Maya: The Divide Between Reality and Illusion 
 
Maya is the most important concept for Hindu philosophers. It takes them to discover the inner realities that speak harmony with the outer reality- discussion on artificial reality or simulated worlds. This ancient wisdom encapsulates a spiritual framework through which one can easily understand his perception of the world and finally its ultimate nature.
 
Understanding Maya in Hindu Philosophy
 
Maya in Hinduism concerns the illusory nature of the phenomenal world. As the Bhagavad Gita specifies, it is a divine agency that gives rise to the appearance of the material world: "This divine Maya of Mine, consisting of the three gunas, is difficult to overcome. Only those who surrender to Me can cross beyond it" (Bhagavad Gita 7.14).

Through his annotations on the Upanishads, Adi Shankaracharya elaborates the Advaita Vedanta tradition even more to say that Maya is not only an illusion but perhaps a power that disguises the true nature of Brahman (ultimate reality) and produces the universe of multiplicity. He says subsequently in the Vivekachudamani: "Maya is most wonderful and indescribable; neither distinct from Brahman nor equivalent with It nor both is neither present nor nonexistent nor both. It is most wonderful and indescribable" (Vivekachudamani, verse 108).
 
Maya and Contemporary Ideas of Alternate Reality
 
Maya is an extended idea in Hindu philosophy which appears to fit in neatly with current discussions about simulated realities. Just as virtual reality threatens to achieve immersion-level experience, convincing us of its reality at least temporarily, so also does Maya create the convincing appearance of that part of the world-the seemingly real part of human life with which we interact on a daily basis.

The Mandukya Upanishad claims that these are the states of consciousness. It may very well suggest that our much-vaunted "waking" experience is, basically, no better or worse than a "dream" experience: "The first quarter is the waking state... the second is the dream state... the third is deep sleep... the fourth is Turiya, not inward-turned, not outward-turned" (Mandukya Upanishad, verses 3-7).
Liberation from Maya

Hindu philosophy states that spiritual awakening in a person is in the perception of seeing beyond the veil of Maya. Svetasvatara Upanishad has it: "When the seer beholds the golden-hued Creator, the Lord, the Purusha, the source of Brahma, then, becoming wise, shaking off good and evil, he attains supreme oneness with Him" (Svetasvatara Upanishad 3.8).

This liberation (moksha) comes through understanding that the very consciousness of the individual (Atman) is, by its nature, one with the universal consciousness (Brahman). The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad gives us the promise that, "This Self is Brahman indeed" (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5). 
 
Applications in Practice for the Spiritual Seeker

Self-inquiry (Atma Vichara): To understand your own consciousness as well as identity, ask within, self-inquiry taught in the Yoga Vasishtha: "Until the light of Self-knowledge dawns, the world appears real" (Yoga Vasishtha 6.1.46).
Dhyana (Meditation): Regular meditation would pierce the veil of Maya as the mind is finally silenced and deeper dimensions of one's consciousness revealed. Thus, Patanjali goes stating in his Yoga Sutras that "Yoga is cessation from the modifications of mind" (Yoga Sutras 1.2).
Bhakti (Devotion): Loving devotion leads one through Maya, as suggested by Bhagavata Purana: "By developing Krishna consciousness, one can overcome the illusory energy" (Bhagavata Purana 1.7.4).

Understanding Maya is not a rejection of the unreal world per se; it is a conditionally understood world. As we might be able to appreciate a virtual reality experience, knowing full well that it is constructed, Hindu philosophy has instructed us to live fully in the world and still be aware of its deeper essence.

Such ancient teachings are bound to share much wisdom with the ancestral traditions as well as modern technological advancements, thus propelling one to self enlightenment and empowerment.