Self-Liberation Through Seeing with Naked Awareness

by Karma Lingpa, John Myrdhin Reynolds (Translator), Namkhai Norbu (Contributor)

A text belonging to the same cycle as The Tibetan Book of the Dead, this instruction on the method of "self-liberation" presents the essence of Dzogchen, "the Great Perfection," regarded in Tibet as the highest and most esoteric teaching of the Buddha.

Teaching the attainment of Buddhahood in a single lifetime, this text was written and concealed by Guru Padmasambhava in the eighth century and rediscovered six centuries later by Karma Lingpa. The commentary by the translator is based on the oral teachings of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion, Philosophy, Eastern Philosophy, Nonfiction

170 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1988

About the author

Librarian note: see also Karma-glin-pa

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a strong reaction reading through the terma itself. For me the experience was presented with such clarity and familiarity that I, quite unconsciously, would slip into deep meditative states. That may be misleading, Guru Padmasambhava makes a distinction between meditation and contemplation. The short terma translated in this book is an introduction to Dzogchen, which is considered "beyond meditation" in the sense that no object or concept is meditated upon. It is precisely because of my reaction to the text that I have given it five stars. It is not among the better intellectual exegesis on the phenomenon. But it's spiritual or mystical usefulness (in the sense that it facilitates transcendental experience) to me seems very high.

This review will have to be revisited later. For now it joins the Tao Te Ching in regards to its ability to resonate with my spiritual perspective.

The book includes the terma in tibetan and a translation in english. It also includes commentary based upon the oral tradition of Tibetan Lamas. Finally, it includes a contrast to the first english translation of this work as it appeared in The Tibetan Book of the Dead and The Tibetan Book of the Great Liberation from the early 20th century, as well as a contrast to the Jungian analysis of Tibetan Buddhism based on that older, flawed translation.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first Tibetan Buddhist book I ever read. I'd read the Dhammapada a couple times, and loved it. Then I read the Wholehearted Way, a translation of the Dogen's Bendowa, found it surprisingly sparse (just sitting, after all, but what did I know of Zen). I tried meditating once, and wondered why anyone would do that regularly. Then, at 30, I saw this book on a used-book table in Brooklyn. The cover and title alone were enough to persuade me to put down the $7 for the copy. I went home, and read it in one sitting, feeling like I barely understood what I was reading. And yet the scales were falling from my eyes, one after another, revealing the open radiance of ordinary experience. Emaho!

But I couldn't figure out what to do with this book, other than read it repeatedly, and the kick wasn't as strong on subsequent readings. Fortunately, I discovered Tsongkhampa's guide to shamatha meditation in a bookstore (Balancing the Mind, tr. B. Alan Wallace). This was my first step into samadhi practices, and finding a way to explore the path more deeply. Now, ten years later, I find myself returning to this amazing Dzogchen text, and others. This is truly a beautiful text, and reading it can be a bit like lightning striking the ground beside you -- instantly releasing clinging and bringing you to rest in vivid, self-liberating, naked awareness. If you're like me, that's the start. For others, it may be the end. Emaho!

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, sort of.

The root text is only 21 pages. This is the super awesome 5 star part that I will return to again and again. Very very good Dzogchen instruction. Great translation. 5 stars.

Since this is the by far the best part of the book, why not just go read the text on the internet right now? Google the book title, or if this link works: http://www.fodian.net/world/zzgse.html

Then the commentary on the root text by the translator, about 40 pages-- awful. Most of this is saying the exact same thing with the exact same words as the root text, but with more words in the middle thrown in, which makes it very hard to read and not at all clear. Very little added value, except for the very occasional observation. One star.

Then the history of the first translation, about 80 pages-- which contains a lot of biographical detail of Evans-Wentz. Historically interesting, nicely written, if that sort of thing is interesting to you. Also some stuff about Jung. 3 stars-- a pleasant way to spend your time if you have nothing better to do, like meditate for instance ;-)

[Casey Newsom · Rating 5 out of 5]

The text itself contains in only 28 verses really all one needs to know about enlightened practice. Seriously this is it. I feel no need for another text.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on primordial awareness from the great Tibetan master himself, Padmasambhava

[Akanay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since it is aware and clear, it is
understood to be like the sky.
However, even though we employ the
example of the sky to indicate the nature
of the mind,
This is in fact only a metaphor or simile
indicating things in a one-sided fashion.
The nature of the mind, as well as being
empty, is also intrinsically aware;
everywhere it is clear.
But the sky is without any awareness; it is
empty as an inanimate corpse is empty.
Therefore, the real meaning of “mind” is
not indicated by the sky.
So without distraction, simply allow (the
mind) to remain in the state of being just
as it is.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is from the same cycle as Liberation Through Hearing in the Intermediate State (aka Book of the Dead). The text itself is about 20 pages, with the other 200 being a forward, introduction, notes and commentary, a fair amount of criticizing Evan-Wentz, an Appendix, notes on that appendix, and then a translation of terms. None of this is spelled out very well in the beginning. Curiously, the notes are ordered by number, though the numbers do not refer back to anything.

