About Getting Back Home
How does Advaita Vedanta view the concept of Maya (illusion)?
Advaita Vedanta views the concept of Maya as the root cause of all suffering and ignorance in the world. Maya is seen as an illusion or a veil that covers our true nature and prevents us from realizing the ultimate reality of Brahman.
According to Advaita Vedanta, Maya is not something that exists independently, but rather it is a power or force that is inherent in Brahman. It is the creative force that gives rise to the material world and all its appearances. Maya is also seen as a divine play of Brahman, where the ultimate reality takes on various forms and experiences itself through them.
However, Maya is not just an external illusion, but it also exists within us. It is the cause of our attachment to the material world and our identification with our ego and individual self. This identification with the ego creates a sense of duality and separation from the ultimate reality, leading to suffering and ignorance.
Advaita Vedanta teaches that the only way to overcome Maya and realize our true nature as Brahman is through self-inquiry and spiritual practice. By questioning the nature of our existence and understanding the illusory nature of the world, we can break free from the grip of Maya and attain liberation.
The concept of Maya is also closely related to the idea of maya-vada, which means the doctrine of illusion. This doctrine states that the world we perceive is not the ultimate reality, but rather a distorted and limited version of it. This understanding helps us to detach from the material world and focus on realizing our true nature as Brahman.
In conclusion, Advaita Vedanta views Maya as a powerful force that creates the illusion of duality and separation from Brahman. It is only through self-inquiry and spiritual practice that we can overcome Maya and realize our true nature as non-dual beings. By understanding the concept of Maya, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, leading us towards ultimate liberation and enlightenment.