Quotes about the “Maya,” the Illusion of Life
I compiled a bunch of quotes for you about the Maya, so you wouldn’t have to. With a little research, it’s easy to find Quotes about the “Maya,” the Illusion of Life. So here you go:

Quantum Plato (c. 428–348 BCE) — Greek Philosopher
Quote:“ How can we know that the world is real if we don’t even know if we’re awake or dreaming?”
Background: Plato was one of the foundational figures of Western philosophy. His works, including “The Republic,” discuss concepts of reality, truth, and illusion. The “Allegory of the Cave” from his book is often seen as an early exploration of reality being a mere shadow of a deeper truth — much like the simulation hypothesis. His ideas continue to influence philosophy, ethics, and metaphysics.
Why Listen: Plato’s work is foundational to Western thought. His exploration of ideal forms and his allegories about the nature of human perception laid the groundwork for later discussions about reality, illusion, and how we interpret the world.
René Descartes (1596–1650) — French Philosopher, Mathematician
Quote: “I think, therefore I am.”
Background: Descartes is considered the father of modern philosophy. His “Meditations on First Philosophy” pondered the nature of reality and the possibility of an “evil demon” deceiving him into believing in a false reality. He famously questioned the veracity of everything except the existence of his own mind.
Why Listen: Descartes’ skepticism and his emphasis on the primacy of thought and consciousness laid the foundation for much of modern epistemology, including debates about the nature of consciousness and reality.
Buddha (c. 5th to 4th Century BCE) — Indian Spiritual Leader
Quote: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”
Background: Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, was a spiritual teacher who founded Buddhism. He taught that the world as we perceive it is an illusion (Maya) and that true enlightenment comes from transcending this illusion to understand the true nature of existence.
Why Listen: Buddhism’s core teachings on impermanence and illusion have shaped spiritual thought across the world, influencing everything from meditation to modern interpretations of quantum physics.
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) — German Philosopher
Quote: “We see things not as they are, but as we are.”
Background: Kant was a central figure in modern philosophy, particularly in his work “Critique of Pure Reason.” He argued that while we cannot know the things-in-themselves (the world as it exists independent of our perception), we can know the phenomena that are shaped by our sensory experiences and mental frameworks.
Why Listen: Kant’s critical philosophy reshaped the debate about how we perceive reality and the limits of human understanding. His ideas are a cornerstone in discussions about the mind’s role in constructing reality.
Nikola Tesla (1856–1943) — Inventor, Electrical Engineer
Quote: “If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration.”
Background: Tesla was a pioneering inventor and scientist whose breakthroughs in electromagnetism changed the world. His quotes often reflected his view that the nature of the universe could be understood in terms of frequencies and energetic patterns, suggesting the universe might be a highly intricate, interconnected system of vibrations or energies.
Why Listen:Tesla was ahead of his time in thinking about energy and reality, and many modern interpretations of physics and simulations borrow from his holistic understanding of nature.
Philip K. Dick (1928–1982) — Science Fiction Writer
Quote: “The true world is not the world of the senses, the true world is something different… it is the world of the imagination.”
Background: Philip K. Dick was a prolific science fiction writer, whose works explore themes of reality, identity, and the nature of the mind. His novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was adapted into the film Blade Runner. Dick often questioned the nature of reality, drawing on psychological, philosophical, and spiritual concerns.
Why Listen: Dick’s works influence not only science fiction but also contemporary debates on virtual reality and simulation theory. His philosophical inquiries into the nature of consciousness and simulated worlds have resonated with the rise of simulation theory.
Jean Baudrillard (1929–2007) — French Sociologist, Philosopher
Quote: “We live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning.”
Background: Baudrillard was a postmodern philosopher and sociologist known for his work on hyperreality. He argued that in the modern world, simulations and images have replaced real experiences, leading to a loss of any true, objective reality. His book Simulacra and Simulation is a key text in discussions about the virtual and the real.
Why Listen:Baudrillard’s theories about how modern society constructs reality through media and simulations are integral to contemporary understanding of both the virtual and real worlds.
David Chalmers (b. 1966) — Australian Philosopher
Quote: “The hard problem of consciousness is the problem of why and how physical processes in the brain give rise to conscious experience.”
