Poem Review: Illusions. Is truth absolute, or is it shaped by…

Is truth absolute, or is it shaped by human perception? Do we interpret and accept reality through our conscience, or is reality itself an illusion? The concept of illusion relates to human nature and encompasses our conscience, perception, vanity, and ego. Alfred Tennyson’s poetry suggests the paradox that what we believe to be true might be a mirage or an illusion.

Our little systems have their day;
They have their day and cease to be.
They are but broken lights of thee,
And thou, O Lord, art more than they.

The essence of our conscience is inherently limited, reflecting only fragments of a broader, eternal reality. It can be seen as the reflected light of a ‘Universal Mind,’ often referred to as God. This Universal Mind transcends the constraints of time and has risen above the illusions created by knowledge, emotions, and our temporal existence. It serves as an eternal source of wisdom, guiding us through the complexities of our human experience.

In our exploration of humanity, we delve into the verses to investigate the interpretation of illusion, which began with my reading of a post on marginalian.org.

On July 14, 1930, Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 — April 18, 1955) welcomed the Indian poet, philosopher, and musician Rabindranath Tagore (May 7, 1861 — August 7, 1941) into his home located on the outskirts of Berlin. Tagore was notable for being the first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize.

An excerpt from this conversation.

…EINSTEIN: The problem begins whether Truth is independent of our consciousness.
TAGORE: What we call truth lies in the rational harmony between the subjective and objective aspects of reality…

Reading this conversation inspired me to examine our search for truth and to understand illusions.

Illusions and Delusions’ by Shobhana Kumar: A reflective critique of human ego and our misplaced sense of cosmic importance.

‘Brother, I’ve Seen Some’ by Kabir: A mystical riddle that uses paradox to challenge our perception of reality.

‘Illusion of Ego’ by Elizabeth (Beth) Urabe: A personal awakening where ego dissolves in the light of spiritual self-realization.

An immersive journey into the world of illusions has begun. Let us lift the curtain of these verses and take the plunge.

Poem 1: ☆ Illusions and delusions ☆

Image by Alban_Gogh from Pixabay

We were told we are made in His image,
we are the most intelligent of all species.
We got carried away in our life’s page,
around mankind revolves all, became our thesis.
Soon we were told our planet revolves around sun,
but we still think we are the most superior, is a pun.
In solitude we come and go,
The earth does not think our going away as a blow.
With each passing day, out of sight becomes out of mind,
still our ego seems suspended in boasting behind.
Lust, anger, avarice, temptation, ego and jealousy,
Man wears them in various degrees, chasing illusions uneasy.
A tiny fragment of sand in the ocean,
Sarcastic is life being human.
A divine spark often gives a sly smile,
You are here just for a while.
The cosmos will work if you become extinct,
you aren’t super powerful and distinct.
Stay grounded it implored,
Beware! you aren’t aware,
even next moment what’s instore.

© Shobhana Kumar

Commentary on Poem 1:

An immersive journey into the realm of illusions has begun. Let us unveil these verses and take the plunge.

We were told we are made in His image,
we are the most intelligent of all species.
We got carried away in our life’s page,
around mankind revolves all, became our thesis.

There is something we perceive that other living beings likely do not. Our self-aware and self-centered perspective, which includes an element of vanity regarding our supposed superiority, is a manifestation of our ego. By believing we are the only intelligent species, we engage in self-aggrandizement, mimicking divinity and positioning ourselves at the center of the universe.

Soon we were told our planet revolves around sun,
but we still think we are the most superior, is a pun.
In solitude we come and go,
The earth does not think our going away as a blow.

Our vanity makes us believe that day and night are created by the Sun and Moon revolving around us. The irony is that we are the only beings with such self-importance, and no other creatures are around to notice. While we have explored space to the best of our abilities, it is foolish to think we are the most superior beings simply because we have not yet discovered anything better.

The truth is that we are transient beings. We don’t know where we come from or where we are heading. Our absence often goes unnoticed, and life goes on, as Ernest Hemingway observes. The earth does not perceive our absence as a loss.

With each passing day, out of sight becomes out of mind,
still our ego seems suspended in boasting behind.
Lust, anger, avarice, temptation, ego and jealousy,
Man wears them in various degrees, chasing illusions uneasy.

The world often forgets; it has its own challenges to face — bills, taxes, love, heartbreak, death, birth, and disease — life is complicated. Despite this, we tend to believe that others notice us, which leads us to manifest the seven deadly sins that underlie human greed. Driven by these sins, people pursue illusions, focusing on short-term gratification and profits.

