A student of mine, who was studying the Chakra system with me, once asked, “What is metaphysics?” It struck me that metaphysics is a term that intuitively resonates and is deeply intertwined with personal experiences, development, and scholarly pursuits. However, it defies easy definition because it encompasses a wide array of concepts rather than excluding any particular one.
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with fundamental questions about reality, existence, and the nature of things. It explores concepts such as being, existence, identity, time, space, causality, and the relationship between mind and body. Unlike physics, which deals with the natural world and its properties, metaphysics delves into the nature of reality itself, often asking questions that go beyond empirical observation and scientific inquiry.
My student later informed me that he had recommended me to his sociology classmates, who were interested in hearing about unconventional or unusual professions. As a metaphysician, he believed I would be an ideal speaker on this subject if chosen by his peers.
I was indeed selected to speak, and I presented on metaphysics and Chakra energy healing. I have chosen to share this information because many people I’ve known have inquired about the nature of metaphysics, and I always strive to provide the most comprehensive answers possible.
Below are my responses to the interview questions my student emailed me and later presented to his peers to aid in their decision.
Interview questions:
1. What is the name of your profession?
Metaphysician: I study the part of philosophy concerned with explaining the nature of the world. Those parts are listed below.
Natural philosophy: the study of nature and the physical universe that was predominant before the development of modern science.
Ontology: the study of Being and existence; includes the definition and classification of entities, physical or mental, the nature of their properties, and the nature of change.
Philosophy of religion: the study of the perceptions about God, particularly about the nature and existence of God.
Philosophy of mind: the study of the relationship of the mind to the body: studies the nature of the mind, mental events, mental functions, mental properties and consciousness, and their relationship to the physical body
Philosophy of perception: concerns how mental processes and symbols depend on the world internal and external to the perceiver
Identity and change: studies what sort of change happens after a thing is destroyed or a person dies.
Free will: studies if we do exercise control over our own actions and decisions
The nature of time:
studies linear time: One view is that time is part of the fundamental structure of the universe, a dimension in which events occur in sequence, and time itself is something that can be measured
studies simultaneous time: deals with space and distance. We sequence events, quantify the duration of events and the intervals between them, and compare the motions of objects. In this view, time does not refer to any kind of entity that “flows”, that objects “move through”, or that is a “container” for events.
The nature of the mind: refers to the collective aspects of intellect and consciousness which are manifest in some combination of thought, perception, emotion, will and imagination.
Theology: the study of God (or the gods); involves many topics, including the nature of religion and the world, existence of the divine, questions about Creation, and the numerous religious or spiritual issues that concern humankind in general.
Philosophy of science: studies the philosophical assumptions, foundations, and implications of science, including the formal sciences, natural sciences, and social sciences. Natural science is also used to distinguish those fields that use the scientific method to study nature from the social sciences, which use the scientific method to study human behavior, and from the formal sciences, such as mathematics and logic, which use a different methodology. These usually include physics, chemistry and many of the sub-fields of biology. By contrast, soft science is often used to describe the scientific fields that are more reliant on qualitative research, including the social sciences.
Philosophy of language: is the reasoned inquiry into the nature, origins, and usage of language.
2. Could you tell a bit about it, generally?
I teach metaphysical principles, specializing in energy field healing through Reiki and Chios modalities. Additionally, I am a student of spiritual concepts and a licensed Interfaith Minister with the Sanctuary of the Beloved, a spiritual organization based in New York, USA. My passion lies in helping those I work with achieve a better way of living. For me, philosophy revolves around enhancing one’s quality of life. I also focus on guiding others toward self-realization—understanding one’s true self through intellectual knowledge, personal experience, and spiritual connection. As metaphysicians, we explore broad concepts, believing in the interconnectedness of all things and recognizing that people share more similarities than differences.
3. Why is this profession uncommon?
It is not so common because it is a way to explore spirituality in an unorganized manner. It relies on self-study and self-reflection. A person studying metaphysics usually works in small groups. In these groups, they may take on such practices as focused meditation and constant spiritual study for further spiritual development. There is a desire to discover more about oneself. Attending workshops, retreats and conferences are very common. They may work with many spiritualist and have a basic understanding of quantum physics. Also, one must be open-minded to explore new concepts, which integrate science and and spirituality. This can be difficult since most belief systems are defined for people through one’s culture and upbringing.
Metaphysics is also a large area of study with many specialized areas where individuals teach or work. These include careers in Natural Medicine such as homeopathy, Energy Medicine like Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Reiki, scientific evaluation, Astrology, Astronomy, Numerology, Chiropractic care, and various spiritual practices.
4. Does it take special skills to be in this profession?
It does not take special skills to be a seeker of your own truth. However, if you intend to work with others in this profession, you should practice having integrity, keeping harmony within yourself, being comfortable speaking and teaching others, and have humanitarian qualities of spirit. You should have a desire to seek out answers to questions that relate to something greater than yourself. You should be neutral and open to learning. Judgment should only be considered in a way that you can release what is not good for you and accept what is good for you. You will be able to tell this by how you are feeling emotionally. However, critical judgment that deals with humiliating a subject or person, can offer you a limiting experience of self and universal exploration. It may be helpful to have a strong background in one of the following, Social Science, Quantum Physics, Philosophy, Theology or Psychology, Physiology, Natural Medicine, Education/Teaching, Communications, Library Sciences, Anthropology, any study that offers a great deal of exposure to concepts/ideals concerning the state of the world we live in and our relationship to it and ourselves.
5. Do you work alone in this profession or with a team?
I work with a limited number of people in this profession, who can be considered a team. It is a network of people.
In summary: Metaphysics explores the fundamental nature of reality, attempting to understand the underlying principles that govern existence and our understanding of it.