We have been told clearly by the Paramathma that what we observe through our senses is a passing illusion.  What we observer and experience on a day to basis appears very real and often is a very painful experience. What we understand as the ,eaning of illusion is that it is something that is purely a figment of our imagination. This means that what we understand by the word illusion is an experience that can be influenced and manipulated by mere will power.  So we assume that an illusion is something that is pleasant always. The moment that it becomes unpleasant, we should be able to turn it off (like a TV, or Internet broadcast). 

But the life that we perceive does not seem to work like that. It seems to have a set sequence that seemingly cannot be influenced by mere will power.  Because it is outside the influence of our will poer, we (probably out of being overwhelmed by the experience), ascribe the quality of Reality to the uninfluensible Karmic experience that we call life. 

The Paramathma and the scriptures take a diametrically opposing view. That which can be controlled and influenced is the reality. That which lies beyond the individual's influence should be considered an illusion. 

This is a fundemental difference between the modern ("scientific") view point and the PARAMATHMA. 

Modern science believes that human perception and intelligence are the result of the manifestation of the physical universe. In other words, science assumes that the physical world was created first, and then the perception of the universe manifested.  It also assumes that "intelligence" is also a manifestation of the properties of the physical universe. The implication of this assumption is that the physical universe is PERMANENT and represents the TRUTH, whereas PERCEPTION of the Universe is TRANSIENT and represents an ILLUSION.

Western view of perception is that Material objects of this universe are distinguished from one another by their size (length, breath and height), and location (Space & Time).  The western view point of objectivism focuses all intellectual thought on the analysis of the behaviour of material objects under various conditions.  This analysis has produced most of the modern gadgets, equipment, furniture, garments and consumables that we use everyday. To the western intellect, these objects are a representation of REALITY.

If we really think about it, how can human improvement happen if we are just swayed by forces that cannot be controlled? 

So what is controllable within us?  We are creatures born out of consciousness that are based on the perception of events through the senses.  These events that we experience through the senses will last only as long as our life times.  These events are however meant to shape the reality that exists within us so that reality can evolve to the next level where there will be no clinging to senses or the pleasures and pains that it brings.  The nect level of existence (or consciousness) will not be based on perishable matter. It will not be based on changing events that are necessary to sustain perception.  

Perception is the ability of our Consciousness to observe and relate to the "external" world.The primary tools with which perception is born are the five senses.  The attachment of our consciousness to our senses is a very strong one.  High creditbility and reliance are placed on what is perceived through the senses.

Infact, whatever information we receive directly through our five senses is always considered  as REAL (unless proved beyond doubt that is was only a play of the mind).

What we perceive outside of these senses, such as information via third parties, is always taken in with sceptisism, unless it is proved beyond doubt to be real.

Our senses therefore occupy the position of being our primary "REALITY" checkers.  They relate us to the material world and play such a major part of our conscious intelligence, that there is little room in our thoughts for the huge world beyond our senses,  which is just as real, if not more real.

All the five senses are subject to the play of the opposites.  Pain and Pleasure, Good and Bad,  High and Low, Darkness and Light are a few examples. 

According to the Puranas, all Material Objects are unreal (MAYA), partly because these are transient and subject to change over time.  Impermenance is considered the opposite of  the supreme reality, which is unchanging and is not created or destroyed, nor subject opposing forces. 

The conclusion is that the force within us that resides behind the senses and is responsible for our experiences through the senses is the one reality within the unverse of our persceptive power.

That unchanging force of permenance is given the name ATMA, or more appropriately the JIVAATMA (the Atma that resides within a changing being is the Jiva Atma. The unchanging Atma represents Easwara and goes by the name PARAMATHMA).

What makes the force of Perception and its cause - the Atma, any different from the illusory world that is perceived?

As described in the previous sections the ATMA which is the cause of perception is born into a transient, change prone and uncertain environment.  It then learns from the experiences that it goes thru to finally REALIZE its own unchanging, permemant and unattached nature.

So the ship that transports the ATMA or Power of Perception into a state of peace and permenance from a state of turmoil is to LEARN that certain qualities such as selflessness, detachment, have to be imbibed with the mind focussed on attainment of a conflict free existence.

In order to observe an object and also learn from it, the learner has to seperate from the object of learning and observe it.  Yet the observer cannot be too detached from the events under observation. There will be no motive to learn and change if the learner is not suject to or influenced by the events that are being observed.  The observer will simply observe these events and dismiss them as "interesting" but as being "not applicable" to the observing self.

This is why, although we are being subject to an illusory experience, we cannot treat it like a dream from which we can wake up and all the nightmares that we have experienced will disappear.  They will not disappear in what we call REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES.  These will be permenantly etched in the mind. This is why life appears real and we get sucked into the events that we should have nothing to do with in the first place.  One mistake and there is no pulling back. We go from one mistake to another and the mind gets inextricably coiled in MAYA (illusion) and trapped in grappling with these events. 

So how do remain detached, yet be involved enough to learn and also avoid getting entangled in the coils?

Detachment or Vairagya  from the coils of Maya is an essential attribute to attain evolution. 

Such a state can be attained only when the mind is able to see the hand of the Paramathma in all perceived events and does not, under any circumstance take or desire to take ownership of the events, objects and the pleasures and pains of this world. 

This is the essence of the Bhakti margam which advocates unconditional surrender to the Paramathma who is the Jagadguru (the universal teacher). 

THE PARAMATHMA CALLS THE MATERIAL WORLD AS MAYA OR UNREAL, BECAUSE IT IS ONLY A TOOL FOR LEARNING ABOUT THE SELF, WHICH REPRESENTS THE REAL TRUTH. 

The PARAMATHMA is categirical that the ILLUSION of the Physical universe is BORN OUT OF THE REALITY OF PERCEPTION.  

What is perceived through the sense organs from the external world, is nothing but a reflection of the Inner self.