| | As the center is completely seen through, all clinging ended, the path completed, awareness floats where it may and may temporarily "identify" wherever. The pole of "absolutely no self" and "absolutely all as self" are happening at once. I would say the majority of people like to pick one of these two (full self vs no self) as a means of convenience in speaking. The truth of the matter is, however, that both are correct in their own way.
I do think that the subtly of these understandings seem to be lost or confused often, or simply spoke of in ways the infer that. Many people seem to make no-God zones out of some of the most beautiful, mysterious happenings of God. For example, a lot of highly realized folks will say "the absolute is all just one," and although this is correct, it is only a tiny piece of that understanding. For example, the absolute is not only "all one," but also can't really be said to exist at all. It can be understood, and cannot be understood. It exists in everything, and in nothing. It's happening now, and it has never happened. It is completely full and pregnant of all things, feeling, perceptions, consciousnesses of reality; and yet, so utterly, completely empty that it is literally non-existent.
So in this way, the arhat knows of all these facets and can be said to "be them," although in regard to some of the concepts above, you can see how this is tricky. Looking at "being nothing," you may be able to see where sayings like "the arhat is traceless in the here and now," come from.
Anyhow, hope that helps.
Trent |