the metaphysical terms interchangeably and speaks of "the chain
of seven globes" meaning in one sentence the four material globes
making this earth; in another meaning the line of descent or
string of beads of different sizes reaching down from the Divine
Consciousness; and in still another the seven beads or globes of
the same size in coadunition to form this earth chain. To the
student who is thoroughly grounded in the eastern physics this
interweaving of the physical and metaphysical presents no
difficulties; but to the western mind just beginning the study
it is a tangle.

We can now see what is meant by illusion, or Maya, and understand
why such stress is laid upon it by every teacher.

Take the physical side first. The motion of a top gives it bands
of color to our eyes that it does not have at rest. They are
temporary and not permanent, a result of motion merely; illusion
and not reality.

The motion of the material atoms of the four planes, in harmony
with their vibration, a motion the spiritual world does not have,
produces all material phenomena. This is of course within the
kinetic belts, for above or below them there is no change, and
its phenomena are the mere change in relation of one atom to
another caused by motion. The changes are not real. They
disappear when the motion stops. They have no existence in
matter above or below the belt.

All phenomena of every kind are as much an illusion as the
supposed bands of colour around the top. The illusion is the