METAPHYSICS OF TRUTH
Volume 5, Part 2 – Chapter 7 of Category 7
January, 2026
What does PB mean by “metaphysics of truth” and does it differ from today’s general understanding of the term “metaphysics?
Metaphysics is ordinarily concerned with the criticism of superficial views about the experienced world and the correction of erroneous ones, whilst it seeks to construct an accurate systematic and rational interpretation of existence as a whole. This is good in its own place because we shall be all the better and not worse for finding a metaphysical base for our beliefs. It is quite clear however that metaphysical systems cannot alone suffice for our higher purpose, for being based on personal assumptions, reasoning, or imaginations, if they partially enlighten mankind they also partially bewilder by their mutual contradictions.
Hence Philosophy steps in here and offers what it calls “the metaphysics of truth.” This is an interpretation in intellectual terms of the results obtained from a direct mystical insight concerned with what is itself incapable of intellectual seizure. Through this superior insight it provides in orderly shape the reasons, laws, and conditions of the supersensuous experience of the Overself, unifies and explains the experiences which lead up to this consummation, and finally brings the whole into relation with the practical everyday life of mankind. It is the sole system that the antique sages intellectually built up after they had actually realized the Overself within their own experience. Such a point needs the utmost emphasis for it separates the system from all others which carry the name of metaphysics or philosophy. Whereas these others are but intelligent guesses or fragmentary anticipations of what ultimate truth or ultimate reality may be and hence hesitant between numerous “ifs” and “buts,” this alone is a presentation from firsthand knowledge of what they really are. It bars out all speculation. [7:7.19]
From the above we learn that the sacred teachings left by the ancient sages for the benefit of mankind are what PB calls “The Metaphysics of Truth.” Their experience of that which cannot be categorized in any way is shared in a context which men and women of various times and cultures can relate to. Paul Brunton’s reformulation of these truths in language of today is his gift to the continued evolution of mankind. We benefit by thinking deeply about this passage of the quote:
Through this superior insight it [The Metaphysics of Truth] provides in orderly shape the reasons, laws, and conditions of the supersensuous experience of the Overself, unifies and explains the experiences which lead up to this consummation, and finally brings the whole into relation with the practical everyday life of mankind. [7:7.19]
How is one to distinguish between scholarly, or even occult metaphysics and the metaphysics of truth?
Although every tenet of the metaphysics of truth is worked out with strict rationality and scientific respect for facts, there is a hidden support in transcendental knowledge running right through them all. [7:7.3]
The whole intellectual structure is supported by a solid core of super-intellectual insight. [7:7.4]
The modern school of existentialist metaphysics gives too much weight to passing experiences and too little to permanent principles, too much to appearances and too little to the realities, too much to the political economic and social, too little to the moral ethical and spiritual phases of human life. This brings about an unbalance and a half-truthness in its conclusions. [7:7.79]
The metaphysics of truth has no recognized place in the academic world, as academic teaching is really based more or less on materialism. [7:7.45]
The failure of metaphysics begins when it becomes speculation based on imagination, when its ideas are derived from other ideas instead of from observed facts. [7:7.24]
The study of speculative metaphysics may chill off religious belief but the study of the metaphysics of truth brings with it deep religious feelings. [7:7.25]
… Ordinary metaphysical thinking is a kind of mental groping about in the dark, whereas that used in metaphysics of truth is like walking along a well-made road direct to a goal. This is so because the system itself is built up after and upon the mystic experience. Metaphysical self-debate for merely logical purposes is not meant here. [7:7.39]
Our advice is: study metaphysics to its bottom and then make good your escape from it before you become a mere metaphysician! Once you start using metaphysical jargon you are lost. [7:7.28]
Is our study of the metaphysics of truth an integral part of the Quest?
The philosophic student knows that the same thoughts which rear their heads and obstruct the mystic from attaining Thought can be turned round and used to help them attain it. But to achieve this successfully there must be metaphysical knowledge. [7:7.124]
The mystic who has not this clear metaphysical knowledge may attain a limited goal, but even then, because their effort is not a guided one, much of it is lost in blind striving. [7:7.150]
If a person will constantly think about these metaphysical truths, they will develop in time the capacity to perceive them by direct intuition instead of by second-remove reflection. But to do this kind of thinking properly the mind must be made steady, poised, concentrated, and easily detached from the world. [7:7.137]
One’s conduct will be better, one’s mind wiser, and one’s heart happier if one seeks and gains a knowledge of the divine laws governing the universe than if one refuses to do so. [7:7.138]
But let it not be thought that the metaphysical effort is a wasted one. On the contrary, it is essential for training the mind to think correctly about the Overself, for supplying it with the firm conviction that such an ultimate reality does exist, and for encouraging it to take up the practical quest of ultramysticism… [7:7.132]
What more does PB say about the metaphysics of truth in the quester’s personal experience?
Once a person begins to bestow their thought upon thought itself, they begin a path of enquiry which, if pushed to its farthest end, will bring them into astonishing discoveries and, if they follow them into practical application, beneficial changes. [7:7.134]
The study of the metaphysics of truth prepares the mind for mystical revelation, helps it to become mystically intuitive. [7:7.154]
The worth of metaphysics to us is relative to the work which we put into it, to the degree of hard thinking which we achieve under its direction. For it demands sustained enquiry into facts, careful assessment of the value of statements, and careful judgement of conclusions. [7:7.145]
It trains the mind to move guardedly along the path from reasoned thinking to conclusive judgement, to proceed cautiously and not precipitately when opinions are formed, and to form them not at random but only after sifting factual evidence from idle hearsay. [7:7.156]
The contemplation of universal laws and metaphysical truth chastens the feelings and elevates the thoughts. This study causes a person to forget themselves, to turn aside from their little ego, and thus helps to clear a path to discovery of their Overself. [7:7.175]
There is this to be said for such study, that it brings to us ready for assimilation what others have had to purchase by long experience and arduous research. [7:7.157]
The metaphysical system may be only a reflected image of the Truth, but still it is as faithful an image as present-day human intellect can show. Therefore, it is most helpful to the seeker who is groping their difficult way and need all the guidance they can get. [7:7.73]
Compiled by Judy S.