A thing becomes an illusion only when its reality becomes inferior to a higher reality that has already been found. Until then, it is still a reality. Only the sage has the strict right to call this world an illusion. If anyone else does so, such talk is mere babble.

~ Paul Brunton

[Notebooks Category 19: The Reign of Relativity > Chapter 2: The Cosmosof Change > #43]

God has revealed to me that only the Paramatman, whom the Vedas describe as the Pure Soul, is as immutable as Mount Sumeru, unattached, and beyond pain and pleasure. There is much confusion in this world of His maya. One can by no means say that 'this' will come after 'that' or 'this' will produce 'that'.

~ Sri Ramakrishna

Beyond this world and life we know
there is Someone watching over us.
To know Him is not in our power.
But once in a glimpse I saw
that we are His shadow
and our shadow is
the world.

~ Rumi

The world with all its wonders is nothing.
When you know this, desire melts away.
For you are awareness itself. When you
know in your heart that there is nothing,
you are still.

- Ashtavakra Gita

The Self alone is real. All others are unreal.
The mind and intellect do not remain apart from
you.

The Bible says, 'Be still and know that I am
God.' Stillness is the sole requisite for the
realisation of the Self as God.

- Sri Ramana Maharshi

This world is a dream — don't be deluded; if in a dream a hand is lost, it's no harm. In dreams, no real damage is done if the body is maimed or torn in two hundred pieces. The Prophet said of this apparently substantial world that it is but the sleeper's dream. You've accepted this as an idea, but the spiritual traveler has beheld this truth with an open eye. You are asleep in the daytime; don't say this is not sleep.

~ Rumi

The world is a spell that blinds the eye:
it appears wide when in reality it's narrow.
It's laughter is weeping; its glory is but a shame.
- Rumi