Part 5 (1/2)

[So], there are no results to be attained extraneous [to those that originate from the mind].

There are no phenomena extraneous to those that originate from the mind.

[So], one should observe one's own mind, looking into its nature again and again.

If, upon looking outwards towards the external expanse of the sky, There are no projections emanated by the mind, And if, on looking inwards at one's own mind, There is no projectionist who projects [thoughts] by thinking them, Then, one's own mind, completely free from conceptual projections, will become luminously clear.

[This] intrinsic awareness, [union of] inner radiance and emptiness, is the Buddha-body of Reality, [Appearing] like [the illumining effect of] a sunrise on a clear and cloudless sky, It is clearly knowable, despite its lack of specific shape or form.

There is a great distinction between those who understand and those who misunderstand this point.

This naturally originating inner radiance, uncreated from the very beginning, Is the parentless child of awareness - how amazing!

It is the naturally originating pristine cognition, uncreated by anyone - how amazing!

[This radiant awareness] has never been born and will never die - how amazing!

Though manifestly radiant, it lacks an [extraneous] perceiver - how amazing!

Though it has roamed throughout cyclic existence, it does not degenerate - how amazing!

Though it has seen buddhahood itself, it does not improve - how amazing!

Though it is present in everyone, it remains unrecognised - how amazing!

Still, one hopes for some attainment other than this - how amazing!

Though it is present within oneself, one continues to seek it elsewhere - how amazing!

[INTRINSIC AWARENESS AS VIEW, MEDITATION, CONDUCT, AND RESULT].

EMA! This immediate awareness, insubstantial and radiant, Is itself the highest of all views.

This non-referential, all-encompa.s.sing [awareness] which is free in every respect Is itself the highest of all meditations.

This uncontrived [activity based on awareness], simply expressed in worldly terms, Is itself the highest of all types of conduct.

This unsought [attainment of awareness], spontaneously present from the beginning, Is itself the highest of all results.

[Now], the four great media, which are errorless, are presented:14 [First], the great medium of errorless view Is this radiant immediate awareness - Since it is radiant and without error, it is called a 'medium'.

[Second], the great medium of errorless meditation Is this radiant immediate awareness - Since it is radiant and without error, it is called a 'medium'.

[Third], the great medium of errorless conduct Is this radiant immediate awareness - Since it is radiant and without error, it is called a 'medium'.

[Fourth], the great medium of errorless result Is this radiant immediate awareness - Since it is radiant and without error, it is called a 'medium'.

[Now] the four great nails, which are unchanging, are presented:15 [First], the great nail of the unchanging view Is this radiant immediate awareness - Since it is firm throughout the three times, it is called a 'nail'. [Second], the great nail of unchanging meditation Is this radiant immediate awareness - Since it is firm throughout the three times, it is called a 'nail'.

[Third], the great nail of unchanging conduct Is this radiant immediate awareness - Since it is firm throughout the three times, it is called a 'nail'.

[Fourth], the great nail of the unchanging result Is this radiant immediate awareness - Since it is firm throughout the three times, it is called a 'nail'.

Now follows the esoteric instruction which reveals the three times to be one: Abandon your notions of the past, without attributing a temporal sequence!

Cut off your mental a.s.sociations regarding the future, without antic.i.p.ation!

Rest in a s.p.a.cious modality, without clinging to [the thoughts of] the present.

Do not meditate at all, since there is nothing upon which to meditate.

Instead, revelation will come through undistracted mindfulness - Since there is nothing by which you can be distracted.

Nakedly observe [all that arises] in this modality, which is without meditation and without distraction!

When this [experience] arises, Intrinsically aware, naturally cognisant, naturally radiant and clear, It is called 'the mind of enlightenment'.

Since [within this mind of enlightenment] there is nothing upon which to meditate, This [modality] transcends all objects of knowledge.

Since [within this mind of enlightenment] there are no distractions, It is the radiance of the essence itself.

This Buddha-body of Reality, [union of] radiance and emptiness, In which [the duality of] appearance and emptiness is naturally liberated, Becomes manifest [in this way], unattained by the [structured] path to buddhahood, And thus Vajrasattva is [actually] perceived at this moment.

Now follows the instruction which brings one to the point where the six extreme [perspectives] are exhausted:16 Though there is a vast plethora of discordant views, Within this intrinsic awareness or [single nature of] mind, Which is the naturally originating pristine cognition, There is no duality between the object viewed and the observer.

Without focusing on the view, search for the observer!

Though one searches for this observer, none will be found.

So, at that instant, one will be brought to the exhaustion point of the view.

At that very moment, one will encounter the innermost boundary of the view.

Since there is no object at all to be observed, And since one has not fallen into a primordial vacuous emptiness,17 The lucid awareness, which is now present, Is itself the view of the Great Perfection.

[Here], there is no duality between realisation and lack of realisation.

Though there is a vast plethora of discordant meditations, Within this intrinsic awareness, Which penetrates ordinary consciousness to the core, There is no duality between the object of meditation and the meditator.

Without meditating on the object of meditation, search for the meditator!

Though one searches for this meditator, none will be found.