The Ultimate Reality in Sacred Texts of the World
Though articulated in numerous ways through different cultural frameworks and metaphors, sacred texts around the world share a consistent theme: the ultimate reality, the ground of all being, is not inert matter or a blind force, but a conscious, aware presence.
From the Upanishads of Hinduism, Brahman is described as the ultimate reality, the all-pervading consciousness that is the source and sustainer of the universe. Passages speak of Brahman as the “knower of all,” the “inner controller,” the very awareness that witnesses all phenomena. The individual self, Atman, is ultimately understood to be identical to this all-pervading, conscious Brahman.
Similarly, Buddhist scriptures often emphasize emptiness (Shunyata in Sanskrit), which is not equated with mere nothingness. Rather, emptiness is understood as the absence of independent existence, the spacious ground from which all phenomena arise and to which they return. This emptiness is often described as luminous, as the very nature of mind, the source of all experience. The awakened state of Buddhahood is characterized by a direct realization of this aware emptiness.
In the Abrahamic traditions, while the concept of a personal God as creator and sustainer is central, the underlying attribute of awareness is consistently present. God is described as all-knowing, all-seeing, possessing infinite wisdom and understanding. (Interestingly, Ephesians 4:6 states: One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all—which is the very heart of the nondual understanding.) This inherent awareness is not separate from God's being but is fundamental to it. God, the supreme being, is not a passive architect but an active, conscious presence involved in the unfolding of creation.
Mystic traditions, especially, within these faiths echo Ephesians 4:6 by emphasizing a direct, experiential union with this self-aware ground of being. Examples of mystic traditions include Advaita (Sanskrit for “not-two”), Sufism within Islam, and contemplative Christianity.
Indigenous spiritualities across the globe, often deeply rooted in the interconnectedness of nature, also point towards an aware reality. The “Great Spirit” or the “Mystery” is frequently described as a conscious force that permeates all things, aware of and responsive to the interconnected web of life. The natural world itself is seen not as inert matter but as imbued with spirit and consciousness.
It is no coincidence that ancient sages and spiritual teachers, through contemplation and direct experience, arrived at the same conclusion about the ultimate ground of being, the essence of all that is.
The variations in terminology and theological frameworks can be seen as different attempts to articulate the ineffable nature of this aware reality using the language and metaphors available within their specific cultural contexts. But the core insight remains remarkably consistent: the fundamental nature of existence is not unconscious or mechanical. It is awareness, or aware presence.
Recognizing and understanding this pervasive theme in the world's sacred texts can be transformative. It shifts our understanding of reality from a collection of separate subjects and objects to a vibrant, conscious field in which we share an apparently physical existence. This understanding fosters a sense of belonging, interconnectedness, and a deeper appreciation and respect for life, and our place in it.