Difficulties and obstacles, if properly understood and used, can turn out to be an unexpected source of strength . . . To be a spiritual warrior means to develop a special kind of courage, one that is innately intelligent, gentle, and fearless. Spiritual warriors can still be frightened, but even so they are courageous enough to taste suffering, to relate clearly to their fundamental fear, and to draw out without evasion the lessons from difficulties.
-- Sogyal Rinpoche