People undergoing near-death, psychedelic, or mystical experiences often report encountering a reality that feels more real than ordinary reality—a hyperreality. This article uses philosophical phenomenology and theories of sense of reality to analyze such accounts. It critiques and extends Martin Fortier's plural taxonomy of sense of reality, proposing a triadic model of reality experience. According to this model, one dimension is merely heightened reality, while the other two are either self-evident immersion in reality or the irruptive suspension of ordinary experience.
Pure consciousness, known for millennia in contemplative traditions as experience free of content and ego, is now studied scientifically. This article examines Thomas Metzinger's claim that meditation is the best path to study it—the Royal Road Thesis (RRT). It critically analyzes the concept of meditation, uses non-meditative descriptions to further deconstruct it, and argues that Metzinger's minimal phenomenal experience is not inherently mystical. Interpreting these ideas within consciousness culture and spirituality, the article concludes the RRT is very problematic and should be replaced by a more nuanced approach.