(The following is a shortened extant approximation of the original cut-and-pasted from the Web ( http://www.turningpointonline.info/self.htm ) that, while capturing the spirit of the work, is not the literal, and copyrighted, translation. Thanks to Gregory LeBlanc for this.)

 

Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness

From The Ancient Sage Padma Sambhava

Appearances are not erroneous in themselves, but because of your grasping at them, errors come into existence. But if you know that these thoughts only grasp at things which are mind, then they will be liberated by themselves.

Everything that appears is but a manifestation of mind. Even though the entire external inanimate universe appears to you, it is but a manifestation of mind. Even though all of the sentient beings of the six realms appear to you they are but a manifestation of mind. Even though the happiness of humans and the delights of the Devas in heaven appear to you, they are but manifestations of mind.

Even though the sorrows of the three evil destinies appear to you, they are but manifestations of mind. Even though the five poisons representing ignorance and the passions appear to you, they are but manifestations of mind.

Even though intrinsic awareness which is self-originated primal awareness appears to you, it is but a manifestation of mind. Even though good thoughts along the way to Nirvana appear to you, they are but manifestations of mind. Even though obstacles due to demons and evil spirits appears to you, they are but manifestations of mind. Even though the gods and other excellent attainments appear to you, they are but manifestations of mind. Even though various kinds of purity appear to you, they are but manifestations of mind. Even though (the experience) of remaining in a state of one-pointed concentration without any discursive thoughts appears to you, it is but a manifestation of mind.

Even though the colors that are the characteristics of things appear to you, they are but manifestations of mind. Even though a state without characteristics and without conceptual elaborations appears to you, it is but a manifestation of mind. Even though the nonduality of the one and the many appears to you, it is but a manifestation of mind. Even though existence and non-existence which are not created anywhere appear to you, they are but manifestations of mind. There exist no appearances whatsoever that can be understood as not coming from mind.

Because of the unobstructed nature of the mind, there is a continuous arising of appearances. Like the waves and the waters of the ocean, which are not two (different things), Whatever arises is liberated into the natural state of the mind. However many different names are applied to it in this unceasing process of naming things, With respect to its real meaning, the mind (of the individual) does not exist other than as one. And, moreover, this singularity is without any foundation and devoid of any root.

But, even though it is one, you cannot look for it in any particular direction. It cannot be seen as an entity located somewhere, because it is not created or made by anything. Nor can it be seen as just being empty, because there exists the transparent radiance of its own luminous clarity and awareness. Nor can it be seen as diversified, because emptiness and clarity are inseparable. Immediate self-awareness is clear and present.

Even though activities exist, there is no awareness of an agent who is the actor. Even though they are without any inherent nature, experiences are actually experienced.

If you practice in this way, then everything will be liberated. With respect to your own sense faculties, everything will be understood immediately without any intervening operations of the intellect. Just as is the case with the sesame seed being the cause of the oil and the milk being the cause of butter, But where the oil is not obtained without pressing and the butter is not obtained without churning, So all sentient beings, even though they possess the actual essence of Buddhahood, Will not realize Buddhahood without engaging in practice.
If He Practices, Even The Cowherd Can Realize

If he practices, then even a cowherd can realize liberation. Even though he does not know the explanation, he can systematically establish himself in the experience of it. (For example) when one has had the experience of actually tasting sugar in one's own mouth, One does not need to have that taste explained by someone else. Not understanding this (intrinsic awareness), even Panditas can fall into error. Even though they are exceedingly learned and knowledgeable in explaining the nine vehicles, It will only be like spreading rumors of places which they have not seen personally. And with respect to Buddhahood, they will not even approach it for a moment.

If you understand (intrinsic awareness), all of your merits and sins will be liberated into their own condition. But if you do not understand it, any virtuous or vicious deeds that you commit Will accumulate as karma leading to transmigration in heavenly rebirth or to rebirth in the evil destinies respectively. But if you understand this empty primal awareness which is your own mind, The consequences of merit and of sin will never come to be realized, Just as a spring cannot originate in the empty sky.

In the state of emptiness itself, the object of merit or of sin is not even created. Therefore, your own manifest self-awareness comes to see everything nakedly.

This self-liberation through seeing with naked awareness is of such great profundity, And, this being so, you should become intimately acquainted with self-awareness.

Profoundly sealed!

How wonderful!

As for this "Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness" which is a direct introduction to one's own intrinsic awareness,
It is for the benefit of those sentient beings belonging to the later generations of those future degenerate times.

That all of my Tantras, Agamas, and Upadesas, Though necessarily brief and concise, have been composed.

And even though I have disseminated them at the present time, yet they shall be concealed as precious treasures,

So that those whose good karma ripens in the future shall come to encounter them.

SAMAYA! Gya! Gya! Gya!

This treatise which is an introduction to one's actual intrinsic awareness or state of immediate presence Is entitled

"Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness."

It was composed by Padmasambhava, the Master from Uddiyana.
Until Samsara is emptied of living beings, may this Great Work of liberating them not be abandoned!

(On the full moon day of the eight-month of the Wood-Ox year, this Terma text entitled the Rig-pa ngo-sprod gcer mthong rang-grol, belonging to the Zab-chos zhi-khro dgongs-pa rang-grol cycle of Rigdzin Karma Lingpa, was translated by Vajranatha in the hope that it will enlighten and benefit all beings.

Sarva Mangalam!