I think for people who aren't familiar with the wealth of teachings throughout Middle, Southern and Eastern Asia, to know that in any of the past 5000 years, the teaching of illusionism you describe was subscribed to by maybe .00001% of people.

The Taoist, Tantric, and many of the Tibetan Buddhist teachers teach that this world is real, though not "real" as modern materialists teach it.

And as far as how. many people want the highest realization, it is no different for those who practice European contemplative practices. How many people really want to say with Paul, "not I but Christ lives in me?"

Probably about.00001% ofpeople!