The Game That Changed Everything
In the heart of an ancient forest, where the trees whispered secrets and the streams sang lullabies, lived a man named Ryan. Ryan was an ever- joyful person. He was a soul whose happiness can rarely be disturbed by the world’s chaos. He lived alone, at the corner of a lonely village, surrounded by nature’s beauty. He loved living like that, and found joy in the simplest of things. His days were filled with the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, and the gentle caress of the wind. Ryan had no desires, no wants, and no needs. He was content and satisfied with him humble life, and there was genuine purity to this natural bliss with which Ryan lived.
The village where Ryan lived was nestled on the edge of a vast, ancient forest. The towering trees and whispering winds always drew him in, offering him solace from the busyness of everyday life. He spent most of his days hiking along the forest trails, letting nature guide his thoughts into a peaceful stillness. For Ryan, the forest was a place of harmony, where the boundaries between himself and the world seemed to dissolve.
One bright morning, as Ryan ventured deeper into the woods, he noticed a figure in the distance, leaning casually against a tree. This man was unlike anyone Ryan had ever encountered on his walks. His clothes were sharp and expensive, his posture confident and self-assured, and there was an air of remarkable confidence evident in him. The stranger’s clean-shaven face contrasted sharply with the rugged wilderness around him. He was lean and muscular- his forearms adorned with intricate tattoos.
Ryan slowed his pace. The man caught his eye and smiled. It was a disarming smile, yet had an unsettling edge.
“You look like someone who belongs to the city,” Ryan remarked, offering a polite nod.
The man straightened up, his smile widening. “Mandrake,” he introduced himself, extending a hand with a cool, controlled confidence. “And you must be one of those nature-loving types. Ryan, isn’t it?”
Surprised, Ryan took the hand, his grip firm but unassuming. “Yes, that’s right. How did you—”
“Small village,” Mandrake interrupted smoothly, his voice rich and polished. “People talk. But you… you’re different from the rest. I’ve seen you around, always content, as if you have everything you need out here. It’s… unusual.”
Ryan shrugged, not particularly fazed. “I find peace in simplicity. I don’t have many needs.”
Mandrake’s eyes flashed with something—curiosity, maybe even disbelief. “Peace? Simplicity? Surely there’s more you want in life than just… this?” He gestured at the trees around them, as if the idea of finding contentment here was utterly foreign.
Ryan smiled, his expression serene. “I am happy, Mandrake. I don’t need anything more than what I already have.”
Mandrake let out a soft chuckle, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Happy? Without money? Without power? I don’t see how that’s possible.”
Ryan studied Mandrake for a moment. There was something about him—an intense restlessness, a hunger that Ryan couldn’t quite place. “Happiness doesn’t come from chasing things, Mandrake. It comes from letting go.”
Mandrake’s brow furrowed, the concept seeming to puzzle him. “Letting go?” he echoed, as if the words themselves tasted bitter on his tongue. “You mean you don’t want wealth, fame, or any of the things people spend their lives striving for?”
Ryan shook his head, the peaceful smile never leaving his face. “No, I don’t. I’ve found that what people often chase only leads to suffering.”
Mandrake’s curiosity soon deepened into something more complex—jealousy, even frustration. He couldn’t wrap his mind around how someone like Ryan, with nothing but the forest and his calm demeanor, could be so utterly content. It was infuriating. How could Ryan, a man with no ambition for the things Mandrake coveted, live in such perpetual peace?
Determined to shatter Ryan’s serenity, Mandrake began to devise a plan. He wasn’t just a man of desire; he was also a master of technology. As a successful video game developer, he had built worlds—complex, immersive games that could pull players into realms of fantasy and greed. He decided that he would use his skills to trap Ryan in a world where peace would be impossible, where temptation would overwhelm him.
Ryan’s happiness had become a puzzle Mandrake was desperate to solve—or destroy.
And Mandrake already had a sinister solution to this challenge!
Mandrake had always been fascinated by the interplay between reality and illusion. Since past few years, he was working on developing a virtual reality game called MAYA. MAYA promised an experience that blurred the line between the real and the unreal—a creation that would captivate minds and control hearts. But MAYA had a deeper, hidden element, that Mandrake would now use as a tool to trap Ryan.
