When you begin to notice the damage that emotions can do, awareness develops. When you have awareness—for example, if you know that you are on the edge of a cliff—you understand the dangers before you. You can still go ahead and do as you were doing; walking on a cliff with awareness is not so frightening anymore, in fact it is thrilling. The real source of fear is not knowing. Awareness doesn’t prevent you from living, it makes living that much fuller. If you are enjoying a cup of tea and you understand the bitter and the sweet of temporary things, you will really enjoy the cup of tea.

◆

From What Makes You Not a Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse © 2007, 2025 by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse. This edition published 2025. Reprinted in arrangement with Shambhala Publications.

Thank you for subscribing to Tricycle! As a nonprofit, to keep Buddhist teachings and practices widely available.