Many years ago, a friend of mine gave me a book. He instructed me to read it, then pass it along to someone else who had not read it. He also said that he didn't want it back, that it should just keep passing so others could read it. The book was Illusions by Richard Bach, who had also written Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which I had read many years before. My friend was always quoting from the book, especially one particular quote, "Argue for your limitations and sure enough you get to keep them." The environment we both worked in was pretty much the antithesis of this quote, where limitations were nurtured, because you should always comply and never think outside the box.
In about 4 hours I had finished the book and subsequently read it again, wanting to make sure that I hadn't missed anything. The most striking aspect of the book was that it was full of very simple sayings that really hit home. The crux of the story revolves around a man by the name of Don Shimoda, who is a messiah, reluctant in fact. He appears in a bi-plane one after noon in a field near our main character Richard, who is in desperate need of direction in his own life. This reminds me of a popular Buddhist saying, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." That is exactly how the rest of the story goes, but its not your normal lesson. Don Shimoda spends the entire book trying to convince Richard that he, and everyone else on the planet, has the ability to perform wonderful miracles, we've just forgotten how or we've been told, "You can't do that." Of course, the main theme is that everything we see is merely an illusion, an illusion that we've created for ourselves, for whatever reason. "Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream?" -E.A. Poe.
I've found this book to be one of the most influential books, in not only my life, but many people I've passed it on to over the years. I always keep an extra copy handy for a friend in need. Many of the people I've given the book to, from my beloved wife to many friends, everyone has been effected by it in one way or the other. My most recent loan was to a colleague of mine and I am sure that it has had an impact on him as I've noticed a bit of a chance in his outlook.
We are all students, waiting for a teacher or teachers. I know that prior to me receiving this book, I had just gotten engaged for the second time, to a wonderful woman, who also has taught me so very much. And at the time I received this book, I was struggling with my own inner demons, trying to make the difficult transition into being 30 and having no real direction in my life. The friend who gave me the book has become a mentor in many ways, not only in the realm of illusions, but has taught me how to be a better friend and how to change the things about myself that I've had difficulty with. The more I pay attention, the more i notice that my life has taken a turn for the best, and that now that I am aware of the illusion, I can make it do the things I want to do, one thought at a time.
But I am here to tell you, that no matter your outlook, there are many truths in this book. I have personally found that the world, indeed, is all an illusion, some of which is directly supported by the newer theories in quantum mechanics. But its even more than that. In order to practice the philosophies in this book, it takes a lot of work. Its not worth it unless you have to work for it. But you can begin simply. You have to approach each day with it; If you feel that your day is going to be good, it will be. But its like learning how to ride a bike the first time, you're going to fall off as your confidence falters, so find others to help you begin. Once you've mastered it, you'll be recreating your own reality before you know it. I've found that it is easy to just try being positive about small things-- there will be no traffic today, my favorite song is going to play on the radio, an old friend is going to call. Once you're able to manipulate the small things, you can move on to more exciting things like our friend Richard, by "disappearing clouds".
Some of you may think me mad, and I am to a certain extent. The moment you start to look beyond your box, the more people become wary of what you'll do to upset their box. Because, despite the fact that its all an illusion, people are in the boxes because they are afraid of what may lie on the other side of the flimsy cardboard. It is your decision to leave the box, or to stay within it safely. But you must remember, when you're feeling down or you can't seem to get things right, that you absolutely, unequivocally, undeniably have the power to change it all.
Of course, the caveat, "Everything in this book may be wrong" - R. Bach