Episode Details

Ep. 235 | In the 18th dialogue of the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, Hameed Ali delves into the fascinating subject of how the physical world is related to the absolute. From a nondual perspective, reality includes the physical world, he explains; the world cannot be reduced to an illusion. Material reality is every bit as compelling as the spiritual perspective, he continues. How we perceive it depends on where we find our stance, what we are immersed in—in the formless or the world of form. Hameed recognizes and honors physical reality, while describing material objects as expressions, or glimmerings, of the ground of being—the physical and the ground of being inseparable, whether pure presence or pure emptiness.

And how does the relationship between creator and creation relate to the individual? Hameed presents his mystical theology: a triadic reality formed by God, the individual, and the physical world, where each maintains its own truth. Because the absolute is inherently not self-aware, it needs an individual to become aware of itself, he explains. We are its “knowing instruments.” Hameed’s mystical theology, establishing the relationship between the human being, the world, and God, or true nature, is both elevating and grounding, enlightening and somehow comforting. The essential puzzle pieces of reality fitted together, creating unity. From atoms and quarks to what happens after death and how all dimensions can possibly exist in exquisite harmony when there is so much disharmony in the world, this conversation is far ranging, stimulating, and punctuated with laughter, as Hameed, Roger, and John continue to explore The Inner Journey Home. Recorded May 14, 2026.

“When we experience the absolute, we see it as the truth of everything, the nature of everything—all are glimmerings of the absolute.”

Topics & Time Stamps

• Introducing dialogue #18 in the A. H. Almaas Wisdom Series, an exploration of the chapter titled “Reality” in Hameed’s magnum opus, The Inner Journey Home (00:49)
• Hameed explains how the Path of Love Series relates to the The Inner Journey Home/Wisdom Series (04:51)
• Seeing the physical world from the perspective of the absolute (06:10)
• Why do we experience the world as so very solid? (09:28)
• From the absolute perspective, material objects are glimmerings of the ground of being (11:49)
• From the scientific perspective, the physical world is “rock-level real” (14:45)
• The physical world should not be reduced to an illusion; it has properties that cannot be denied (18:13)
• In the physical world, death means no longer alive; spiritually, death is a transformation (21:50)
• Does the individual soul continue after death? (25:04)
• Why isn’t everyone awakened if we’re all part of the absolute? (26:40)
• Standing in the absolute, all dimensions are inseparable, existing in exquisite harmony, but this does not negate people’s experience of disharmony (30:38)
• The absolute is inherently not self-aware, that’s why it needs an individual to become aware of itself (32:56)
• The divine coma is the entry to the absolute (35:38)
• The relationship between the human being, the world, and God (38:59)
• Is there a personal God? (41:47)
• You can be an individual without being separate (47:33)
• God fulfillment & soul fulfillment are one and the same (50:36)
• The concept of service has many stages (52:57)
• Hameed’s mystical theology: a triadic reality, each with its own truth (57:06)