[Dewi Rhys-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is said that the text was written Padmasambhava in the eighth century. In this book the commentary by the translator is based on the oral teachings of Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and Lama Tharchin Rinpoche. Clear and concise to anyone who has read widely on this topic and helpful also to those new to it. We always need to keep in mind that Dzogchen is something we do. An excellent text.

[agnostic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating speaks as to translation of the root text, not all the commentary etc.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deserves a number of re-reads. I was able to grasp enough for it to be very worthwhile, but there is much that went unrealised on the first pass.

[Cody]

A vibrant, lyrical rendering with insightful and colorful commentary. This is wisdom of the highest order, distilled.

[Neža Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced reading

[Jordan Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and brilliant book.

Awareness and recognition causes liberation and is self-perfecting.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite texts for Buddhist practice. I often reread parts.

[Eugene Pustoshkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Direct Dzogchen transmission. Also, contains a useful critical essay about Evans-Wentz.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first early translations to get it right, and still quite good today.

This review is of the first edition (Station Hill Press, 1989) and although I’m not sure if there have been any substantial changes with the current (2nd edition), I doubt it.

Overall this is a seminal text; an accurate re-translation of one of the first Tibetan texts translated into English in the mid 1900’s. It includes the root text, Padmasambhava’s terma discovered by the 14th century Tibetan Karma Lingpa (p. 9-28), along with the translator’s commentary (p. 31-69) and appendixes (p.71-127) and notes (p.129-153). And it is actually quite good in every part.

The root text stands alone and the commentary gives a good background for those unfamiliar with all the details of the Tibetan tradition. Appendix 1 is an excellent discussion of the context and misunderstandings of the first (Evans-Wentz) translation, which is relevant today because the same mix of Advaita Vedanta Hinduism and New Age spiritualism which infected the early edition is still quite prevalent today. Appendix 2 is the root text in Tibetan.

Reynolds is a very good translator, really one of the best, and has since gone on to produce some wonderfully clear and detailed Bon dzogchen books, and this book has if anything shown its value more with time.

“Now, when you are introduced (to your own intrinsic awareness), the method for entering into it involves three considerations:
Thoughts in the past are clear and empty and leave no trace behind.
Thoughts in the future are fresh and unconditioned by anything.
And in the present moment, when (your mind) remains in its own condition without constructing anything,
Awareness at that moment in itself is quite ordinary.
And when you look into yourself in this way nakedly (without any discursive thoughts),
Since there is only this pure observing, there will be found a lucid clarity without anyone being present who is the observer;
Only a naked manifest awareness is present…,” (p.12)

A book like this is intended to liberate through simply reading, and if not at least perhaps generate some sense of recognition and affinity with this approach and so lead the reader to follow through and find a living teacher to work with in more depth.

[Paul H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pages 98-99: "In the Sanskrit and Pali sutras -- the Abhidharmakosa, Sikshasamuccaya, Dighanikaya, Anguttaranikatya, Visuddhimagga, among others -- there is found a Buddhist account of Genesis. In reply to questions from his disciples, the Buddha explained that humanity found on this planet earth once inhabited another planetary system. Ages ago when the sun of that world died and the planet was destroyed in the ensuing solar eruptions, the bulk of its inhabitants, as the result of their arduously practicing the Dharma for ten thousand years, were reborn on one of the higher planes of the Form World or Rupadhatu, a plane of existence known as Abhasvara or "clear light." Here they enjoyed inconceivable bliss and felicity for countless aeons. Then, when their great store of past karma came into maturity, our own solar system and planet earth began to evolve and some among their numbers were reborn on the lower planes of the Rupadhatu in the vicinity of the nascent earth. This plane of existence where they found themselves reborn is known as Brahmaloka."

[Thelbert Dewain Belgard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully clear translation of the Tibetan classic. It has a lengthy and well-written introduction by Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche. I marked it 4 stars instead of 5 because I feel it's more narrowly sectarian in the commentary (which comprises much of the book) than I prefer. This could have been so easily remedied. It contains a (corrected) Tibetan text in one of the appendices. Much appreciated. I wore out my first copy of this book and had to order another. I also bought the Kindle edition. I treasure it.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This and The Golden Letters form a comprehensive introduction to Tibetan Buddhist dzogchen practice, and a lot of the Mahayana Buddhist principles in general. Thanks to John Myrdhin Reynolds.

[Mac Derf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good translation of the text that clearly conveys the Dzogchen "way".