"The world is my idea is a truth valid for every living creature" 

From The World as Will and Idea- Schopenhauer

Arthur Schopenhauer was among the first to contend that at its core, the universe is not a rational place. He emphasizes that in the face of a world filled with endless strife, we ought to minimize our natural desires to a more tranquil frame of mind. Although known to be a thoroughgoing pessimist, Schopenhauer advocated many ways to overcome frustration-filled and painful human condition. Since his death in 1860, his philosophy has had a special attraction for those who wonder about life's meaning. In his work, The World as Will, it is argued that if one looks deeply inside oneself, one will discover not only one's own essence, but also the essence of the universe. So it is thought that one can come into contact with the nature of the universe, if one comes into contact with one's own nature.  

Our views, knowledge, and beliefs determine how we perceive and observe the world around us. They serve as our references in life. 'The world is my idea' emphasises the importance of our own views and perceptions. In other words, the world becomes an 'object' in relation to a subject. Schopenhauer goes on to say that:

'We can surely never arrive at the nature of things from without. No matter how assiduous our researches may be, we can never reach anything beyond images and names. We resemble a man going round a castle seeking vainly for an entrance, and sometimes sketching the facades. And yet this is the method followed by all philosophers..'

By this, he means that it is only within each one of us, that meanings and interpretations of the world exist. And thatís the beauty of each life; to be able to live it in accordance with our values, beliefs, and perceptions; to make our own world, to be the creator of it. Moreover, 'the world is my idea' is a relief from the diversity of meanings around us. Yet this brings us also into danger: we may live locked inside our own views and perceptions and neglect other perspectives. Absolute subjectivity is something destructive because the world is like an organic body; each part has its own concerns and responsibilities, yet must interact and synchronise with the other organs in a harmonious way.

Nevertheless, 'the world is my idea' can be often degenerate into tyranny. In this sense, the concept may cause suffering. This brings us to hope when applying it, there should also be an awareness that 'the world is their idea' too.