Original post: 20AD
There are many takes on this.
Some of my favourites are:
The holographic universe:
http://www.crystalinks.com/holographicuniverse.html
In the Kybalion it is said that we are all created from the mind of god. Hence nothing is real, just like your very own imagination.
I can't recall others at the moment.
Good quote:
Nothing is exactly as it seems, nor is it otherwise. - Alan Watts.
I think if we call it an illusion or a reality changes nothing, excpet possibly how seriously you play the game.
It reminds me of a story I heard Richard Dawkins retell (I paraphrase): Someone had thought that it looks as if the sun revolves around the earth. To which the reply was; How would it look if the earth were to revolve around the sun?
I'm not a fan of the term game. Personally it evokes the idea of winners and losers and competition, which in turn may lead to other traits I try to avoid.
I prefer the image of music or dance or flow/process/tao etc... You just play it for the sake of playing because you enjoy it or you feel it's right. Whether it's real or illusory makes no difference if it fits.
All the best.
AD.