A tiny fragment of sand in the ocean,
Sarcastic is life being human.
A divine spark often gives a sly smile,
You are here just for a while.

We live a delicate and fragile life—one that often feels nonsensical and fleeting, to the point where sarcasm seems appropriate. In this context, all we can do is respond with a wry smile when discussing human centricity.

The cosmos will work if you become extinct,
you aren’t super powerful and distinct.
Stay grounded it implored,
Beware! you aren’t aware,
even next moment what’s instore.

The fragility of human life, as mentioned earlier, is almost humbling. The arrogance that comes with believing in our superiority over Nature and other species is, in fact, misplaced. Despite our self-awareness, we cannot predict what the next moment will bring. In light of the transient nature of our lives, the poet encourages us to remain grounded.

If our lives are fleeting and fragile, why the fuss about our superiority? Let go of your ego’s vanity, and remain humble.

“It’s funny how humans can wrap their mind around things and fit them into their version of reality.”
Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief

Is it possible also to see some unusual sights that can teach us about the elusive perceptions we carry with us about ourselves and the Universe?

Poem 2: Brother, I’ve seen some

Image by WELC0MEИ0 from Pixabay

Brother, I’ve seen some
Astonishing sights:
A lion keeping watch
Over pasturing cows;
A mother delivered
After her son was;
A guru prostrated
Before his disciple;
Fish spawning
On treetops;
A cat carrying away
A dog;
A gunny-sack
Driving a bullock-cart;
A buffalo going out to graze,
Sitting on a horse;
A tree with its branches in the earth,
Its roots in the sky;
A tree with flowering roots.

This verse, says Kabir,
Is your key to the universe.
If you can figure it out.

Kabir, Translated By Arvind Krishna Mehrotra

Commentary on Poem 2:

Kabir challenges the reader to contemplate the absurdity of illusion. The world we perceive is filled with paradoxes. In an age dominated by misinformation and fake news, fueled by virality and anger, the search for truth resembles looking for a needle in a haystack. However, the quixotic nature of this world adds an intriguing layer to the poem.

Brother, I’ve seen some
Astonishing sights:
A lion keeping watch
Over pasturing cows;
A mother delivered
After her son was;

Nothing ordinary captures our attention. We are conditioned to focus on things that are ‘normal.’ Normality breeds routine, and routine implies safety. The less curious a situation is, the better it seems for the world. However, the world is filled with unusual things—things that stand out because they are not the norm and are therefore exceptional. Kabir’s perspective suggests that both the norm and the exception coexist within the same universe; yet, it is our perspectives that define them differently.

A predator must sometimes take on the role of protector — like a lion guarding a herd of cows. To do this, the lion must set aside its instincts as a predator and overcome its violent nature to safeguard the very beings that could easily become its next meal.

What does it mean for a child to be born before its mother? It symbolizes the birth of innocence, represented by the child, before the realization that a person must act like their mother, who embodies the outward expression of love. The mother represents the ultimate form of adulthood.

A guru prostrated
Before his disciple;
Fish spawning
On treetops;
A cat carrying away
A dog;
A gunny-sack
Driving a bullock-cart;

At a certain point, a disciple becomes enlightened, and in that moment, the guru bows down before him, illustrating how the hierarchy defined by knowledge submits to the humility of the enlightened.

I have observed greenery emerging in unexpected places, which embodies growth. Paradox fosters humility. When the unexpected occurs, like fish spawning in treetops, one should be ready for surprises. Paradox is inherent in nature.

A cat carries away a dog—when the meek overcome the mighty. In nature, there are instances where the seemingly weak prevail against the strong. Consider a tree and a weed: the seemingly fragile weed can bend in strong winds and survive, while the sturdy tree, resistant to the force, is uprooted.

The bullock cart serves as a metaphor for life. The gunny sack represents the burdens we carry. If our lives are driven by these burdens, wouldn’t it be worthy of mockery? Our desire for inanimate, materialistic objects (the sack) and the debts they bring (the burden) propel our lives forward (the bullock cart). It’s truly an irony!

A buffalo going out to graze,
Sitting on a horse;
A tree with its branches in the earth,
Its roots in the sky;
A tree with flowering roots.

A buffalo is docile and unremarkable, while a horse represents grace and speed. If a buffalo were to ride on a horse, even as a playful gesture, it would be an ironic situation— the dull and ignorant riding on the graceful and swift. This scenario is quite possible, isn’t it? After all, the foolish are often confident, while the wise tend to be silent. It’s ironic, yet entirely feasible.

