Maya (Hinduism)

Apparent reality as viewed by the human being is the result of five outer sheaths masking or veiling the truth. These sheaths - annamayakosha (physical body), pranamayakosha (breath or life energy), manomayakosha (mind), vijnanamayakosha (intelligence), anandamayakosha (awareness of bliss) - have to be progressively transcended in order to attain ultimate realization. It is not that what is perceived does not exist but that erroneous perception sees it for what it is not. There is attachment to the world of forms, for example, unless one retains sight of the void behind it.