The simple translation for
maya is “illusion.” When we go
further, we find that maya refers to “material existence.” But this doesn’t mean to imply that
material existence is an illusion.
An excellent explanation of this is found in “The Tao of Physics” by
Fritjof Capra. He says: “Maya does
not mean that the world is an illusion, as is often wrongly stated. The illusion merely lies in our point
of view. Maya is the illusion of
mistaking our relative perspective for reality, of confusing the map with the
territory.” The philosophy behind
all of this is that the material world exists, yet it is temporary. When we see it as permanent, then we
are mistaken. Material things are
measurable, they take place in space and time. What is permanent is the spiritual, which takes place beyond
space and time. The spiritual is
limitless, boundless, full of infinite potential. This is the true reality.
|
