Illusion is just an Illusion

Sri Ramana Maharshi opines that while theoretical knowledge may be found in books, practical application is essential for yoga liberation. Personal example and instruction are the most helpful aids, and intuitive understanding requires practical and personal contact. Book learning alone is not of great use, as after realization, all intellectual loads become useless burdens and are to be discarded.

It is those who are unlearned that are saved, rather than those whose ego has not yet subsided despite their learning. The unlearned are saved from the relentless grip of the devil of self-infatuation, the malady of a myriad whirling thoughts and words, and running after wealth.

Due to illusion born of ignorance, people fail to recognize the inherent reality dwelling in its natural Heart Center, and instead argue about its existence, form, or duality. This kind of dispute is endless and should not be engaged in. Instead, one should turn their mind inward and put an end to all this. There is no finality in disputations, and the intricate maze of philosophy and various schools create confusion when none need exist.

To understand anything, there must be the self, which is obvious, so why not remain as the self? What need is there to explain the non-self?

Brahman or the self is like a cinema screen, and the world like the pictures on it. You can see the picture only so long as there is a screen, but when the observer themselves becomes the screen, only the self remains.

Phenomena are real when experienced as the self and illusory when seen apart from the self. The self alone exists and is real. The world, the individual, and God are like the illusory appearances of silver in the mother of pearl, imaginary creations in the self that appear and disappear simultaneously.

Actually, the self alone is the world, the I, and God. All that exists is only a manifestation of the Supreme. There are no degrees of Illusion; illusion itself is illusory.

You see various scenes passing on a cinema screen; fire seems to burn buildings to ashes, water seems to wreck ships, but the screen on which the pictures are projected remains unburnt and dry. Why? Because the pictures are unreal and the screen real. Similarly, reflections pass through a mirror, but it is not affected at all by their number or quality.

In the same way, the world is a phenomenon upon the substratum of the single reality, which is not affected by it in any way. Reality is only one; talk of Illusion is due only to the point of view. Change your viewpoint to that of knowledge, and you will perceive the universe to be only Brahman. Being immersed in the world, you see it as a real world. Get beyond it, and it will disappear, and reality alone will remain.

The world is commonly perceived as an objective reality when the mind is externalized, thereby relinquishing its identity with the self. However, this perception of the world does not reveal the true nature of the self. Conversely, when the self is realized, the world ceases to appear as an objective reality and is recognized as an illusion. This illusion causes one to mistake what is non-existent and unreal for what is ever-present, all-pervasive, perfect, self-luminous, and indeed the Self and the core of one's being.

The essential aim of the Vedas is to teach us the nature of the imperishable Self and show us that we are that. The individual being that identifies its existence with that of the life in the physical body is called the ego. The self, which is pure consciousness, has no ego sense about it, nor can the physical body, which is inert in itself.

The ego sense arises mysteriously between the self and the inner physical body, creating the hybrid ego notion, which flourishes as an individual being. This ego or individual being is at the root of all that is futile and undesirable in life.

Once the self within, in which all ideas exist, including the idea of oneself, others like oneself, and the world, is known, the truth can be realized that there is a reality, a Supreme Truth, which is the self of all the world. The self of all the selves, the one real, the Supreme, the Eternal self, is distinct from the impermanent ego or individual being.

It is imperative that one does not mistake the ego or the bodily concept for the Self. The technique of self-inquiry, "who am I?", is distinct from the meditation of "I am Shiva" or "I am He". The emphasis is on self-knowledge, and it is essential to first focus on oneself before attempting to understand the world or its Lord. The "I am He" or "I am Brahman" meditation is primarily a mental exercise, whereas the quest for the self is a direct method and is superior to it.

It is important to note that everyone is the Self and is infinite, yet each person erroneously identifies with their physical body. To attain illumination and comprehend anything, it is necessary to seek the nature of light. This light transcends physical light and darkness and is infinite consciousness. Consciousness is the self of which everyone is aware, and no one is ever away from the self.

Therefore, everyone is, in fact, self-realized, and this is the great mystery. However, people are unaware of this fact and strive to realize themselves. Self-realization consists only of discarding the false notion that one is not realized. It is not something new to be acquired, as it must already exist, or it would not be eternal. Only what is eternal is worth striving for. Once the false notion of "I am the body" or "I am not realized" is removed, only Supreme Consciousness, the self, remains. In the present state of knowledge, people refer to this realization as the attainment of consciousness.

However, the truth is that realization is eternal and already exists here and now. Consciousness is pure knowledge, and the mind arises from it and is composed of thoughts. The essence of the mind is only awareness or consciousness. However, when the ego clouds it, it functions as reasoning, thinking, or perceiving. The universal mind, not limited by the ego, has nothing outside itself and is therefore only aware.