At the council of Elrond there is a discussion on whether Tom Bombadil could be entrusted to guard the One Ring.  Gandalf advises against it saying he would soon forget it, or throw it away, as 'such things have no hold on his mind'.

That is exactly what it is like to reach the end of the path of insight. Such things have no hold your mind. Nor is there a tendency for a hold on the mind to arise in the future. Yes things can push and pull at your mind, but they don't gain a permanent hold. Sure there is a strong natural tendency towards compassion and wellbeing, and there are many effects and abilities that arise from better integration and control of the body-mind system, and even love gets a major upgrade. But these are secondary to the main destination, and such things have no hold on your mind, they just are. The defining effect of the path of insight is, in fact, being released from all fetters.

It's not about attainments, it's not about wellbeing, it's not about erasing our humanity. It is about liberation.

In Pali - vimutti.

Malcolm

That gets a big ten-four from me!

That's a helpful illustration, Malcolm. Your practice log about reaching the end has been a big inspiration to me. I recently rediscovered it after some time thinking I might've hallucinated the whole thing. 

Here's a thought experiment for my companions on the path: how terrified would you be if, suddenly, the things you cherish most had no hold on you? Your integrity, your career, your helpfulness, your love life… What if you were suddenly unable to grasp after them or resist their foils? Are you willing to go there?

Hmm... i might defend the ring if given. (But honestly, I don't know the hobbit stuff that well. That was just my first thought.) I'll turn in my liberation merit badge, I guess. 

Hmm, but it is indeed possible that I would soon forget it.... but that is not because of my degree of liberation, that's my normal easily-distractedness.

Nasty hobbitses steal my PRECIOUS! This reminds me I need to reread the Trilogy! Fun take on Tom Bombadil.

Because it wasn't this way before the end of the path of insight ;)

Even the very wise cannot see all ends. 

Fart! 

What is it that is liberated? Liberation from what? Freedom to do what?

Bāhiya of course! 

Liberation from the Cloth! 

Freedom to get gored by a cow protecting her XLR connection! 

Jeez Olivier, all this is very obvious!  

You mean from the bark cloth you peasant! Bark cloth sounding very tom bombadilian by the way!

Yes sir! Lower than a peasant I might add dear sir of Arc! Bark-ing up the wrong tree, more likely