When you are ignorant of the law of cause and effect, even if you should make a great effort — even sacrificing your life — there is still no way to be free from suffering. When you know the law of cause and effect, you are called “free from ignorance.” Then, all your efforts in every moment become a cause of freedom from suffering.
When you are ignorant, no matter how little you are attached to yourself, you don’t know how to sincerely benefit yourself or others. But when you have this wisdom, you have the ability to be sincere to yourself.
~ Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen Rinpoche.
~ pg 25, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa.