The great game, part 2
In the previous chapter on the topic, I explained the technicalities of implementing the great game. A minimal system requirement to run it, if you will. It also shows that whether the actual reality is a game or not, the metaphor is still useful as a basis for many techniques adopted from games themselves.
Here, I would like to delve more into the perennial philosophy aspect of it. In the entirety of human history, sooner or later, all cultures and their paradigms encounter the representation of the world as a divine game - whether as an illusion, theater, magical show, or - recently - the computer game. This thread is so prevalent that it became integral to the perennial philosophy.
This notion challenges our perception of reality and prompts us to question the nature of existence itself. In this post, we will explore the concept of the world as a game - the illusionary nature of reality in various spiritual traditions.
Hinduism
In Hindu philosophy, Maya is the concept that the physical world we experience is an illusion created by our own minds. The Vedas, Hindu scriptures, state that the world is a dream created by the ultimate reality, Brahman.
Buddhism
Similarly, Buddhism emphasizes the illusory nature of the world. The concept of "dependent origination" states that all phenomena arise in dependence on other phenomena and lack an inherent, permanent essence. The Buddhist doctrine of "emptiness" states that all things are empty of self-nature and exist only in relation to other things. Samsara, the world of rebirth, is then described as a great illusion.
Gnosticism
Gnosticism, a spiritual tradition that predates Christianity, teaches that the material world was created by an evil deity, often referred to as the Demiurge. Gnostics believe that the material world is an illusion, and that true reality lies beyond it in the spiritual realm. The Demiurge Interactive™ created such a great game that the souls keep coming back for more all the time.
Sufism
Sufism, a mystical tradition within Islam, also recognizes the illusory nature of the world. Sufis believe that the physical world is a manifestation of divine light and that the goal of the spiritual journey is to see through the game and reach the ultimate reality of God.
Western Philosophy
The concept of the world being an illusion can also be found in Western philosophy. Plato's allegory of the cave and his theory of Forms suggest that the material world is an imitation of the ideal, unchanging world of Forms. In the cave, the prisoners see only a play of shadows on the wall. René Descartes famously said "I think, therefore I am," proposing that the only certain thing is one's own existence and that the external world may be an illusion. The “evil deity” that can play tricks on one’s senses is very close to what we would today describe as virtual reality or “the Matrix”.
Advaita Vedanta
One of the primary philosophical schools of Hinduism, Advaita Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is non-dual and that the duality of the world is an illusion created by ignorance. The goal of Advaita is to see through this illusion and realize the underlying oneness. Māyā connotes a "magic show, an illusion where things appear to be present but are not what they seem"
Taoism
In Taoism, the concept of Wu Wei (non-action) is central. Taoists believe that by not interfering with the natural flow of events, one can see through the illusions of the world and experience a state of harmony with the universe. A sage plays the game of life effortlessly.
The common thread among these traditions is that the world we perceive is not the ultimate reality. Maya, Lila, Samsara, or whatever it may be called, is a veil that obscures our true nature and the nature of existence itself. While each tradition offers its own interpretation of the illusionary nature of reality, they all provide a framework for transcending the limitations of our perceived reality and glimpsing something beyond it.
To see through the illusion requires a shift in consciousness, a willingness to question the assumptions we hold about the world, and to explore the deeper truths of existence. It may require us to let go of our attachment to our ideas and beliefs, to let go of our need for control and certainty, and to surrender to the mystery of life itself.
And, while we are at it, have fun. I mean - why would you even play a game if you are not having fun doing it, right?