--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The discovery of magic can happen only…" description: "\"The discovery of magic can happen only when we transcend our embarrassment about being alive, when we have the bravery to proclaim the goodness and dig..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/chogyam-trungpa-1373_alive_the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-w_1881416.png" --- # The discovery of magic can happen only when we transcend… ![“The discovery of magic can happen only when we transcend our embarrassment about being alive, when we have the bravery to proclaim the goodness and dignity of human life, without either hesitation or arrogance. Then magic can descend onto our existence.” quote by Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/chogyam-trungpa-1373_alive_the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-w_1881416.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/chogyam-trungpa-1373_alive_the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-w_1881416.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/chogyam-trungpa-1373_alive_the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-w_1881416.png) > “The discovery of magic can happen only when we transcend our embarrassment about being alive, when we have the bravery to proclaim the goodness and dignity of human life, without either hesitation or arrogance. Then magic can descend onto our existence.” [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Transcending self‑consciousness and embracing human dignity opens us to profound, almost magical experiences. **In simple terms:** Let go of shame, honor life, and wonder appears. Key Takeaway Honor life, invite wonder. Themes self‑acceptance human dignity spirituality Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal growth - creative work - teaching - healing Key Concepts transcendence magic bravery Questions to Reflect On - How can you honor life daily? - What fears block your sense of wonder? A Different Perspective Magic may be fleeting if not rooted in daily practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Arrogance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/) [Arrogance Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance-magic-2658750/) [Bravery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Discovery Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery-magic-2658749/) [Embarrassment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embarrassment/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Hesitation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hesitation/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/) [Magic Happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic-happen-598651/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) ## Related quotes > [“George's hand lifted and fell away again. It seemed an insult to imply that anything so small as a touch could stop the raw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mette-ivie-harrison/george-s-hand-lifted-and-fell-away-again-it-seemed-an-insult-to-imply/) [Mette Ivie Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mette-ivie-harrison/) > [To speak of beauty is to enter another and more exalted realm-a realm sufficiently apart from our everyday concerns as to be mentioned only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/to-speak-of-beauty-is-to-enter-another-and-more-exalted-realm-a-realm/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [Compassion is not having any hesitation to reflect your light on things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/compassion-is-not-having-any-hesitation-to-reflect-your-light-on/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [The sun has a sense of all-pervasive brilliance, which does not discriminate in the slightest. It is the goodness that exists in a situation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/the-sun-has-a-sense-of-all-pervasive-brilliance-which-does-not/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [“Memory Makes Magic Happen “Have you ever been away from someone for a while and when you are reunited after a long absence, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/memory-makes-magic-happen-have-you-ever-been-away-from-someone-for-a/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [Shooting a film is like a kismet quest. You have thirty days and you need magic to happen. So that's why I wear suits.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mills/shooting-a-film-is-like-a-kismet-quest-you-have-thirty-days-and-you/) [Mike Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mills/) > [For a comedy to work, magic has to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-cooper/for-a-comedy-to-work-magic-has-to-happen/) [Bradley Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-cooper/) > [I think that all the talented filmmakers sort of share, I think, a sense of allowing magic to happen; of creating a stable and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-think-that-all-the-talented-filmmakers-sort-of-share-i-think-a/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [I like my phone. My phone makes magic happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trippie-redd/i-like-my-phone-my-phone-makes-magic-happen/) [Trippie Redd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trippie-redd/) > [The nice thing about being a writer is that you can make magic happen without learning tricks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humphrey-carpenter/the-nice-thing-about-being-a-writer-is-that-you-can-make-magic-happen/) [Humphrey Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humphrey-carpenter/) > [Successful improvisation is mostly a matter of taking your thoughts out of the equation, because thinking can keep the magic from happening. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-herring/successful-improvisation-is-mostly-a-matter-of-taking-your-thoughts/) [Jimmy Herring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-herring/) > [“Bran was relieved . . . but disappointed too. So long as there was magic, anything could happen. Ghosts could walk, trees could talk,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/bran-was-relieved-but-disappointed-too-so-long-as-there-was-magic/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Others may sit around and wait for magic to happen… I like to get up early and work towards my goals and dreams. Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/others-may-sit-around-and-wait-for-magic-to-happen-i-like-to-get-up/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [“Yet every great storyteller knows it’s the fine art of taking me by the hand and showing me that has the most effect on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-gutteridge/yet-every-great-storyteller-knows-it-s-the-fine-art-of-taking-me-by/) [Rene Gutteridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-gutteridge/) > [“Go forth and let the magic happen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-winter/go-forth-and-let-the-magic-happen/) [Robert Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-winter/) ## More by Chogyam Trungpa > [We have a fear of facing ourselves. That is the obstacle. Experiencing the innermost core of our existence is very embarrassing to a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-have-a-fear-of-facing-ourselves-that-is-the-obstacle-experiencing/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Acknowledging foolishness is a very powerful and important experience. We could almost say that being willing to be a fool is one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/acknowledging-foolishness-is-a-very-powerful-and-important-experience/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [We do not have to be ashamed of what we are. As sentient beings we have wonderful backgrounds. These backgrounds may not be particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-do-not-have-to-be-ashamed-of-what-we-are-as-sentient-beings-we/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [When you drop your unnecessary things, you finally can swoop and fly in vast space. It is so blue, so bright, and so nice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/when-you-drop-your-unnecessary-things-you-finally-can-swoop-and-fly/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Anything that is created must sooner or later die. Enlightenment is permanent because we have not produced it; we have merely discovered it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/anything-that-is-created-must-sooner-or-later-die-enlightenment-is/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [“There is a saying in the Tibetan scriptures: “Knowledge must be burned, hammered, and beaten like pure gold. Then one can wear it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/there-is-a-saying-in-the-tibetan-scriptures-knowledge-must-be-burned/) [Chögyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [“Warriorship is a continual journey. To be a warrior is to learn to be genuine in every moment of your life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/warriorship-is-a-continual-journey-to-be-a-warrior-is-to-learn-to-be/) [Chögyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [The courage to work with ourselves comes as basic trust in ourselves, as a sort of fundamental optimism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/the-courage-to-work-with-ourselves-comes-as-basic-trust-in-ourselves/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Enlightenment is like witnessing the brilliant sun for the first time in the morning. It is like seeing the beautiful flowers that grow in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/enlightenment-is-like-witnessing-the-brilliant-sun-for-the-first-time/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [ If you look into the mirror, you see that \[every part of you\] belongs there and you belong there, as you are. You begin… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/if-you-look-into-the-mirror-you-see-that-every-part-of-you-belongs/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [This whole world is mind's world, the product of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/this-whole-world-is-mind-s-world-the-product-of-the-mind/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [When one is able to overcome the romantic and emotional attitude, one discovers truth even in the kitchen sink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/when-one-is-able-to-overcome-the-romantic-and-emotional-attitude-one/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [One day passes and another day comes along, and everything happens the same. But basically, we are so afraid of the brilliance coming at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/one-day-passes-and-another-day-comes-along-and-everything-happens-the/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [Real fearlessness is the product of tenderness. It comes from letting the world tickle your heart, your raw and beautiful heart. You are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/real-fearlessness-is-the-product-of-tenderness-it-comes-from-letting/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [We can deceive ourselves into thinking we are developing spirituality when instead we are strengthening our egocentricity through spiritual techniques.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/we-can-deceive-ourselves-into-thinking-we-are-developing-spirituality/) [Chogyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) [Explore all 248 Chogyam Trungpa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The discovery of magic can happen only when we transcend our embarrassment about being alive, when we have the bravery to proclaim the goodness and dignity of human life, without either hesitation or arrogance. Then magic can descend onto our existence.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Chogyam Trungpa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-when-we-transcend-our/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-when-we-transcend-our/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/chogyam-trungpa-1373_alive_the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-w_1881416.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/chogyam-trungpa-1373_alive_the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-w_1881416.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d7/chogyam-trungpa-1373_alive_the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-w_1881416.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The discovery of magic can happen only when we transcend our embarrassment about being alive, when we have…” — Chogyam Trungpa", "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": "Chogyam Trungpa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The discovery of magic can happen...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-when-we-transcend-our/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/the-discovery-of-magic-can-happen-only-when-we-transcend-our/#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 } } ] } ```