Bill,

Philosophy and illusion 
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Just like many other words often used in a different sense in spirituality the 
word "illusion" is used to denote different aspects in Hindu Philosophy (Maya). 
Many Monist philosophies clearly demarcate illusion from truth and falsehood. 
As per Hindu advaita philosophy, Illusion is something which is not true and 
not false. Whereas in general usage it is common to assume that illusion is 
false, Hindu philosophy makes a distinction between Maya (illusion) and 
falsehood. In terms of this philosophy maya is true in itself but it is not 
true in comparison with the truth. As per this philosophy, illusion is not the 
opposite of truth or reality. Based on these assumptions Vedas declare that the 
world as humans normally see is illusion (Maya). It does not mean the world is 
not real. The world is only so much real as the image of a person in a mirror. 
The world is not real/true when compared to the reality. But the world is also 
not false. Falsehood is something which does not exist. if we apply this 
philosophy to the above example, the illusion is not actually illusion but is 
false. This is because in general usage people tend to consider lllusion to be 
the same as falsehood. As per adishankar's a guru of monist teachings the world 
we think is not true but is an illusion (not true not false). The truth of the 
world is something which can only be experienced by removing the identity (ego).

Edgar

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