Does the world exist or is it an illusion? Is this even a worthwhile question on the spiritual path?

Adyashanti, a contemporary non-dual spiritual teacher, says “no” to the latter question. He doesn’t spend a minute attempting to answer the question, “Does the world objectively exist?” Trying to answer the question yourself, he says, won’t help you at all on the awakening path.

On the other hand, the Dalai Lama says:

“We have established that when any phenomenon is sought through analysis, it cannot be found. So you may be wondering whether these phenomena exist at all. However, we know from direct experience that people and things cause pleasure and pain, and that they can help and harm. Therefore, phenomena certainly do exist; the question is how? They do not exist in their own right, but only have an existence dependent upon many factors, including a consciousness that conceptualizes them.”—from Emptiness and Existence

This is the “Middle Way” or “Madhyamika” philosophical approach of Buddhism founded by Nagarjuna (c. 150 — c. 250 CE). It emphasizes that all things are free from permanence and non-existence.

The “Middle Way” philosophy suggests that things exist, but not in the way you think—as permanent, independent, and singular. And so, it counters the extremes of eternalism and nihilism.

Nihilism is the belief that nothing exists, whereas eternalism is the belief in the permanence of something such as God or the soul.

Does the world exist objectively? How can we ever know? And what does the question even mean?

Philosophers like to debate this question. But if you want to accelerate your personal growth and move toward spiritual awakening, don’t waste too much time trying to figure it out. 

Instead, decide to practice seeing life as dream-like. 

“All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, or shadows, like drops of dew, or flashes of lightning. They should be contemplated accordingly.” — the Buddha in the Diamond Sutra

The Benefits of Seeing Life As a Dream

How will it help you to see life as a dream?

Most of us consider life to be extraordinarily real. We take our thoughts and emotions seriously. We’re attached to what we have and who we think we are. And we’re usually averse to the arrival of different, difficult, or unexpected experiences. 

But attachment and aversion can only lead to suffering because, by its nature, life is an ever-changing flow. As much as you want to organize, control, and manipulate your personal world, you can never know what will happen next.

The ability to see life as dream-like naturally reduces attachment and aversion and thus reduces suffering. The practice can help you to relax, go with the flow, and get off the roller coaster of intense emotional reactions.

Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche explains how life is similar to a dream:

“A complementary practice to reflecting on impermanence is to see everything as a dream. When you dream, you are a subject interacting with a seemingly objective world. When you awaken you realize that whatever took place in that dream actually happened solely within your mind. The world of waking experience is similar to a dream in that it seems to exist objectively. But when you examine it closely, you realize it is an uninterrupted flow of sights, sounds, tastes, smells, tactile sensations, and thoughts. Like a dream, it is completely your own experience, and entirely within your own mind.”—from Inborn Realization

Whether there’s an objective world or not, we filter everything that happens through our mind, our conditioning, and our proclivities. In that sense, we make whatever occurs our own dream. 

This can be illustrated by the way you might love apple pie and the next person hates it. Or you might be in love with your romantic partner only to despise them when you break-up. One person might get a life-threatening diagnosis and become depressed while another finds it to be a difficult but life-altering experience.

There is no objective reality. Everything depends on how we perceive. We’re all living our own dream for better or for worse, depending on how we fashion and relate to it.

Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal Rinpoche explains the practice and its benefits:

“Whatever you are doing and experiencing, say to yourself as often as you can, ‘This is a dream, and I too am a dream.” This simple practice will help you realize the unity of the world and your mind, and will open you to the infinite potential of each and every moment. If you keep practicing like this, your commitment to conventional truths and facts will change. The duality dream will end, and the enlightenment dream will begin.”—from Inborn Realization

That might be difficult to understand on an intellectual level. You have to give it a try to see how slowly, slowly seeing life as a dream can transform your world.

When you see life as a dream, you will begin to take responsibility for your own perception and your actions as well. You won’t fall into the trap of nihilism, think nothing matters, and act as if anything goes. You know your actions impact others in either a beneficial or harmful way so you proceed more consciously. 

You know that you can change your perception and thus change your dream as well. If someone is rude to you, you can react in kind or you can give them the benefit of the doubt and respond with kindness.

You’ll find that kindness is more likely to cut through and bring a better result. So you begin to make choices that lead to a more peaceful and harmonious dream-like life.

Closing Thoughts

Does the world exist or is it just an illusion made by your mind? 

No one knows for sure. And ruminating about it won’t necessarily help you lead a better life or progress along your spiritual path.

A more beneficial use of your time would be to practice seeing life as dream-like. As Lao Tzu once said, “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.” Suffering comes from resisting those changes.

When you see life as a dream, you’ll be able to relax and flow with what’s occurring now and whatever comes next. Hard times might still be hard, but they won’t be incapacitating. Good times will still be enjoyable, but you’ll allow them to pass, curious to see what’s to come.

Won’t that make for a far better life?

Thank you for your presence, I know your time is precious!  Don’t forget to  sign up for Wild Arisings, my twice monthly letters from the heart filled with insights, inspiration, and ideas to help you connect with and live from your truest self. 

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