Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness

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From Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness, being a Direct Introduction to the State of Intrinsic Awareness by Padmasambhava, revealed by Karma Lingpa:

Emaho!

It is a single Nature of Mind that encompasses all of Samsara and Nirvana!

Even though its inherent nature (as Shunyata) has existed from the very beginning, you have not recognized it.

Even though its clarity and presence has been uninterrupted, you have not yet encountered its face.

Even though its arising has nowhere been obstructed, still you have not comprehended it.

Therefore, this (direct introduction) is for the purpose of bringing you to self-recognition.

Lama Tharchin Rinpoche offered these teachings at Pema Osel Ling in the Santa Cruz Mountain, April 10-12, 2009. About the text and teachings, Rinpoche said:

Guru Rinpoche prophesied that during degenerate times he would appear as the five main treasure revealers, or Lingpas: Sangye Lingpa, Dorje Lingpa, Ratna Lingpa, Pema Lingpa, and Karma Lingpa. The last, Karma Lingpa, a fourteenth century Tibetan, revealed a vast cycle of Dharma treasures and his teachings are renowned among the Nyingmapa. Self-Liberation Through Seeing with Naked Awareness comes from the Kar-Ling Shitro Gongpa Rangdrol cycle. This text is exceptional because through its precise pointing out the nature of mind, we can directly recognize our own pure nature and bring buddhahood to fruition. Now while I have a short break from all my physical illness, I want to offer a small gift to our sangha with this text. It can truly and profoundly serve and support our Dharma practice. This is my motivation in offering these teachings from my heart with love and care.

From Teaching 1, Lama Tharchin Rinpoche says:

These teachings of the treasure cycle of the “Peaceful and Wrathful Deities, the Natural Liberation of the Expanse of Wisdom,” represent Guru Rinpoche’s own voice, his direct teachings to us. The treasure revealed itself in the form of symbolic dakini script and Karma Lingpa transcribed the teachings from this symbolic language into the Tibetan. They are the exact words of Guru Rinpoche, directly spoken to us. It’s as if the moisture of Guru Rinpoche’s warm breath has not yet evaporated from these teachings. They still have the force of Guru Rinpoche’s blessing.

The translation of the text by John Myrdhin Reynolds grew out of a retreat on the topic given by Lama Tharchin Rinpoche in New York City in 1985. The translator's commentary is based on the oral explanations of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. You can find the translation here at Shambhala Publications. A newer translation by Gyurme Dorje is available in "The Tibetan Book of the Dead, First Complete Translation," composed by Padmasambhava, revealed by Terton Karma Lingpa, translated by Gyurme Dorje, edited by Graham Coleman with Thupten Jinpa; Ch. 4 "The Introduction to Awareness: Natural Liberation through Naked Perception;" Penguin Classics, Deluxe edition, 2007, available at your local bookstore or on Amazon here.

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