When observing the physical world from a first-person perspective, one experiences reality through the physical body — the material world. The vast majority of people remain within this level. When entering meditation (samadhi), the first-person view can shift into both first-person and third-person meditative worlds, which are different from the first-person and third-person perspectives experienced during out-of-body states.

Third-Person Perspective on the Physical World

Viewing the physical world from a third-person perspective is to observe oneself from a higher dimension. After enlightenment, an “inner self” emerges — a higher version of oneself. In essence, this resembles a character within a game world.

First-Person Perspective in Meditative Worlds

In most practices, meditation is used to enter a new world or dimension. In such states, the first-person perspective involves acting inside that meditative world.

Third-Person Perspective in Meditative Worlds

Sometimes meditation includes multiple simultaneous states — one may experience oneself both as the first-person actor and as the third-person observer, able to see oneself from the outside.

First-Person Perspective in Dream Worlds

Ordinary dreaming feels like a first-person experience, but in truth it is a form of watching the dream; the dreamer is effectively a third-person observer.

Third-Person Perspective in Dream Worlds

When practice reaches a certain level, one can become aware while dreaming and then observe the dream as an observer from the outside.

First-Person Perspective in Out-of-Body Experiences

In the early stages of practice, out-of-body experiences are usually controlled from a first-person perspective.

Third-Person Perspective in Out-of-Body Experiences

As practice deepens, one can observe the out-of-body process from a third-person perspective.

Key Insight

In simple terms: the third-person perspective is a higher state than the first-person perspective. Enlightenment is the moment one generates this third-person perspective within the physical world.

Summary: Relationship Between These Worlds

The critical steps in practice are entering meditation and leaving the body. These experiences allow the practitioner to explore new worlds. No matter whether they manifest as first-person or third-person perspectives, they are stages on the path whose purpose is to lead to enlightenment.

After enlightenment, the higher inner self is formed. From that point on, daily life is naturally viewed from the third-person perspective. This physical reality becomes similar to a game — the physical body functions like a game character one controls, while the higher self views and interacts with the world from a higher dimension.

Edited on May 1, 2022