What is meant by "the universe disappears" ?

[Wilhelm44]

When awakening is described the phrase "the universe disappeared" is often mentioned. There seems to be different interpretations of this. Is it simply referring to the imaginary nature of things ? Or am I missing something here ?

[Mason Riggle]

I might describe it as the dissolution of 'separateness'.  

The same way you don't seem separate from 'your hand', you can feel this way about 'your friends' or 'your shirt' or 'the moon'.. you become all of it, and you can do this so succesfully that it actually becomes impossible to 'distinguish' anything from anything else.. 

[Wilhelm44]

@Mason Riggle  Wow, not being able to distinguish anything from anything else, sounds like a recipe for fearless living.

[Mason Riggle]

[Wilhelm44]

@Mason Riggle  Yeah that's full on for sure.

[Gianna]

Maybe they are referring to superposition  hehe 

[Leo Gura]

That language usually describes cessation, which is a very specific state.

That is not true of many awakenings. The universe does not have to disappear. You could just realize the universe is Nothing without any change in its appearance.

When you are asleep the universe disappears.

[Wilhelm44]

@Leo Gura  Thank you !