Have you ever considered the possibility that we might be living in a simulation? Perhaps a matrix of sorts, or an illusionary world that isnโt as real as it seems? Especially when exploring spirituality, many of us conclude that this reality isnโt the final destination… Itโs not even close. But does this notion contain truth, or is it just another baseless conspiracy?
The notion that there are deeper levels of existence than our reality lies at the heart of spirituality, regardless of religion or belief system. The deeper truth of our existence is often referred to as ultimate reality, and represents the most fundamental layer of being.
Different religions and spiritual belief systems offer various interpretations of ultimate reality, but they all converge on the same essential idea โ that beyond this material world lies deeper layers of consciousness, suggesting that our universe is the skin of a much more comprehensive cosmic anatomy.
Here weโll explore what is ultimate reality, and look at how different faiths perceive this realm. Understanding this phenomenon offers a pathway toward greater spiritual understanding, spiritual growth, and eventually, transcendence of this Earthly plane.
What Is Ultimate Reality?
Reality is an onion. Iโm often met with puzzled expressions when I share this idea as if their eyes are silently asking, โAre you okay?โ Yet, despite the confusion, I assure you that it holds truth. Yes, reality might make you cry, but thereโs a lot more to this onion than a piercing scent.
See, reality has layers. Beyond material reality exist spiritual dimensions, often coined the spiritual realm. Beyond those dimensions lies even deeper spiritual dimensions. Like a dream within a dream, weโve veered so far from truth that weโve forgotten weโre dreaming.
I know, itโs a weird dream and it may feel like it lasts forever, but in truth, it flashes by in the blink of an eye, before this temporary experience comes to a close.
Think of it this way. You have a soul, and the home of your soul is more real than the home of your body. Youโre just here on vacation due toย karmic influencesย and the workings of a bigger system (sorry you decided to come here, itโs probably not what you expected when you signed up).
So, what would you consider to be more true? Your body and the world it resides in, or your soul and the dimension it resides in? One is just a temporary experience, while the other is everlasting and everchanging.
Just like being on vacation, this universe is notย โthe real world.โ Itโs a temporary slither of something much more profound. Likewise, this experience of consciousness is just an experience for your soul. Itโs not the be-all and end-all of existence.
This experience will pass, like a vivid dream, and a higher part of your awareness will shine through saying โOh, that was strange, now off to the next experienceโ.
But this space after reality is not the deepest layer of existence either. These are ethereal dimensions such as theย astral realms,ย higher and lower realms, and probably a whole lot more Iโm not aware of. There are spiritual systems and energies within these higher realms. These are all different expressions of consciousness, but theyโre not the absolute truth.
Imagine ultimate reality as the deepest layer of consciousness โ the core of this interdimensional onion. The astral planes are an outer, ethereal layer, and the material reality is the outermost layer. Although we are part of the onion, weโre not the most important part.
Sorry to deflate your ego.
Your soul is a fragment of god, so itโs not truly home until it returns to godโฆ or the source, or the universal consciousness, or whatever label itโs given depending on the religion or belief system.
Ultimate reality is the truest, purest expression of consciousness and the foundation of creation, for all things, souls, and dimensions are figments of god. This is the absolute truth that is depicted in every religion โ the deepest, most fundamental level of reality.
Does Ultimate Reality Exist in Religion?
I first learned about ultimate reality when I was at the beginning of the spiritual journey. During this time, I understood it solely as a Hindu concept depicting a spiritual plane that is more real than our reality.
This idea seeded, and I began soul-searching for many years. As my understanding of spirituality matured, I began to realize just how manyย common themes there are within religion. Rather than being an idea rooted in Hinduism, I saw that every religion has some concept of ultimate reality.
Donโt get me wrong, this is all real too, but itโs not the absolute truth. Itโs simply a reflection, a pet project of a higher power. Religions are the same contents presented in different packages. The more you explore them, the more commonalities you will begin to see among them.
So, letโs have a look at how different religions interpret this divine realm. Different traditions describe ultimate reality in various ways:
- Christianity: Christianity portrays ultimate reality as the oneness of god. The Bible describes God as the eternal Creator. The Christian view of ultimate reality is deeply personal, where God is not just a cosmic force but a being of love who has an intimate connection with humanity.
- Judaism: In Judaism, ultimate reality is interpreted as Yahweh which is the singular, eternal God. Judaism emphasizes the oneness of God and rejects any form of duality. While God is transcendent and beyond human comprehension, God also has an intimate connection with this dimension.
- Hinduism:ย Brahmanย is considered the ultimate reality in Sanฤtan Dharma (or Hinduism). Brahman is an infinite and all-encompassing force that is the source of all existence, in other words, totality. Brahman transcends duality and is the unchanging truth behind the ever-changing physical world.
- Buddhism considers ultimate reality to be Nirvana, a state of liberation that transcends the cycle of suffering. Buddhism teaches that all things are subject to change and that ultimate reality is found in the realization of this impermanence.
