Yes Simpo,
That is what I understand too. There are subtle
differences between Advaita non-duality and buddhist's anatta both
in terms of realization and experience.
When contemplating on the subject of 'no-self', the mind of the
practitioner is directed towards the transient phenomena and upon
the ripening of conditions, the mind suddenly sees the illusionary
division of subject-object duality; with the maturing of this
realization, experience becomes seamlessly whole. There is no
hearer in hearing or perceiver in perceiving, just simply a sense
of perception. In terms of this experience, they are
similar.
However although the blinding bond of 'duality' is dissolved,
the tendency to see things 'inherently' isn't. The practitioners
continue to resort back to a Self despite after the clear seeing of
this truth and rest their understanding of 'no-self based on
Self'. This is substantialist non-duality. There is an
ultimate essence and abiding in Self is still the way towards
liberation.
Buddhist’s non-dual is non-abiding, groundless and
essence-less. There is no resorting back to an ultimate
essence and the entire idea of liberation is based on seeing
clearly the non-substantiality, essence-less empty nature of
whatever arises, including Awareness or Self. Experience is
luminously non-dual yet empty.
Therefore upon the clearing seeing of ‘no division’, it is
advisable to penetrate further into the impermanent nature of
phenomena both at the micro and macro level of experience and all
experiences. In terms of practice, there is no letting go to
an ultimate ground but the letting go is due to the thorough
insight that it is the ‘nature’ of all arising -- Reality is
perpetually ‘letting go’.
So in addition to the non-dual seamless experience, there must
also be the clear experience of perpetual letting go of non-holding
to whatever arises.
Therefore when AEN told me non-dual presence, the NDNCDIMOP or
being lock up permanently in PCEs of the AF as the key solution to
eliminate emotion, pride and anger…the 10 fetters, I told him not
yet.
There must be integration of the ‘non-dual’ experience into this
arising and passing away, this impermanent nature, to wash away the
illusionary sense of self, anger, emotion, pride even the non-dual
presence that we treasure so much…equally true…let whatever arises
goes. Be it during the waking, dream or deep sleep
state. There will then come a time where a practitioner
realizes the same ‘taste’ of the 3 states as there is no holding of
the non-dual presence and all experiences turn natural and
effortless and self-liberating.
Just my 2 cents. :)
Hi Thusness,
Thank you so much for the very detailed description :)