Article November 6, 1920 Issue

Illusion

IVAN B. MC BRIDE

The word "illusion" is frequently used by Mrs. Eddy in her writings as a synonym for error. Upon looking up the word in the dictionary the writer found, from a scientific viewpoint, two especially helpful definitions. They were, first, "a false show," and second, "an unreal image seemingly presented to the senses." It later became clear that an illusion does not become a delusion or a deception until accounted true in human thought.

Nearly every one has noticed that optical illusion, namely, the image of an interior light or illuminated object so reflected as to seem to be on the outside of a window after darkness. The writer, until some time ago, had merely regarded this illusion as another proof of the unreliable nature of the testimony which the physical senses afford. Early one morning before dawn, however, while traveling on a train in a day coach, he was furnished with considerable food for thought both then and thereafter, concerning this same illusion.

Since it was a very dark night, the interior of the coach was reflected outside. It was apparent after some thought that this illusion or "unreal image" possessed nearly all the characteristics of error. It was finite, nonintelligent, imperfect, and changeable. Furthermore, it was in itself an attempted infringement of the law of oneness, in the sense that it was an absurd claim that there could be more than one genuine interior of the coach. Conditions remaining the same on the inside of the car, it was obvious that the illusion depended on darkness for its existence. Are not all our troubles, illusions, based on the tendency of mortal mind to make realities of them, which tendency in turn is based on darkness or spiritual ignorance? Mrs. Eddy, when referring to one of mankind's greatest troubles, namely, sickness, says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," beginning on page 393: "It is well to be calm in sickness; to be hopeful is still better; but to understand that sickness is not real and that Truth can destroy its seeming reality, is best of all, for this understanding is the universal and perfect remedy." It is significant, as she points out, that an understanding of Truth, which is surely the opposite of darkness or ignorance, is the remedy.

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