Life: A Grand Illusion?

“Reality is merely an illusion; albeit a very persistent one.” ~ Albert Einstein

What did Einstein mean in the above statement?

To me, his quote delves into the philosophical concept of reality and its subjectivity. It invites philosophical contemplation about the nature of reality while suggesting that our perception of reality may not always align with an objective truth.

The more I meditate and contemplate the One Consciousness myself the more I sense the illusory and temporary nature of this character. I also recognize and sense the deeper, greater aspect of Self within me that is infinite, unchanging, and boundless.

By directing attention back to the infinite Self instead of focusing on the small, ego self with its various struggles and triumphs, we’re able to rediscover our wholeness, our perfection and our infinite nature, which can only exist beyond our limitation, conditioning, and fear brought about by our ego mind.

Many spiritual teachers, mystics, and sages from various traditions and cultures have indeed expounded on the notion that life is an illusion. This perspective is often rooted in ancient philosophical and spiritual traditions, such as Vedanta in Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and certain mystical branches of other religions.

The central theme shared among these teachings is the notion that our everyday experience of reality is not an absolute or ultimate truth but rather a product of our perceptions, conditioned thinking, and attachments. They argue that our minds construct a dualistic version of reality, shaped by our senses, emotions, and cultural conditioning. This constructed reality, in turn, gives rise to the illusion of a separate and individual self, commonly referred to as the ego, or false self.

According to these teachings, the ego is responsible for much of the suffering we experience in life. It thrives on a sense of separation, creating desires, fears, and attachments that lead to pain and unhealthy patterns. By identifying exclusively with this illusory self, individuals become entangled in the constant pursuit of pleasure, avoidance of pain, and the need for validation. This cycle of desire and aversion perpetuates suffering and prevents true understanding and inner peace.

Spiritual teachers propose that recognizing the illusory nature of this egoic self is the key to liberation. It’s by understanding that our sense of separateness is a product of our minds and not an inherent truth that we’re able to break free from our limited understanding of the self and reality.

In various traditions, the ultimate reality is often described as a boundless, interconnected, and timeless essence that transcends individuality. This realization is said to bring about a profound shift in consciousness, fostering compassion, wisdom, and a sense of unity with all of existence. As individuals let go of the illusion of separateness, they experience a profound sense of inner peace and liberation.

In other words, peace, joy, love, fulfillment, security, freedom, etc. are all aspects of our True Self. And this True Self is only found beyond the greatest illusion of all - the illusion of life as a separate physical being living in a temporary, physical world. We are, after all, spiritual beings first and foremost.

“When everything is given up, your Self is found.” ~ Mooji

Traditionally, this recognition of the True Self often involves practices like meditation, mindfulness, self-inquiry, and contemplation, which aim to unveil the deeper reality beyond the illusions created by the ego. Still, I’ve found that more importantly than the spiritual practices and techniques, it’s critical that we remember that this unlimited, infinite Self is who we already are!

With that, it’s not necessary for us to strive or search for our True Self, rather we’re removing the illusory layers that keep us from perceiving and knowing it in the here and now. Kind of how a shadow has no real substance in and of itself, our innermost Being as pure presence and light can be covered in shadow but never truly affected or destroyed.

As a human being, we are tasked with clearing away the shadow aspects of ourselves so that we are then able to embody our light fully!

This is what I feel enlightenment, or to be enlightened, means.. to express the light inherent within us by moving away from darkness (ignorance) toward knowledge and truth. By integrating our shadow aspects, we refine and purify our perception and understanding, ultimately transcending perception entirely and simply embodying truth and our infinite nature at all times.

This is what is meant by William Blake’s quote, “If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.”