Is the world real?

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The Forty Verses on Reality by Sri Ramana Maharshi, verse 3.

 

>From the Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi:

 

3. "'The World is true';

 

'No, it is a false appearance';

 

'The World is Mind';

 

'No, it is not';

 

'The World is pleasant';

 

'No, it is not'; -

 

WHAT AVAILS SUCH TALK?

 

TO LEAVE THE WORLD ALONE

 

AND KNOW THE SELF,

 

TO GO BEYOND ALL THOUGHT OF ONE AND TWO,

 

THIS EGO-LESS CONDITION IS THE COMMON GOAL OF ALL."

 

>From The Truth Revealed:

 

3. "'The world is real.'

 

'No, it is a mere illusory appearance.'

 

'The world is conscious.'

 

'No.'

 

'The world is happiness.'

 

'No.'

 

THUS TO SPEAK, OF WHAT AVAIL IS IT?

 

THAT STATE IS AGREEABLE TO ALL,

 

WHEREIN ONE,

 

HAVING GIVEN UP THE OBJECTIVE OUTLOOK,

 

KNOWS HIS SELF

 

AND LOSES ALL NOTIONS OF UNITY AND DUALITY,

 

OF ONESELF AND THE EGO."

 

>From Ramana, Shankara and the Forty Verses:

 

3. "OF WHAT AVAIL to debate whether the world is real or unreal,

 

sentient or insentient, pleasant or unpleasant?

 

EXTINGUISING THE EGO,

 

TRANSCENDING THE WORLD,

 

REALIZING THE SELF,

 

that is the state which is dear to all,

 

and free from the sense of unity and duality."