Background: Chalmers is a leading philosopher of mind and consciousness. His formulation of the “hard problem” distinguishes the objective understanding of the brain from the subjective experience of consciousness, suggesting that reality may be far more complex than we perceive.
Why Listen: Chalmers’ work on consciousness and the philosophy of mind is influential in both academic and popular discussions about the nature of reality, and he is at the forefront of debates on the possibility of a simulated universe.
Elon Musk (b. 1971) — Entrepreneur, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla
Quote: “The odds that we’re in base reality are one in billions.”
Background: Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, has publicly discussed his belief in the likelihood of our reality being a simulation. He suggests that as virtual reality technology advances, it becomes increasingly likely that we are living in a simulated universe.
Why Listen: Musk is one of the world’s most prominent tech entrepreneurs and futurists, known for his work in advancing technologies like AI, space exploration, and electric vehicles. His endorsement of the simulation hypothesis has brought mainstream attention to the idea.

Alan Watts (1915–1973) — British Philosopher, Writer, Speaker
Quote:“ We are the universe experiencing itself.”
Background: Alan Watts was a philosopher known for interpreting and popularizing Eastern philosophy for Western audiences. He explored concepts such as the nature of reality, self-identity, and consciousness, often describing the world as an interconnected flow of energy and experience.
Why Listen: Watts’ ability to bridge Eastern thought with Western philosophical traditions makes him a widely respected figure in modern spiritual philosophy. His teachings on the interconnectedness of all things resonate with both mystical traditions and modern understandings of systems theory.
Lao Tzu (c. 6th Century BCE) — Chinese Philosopher, Founder of Taoism
Quote: “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.”
Background: Lao Tzu is the legendary figure behind Taoism, and his work, the Tao Te Ching, emphasizes the transient and ineffable nature of reality. Taoism teaches that the ultimate reality, the Tao, cannot be fully grasped or described, suggesting that our understanding of the world is always limited and illusory.
Why Listen: Lao Tzu’s insights have shaped the foundations of Taoism and deeply influenced Eastern thought. His teachings on the nature of reality and the limitations of human perception echo in many modern spiritual and philosophical discussions.
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897–1981) — Indian Guru, Philosopher
Quote: “The world is illusory; the only reality is the Divine.”
Background: Nisargadatta Maharaj was a prominent spiritual teacher of the Advaita Vedanta tradition. His teachings often focused on the illusory nature of the self and the world, emphasizing that what we perceive as reality is just an illusion (Maya). He encouraged people to go beyond the material world and seek the unchanging truth of consciousness.
Why Listen: Maharaj’s direct spiritual teachings are revered in the non-dualistic traditions of Hinduism and resonate deeply with modern interpretations of reality as being transient, illusory, or constructed.
Erwin Schrödinger (1887–1961) — Physicist
Quote: “The total number of minds in the universe is one. In the sense of the world, the mind is not a part of the world. It is the whole.”
Background: Schrödinger, one of the founders of quantum mechanics, made revolutionary contributions to our understanding of the physical world. His famous thought experiment, “Schrödinger’s cat,” illustrated the strangeness of quantum reality. Schrödinger also speculated that the individual mind is not separate but a reflection of a universal consciousness, suggesting that our experience of the world might be a subjective illusion.
Why Listen: Schrödinger’s quantum mechanical insights challenge our classical understanding of physical reality and have inspired many contemporary thinkers to consider whether our experience of reality might be a form of collective or individual simulation.
David Icke (b. 1952) — Former Footballer, Author, Public Speaker
Quote: “We live in a world that is a holographic reality. Our senses fool us into believing that we are living in a physical world, but in truth, it’s all an illusion.”
Background: David Icke is a controversial figure known for his theories on conspiracies and alternative views of reality. He has argued that the physical world is a holographic illusion and that reality is manipulated by higher powers, often referring to the idea of a “Matrix” that keeps humanity imprisoned in a false perception.
Why Listen: Though often dismissed by mainstream scholars, Icke’s work resonates with those exploring conspiracy theories, the nature of reality, and simulation theory, especially in the context of information control and perceived reality.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) — American Philosopher, Poet
Quote: “Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth, that around every corner we see the face of the Infinite.”
Background: Emerson was a central figure in the Transcendentalist movement. His essays often focused on the relationship between the individual and the divine, as well as the illusory nature of the material world. He saw nature and the world around him as a projection of a higher spiritual truth, which he believed was often hidden from everyday perception.
