If reality is that which exists after we stop believing, would that be akin to saying we were never here? How could we possibly tell? Surely there would be no way of ascertaining this if everything was purely physical. And yet consciousness isn't physical is it? Hmm ... Is it possible consciousness transcends both time and space? ... throughout Eternity that is. Or, are we stuck with being fleeting illusions unto ourselves?
This is from Russel's 'History of Western Philosophy' 'There was a young man who said god must find it exceedingly odd if he sees that the tree continues to be when there's no-one about in the quad'. Reply: 'Dear Sir - your astonishment's odd I am ALWAYS about in the quad so you see that the tree will continue to be for observed by yours faithfully God'.
is it possible that consciousness also somehow creates matter, some believe that consciousness is a by product of the brain but it is actually a product of perfect imbalances. Identity results when inner vitality ries to completely materialize but finds that it cant because materializing in any form at all it instantly multiplies the possibilities of materialization. This results in a dilemma which is action. Action is energy and action tries to maintain its identity but action has an impetus towards change. but identity seeks stability so this is the second dilema resulting in consciousness of self. but this is not ego, this is still consciousness directly connected to action. Now ego consciousness results when consciousness tries to seperate itself from action which is never possible because it is a result of action (inner vitality materializations) changing but having identity which seeks stability. This presents the third dilemma. Now if balance were to be achieved then the dilemmas would not exist and yea you can thank all that is for letting you be you and be " real " physically in every possible manifestation of your counsciousness.
You started from a wrong premise, "If". Reality will still exist whether we believe or not. In the pre-enlightened state, The mountains are mountains, the rivers are rivers. In the post-enlightened state, The mountains are mountains, the rivers are rivers.
the universe aint going nowhere man. if it goes it has to go somewhere, and then it was never really gone in the first place, it just moved. lol. i'd like to believe that consciousness, soul, isn't tied to life, but more to the concept of reality. life we understand, it has a beginning and an end, which we can deal with, but consciousness surely can't just end? this is where the arguments for heaven and hell lie, as we find it very hard to believe that our soul can die. i believe consciousness is bigger than time and space, and at the end of our lives the consciousness may move through time and space to end up somewere else, to be born again with ony a faint imprint of the physical memories it experienced before... ...maybe, lol.