One evening, Mandrake invited Ryan to his sleek, tech-filled apartment. The setting was casual, but there was something strange in Mandrake’s demeanor that Ryan couldn’t ignore. Yet- Ryan ignored his instincts.
“I’ve developed something truly revolutionary, Ryan,” Mandrake said, his eyes gleaming with a strange light. “It’s called MAYA. A virtual reality game, but unlike anything the world has ever seen. I want you to be the first to try it.”
Ryan leaned back in his chair, his brow slightly furrowed. “Virtual reality? I’m not much of a gamer, Mandrake. You know that.”
Mandrake waved off the comment with a dismissive gesture. “This isn’t just a game. Think of it as an escape, a harmless diversion from your usual life in the forest. Just a few minutes, and I promise, it’ll be worth your time.”
There was something in Mandrake’s voice, a strange smoothness that was making Ryan uneasy. But he trusted Mandrake, like he trusted everyone else. So, with a reluctant nod, Ryan agreed.
As Ryan struggled to wear the VR headset, Mandrake’s smile grew wider. He handed Ryan the controls. With his voice smooth, yet insistent voice Mandrake boomed- “Just let yourself drift. Relax. Don’t resist. Let it go. Embrace what you now experience.”
The game had started. Soon, Ryan felt a strange, tingling sensation course through his body. His vision blurred, his mind clouded. Before Ryan could react, everything around him faded, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
And then started the dream.
In this dream, Ryan’s consciousness was split into millions of fragments, each fragment entering a different living entity—people, plants, animals—within the virtual world. These fragments, called “quanta,” were bound to a body-brain complex by the thread of mind. The most evolved of these entities were the humans in this world, and through their bodies and brains, the quanta experienced life, reveling in the pleasures of the senses.
But the body-brain systems had a limited lifespan and were fragile. When one of them died, the quanta, still remained tethered to the mind, roamed the virtual landscape in search of a new body-brain to inhabit. The game followed strict rules: the quality of the new body-brain was determined by the actions of the previous one. Selfish acts, driven by a love for sensory pleasure, resulted in a lower-quality body-brain in the next cycle. For instance, if a quanta-body-brain-mind complex committed murder out of jealousy, the next form might be an animal or a human with severe limitations. The deeper the attachment to sensory indulgence, the more likely it was that the quanta would engage in selfish behavior, ensuring a lower-quality existence in the next life.
The happiness that came from sensory pleasures was temporary and followed the law of diminishing returns. What once brought joy no longer satisfied; each time, more was needed to reach the same level of happiness. Because of this, every quanta-body-brain-mind complex remained trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction, forever chasing fulfillment through the senses but never finding lasting contentment. When a body-brain died, the mind carried its patterns and desires forward as the quanta-mind transitioned into a new body-brain-mind complex, repeating the same restless pursuit.
Mandrake’s game was a unique trap. The virtual sense organs, through which the quanta-body-brain-mind complex experienced pleasure and pain, lay at the core of this trap. As long as the quanta-mind was in love with sensory pleasures, it could never return to Ryan. And as long as all the quanta didn’t return to Ryan, he could never wake up. Ryan’s only hope of escaping the game was for each quanta to realize that it was not the mind, brain, or body. This realization could only occur when the quanta-body-brain-mind complex stopped craving sensory pleasures.
The journey to this realization was arduous, filled with trials and tribulations. In the virtual world, the quanta experienced countless lifetimes, each filled with lessons. Some quanta, through their experiences, began to understand the futility of chasing sensory pleasures. They realized that true happiness lay beyond the temporary joys of the senses. These enlightened quanta started to perform selfless acts, helping others and seeking knowledge. As the quanta evolved, they began to break free from the cycle of rebirth within the game. One by one, they returned to Ryan, bringing with them the wisdom they had gained.
Slowly, Ryan’s consciousness began to reassemble, piece by piece. Mandrake watched in disbelief as his carefully crafted trap started to unravel. He had underestimated the resilience of Ryan’s consciousness. Despite the powerful trap of sensory pleasures, the quanta were finding their way back to their true nature.
