The Buddha offers plenty of advice about the stilling of unwholesome thoughts associated with desire, hatred, and delusion (“The Stilling of Thoughts,” February 9, 2015). Desire and hatred are easy to understand in this context, but it is different with delusion. To begin with, what is delusion? According to standard sources, it is a belief held with strong conviction in spite of the superior evidence to the contrary. It is distinct from belief based on false or incomplete information, such as illusion or confabulation. Love and friendship come to mind at once. Any form of communion between people is nothing if not delusionary, for the superior evidence to the contrary is plentiful not only from the experience of other people, but from one’s own experience, as well. The Buddha be praised!

Addendum I (April 1, 2015)

Freedom and equality come to mind a day later, thus completing the French formula. Delusionary to boot, of course. Enough said, though. Could there be any lofty notion of this ilk that would not be equally delusionary?

Addendum II (September 6, 2015)

God is worth mentioning in this context, of course. And not only mentioning, but also examining with due care. For there is no belief held with strong conviction in spite of the superior evidence to the contrary that can match this one in its strength and spread. God is the very crown of all delusions, which is fundamental to every civilization that has flourished across the globe the last five or six thousand years. But why has it taken me so much time to come up with this notion among notions? For my sins, I am not religious. Not in the least, as a matter of fact. God thus comes to my mind way after friendship, freedom, and equality, as witnessed by this piece and the first addendum. Once again, and with feeling, the Buddha be praised!