“REALITY is MERELY AN ILLUSION, albeit a very persistent one”
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one”.
I was reading that quote from Albert Einstein on my meditation application, Insights Timer.
As I am in my 44th consecutive day to meditate every morning, I noticed that I reached a total of 3907 days meditating in the past 10 years or so, totaling 152,000 minutes, and 563 milestones (and I do not remember what they mean). My best score was 1261 days uninterrupted which is around 3 years and a half. Recently (early 2025?)the application proposed to add a daily intention and I reached 101 daily intentions. I also benefited from a few courses, 106 short ones, with a few that I repeated often (I like a few chanting ones, and particularly the ones that have a modern twist, I mean a rap one). Is this my way of measuring the reality of my meditation practice?
And I seem to be increasing my sessions recently (67 this month as opposed to an average of 44). It’s a good remedy to address the uber stressful and exponentially increasing moments I have been experiencing in the past 6 months. (I wonder why).
So what is the illusion that I am perpetuating these days?
I thought meditation would help clarify, if not help me connect with my true purpose. And what is that true purpose? I guess some of it is linked to the legacy one would wish to leave behind. And seeing the results of close to 10 years of building Digital Bridges 4 Nepal, with more than a 1200 students using our Collaborative Learning Environment Centers in remote areas of Nepal, and the impression that there is more that is possible, could satisfy the wish to leave a mark, like a blank canvas filled with a pencil.
And yet, I wonder if this is not also part of an illusion I have entertained, at the service of a cause. And yet the persistence that lead to more and more contributors (from donors to new team members) makes me truly happy.
So is this the persistence of the reality that Einstein speaks about? Or is it the perpetuation of the grand illusion (as my Buddhist friend, Kempo Purpa often reminds me.. impermanence… Edmond…impermanence…)?
Well, I don’t know, as I continue my quest. Or is it that we could look at a blank canvas? And simply accept to consider the true nature of the mind (as my dear buddhist friend says as well).
This year is amazingly rich in travel: already twice to Colombia (my new beloved part of the world), Scotland, France, and soon Japan, Taiwan, another Colombia trip, India and Nepal in November, where I lead one of the Digital Bridges Donors Journey. + a few domestic working trips to Atlanta and one to Cincinati this weekend to see dear friends. Is this a distraction or a continuation of the quest for meaning for one’s own life, as I contemplate aging gracefully, or is it addressing a sort of bucket’s list for the sake of it?
Or is this my way of avoiding my blank canvas?
I am blessed to have two really interesting and loving kids (yes, I know, at 29 and 27, they are no more kids) and I am so curious to see them evolve and lead their lives and discover new horizons, possibilities and probably bathe in some illusions as well. I am also blessed to be able to coach and mentor many many youths in the world, and learn as well from the interactions I have with them.
So as Einstein was observing the infinitely small at the atomic level, and knowing the overwhelmingly gigantism of the universe, is it that we navigate separate realities after all?
I suppose by now you are as lost as I am. May be a few answers will emerge for you, and may be not. The important factor is our ability to advance and be grateful for who we are and who we are connected with. And may be a tiny glimpse into magic reality will be there for you. May be not. Enjoy your summer, much love, Ed.
