Welcome to the Grand Illusion

The Vedic Viewpoint and Other Spiritual Perspectives

If this world is an illusion then why does it seem real? ----That's the illusion! According to the ancient Vedic texts this world is a perverted reflection of the absolute world. If one looks at a reflection of a tree in a lake, it looks like the real thing, just upside down and maybe a little hazy.

Until one becomes fully conscious, they take this world to be real. Actually it is real, but it is temporary, where as reality is eternal. We think we are these bodies, but these bodies get diseased and eventually die. But we do not ever die. The soul (that's us) never dies.

As long as we have material desires we will continue to take birth in this material world life after life until we have had enough of trying to lord it over material nature. At this point the conditioned soul begins to question their existence. Who am I? Why am I here? Where did I come from? How do I end all suffering? What is my relationship with God? Once one receives the actual answers to these questions then they have just begun their awakening of consciousness. Otherwise people are considered asleep, like a waking dream, not knowing they are dreaming. Once one is fully awake to reality this world has a whole new meaning. Generally this awakening process is a gradual one though I will give you the process on how to accelerate it below.

How does one come into illusion? The Vedas describe that originally we are in the spiritual world where everyone is serving God with love and devotion. Everyone always has free will to love God or not. God gives us the choice to love Him or how can it actually be love. As soon as one has a drop of envy of God, that soul then falls down to the material plane. It is explained that only one fourth of the souls come to the material world. (The less intelligent ones) God knows that they will never be able to become Him, as hard as they may try. Eventually they misuse their free will which in turn gives them their bad Karmaor reaction to their sinful activities. After millions of births they become frustrated and bored with this place, realizing there is only suffering here. They finally begin the process of reawakening by questioning their existence.

Maya is the Goddess of Illusion or Mother Nature, also known as Durgha meaning very difficult to escape. She is empowered to keep us in our world of illusions life after life. She puts veils over our consciousness so we think we are whatever we are at the present moment. For example, if at the time of ones death one does not fulfill their desires and whishes they could be a handsome, wealthy lawyer, in the next life if their karma permits, Maya puts a spell on them so they can live out their desire. (Poof now act like this) There is no one to blame because we wanted it. Man proposes and God disposes, if we deserve it.

Unfortunately so many people are fried with the material world but they never seek out the truth or pray to God or ask the right person the right question. They become depressed and lethargic or angry. They take drugs or alcohol to cover up their pain. Some even commit suicide due to their complete illusion and confusion of who they really are.

It is the job of those who are awake to give the conditioned souls the knowledge (Veda means knowledge) so others have the opportunity to awaken to who they really are.--- And who are you?--- Everyone is eternally a loving servant of God, but if you don't serve God then you will have to serve Dog or some other rascal. Everyone has to serve someone because the nature of everyone is to serve. Even the greatest person in this world is serving someone, it can not be denied unless you are in illusion of course. If you do not think you are serving anyone, well then you are a slave to your own senses, ravenous to your addictions and desires. So why not serve the Greatest Person instead, and then all of the misery will go away.

According to the Vedas, the quickest and most recommended way to reawaken ones consciousness is to chant the Maha Mantra which contains the eternal names of God.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna KrishnaKrishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare

One should focus the mind on the eternal, spiritual sound vibration of Gods Holy names. This will uncover the veils of illusion and you will gradually become truly happy. One can chant any bonafide names of God according to their spiritual practice. (Allah, Jehovah, Gauranga etc.) Chanting Gods names is directly associating with Him and only He can remove the veils of illusion. No one can remove Mayas spell but God Himself.

Wake up friends if you so desire or continue to stay in illusion. The choice is all yours!

By Jayasri Radha

For more information read Bhagavad-Gita, As it is, by His divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivadanta Swami Prabhupada. He brought this ancient Vedic knowledge to the western world to save us from this land of Illusion. Also go to ( www.stephen/knapp.com) The World Relief Network.