We cannot also just define it as illusion. It has so many derivatives. Some say, illusion
is an idea or something you can see that is not real. While others say, illusions are visually
perceived objects and images that differ from reality. A magician making some one
disappear from a box in his show. But to me, offering words and images to unlock the
spiritual path, where we are supposed to proceed to reach the ultimate Supreme Power.
Sometimes we have to talk to ourselves while in a peace of mind, why even converse ourselves
inside, picturise ourselves as to where we are now, then recollect it from where we have come
from. We will realise that we are only a traveller in a plane of material world towards some object
rather than where we are supposed to proceed. Why for instance, if you concentrate yourself
alone, someday you will feel you are older and you are yet to have a humble beginning, someday
you will feel that you have realised the status of your birth in this earthly planet and you will try
to be wise for the rest of the years.. there will be a chalanam or movement in your inner conscious.
The solution to this is that you believe in HIM and go by the guidelines set by your predecessors to
the extent possible. If you stand for a minute in the beach, you will find the Wild Waves on the
rough water and in the second second, it is back to its normal. We have to develop our mind that
there is a super power above us, which conducts us in our day to day affairs.
Balasubramanian
Ambattur
Shri Balasubramanian sir,
I am a tamil brahmin leaning towards the orthodox side due to my upbringing and the type of life I have. But to me all this talk of goal of life, moksham, etc., being talked about glibly, by any Tom, Dick and Harry - as the phrase goes - is because of stupendous ignorance of our hindu religion (particularly vedanta) coupled with a wrong type of egotism, which makes people think that "reaching the ultimate Supreme Power" etc., is something like saving enough cash and buying a top-end automobile.
Our forefathers of the previous generations, who generally followed the rules and regulations, the dos and don'ts, etc., prescribed by our Shastras much more meticulously than most of us pseudo-brahmins do today, never talked about moksham, "reaching the ultimate Supreme Power" etc., at all. They knew it was not for anyone and every one and that they were just ordinary people who have miles to go before they could even aspire to talk about such exotic aims.
What I find today, both inside this forum as also in the outside world, is a misplaced self-confidence that, after retiring from some highly paying job with good pension/post-retirement income, or, after having made it good in US or some other foreign country, most tabras seem to feel that items like moksham, reaching the supreme reality, etc., are within their "purchasing power"; they try different shortcut methods like the modern-day gurus/babas/acharyas and their marketed items like aol, hug/kiss, lingam from mouth and what not and also get a number of mantra upadesams, with the help of which they will at once become yogis/supermen/rishis and brahmajnanis.
Your above post betrays, imo, such a mindset. Illusion is mind's ability to make you believe non-existent as existent. All that you say, like
"if you concentrate yourself
alone, someday you will feel you are older and you are yet to have a humble beginning, someday you will feel that you have realised the status of your birth in this earthly planet and you will try to be wise for the rest of the years.. there will be a chalanam or movement in your inner conscious.", are all mental illusion. Do your duty according to your station in life and the best of your ability; if you still have spare time simply chant raamanaamam or whatever you prefer. But do not start thinking that moksham or realization of self is a cushy thing which one can do with the same ease of going to the five star hotel and eating a luxurious dinner. Elders have told me that it is really very difficult and god knows whom to give that jnaanam and when.
