The ability to differentiate REALITY from ILLUSION has been touched upon in previous sections of this web page.  This is a very fundemental characteristic of human thought. 

The Paramathma has a very straight definition of Reality and Illusion.  He classifies all objects perceived through the senses as an illusion.  In other words,  all transient perceptions are illusions.  Reality, according to Him is that knowledge which is permenant.

Illusions have been created only for one purpose, and that is for the Mind to look at and learn about itself.  All illusions are mere reflection of a reality that exists elsewhere.  However,  what the mind sees as a reflection is not just a mirror image.  Unlike a mirage, which is an exact reflection of a source of water that actually exists elsewhere, the reflection of the inner self that is perceived through the senses, needs to be understood and interpreted in the correct sense by the inteeligence that we are endowed with.  This is the primary function of the INTELLIGENCE that we possess. 

Reality, on the other hand, requires to be recognized by the Mind.  It is not apparant from the events that we experience through the senses.  Reality means the ability of the mind to recognize its in-built properties, capabilities as well as obstacles and limitations that it encounters.  The reason why the properties of our mind are classified as REALITY is because the only objective of this existence is to work on the Mind to enable it to grow out of its limitations.

So we have to look at an illusion and interpret and transform the events that are perceived into knowledge about our inner selves (primarily our "own" Mind).

The trap to be avoided is to prevent the intellect from getting too deeply involved with the illusions that it perceives.

From this requirement of having to perceive the illusion, but not to get involved in it, arises the requirement to develop some of the prime recommendations of the Paramathma thru the Puranas, such as INTELLECTUAL DETACHMENT, avoiding taking OWNERSHIP, avoding establishment of RELATIONSHIPS and the DISCHARGE OF ONE'S KARMA, WITHOUT EXPECTATION OF REWARDS.

These requirements are examined in greater detail in the following pages of this web page.

Essentially,  it has to be understood that the INTELLECT should be able to EXTRACT REALITY from ILLUSION.  In order to be able to do this, the INTELLECT should learn and evolve to higher levels. Evolution of the Mind is examined in greater detail in later sections of this web page.

In order to be able to extract Reality from Illusion, one should be able to identify and distinguish REALITY.

There are many ways in which REALITY can be understood.  The basic definition is that it represents the PERMANENT aspects of human thought.  The PERMANENT aspects of thought are;

1.  Thought born out of PEACE not conflict in the mind.

2. Thought born out of SINGULARITY not DUALITY.

3. Thought that is not swayed between the OPPOSITES.

4. Thought born out of realization of the BRAHMAN and not from an Illusory "I" that differentiates (falsely) between objects and beings.

5. Thought that is not swayed or influenced by the events of the external world.

6. Thought should be selfless. Thought should not arise from attempting to project the SELF.. 

7. Thought that is de-linked from physical needs and limitations.

8. DHARMIC principles should form the Root of all thought. Thought should not be based on expectation of REWARD.   

As can be noted from the above, pure SELFLESSNESS is the fundemental requirement of attaining PERMENANCE.