The Nature of Reality: How to See the Universe Beyond Conditioning

What Does It Mean to Be "Real"?

To be "real" in the truest sense means to perceive the universe without the filters of personal bias, belief systems, or conditioned thinking. It means stripping away everything that has been imposed upon us and seeing existence for what it truly is.

This article will explore the nature of reality, how to detach from the illusions of self and perception, and how to witness the universe through an objective lens—what some might call the "third eye."

If you say, "I want to be real," what you might mean is that you want to be authentic—free from illusions, biases, and external influences.

But what if everything about you—your thoughts, beliefs, emotions—is shaped by your upbringing, culture, and biology? If that’s the case, how do you separate "you" from what was given to you?

A radical perspective:

• The "self" is not fixed—it is constantly being shaped by your experiences, environment, and choices.

• Your thoughts are not you—they are patterns created by your brain, often influenced by memory, society, and fear.

• Your identity is a construct—it is something you think you are, but it is not necessarily the fundamental truth of your being.

So, if you are not your thoughts, your identity, or even your upbringing—who are you?

What is Reality?

Reality is often thought of as the physical world we see, hear, and touch. But as modern physics, philosophy, and spirituality suggest, reality is far more complex than it seems.

Here are some fundamental perspectives on what reality might be:

1. Materialism: The belief that only physical matter and energy exist, and everything follows the laws of physics.

2. Idealism: The idea that reality is fundamentally mental, meaning our consciousness or perception plays a role in shaping what we experience.

3. Quantum Mechanics & the Observer Effect: The fact that particles behave differently when observed suggests that the act of perception itself may influence reality.

4. Simulation Theory: The argument that we may be living in an advanced simulation created by a higher intelligence, much like a video game or artificial reality.

5. Consciousness as Fundamental: Some suggest that consciousness itself is the fundamental element of reality, and the physical world emerges from it rather than the other way around.

Understanding these perspectives is the first step to realizing that what we see as "real" may just be a fraction of the full truth.

How Your Perception is Shaped by Conditioning

From birth, our minds are conditioned by:

• Society (what is considered "normal" or "acceptable")

• Upbringing (values, beliefs, and fears passed down by family)

• Culture & Religion (moral frameworks, traditions, and ideologies)

• Experiences & Trauma (which shape our biases and defence mechanisms)

• Language & Thought Structures (which limit how we process and describe reality)

Everything you think and feel is filtered through this conditioning. This means that you are not seeing the world as it truly is—you are seeing it through a lens of pre-existing programming.

If you want to experience reality beyond conditioning, you must first learn to observe without attachment.

How to See the World Objectively?

To truly see the universe as it is, rather than how your mind interprets it, you have to learn to observe without judgment.

Ways to Neutralise Your Mind & See Beyond Conditioning:

1. Observe Your Thoughts Without Identifying With Them

• Instead of saying, "I am anxious," say, "There is anxiety appearing in me."

• Instead of "I am insecure," say, "There is insecurity in my mind right now."

• This small shift in language creates distance between you and your thoughts, making it easier to see them objectively.

2. Practice Deep Presence

• The present moment is the only reality that is undeniably real.

• Everything else—memories, expectations, worries—exists only in the mind.

• Meditation is a powerful tool to cultivate pure awareness. When you sit in silence and observe, thoughts fade, and you experience life without filters.

3. Question Everything, Even Your Own Beliefs

• Ask yourself: What if everything I believe is just a construct?

• What if morality, good vs. evil, or even the idea of "self" is simply a product of human thought?

• The more you question without attachment, the more you free your perception.

4. Practice Non-Attachment

• You are not your name, your job, your beliefs, or your social identity—these are roles you play, not your true essence.

• Let go of labels and expectations. The more you detach from your self-image, the closer you get to experiencing pure reality.

5. Study the Universe Objectively

• Science and philosophy can help expand your understanding of existence beyond personal perception.

• Quantum physics suggests that reality is not as solid as we think, and that consciousness may influence it.

• Reading perspectives from different cultures and philosophical traditions can help break your mental frameworks and allow you to see the world from multiple angles.

Dark Energy & the Unknown Forces of Reality

Even in modern physics, we acknowledge that most of the universe is unknown.

• Dark Matter (27% of the universe): An invisible substance that we can detect only through its gravitational effects.

• Dark Energy (68% of the universe): A force that causes the universe to expand at an accelerating rate.

• Known Matter (5% of the universe): Everything we see, from galaxies to atoms, makes up only a tiny fraction of existence.

If most of the universe is made of unknown forces, how can we claim to fully understand reality? The very fabric of existence is still a mystery, which means our everyday perception is extremely limited.

What Happens When You See Reality Clearly?

If you fully let go of your conditioning, your personal biases, your attachment to identity—what remains?

You might realise that:

• Everything is connected. The idea of "self" and "other" is a construct.

• The universe is neither good nor bad—it simply exists. Morality is a human construct.

• You are not separate from the universe. The atoms in your body were once in stars. You are the universe observing itself.

This is often what spiritual traditions call awakening—a state where you are no longer trapped in the illusion of self, but simply experiencing existence in its raw form.

So, How to Be Truly Real

Being "real" isn't about adopting a new belief system. It's about letting go of falsehoods—including the illusion of a fixed identity. If you want to see the universe as it truly is, ask yourself:

• Can I observe without judgment?

• Can I detach from my conditioned beliefs?

• Can I experience life without mental filters?

The moment you drop all assumptions, all conditioning, and simply exist in awareness —that is when you are truly real.