Playful illusion

Although illusion may be thought of as a deception, a false impression of reality, the actual word comes from the Latin [in ludere]

(to play). It is when the individual acts out a role, carries out a task in a playful manner, plays his or her part, that the soul is nourished. Children understand this well and in their games may be totally involved and yet totally aware of the "unreality" in concrete terms of what they are doing. Two great experiences - romantic love and the rituals of religious faith - have been referred to as illusions and yet their value in human development is undeniable. The whole universe may be looked on as an illusion, as in some Buddhist and Hindu teachings, and yet it is there for our instruction.