Why Listen: Emerson’s idealism suggests that the physical world is only a temporary veil concealing a deeper spiritual reality. His writings continue to inspire spiritual seekers and philosophers interested in the mystical and transcendent dimensions of existence.
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave (c. 380 BCE) — Greek Philosopher
Quote: “The truth would be literally nothing but the shadows of the images.”
Background: In The Republic, Plato presents the Allegory of the Cave, in which prisoners are chained inside a dark cave and can only see the shadows of objects cast by a fire. The prisoners mistake the shadows for reality, never knowing that the true objects exist outside of the cave. This allegory has been interpreted as a metaphor for how we perceive the world as a mere shadow of a deeper truth.
Why Listen: Plato’s Allegory is one of the most powerful early articulations of the idea that physical reality is a distorted or incomplete representation of a more fundamental reality, laying the groundwork for modern philosophical explorations of illusion and perception.
The Buddha (c. 5th to 4th Century BCE) — Spiritual Leader
Quote: “You are the source of all power, all control, all reality. The mind creates everything that exists.”
Background: Buddha’s teachings emphasize that the world we experience is fundamentally impermanent and illusory (Maya). Everything we perceive is influenced by our desires, attachments, and misperceptions, and liberation comes from seeing through the illusion to recognize the ultimate nature of existence.
Why Listen :Buddhist teachings on illusion have been profound in shaping Eastern and Western spirituality, particularly ideas of detachment, mindfulness, and non-attachment. Modern interpretations of the mind-body connection and virtual reality often echo Buddhist insights about the nature of perception and illusion.
Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) — German-Swiss Author
Quote: “Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.”
Background: Hesse’s work, especially in Siddhartha and Steppenwolf, explores the theme of spiritual awakening and the idea that much of what we perceive as reality is a mental construct. In Siddhartha, for example, the protagonist embarks on a journey to recognize that life itself is a series of illusions that need to be transcended for true enlightenment.
Why Listen: Hesse’s exploration of the inner journey and his critique of social and material reality resonate with many people seeking deeper spiritual truths beyond the physical world. His perspective on self-awareness and illusion mirrors modern existential and spiritual ideas.

Nick Bostrom (b. 1973) — Swedish Philosopher, Director of the Future of Humanity Institute
Quote: “It is more likely than not that we are living in a computer simulation.”
Background: Bostrom is a philosopher known for his work on the simulation hypothesis. In his 2003 paper, Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?, Bostrom argues that future civilizations may have the technology to create realistic simulations of the past, and thus, it’s statistically more probable that we are living in one.
Why Listen: Bostrom’s arguments in favor of the simulation hypothesis are taken seriously by leading thinkers in both philosophy and science. His work raises important questions about the nature of reality, the limitations of perception, and how advanced technology might alter our understanding of existence.
William Blake (1757–1827) — English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
Quote: “If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.”
Background: Blake was an English poet and visionary artist known for his mystical works, including Songs of Innocence and of Experience. He believed that the material world was a veil hiding spiritual truths, and that by transcending the limitations of normal perception, one could see the infinite and divine nature of reality.
Why Listen: Blake’s art and poetry challenge traditional notions of reality and are often cited by those exploring spiritual and visionary experiences. His critique of materialism and his emphasis on a higher, more spiritual vision of reality align with modern ideas about transcending illusion.
Adi Shankaracharya (c. 788–820 CE) — Indian Philosopher, Theologian
Quote: “The world is unreal, Brahman alone is real. The world is Brahman.”
Background: Shankaracharya was a key figure in the development of Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy. He taught that the material world (Maya) is an illusion, and the only true reality is the singular, formless Brahman (universal consciousness). According to Advaita Vedanta, the separation between the self and the universe is an illusion created by the mind.
Why Listen: Shankaracharya’s teachings are foundational in Indian philosophy, and his commentary on the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita provides one of the clearest expositions of how reality is an illusion (Maya) and how self-realization leads to the understanding of the non-dual nature of existence.
Ramana Maharshi (1879–1950) — Indian Saint, Guru
Quote: “The world is a dream. The ultimate reality is beyond it.”