- Islam portrays ultimate reality as Tawhid, which emphasizes the oneness of Allah, believing that nothing exists independently of Allahโs will. The concept of supreme reality in Islam is intertwined with submission to the divine will, and this submission leads to understanding the nature of ultimate reality.
- Shamanic beliefs portray ultimate reality as totality, a universal consciousness weโre all connected to, or the Godself, which is the idea that at the deepest layer of consciousness, we are all the same entity experiencing oneself infinitely. This is the deepest level of self-realization.
Despite the different terminologies and frameworks, ultimate reality is generally seen as transcendent, eternal, and the ultimate source of all that exists.
While duality exists within other realms, meaning we exist as separate entities with separate experiences, ultimate reality is depicted as a nondualistic realm, where all experiences simply are, without label or separation, and all consciousness is united within a singular experience.
At some level of reality, we are all God, and nothing exists beyond God. This is the deepest level of self-realization, or otherwise transcendence. All other layers of consciousness such as the soul, or spirit, or human, are manifestations, or branches of this supreme consciousness.
Characteristics of Ultimate Reality
Alright, so how can we conceptualize this timeless, formless, all-encompassing realm? While each religion offers a unique perspective on ultimate reality, certain themes are consistent across traditions. Across many belief systems, ultimate reality shares certain characteristics including:
- Transcendence: It exists beyond the material world and human understanding. This realm transcends the rules of our universe, such as time, space, matter, and form, making it impossible to understand or depict from the human mind.
- Immanence: While transcendent, it also permeates and sustains everything in existence. All dimensions are tied together energetically. So even though our universe seems to be a completely separate phenomenon, itโs a manifestation of this transcended realm.
- Eternality: Ultimate reality is timeless, without beginning or end. Depending on the belief, itโs either ever-changing or constant. This depends on your interpretation.
- Unity: It is often seen as the one true essence that connects all of existence, even if it appears fragmented on the surface. If you imagine existence as a V, ultimate reality is the point, the source that all existence converges into, at some level of reality.
How Do We Reach Ultimate Reality?
Reaching ultimate reality is the ultimate goal of a soul, right? So how can we move closer to it? Is there any particular way we can do it? Well, in short, youโre doing it. Thatโs why youโre having this experience as a human.
In my understanding, the purpose of individuality is to learn, experience, grow, and eventually transcend. To transcend is the product of many incarnations and a vast amount of wisdom accumulated by the soul via these lifetimes.
I believe that every soul will return to its origins, like a bee leaving the hive to collect honey, your soul strings off from the collective to attain knowledge for the collective. This, to me, is what the soul journey is aboutโฆ Learning until you have learned enough, that you return to the mothership.
Think of it this way. One lifetime of learning and life experience leads to wisdom, and ultimately more happiness if that wisdom is applied. Now imagine if each life of experience, in this dimension and other accumulates over thousands of lifetimes, not just as a human, but of animals, aliens, spirits, being, and whatever else your soul incarnates as.
You could say that you will have it all worked out eventually, so much that you are resonating at a vibration of god, and seamlessly melting into it – reaching enlightenment or nirvana. This is what I understand the spiritual journey as – learning to remember your godliness, that there is no longer separation, just god.
But are we destined to go in circles, to suffer, and to struggle, lifetime after lifetime, after lifetime? I believe we can fast-track this process.
The first step to transcendence is awareness.ย I believe that awareness of ultimate reality is the first stage of experiencing it. Without awareness, we remain ignorant โ based onย negative patterns without a higher awareness of spirit. Without this higher awareness, weโre bound to continue experiencing lessons until we develop this awareness.
Many religions equate ultimate reality with ultimate truth. They suggest that the deeper someone understands the nature of reality, the closer they are to the truth.
With awareness, we can embark on a path of self-realization via self-exploration. Spiritual practice is generally seen as the gateway to ultimate reality, or rather pathways that lead to ultimate reality.
Each spiritual pathway is personal, and different traditions or religions will have different ideas of what brings them closer to truth. For example, a monk may believe that philosophies likeย impermanenceย and nonattachment attained via a lifetime of meditation are the key.
A yogi may believe that the practice of yoga can bring us closer to spiritual truth and realization. A Christian may believe prayer and a personal relationship with god is the key, while a shaman may believe that developing a connection with the spirits of master plants is the key to self-realization and transcendence.
It doesnโt matter what you practice, however, spiritual practice will bring us closer to spirit, which ultimately brings us closer to truth.
Each tradition offers a unique lens to understand the infinite complexity of existence. By understanding that there is truth in every spiritual pathway and that they all eventually lead to the same destination, we can develop a more holistic understanding of ultimate reality โ one that embraces self-exploration rather than dogma.
Each perspective offers insights that can deepen our spiritual understanding and lead us toward greater unity. In the end, the pursuit of ultimate reality is a journey of discovery, realization, and transcendence.