Many of us have heard of the
saying that "Life is an illusion." It is casually declared by many,
and with such certainty one might add, as if to imply an understanding of
reality. But what does the saying really mean? Is everything really an illusion
or is it wishful thinking on the part of humans? Or is it because as T.S. Eliot
says, "Humankind cannot bear very much reality," that we cling to our
illusions even if they contradict the obvious?
To assert that everything
is an illusion poses a problem. If everything is an illusion, why bother
trying, improving or aspiring? Since none of what you experience, see or feel
is real anyway, then who or what exists? The assumption may be that nothing
exists. But isn't this in a way a diminishment of life?
Everything you and I see,
touch, smell and hold is real -- is it not? Many schools of thought throughout
time have pointed out that the world as we know it is an illusion. How could
that be? Does that mean every experience I've had, or every person you have
loved or cared about is an illusion? If not, then what do they mean by the
statement?
Could it be that reality is
not an illusion but that our version of reality is an
illusion? In other words, none of us are perceiving reality for what it is but
rather for what we wish it to be. Unfortunately, one simply cannot see things
as they really are, cannot be aware of reality, with illusions acting as
mediators.
There is a difference
between what something is and what we think it is. Actually what we think is
utterly inconsequential to what is. Illusions do not exist in the world (out
there) but in here. The inner world is fertile ground for illusions to take
root which then get projected
into the world, thus influencing the perception of others about reality. These
distortions, in the realm of reality, have no purpose other than for
distraction and delusion.
So
how can we know if illusions are creating reality? Well, we can't while we are
under their spell and we can know only after the illusions no longer exist that
we were living in illusion in the first place. When we begin to understand the
difference between reality and that which we impose upon it through own
thoughts, choices and beliefs, we will be made to realize that much of our
despair, anger or pain was fueled by these mis-perceptions.
Most
conflict, whether on a personal or collective level, stem from illusions. In
our daily lives there is infinite opportunity to create them. We create them
about our jobs, finances, relationships, friendships, love and life in general
to shield us from that which we view as undesired truths. We do not want to
live in reality but are comfortable living in illusion and we believe that
somehow the gain far outweighs the effort needed to eliminate them.
As human beings we are
conditioned (illusions) to hold onto culture, religion, tradition and politics
even at the expense of our well being. From these elements our identity is
shaped, and how this identity expresses itself is unique to each of us. Only
time will tell if this identity is congruent with the essential self. In other
words, illusions are learned and then passed on. Without knowing it, we live
and express these distorted ideas, practices and patterns that influence our
perceptions of reality and in turn create our reality. And
then we point and say, "Look, that's reality." But upon further
exploration, we realize that our perception was the illusion all along and not
reality itself.
To summon the courage to
question or challenge beliefs, assumptions and certainties ushers in a wiser
and more mature perspective on reality. It takes experience to no longer
mistake one for the other, and with time, life will reflect this distinction.
Just recently we saw this distinction at play as Egypt and her people discarded
their illusion of fear and powerlessness to reclaim their reality for freedom.
People around the world are removing the veils at lightning speed -- illusions
be gone -- its about time, don't you think?