Background: Ramana Maharshi, one of the most revered modern-day Indian sages, emphasized the concept of the self as the ultimate reality. His teachings focused on self-inquiry (Atma Vichara) to realize the nature of consciousness and the illusory nature of the world. According to him, by deeply understanding the “I” thought, one can transcend the illusion of the world.
Why Listen: Ramana Maharshi is highly respected for his direct, experiential teachings on self-realization. His understanding of Maya and the illusion of reality aligns with Advaita Vedanta and has influenced countless spiritual seekers globally.
Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895–1986) — Philosopher, Speaker
Quote: “The observer is the observed. The illusion is created by the mind that sees division where there is none.”
Background: Krishnamurti was a philosopher and spiritual teacher who rejected traditional forms of religion and focused on the inner transformation of the individual. He believed that the world we experience is the product of our psychological conditioning and that the idea of separation between the self and the world is an illusion.
Why Listen: Krishnamurti’s revolutionary teachings focus on freedom from the constraints of society and the mind. His insights into the nature of perception and reality encourage us to break free from the illusion of separation and division.
Sathya Sai Baba (1926–2011) — Indian Guru, Spiritual Leader
Quote: “Maya is the illusion that creates a false sense of reality. It is the veil of ignorance that prevents the truth from being seen.”
Background: Sathya Sai Baba was a renowned spiritual teacher who emphasized that the world is full of illusions that veil the deeper spiritual truths. He taught that understanding and realizing one’s divinity is the only way to transcend the illusion of the material world.
Why Listen: Sai Baba’s teachings have influenced millions worldwide, particularly in the realms of spirituality, self-realization, and ethical living. His focus on overcoming Maya aligns with the concept of living a life of truth and self-awareness.
The Buddha (c. 5th to 4th Century BCE) — Spiritual Teacher
Quote: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.”
Background: The Buddha’s teachings emphasize that the physical world is transient and impermanent, often referred to as “Maya” in the Buddhist tradition. The mind creates the illusion of separateness, and through meditation and mindfulness, one can see through this illusion and experience the true nature of reality.
Why Listen: Buddhism’s profound insights into the nature of suffering and illusion have had a transformative impact on both Eastern and Western thought, with meditation and mindfulness becoming central practices in contemporary spiritual life.
Alan Watts (1915–1973) — British Philosopher, Speaker
Quote: “The world is an illusion, a dream. It only appears to be real to the person who is unaware that it is a dream.”
Background: Alan Watts was a philosopher who popularized Eastern philosophy in the West, especially Zen Buddhism and Taoism. He explained the illusory nature of reality and argued that the sense of separation between ourselves and the world is an illusion. His teachings on the interconnectedness of all things and the illusory nature of the world have deeply influenced modern spiritual thought. Why Listen: Watts’ ability to articulate complex spiritual concepts with clarity and humor has made him one of the most beloved and accessible interpreters of Eastern philosophies in the West.
Hindu Texts — Maitri Upanishad (circa 2nd Century BCE)
Quote: “The Self is the one that pervades the entire universe. It is the reality underlying the illusion. When you realize the Self, all illusions will fall away.”
Background: The Maitri Upanishad is one of the principal texts in the Hindu tradition that speaks about the nature of the Self and its relationship to the world. The Upanishads often speak of the world as Maya — a cosmic illusion that veils the true, unchanging reality.
Why Listen: The Upanishads are some of the oldest and most revered spiritual texts, forming the philosophical backbone of Advaita Vedanta. Their teachings have had a profound influence on spiritual thinkers, both in the East and the West, regarding the nature of the universe and the Self.
Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) — English Writer, Philosopher
Quote: “The world is a grand illusion. It is a vast, intricate play of the mind. The truth is that you and I are one consciousness.”
Background: Aldous Huxley, best known for Brave New World, also wrote extensively about mysticism, consciousness, and the nature of reality. In works like The Perennial Philosophy, Huxley explored the idea that all religions point to a single, underlying truth, and that the material world is an illusion that obscures this truth.
Why Listen: Huxley’s interdisciplinary approach, combining literature, philosophy, and mysticism, makes him a key figure in understanding the relationship between perception and reality. His exploration of illusion, particularly through the lens of mysticism, influenced a generation of thinkers and spiritual seekers.

Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) — French Mathematician, Physicist, Philosopher
Quote: “All human beings are like actors, pretending to play their roles in a play that has no substance.”
