Basic idea of virtual reality is to feed the physical senses with fabricated input in order to experience something that is not actually happening. Sound right? Gaming (computer games) is all about virtual reality.
Well I was thinking about the 23rd Psalm - "The Lord is my shepherd"
- where is the Lord, the shepherd, the green pastures, the still waters, the valley of death, the rod and staff, the table, enemies, cup, oil, house of the Lord… this does not qualify as virtual reality because it does not rely on sensory perception. Instead it relies on what comes from within.
This brings to mind: “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Jesus) This is where we can find ourselves, find peace, real satisfaction, wholeness - none of these are gained through the physical senses!
Well now. The question is whether the reality that relies on sensory perception is, in fact, reality... perhaps it should be called virtual unreality!
I found this explanation:
"Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul." (like Psalm 23)
"These ideas are perfectly real and tangible to spiritual consciousness, and they have this advantage over the objects and thoughts of material sense, — they are good and eternal." (p. 269, S&H) Listen to the context