What is real? What is the universe made of? How does it work? So let’s talk about the nature of reality and what is all about, but first let see what reality is. Reality is the state of things as they actually exist rather then as we see them or maybe thought to be. Reality generally refers to the nature of that which existed in the past, exists in the present and will exist in future, but not always. Sometimes the term reality can be used to refer to the existence of individual experience. Reality is often contrasted with what is imaginary, delusional, in the mind, dreams, what is abstract, what is false, or what is fictional. To reify is to make more real, and to abstract is the opposite. The truth refers to what is real, while falsity refers to what is not. Fictions are not considered real.