Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting through the Storm

Climate anxiety, panic attacks, chronic worry, relationship insecurity—you’re swimming in an ocean of fear that makes ordinary life feel unbearable, and you need medicine that works right now, not abstract spiritual theory. Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm offers exactly that: emergency practices for when panic strikes at 3 AM, the Island of Self meditation for establishing internal refuge, and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s honest teaching on walking with fear skillfully rather than pretending you should have transcended it by now.

“Written in words so intimate, calm, kind, and immediate, this extraordinary book feels like a message from our very own heart….Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most important voices of our time, and we have never needed to listen to him more than now.”
—Sogyal Rinpoche

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does “Fear” by Thich Nhat Hanh help with sudden panic attacks?

A: The Fear Thich Nhat Hanh book provides “Emergency Practices” specifically for acute anxiety. It teaches the “Island of Self” meditation and concrete breathing techniques to help you ground yourself in the present moment when the “storm” of panic feels overwhelming.

Q: What are the “Five Remembrances” mentioned in the book?

A: The Five Remembrances are meditations on the nature of aging, illness, death, loss, and karma. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches that by contemplating these truths, we actually reduce our fear of the unknown and find a deeper, more stable peace in our daily lives.

Q: Is this book suitable for beginners in mindfulness?

A: Yes. While it addresses deep existential anxieties, it is written with Thay’s signature simplicity. It is particularly helpful for those who feel their meditation practice hasn’t yet “fixed” their anxiety, offering a compassionate way to embrace fear rather than running from it.

Why Purchase from Plum Village Shop

This is the official home of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings. When you purchase Fear: Essential Wisdom for getting through the storm from Plum Village Shop, you directly support the international monastic sangha who practice and share these relationship-healing teachings worldwide. Your purchase funds meditation retreats, supports monastics dedicating their lives to transforming anger into compassion, and helps make these anger-cooling practices accessible to families, couples, and individuals struggling with rage, resentment, and reactive patterns across the globe. You’re not just receiving a book—you’re supporting a living tradition that heals relationships through mindful practice.

Our Emotional Healing Collection

Fear is one of several books Thich Nhat Hanh wrote addressing specific forms of suffering with targeted medicine. Struggling with fear alongside your anger? Feeling that meditation hasn’t stopped your reactive patterns? Explore our complete Emotional Healing reading roadmap to discover which books serve your current challenges—whether you’re working with anger, anxiety, grief, or the frustration that difficult emotions persist despite practice.

Build Your Practice Journey

Ready to understand how Fear fits within Thich Nhat Hanh’s complete teachings? View our comprehensive guide, Applied Wisdom: Thich Nhat Hanh’s Ultimate Guide Book, for a curated roadmap through Thay’s wisdom—from foundational practices to healing specific emotions to deepening philosophical study. Discover which books serve your journey’s next stage.