7. Is this world real?

Q7. Is this world real?

A7. Absolutely.

There is obviously a misconception that this world is not real. It is. There are, in fact, many realities. The reality for a child is different than it is for an adult. It is different for somebody living in a desert than for one living near an ocean. It is different for an animal than for a human. In a dream state, what is experienced is very real (body and mind both feel it). But, in a waking state, that reality disappears, and waking reality takes over.

Hence, all experiences are real. They are only transient. Because they are not everlasting, some people labelled them as "unreal" and called the world is an "illusion".

Upanishads refer to a reality that is everlasting. This is a reality that goes beyond the waking state, beyond the dream state, beyond the state of dreamless sleep - into a fourth state (called "Turiya"), which is akin to waking up in dreamless sleep. The highest reality, and the ultimate truth - according to those who have experienced it.

Hence, there are various layers of reality. The world is real, no doubt.