The final quanta, the last piece of Ryan’s consciousness, faced the ultimate test. It inhabited a body-brain-mind complex that was deeply entrenched in the pursuit of sensory pleasures. The journey to enlightenment was long and arduous, filled with temptations and challenges. But the quanta persevered, driven by an innate desire to reunite with its true self. In a moment of profound realization, the final quanta understood the illusion of sensory pleasures. It saw through the trap and recognized its true nature. With this understanding, it broke free from the game and returned to Ryan.
Ryan awoke, his consciousness whole once more. He felt a deep sense of peace and clarity. The experience had only strengthened his resolve to live a life free from desires and attachments. He thanked Mandrake for the unintended lesson and returned to his serene existence in the forest.
Mandrake, humbled by the experience, began to question his own pursuits. He saw the emptiness in his quest for fame and wealth. Inspired by Ryan’s unwavering happiness, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery, seeking to find true contentment within himself.
As Mandrake’s journey unfolded, he encountered various mentors and guides who helped him understand the deeper aspects of life. He learned about mindfulness, meditation, and the importance of living in the present moment. Slowly, he began to shed his old habits and desires, finding joy in the simple pleasures of life.
Mandrake’s transformation was not easy. He faced numerous challenges and temptations along the way. There were moments when he felt the pull of his old life, the allure of fame and wealth. But each time, he reminded himself of Ryan’s serene happiness and the lessons he had learned from the game.
One day, Mandrake returned to the forest, seeking Ryan’s guidance. He found Ryan sitting by a tranquil stream, his face radiating peace.
“Ryan,” Mandrake said, his voice filled with humility, “I have come to understand the true meaning of happiness. I have let go of my desires and found contentment within myself. But I still seek your wisdom.”
Ryan looked at Mandrake with kind eyes. “You have already found the path, Mandrake. True happiness comes from within, not from external possessions or achievements. Continue to live mindfully, and you will find lasting peace.”
Mandrake nodded, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. He realized that his journey was ongoing, a continuous process of self-discovery and growth. He thanked Ryan and left the forest, carrying with him the wisdom he had gained.
Ryan continued to live in harmony with nature, his story becoming a legend that inspired many. People from far and wide came to the forest, seeking Ryan’s guidance and wisdom. He welcomed them with open arms, sharing his insights and helping them find their own path to true happiness.
The forest remained a place of peace and tranquility, a sanctuary for those seeking solace and enlightenment. Ryan’s tale became a beacon of hope, a reminder that true happiness lies within and that the journey to self-discovery is a lifelong adventure.
And so, the story of Ryan and Mandrake continued to inspire generations, a testament to the power of true happiness and the resilience of the human spirit.
Advaita Vedanta: The Philosophy Behind Ryan’s Liberation
Ryan’s journey through the Mandrake’s VR game mirrors the core principles of Advaita Vedanta. Advaita Vedanta proposes that that world, including all the objects- both living and non living- is an illusion. The ultimate reality is a non-dual, pure consciousness- Brahman. Brahman, through the power of illusion called Maya, becomes Ishwara and weaves this universe. It’s like a dream. Maya is Brahman’s dream. Maya- the dream- is just an illusion- it is not real. We are all characters in that dream. We don’t exist. We just appear and then disappear within the pure unchanging infinite consciousness of Brahman. And so long as you desire to be in this dream the dream will continue for you, through cycles of birth and death. The desire for all sensory pleasures is what keeps this dream going. Once you truly give up those desires, the dream loses its power to hold you back- and that’s when you return to the source and realize that you are that Brahman itself.
Ryan’s realization that his true self was beyond the physical and mental realms in that VR game echoes this fundamental Advaitic tenet.The sensory pleasures and desires experienced by the quanta within the virtual world are akin to the illusory world of Maya, a concept in Advaita that describes the material world as a projection of consciousness. Ryan’s ultimate liberation,the return of all quanta to his original consciousness, symbolizes the Advaitic goal of merging the individual soul with the universal consciousness.
