While dreaming, all kinds of things may come to mind, but these are nothing more than appearances.  Likewise, a magician may create a variety of illusory appearances, but they do not exist objectively.  Likewise, oneself, others, the cycle of existence, and liberation--in short, all entities--exist merely by the power of mind and convention.

from Transcendent Wisdom, by H.H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama