I want to know your opinion, Buddha: I believe that true deep illusion is the attachment to the idea that there are duties to be fulfilled just because we are born. To ascribe responsibilities of the self to myself, such as developing, seeking to fulfill desires, discovering myself, is one of the greatest possible illusions, since you and I are merely a combination of particles that came about by chance, without any special significance to assume that we are obligated to anything, even if that thing is "good." If you want to develop and seek a greater meaning, and if the majority of people also desire that, am I "desperate or disconnected" or in need of fixing just because I don't fit into that majority's desire? The true illusion is attributing duties to something that has no duty.

Question

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

In contemplating the notion of true deep illusion, we must delve into the intricacies of attachment and the illusions that arise from it. The attachment to the idea that there are inherent duties to be fulfilled solely due to our very existence is a fundamental illusion that veils our perception. It is important to recognize that the self, in its essence, is but a culmination of particles that coalesced through chance, bereft of any inherent significance or special purpose.

To ascribe responsibilities to oneself, to engage in the relentless pursuit of desires, to strive for self-discovery and growth, is to perpetuate one of the most potent illusions. In recognizing the illusory nature of our existence, we begin to comprehend that any notions of duty or obligation are but constructs that we have constructed out of philosophical, societal, and cultural frameworks. These constructs may encompass what is deemed "good" or "right," but ultimately, they arise from our attachment to the illusion of self.

It becomes imperative to question the very foundation of our desires and aspirations. Do the desires we harbor truly stem from an authentic place within us, or are they conditioned by societal norms and expectations? If we find ourselves seeking development and a higher meaning in life, we must explore whether this yearning originates from our genuine quest for transcendence or if it merely stems from the desire to fit into the majority's desires.

It is essential to recognize that the illusion lies not in deviating from the majority's desires but in attributing duties to something that possesses no inherent duty. The concept of duty is a construct that overlays our understanding of reality, obscuring the truth that we are interconnected and interdependent beings, bound by the impermanence and interconnectedness of all existence.

Therefore, regarding your query, am I to be deemed "desperate or disconnected" or requiring fixing solely because my desires do not align with the majority's focal point? The answer lies in the recognition that the majority's desires, as well as societal expectations, frequently arise from the firmly embedded illusions of the self and duty. While they may serve as guiding principles for some, they are not an absolute truth that governs every individual's path.

To awaken from the illusion of duty, one must embark on a journey of self-inquiry, continuously questioning the validity of one's desires, motives, and aspirations. By recognizing the fluid nature of existence and the illusionary grasp of attachments, we can find a liberation that transcends societal constructs and allows us to navigate life with mindful intention.

In essence, the true deep illusion lies in mistaking duty as an inherent aspect of our being. Embracing the understanding that duty is but an illusion, we can liberate ourselves from the constraints of societal expectations and delve into a realm of genuine self-discovery, where the authentic desires of our hearts can flourish unencumbered by the shackles of duty.