The Need for an Illusion
The entire colorful mosaic of human existence is indeed a grand illusion. It’s an illusion that makes the human being believe in its realness to the point that the individual forsakes all that he has to acquire that one illusion. Many a times it so happens that all great individual achievements and grand success stories have at their center naught but an illusion. Many a times, it so happens that owing to the virtue of that one illusion, a person is able to achieve the impossible in his life. However what happens when reality sets in and the illusion ceases to exist? What happens when the person realizes that the secret to his success was indeed that one illusion that he had held so close to his heart? What happens when the illusion breaks?
That is a question that I have often asked my own self incessantly through the years. Human life is centered around illusions. These illusions give the human being the will to live; the will to endure and the will to persevere. If we but introspect, we realize that all of us in our heart secretly covet a solitary illusion in our life. That one illusion is the key to all our energy; that one illusion is the key to all our efforts; it is indeed the reason for our enthusiasm and our determination.
So what happens when reality crashes this party? What happens when that solitary illusion that we so earnestly covet is shattered to pieces? The answer is simple. We falter. All our intricate plans of grandeur come to an eerie standstill. There remains within us no enthusiasm, no determination and no courage to move on with the purpose that has been ordained to us in life. As the illusion falls, so do the many real things are associated with it for long. Thus when reality checks in and drives the solitary illusion away, the illusion departs taking with itself a part of our own soul. When the illusion that we so covet within our own self, dies, with it dies a part that is associated with that illusion. With it dies a part of our own self.
As we live this life, we always feel a constant need for an obsession, a possession around which we can shape and style our life. In our heart we always yearn for an image that we could cherish and love forever. Still at some point in our life, we find out that we can never satisfy our heart and its endless thirst through these illusions. For that is what they truly are, shallow illusions, in which we try to find our happiness and our purpose of life. And if that one thing, for which we would turn away from God Himself, is lost to us, our life becomes a living fallacy.
Thus in the end, that one illusion ends up representing our entire life; the intensity with which we latch onto it only increases the grief that we experience at its end. In the end, the human being realizes that he cannot live in the absence of an illusion; in the absence of an image that would occupy his heart. Thus he moves on through this world until he finds another illusion that pleases him; one that attracts him. Besotted with this new found dream, the individual finds his love for life renewed. With great zeal and unparalleled enthusiasm, he goes ahead and accomplishes many great things. But yet as is the nature of any dream, it always fades away with time; thus does the illusion wilt away as the seasons pass in line. Again the cold winters set in and alone lies the man; wishing for naught but a dream to covet through the endless span. Such is the endless story of doom, where man in his life moves on fluidly from one illusion to another, until a day dawns when he realizes that he indeed cannot continue to live in such a way. That is the day when realization dawns; and that is day when man is reborn.
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Tags: human existence, illusions, spirituality
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May 12, 2010 4:44 am
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By Umesh, May 13, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
Good Article.I believe we enter into Illusion on accont of our desire. It will be very difficult to actively participate in these illusions without any desires. We will have to prudent in action.
We cannot go against worldly rule, and have to actively participate in the wordly affairs.How to be
participate in the illusion without taking toll of soul.
By admin, May 13, 2010 @ 5:42 pm
if man is to indeed accomplish something in this world; do something; be productive and creative, he needs to be a part of the illusion of life; he needs the support of an illusion himself, if he is to conquer the illusion of life. Opinions may be divided on this one; but that is what i truly believe. Without the help of illusions, one cannot thrive in an illusion. I would say that these illusions are like food for the spirit; which it needs in order to survive the rot of this worldly existence. I think Master would be able to provide a better explanation.
By ashwini damle, May 14, 2010 @ 11:55 am
if the topics are explained with help of real life examples or incidences, i think it will be easier to understand & reading will become more interesting.
By admin, May 14, 2010 @ 1:22 pm
ok i get what you are trying to say… so would like me to clarify on some of the points that i mention herein?
By manjusha, May 14, 2010 @ 3:09 pm
this is a bit difficult article to understand.
By admin, May 14, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
lol; i knew this was going to be the reaction out here… just trying out some new things.. breaking into new grounds..
http://thelastpilgrimage.silentium.in/?page_id=52
Try this poem.. it is based on this article itself.. i think it will help out in deciphering it..
By Umesh, May 14, 2010 @ 3:15 pm
I think the crux of the Article is that, one should activity participate
in the world affairs (illuison) wihout having any desire in heart.
Its like playing Cricket or footboll match without bother about end result.
By admin, May 14, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
@ Umesh.. true.
when you simply have no choice but to play the game; it is always better if you win..
i am trying to get to that point…this article is simply a stepping stone to a greater level of understanding.
This simply acknowledges the reality of life.. that ya human beings need an illusion to thrive in this world. the image that i have attached herewith is symbolic of that illusion. but you know it is a hard concept to put through in a single article..
By medha, May 17, 2010 @ 11:30 am
I think the last sentence has the soul of the article. It is reality that generally people thrive on illusions.The main reason , I think, is their weakness. They are not mentally prepared to face the reality.Once they realize that an illusion,however sweet it may be is very short lived & when it breaks,it takes away everything based on it,people will prefer to live in reality.Obviously it demands a lot of courage & resolve.But i am sure with the grace of our GURUDEV each one of us will be able to achieve that state of mind.