One day I asked my father, “When I get enlightened, will I be able to remember me? My old self?” It was not unusual for my father to laugh affectionately at my questions, but he found this one particularly hilarious. Then he explained that enlightenment is not like being possessed by a spirit. Tibetan culture has a tradition of oracles, people who become possessed by spirits and make predictions and prophecies. When this happens, they forget their former selves and become different beings; they swirl and fall down like crazy drunks. To imitate their wild behavior my father waved his arms, raised one knee at a time, and danced in circles. Suddenly he stopped and said, “Not like that. Awakening is more like discovering yourself.” He cupped his hands together and told me, “If you have a handful of diamonds but don’t realize what they are, you treat them like pebbles. Once you recognize them as diamonds, you can use their precious qualities. Becoming a buddha is like discovering a diamond in your hand. You are discovering yourself, not getting rid of yourself.”

Mingyur Rinpoche

from the book Turning Confusion into Clarity: A Guide to the Foundation Practices of Tibetan Buddhism

Read a random quote or see all quotes by Mingyur Rinpoche.

Further quotes from the book Turning Confusion into Clarity:

• What creates samsara
• We are born buddhas
• The very first sign of waking up
• Recognition
• Not a substitute for practice
• Diligence
• Recognition of subtle shifts in mental behavior
• Befriending the monkey mind
• There is no absolute bad karma
• The real obstacle to resting meditation
• The student’s responsibility
• Becoming the awareness
• The Four Considerations for Choosing a Teacher
• The mind of letting go
• Rejoicing
• Impermanence
• Freedom exists within our very own mind
• Turning toward awakening
• Ordinary sangha