Background: Pascal, known for his work in mathematics and probability theory, also pondered the nature of human existence and the illusion of life. His concept of “divine hiddenness” in his philosophical work, Pensées, touches on the idea that our perception of life and its purpose is clouded by ignorance and illusion.
Why Listen: Pascal’s reflections on the nature of human existence and the gap between material and spiritual reality offer an existential take on the idea of illusion, resonating with modern philosophical concerns about the meaning and purpose of life.
Charles Tart (b. 1937) — Psychologist, Consciousness Researcher
Quote: “The material world as we know it is a construct of consciousness; an illusion created by the mind.”
Background: Charles Tart is a psychologist known for his pioneering work in the study of altered states of consciousness. His research into the nature of perception and reality, particularly in relation to out-of-body experiences and other phenomena, challenges traditional notions of the material world and its ultimate “reality.”
Why Listen: Tart’s research in consciousness and the study of altered states provides modern, scientific insights into the nature of reality and perception. His work offers empirical evidence suggesting that the physical world is not as “solid” as it appears, echoing ancient philosophical ideas about illusion.
Calderón de la Barca:
Quote from La vida es sueño (Life is a Dream)“What is life? A frenzy. What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a fiction; and the greatest good is little enough for a moment. For all life is a dream, and dreams themselves are but dreams.”
Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600–1681) was a Spanish playwright and poet, and one of the most prominent figures of the Spanish Golden Age. He is perhaps best known for his play La vida es sueño (Life is a Dream), in which he explores the theme of life as an illusion. In this play, Calderón delves deeply into the nature of reality, identity, and human consciousness, making it one of the most significant works addressing the concept of illusion in Western literature.
Context:
In La vida es sueño, the protagonist, Segismundo, is imprisoned by his father, King Basilio, who believes that his son will bring ruin to the kingdom due to a prophecy. Segismundo is kept in isolation and raised under the assumption that he is a violent and reckless person. However, when Segismundo is freed and allowed to experience the world, he undergoes a profound transformation.
Throughout the play, Calderón explores the idea that life itself may be nothing more than a dream, suggesting that what we perceive as reality is an illusion. This theme is reinforced in Segismundo’s journey, as he experiences the shifting nature of existence and the questioning of what is real and what is illusion. In the end, Segismundo realizes that life is transient and that human actions, motives, and perceptions are fleeting, much like the dreams we experience while asleep.
Why Listen to Calderón de la Barca:
Calderón de la Barca’s La vida es sueño is a key work in the Spanish literary tradition and a critical exploration of existential and philosophical questions about the nature of reality, illusion, and fate. The play’s exploration of illusion as a core theme aligns with many spiritual and philosophical traditions, both Eastern and Western, that question the nature of the self and the world. Calderón’s poetic and dramatic approach makes the theme of illusion accessible to a wide audience, offering deep reflections on the human condition.
His work has inspired countless scholars, philosophers, and playwrights, and La vida es sueño remains a foundational text in the study of illusion in literature and philosophy. Calderón’s emphasis on life as a dream resonates with contemporary discussions on perception, reality, and consciousness.
Neal Donald Walsh — Spiritual Author
“According to quantum mechanics, reality does not exist when you’re not looking at it. This means the Universe may not exist if there was no one born to observe it.”
Background: Quantum physics tells us that nothing that is observed is unaffected by the observer. That statement, from science, holds an enormous and powerful insight.
Albert Einstein
“As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.”
Niels Bohr — Danish physicist
“Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be regarded as real. If quantum mechanics hasn’t profoundly shocked you, you haven’t understood it yet.”
Carlo Rovelli — Italian theoretical physicist and writer
“Reality is not what it seems.”

Milarepa — Tibetan siddha
“I see this life to be like an illusion and a dream, and I cultivate compassion for sentient beings who do not realize this.”
Ludwig Wittgenstein — considered by some to be the greatest philosopher of the 20th century
“We are asleep. Our life is a dream. But we wake up sometimes. Just enough to know that we are dreaming.”
William Shakespeare
“We are such stuff as dreams are made and our little life is rounded with a sleep.”
“All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely players.”
Huston Cummings Smith — scholar of religious studies
“Once we see life as a game, personal failure is as small a cause for concern as playing the role of loser in a summer theatre performance.”
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