The author explores the distinction between sentient beings, defined by their capacity for perception and interpretation through senses and cognitive abilities, and non-sentient matter, which lacks such awareness.

The author's journey to understand God began with traditional religious practices but evolved into a focus on the impact of belief in God rather than the existence of God itself. The author argues that the belief in God holds the power to transform individuals, regardless of God's actual existence. The author also notes that human nature, driven by greed and desire, is the real cause of conflict, not religion.

The author proposes that the concept of God as the universe's creator becomes unnecessary if we consider the physical universe as eternally existing and dynamically changing. To him, science and religion are incompatible, with science being objective and focused on facts, while human nature is subjective and driven by emotions. The author introduces the idea of the Virtual Inner World, created by living beings through their senses and brain, as the only world that living creatures can truly know. This world is subjective and unique to each individual, in contrast to the objective external physical world.

The author uses examples like computer simulations, financial transactions, and even the perception of time and space to illustrate the virtual nature of our experiences. Pain, for example, is described as a virtual sensation created by the brain. The author emphasizes that the Virtual Inner World is subjective and shaped by our focus and attention. The experience of this virtual world is attributed to the Virtual Empirical Self (VES), or Ego-I, which is the ‘I’ that claims ownership of these experiences.

The author introduces the concept of Virtual Physicalism, suggesting that experiences are virtual but based in the physical world, bridging the gap between physicalismand dualism. The self, or VES, is described as a virtual entity shaped by experiences and memories, with the potential for both good and evil. The author discusses the paradox of the self being necessary for experiencing the worldbut also being the source of negative human traits.

The author proposes that detaching the self from virtual objects can eliminate negative aspects of human nature, referencing the ability to mentally detach from pain.He introduces ‘State Consciousness’ or ‘Pure Consciousness’ (PC) as a universal intelligence that enables living beings to derive meaning from their environment. PC is described as the True Self or Soul, akin to Brahman or Atmanin various religious philosophies, and is the basis of spiritual experiences.

The author explains that experiencing Pure Consciousness involves detaching the VES from virtual objects, similar to the tranquility experienced in deep sleep or meditation. This detachment leads to a state of bliss and liberation fromdesires, which is a common goal across various religious and non-religious practices. The author emphasizes that belief, whether in religion or other sources, can significantly impact our physical and mental well-being.

The author concludes by advocating for the use of religion, spirituality, and faith for personal growth, as long as they are not used for harmful purposes. He discusses the limitations of AI in achieving true consciousness, as it lacks ‘State Consciousness’ or PC. He also suggests that all religions and science should be taught in schools to allow students to discern their own truths.

The author shares their journey from a traditional Hindu upbringing in Northern India, where they regularly participated in temple rituals and prayers, to a phase of questioning their beliefs as a teenager. This led them to seek evidence of God's existence and explore various religious philosophies. The text delves into concepts like karma, reincarnation, the soul, and the nature of consciousness across different religions.

The author's academic pursuits in Biomedical Engineering and subsequent Ph.D. research further fueled their exploration of the mind, brain, and consciousness. The text also touches on the ongoing debate between theists, atheists, and agnostics regarding the existence of God and the influence of religion.

Ultimately, the author proposes a unique perspective, suggesting the existence of two realities: the external physical objective reality and the internal virtual subjective reality. They discuss the concept of the Virtual Empirical Self (VES) and its role in shaping our experiences, as well as the significance of Virtual Absolute Self (VAS) or Pure Consciousness (PC). The text concludes by addressing profound questions about life, death, and the ultimate purpose of existence.