[AdvaitaToZen] The Illusionist

[Guest guest]

Nisargadatta , Pete S <pedsie4 wrote:

>

>

>

> P: Is Bill right about 'I am' being the root of illusion?

> Yes, he is in a metaphorical way. And his advice

> has value as a liberation tool. Of course, the " I am "

> belief has nothing to do with:

> > A perspective on a flat canvas, or the bending of the

> > >   part of a ruler immersed in water.

>

> But it has a lot to do with conceptual psychological

> and spiritual illusions. It's worthwhile to

> notice that illusions just don't vanish when we stop

> believing in their reality.

 

 

 

 

 

Oh yes, they do vanish. Our belief in them is the only thing which

keeps them alive.

But they don't vanish if we only believe that we don't believe in

their reality ;-) Wishful thinking doesn't make them vanish.

 

Len

 

 

 

 

> A mirage still can be

> seen shimmering in the distance, even after we

> no longer consider it water.

>

> Illusions are, generally, created by taking a perspective,

> a point of view for reality. By reality we mean certain

> qualities and consequences which do not depend on

> point of view. A hammer solidity doesn't depend in our

> point of view. Someone can come behind our back and

> gives us a whack, and it will have consequences. But

> if someone hits us with a hammer in a dream, it wouldn't

> have durability or consequences.

>

> So, seeing illusions as illusions doesn't make them vanish.

> Even a Jnani needs his former persona to act in the world.

> He no longer believe he is Joe Blow, but he will act as Joe

> when talking to his mother, wife, son, or best friend. The

> sense of " I am " would be seen as illusory, but will return

> when needed. Acting or feeling like Mr Zero just won't

> do in all situations. Illusion is part of nature, it's here to

> stay, and realization or not it must be deal with.

>

> Samsara is Nirvana.

>

> Pete