Maya

Maya in Sanskrit is "illusion." I've been fascinated by the concept and it makes sense to me. It means that everything material, everything that is earthly, is simply an illusion and to be attached to those things can keep you from reaching salvation. It makes sense; life isn't about getting material things like cars, clothes or money. According to his Hindu philosophy, we should only acquire what we need to do our duty and good, honorable work. In the same way, we should do good work without being attached to the results. By remaining unselfish and emotionally unattached, we can bring about more positive change.

Another way to look at Maya is that it is perception. And everyone's perception of the world is going to be different. Everyone's reality is different, and it is just as real and valid as the next person's. But then I struggle with, so, if there is no one real truth, then why do we fight for our political beliefs as if they are? I mean, it is impossible to honor all the different realities if we have to share the same society with everyone else and govern rules for it. I think people should be open-minded. But if someone is not open-minded and so I discount his or her beliefs, am I really being open-minded? And why is open-mindedness so important? Why is it necessary? What is wrong with believing strongly in something, and not changing it, if it makes sense or works?

So I feel a little like I am being contradictory when I say I don't believe in one reality, but then look at conservative views that are different from my liberal ones as "wrong." It makes sense to me that the world is more interesting because we have unique individuals with their own beliefs. I mean, it would be boring if we were all the same. But, the religious beliefs I subscribe to make so much sense to me, that I look at them as truth, and so in turn it makes sense that others should too.

I would love to communicate with anyone who grapples with this, and would be elated if anyone has reconciled this gapI see between truth and perception. What is your idea of reality? Is there just one and only one truth?