A tree is similar to a human in that it has a deep connection to the earth, much like a person’s material needs. However, the tree also grows upward, reaching toward the sky and the endless blue. Similarly, a person’s ultimate pursuit is to rise above their earthly limitations, striving to free themselves from the constraints of gravity and the demands of material existence.

In trees where roots lie hidden beneath the ground, one can witness the emergence of beauty, much like flowering roots. The irony is that not everything visible is beautiful, and what is concealed can also be a source of beauty.

The truth of the universe is the creator and the created, the guru and the discipline, the mother and child, the trees and their roots, are all intertwined, and one. The idea of a self separate from the Universe defines our ego. Then, if we understand the paradox of this separation, then we can become one with the Creator.

Yet, the illusion of the ego might fade under a celestial object such as the moon.

Poem 3: Illusion of Ego

Image by onehalf_onehalf from Pixabay

Moon and I made love
one magical morning and
a poem was born

Full of light yet bathed
in the cleansing coolness of
Truth’s subtle nectars

Ego…poised on the
precipice of extinction
took one final stand

As I leapt blindly
into the unknown; seeing
clearly Who I Am.
~E.R.Urabe

Commentary on Poem 3:

The greatest illusion of humanity is the ego. Ego isn’t just about arrogance; it involves placing oneself at the center of one’s own universe. The saying “Be the hero in your own story” can be positive, as long as it doesn’t come with the weight of ego. The ego is the root of all illusions because it begins with a sense of self-attachment.

Moon and I made love
one magical morning and
a poem was born

The mystical moon shines like a glowing white orb in the night sky. However, in the morning, it takes on the appearance of a ‘switched-off’ light against the warm yellow backdrop of the eastern sky. Little did we know, we were witnessing the birth of a celestial-human child through verses being created.

Full of light yet bathed
in the cleansing coolness of
Truth’s subtle nectars

Before the moon’s white glow envelops everything like an elixir of truth, I can imagine myself floating in a surreal sea of white, with its gentle coolness washing over my skin. It is a moment of blissful peace, one that feels real rather than imagined.

I have experienced this on my terrace, especially during the full moon. The tranquility of the night — after 10 PM, when the sounds of traffic fade, combined with the cool breeze flowing over the vast marshlands of Pallikaranai in Chennai and the moonlight illuminating the sky — creates a magical atmosphere. The beauty of this feeling is truly enchanting.

As I leapt blindly
into the unknown; seeing
clearly Who I Am.

Experiencing the essence of the moon is a mystical journey that allows us to understand that we are part of something greater than ourselves. In that moment of truth, I see my true self — an extraordinary piece of this vast universe. That is the moment of enlightenment.

Our Ego is the Illusion:

There are two perspectives on this world. One is centered around the individual, known as the egocentric view. The other is a ‘Universal’ view, which recognizes our connection to a larger self that exists in harmony. This coexistence is meaningful because our breaths link us to the universe.

As we breathe in, we take in a piece of the universe, and as we breathe out, the universe absorbs a piece of us. Understanding the interconnection between the self and the universe is the ultimate truth.

TAGORE: Beauty is in the ideal of perfect harmony which is in the Universal Being; Truth the perfect comprehension of the Universal Mind. We individuals approach it through our own mistakes and blunders, through our accumulated experiences, through our illumined consciousness — how, otherwise, can we know Truth?

EINSTEIN: I cannot prove scientifically that Truth must be conceived as a Truth that is valid independent of humanity; but I believe it firmly. I believe, for instance, that the Pythagorean theorem in geometry states something that is approximately true, independent of the existence of man. Anyway, if there is a reality independent of man, there is also a Truth relative to this reality; and in the same way the negation of the first engenders a negation of the existence of the latter.

In this duality, we find what is known as Dvaita (Dualism), while the concept of Advaita emphasizes realizing the self within the Supreme.

I am other than name, form and action.
My nature is ever free!
I am Self, the supreme unconditioned Brahman.
I am pure Awareness, always non-dual.

~ Adi Shankara, Upadesasahasri 11.7

I sit on the terrace this evening. The sun slowly descends into a wistful silence. The birds are rushing homeward, flying west, in the direction of time itself. I contemplate this question, but my mind is too chaotic with the elusive, yet very real, problems of the material world.

~Ashok Subramanian © 2025

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