Reality is a cosmic dance of the absolute, indivisible energy impartially occurring outside the mind. It can also be personal, including everything we perceive and conceive through experiences. The paradox here is that, scientifically, it constantly changes, whereas spiritually, it is that unchanging ultimate reality. As a result, we broadly have two types of reality: relative, governed by physical laws, and absolute, which is beyond perception. The other is absolute, the spiritual awareness within which all perceptions and experiences occur – changeless, spaceless, timeless, limitless, indivisible, and eternal. Hence, reality can be both personal and impersonal, the sum aggregate of all existences, but not imaginary; it is conceptualised in different ways by various studies.

Reality may be the most profound and elusive idea humanity has ever struggled with. The fields of physics, philosophy, psychology, and spirituality each offer distinct perspectives on their respective characters. Investigating the external world and our internal experience, which are closely intertwined, is crucial to understanding reality.

How do we configure whether our reality is actual? Are we permitted to consider reality to be whatever we feel it is? What you observe and experience may be your reality, but it differs from others. No two human minds can perceive the same truth. Therefore, assigning a clear definition to reality is difficult unless we measure the same, which is impossible. What you see in front of you may be real, but your mind perceives and decides what you see. The mind filters what is of interest from the stream of data that pours in every moment and considers that to be real.

Hindus have a term called ‘Maya’ for such an apparent reality; what appears real may not necessarily be correct and valid. Therefore, reality today is determined by each individual’s mind, not by its actuality. One scientist may consider something real, knowing another is bound to contradict it. Reality in the material world is a relative factor of the conscious mind. It will persist as long as society remains in agreement.

Ultimate reality is like the sky: changeless, limitless, spaceless, undisputed, and infinite. It is independent of one’s mind. In religion, it is considered a personal God; in quantum physics, it is considered energy; and in spirituality, it is the impersonal spirit. However, in such interpretations, they all represent the same ingredient; all that exists is one in the absolute. It is the reality of all realities. It exists as the absolute energy and has transcendent and inherent aspects. Through its supreme power, called ‘Maya,’ the absolute manifests inherently within the mind in space and time, allowing it to exist, experience, and realise the dualities in the dichotomies of illusory life.

The reality in your mind is a delusion, dancing in opposites, differing from one moment to another. The human mind is bound to use its intellect to discern and quantify what it sees and chooses. In reality, the absolute is just this, as it is. It has no meaning in absolute terms if you tell someone they are beautiful. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so that becomes one’s reality. The world we experience through our mind is nothing but a waking experience of what our senses observe.

Therefore, when the mind is ignorant, awaken it; when it wanders, bring it back to the present; and when it is chattering, quieten it. When the mind is imaginative, let it flow. It makes the mind think. However, when the mind is intuitive, it becomes aware and creative. All that you require is to watch and witness your mind to become aware of your past awareness. To capture reality, you need to be present, alert, and aware. Although part of the absolute, yet separate, we perceive both real and unreal images in our existence through duality. Only one can exist; in the absence of one, the other appears. Only in the absence of happiness does sadness exist.

Thus, while science explores the mechanics of reality, spirituality urges us to be aware and experience its essence by turning inward.

NAMASTE