I have this trouble with advaita teachings.
They make all the sense to me from this perspective:
-God is the most real reality;
-every soul is really one with God;
-the "meaning" of life is to find union with God.

But the part where the world is an illusion troubles me.. The other day I had these strange thoughts after reading a passage of Nisargadatta Maharaj. I for some time felt like the world was like a dream (more like a terrible nightmare) that I had to wake up from. I didn't know how and this was a very distressing (more like horrible) feeling.

So my question is.. are Advaita teachings to be taken to the letter, or are they metaphorical?
Thanks in advance.