition-are-characteristic-of-many-parts-of-life-but/) [Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-catherine-bateson/) > [You need to understand plant chemistry, be inured to discomfort and awesomely flexible. When something breaks down-the plane, the boat, you just have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kilham/you-need-to-understand-plant-chemistry-be-inured-to-discomfort-and/) [Chris Kilham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kilham/) > [Intuitive guidance means having the self-esteem to recognize that the discomfort or confusion that a person feels is actually directing him to take charge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/intuitive-guidance-means-having-the-self-esteem-to-recognize-that-the/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) > [What separates great athletes from mediocre ones isn't only talent and training - it's also how well they can handle discomfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/what-separates-great-athletes-from-mediocre-ones-isn-t-only-talent/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [Excellence requires discomfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-d-jakes/excellence-requires-discomfort/) [T. D. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-d-jakes/) > [“inescapable physical or mental discomfort is the “first dart” of existence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hanson/inescapable-physical-or-mental-discomfort-is-the-first-dart-of/) [Rick Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hanson/) [Browse all 510 Discomfort quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discomfort/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The central question of a warrior's training is not how we avoid uncertainty and fear but how we relate to discomfort.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Pema Chodron" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-training-is-not-how-we-avoid/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discomfort" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-training-is-not-how-we-avoid/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_discomfort_the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-trai_1769495.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_discomfort_the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-trai_1769495.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cd/pema-ch-dr-n-327_discomfort_the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-trai_1769495.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The central question of a warrior's training is not how we avoid uncertainty and fear but how we relate to…” — Pema Chodron", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Pema Chodron", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The central question of a warrior's...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-training-is-not-how-we-avoid/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-central-question-of-a-warrior-s-training-is-not-how-we-avoid/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```