The concept of a tripartite structure, divided into lower, middle, and upper realms, has been a recurring theme across various philosophies, spiritual traditions, and societal models. Whether in terms of cosmic organization, human social systems, or the inner workings of the mind and spirit, this three-tiered structure reflects an inherent order that seems to pervade existence on multiple levels.
Lower, Middle, and Upper Realms in Philosophy and Religion
1. Chinese Culture (Taoism and Confucianism)
In Taoist philosophy, the universe is understood as existing in harmony between the earthly realm (Di), the human realm (Ren), and the heavenly realm (Tian). Each realm is interdependent, representing a flow between the mundane, the human, and the divine. This mirrors the path to spiritual enlightenment, where one moves from base desires and struggles (lower) through human ethics and personal development (middle), toward ultimate unity with the Tao (upper). Confucianism, too, focuses on cultivating virtue in the human realm, creating balance between heaven, earth, and human life.
2. Christianity
In Christian theology, existence is often understood in three broad levels Heaven (upper), Earth (middle), and Hell (lower). Heaven represents the divine and the ultimate destination for the righteous, Earth is where humans live and make moral choices, while Hell is the realm of punishment and separation from God. This cosmology reflects spiritual progression, from a fallen state (lower) toward salvation and unity with the divine (upper), with Earth as the testing ground for the soul’s journey.
3. Hinduism
Hindu cosmology outlines three worlds or realms: the physical (Bhurloka), the mental or astral (Bhuvarloka), and the spiritual or heavenly (Svarloka). This triadic model reflects a journey of the soul from earthly existence (lower) through inner consciousness and karma (middle), toward moksha or liberation (upper), in alignment with the ultimate reality, Brahman.
4. Buddhism
Buddhism teaches about different realms of existence within the cycle of Samsara, often categorized into lower realms (animal, hungry ghosts, hell), human realms (middle), and higher realms (devas, gods). Each realm represents different states of suffering and consciousness, and the ultimate goal is to transcend them all through enlightenment, reaching Nirvana, which could be seen as moving beyond the realms altogether.
5. Plato and the Great Chain of Being
In Platonic philosophy, the Great Chain of Being categorizes all of existence into hierarchical levels from the lowest (inanimate objects) through humans (middle), to higher spiritual beings (angels, gods) and the ultimate form of the Good. This reflects an aspirational journey from ignorance to wisdom, paralleling other religious and philosophical systems that suggest upward movement toward truth and enlightenment.
Society & A Reflection of the Cosmic Structure
Human society has historically mirrored this metaphysical structure, with the division of classes into lower, middle, and upper. These divisions, while often tied to material wealth and power, also echo philosophical ideas of progression, development, and aspiration.
1. Lower Class
In society, the lower class often represents those struggling with basic needs and survival, similar to the lower realms in spiritual traditions where beings are bound by base desires, suffering, or ignorance. This class often deals with the physical and emotional challenges of existence, striving to overcome limitations.
2. Middle Class
The middle class mirrors the human realm of ethical decision-making, education, and personal development. Like the middle realm in spiritual teachings, the middle class represents a transitional space where individuals work toward bettering themselves and their circumstances, balancing material success with moral and social responsibilities.
3. Upper Class
The upper class can be seen as those who hold wealth, power, or status, paralleling the higher realms or spiritual heights of existence. However, just as in spiritual cosmologies, the upper class also faces unique challenges: in many systems, attachment to wealth or power can prevent true spiritual liberation, suggesting that material success alone does not equate to higher wisdom or enlightenment.
The Tripartite Structure Across Realms
This three-tiered system extends beyond philosophy and society into multiple facets of life:
1. Physical
The lower, middle, and upper levels can be seen in physical reality as the material world, the realm of action and creation, and the spiritual domain. Our physical bodies exist on the lower level, while our ability to create and transform the world lies in the middle, with our spiritual connection forming the uppermost layer of physical experience.
2. Mental
Mentally, the lower realm is associated with basic instincts and survival, the middle realm with intellectual development and thought, and the upper realm with higher consciousness and wisdom. Human development often moves through these stages, from base cognition to self-awareness and higher thinking.
3. Emotional
On the emotional level, the lower realm can represent base emotions like fear and anger, while the middle involves complex emotions such as empathy and love, and the upper realm encompasses states of peace, joy, and enlightenment.
4. Spiritual
Spiritually, the lower realm reflects a focus on self and material attachments, the middle represents personal growth and ethical living, and the upper realm points to enlightenment, divine connection, or transcendence of the ego.
5. Financial
Financially, society often reflects this tripartite structure, the lower class deals with basic needs and survival, the middle class focuses on stability and growth; and the upper class has access to wealth and power but may grapple with the burden of maintaining it. Wealth does not guarantee fulfillment, much like in spiritual teachings where attachment to worldly goods hinders transcendence.
6. Managerial/Organizational
In organizations, this hierarchy is seen in lower-level workers who perform the essential tasks, middle management that facilitates operations and communication, and upper management or executives who shape the vision and strategy. Each level plays a necessary role, much like how the spiritual and social realms require balance and integration to function harmoniously.
Unified Cosmic Tapestry
Across all these domains, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, societal, and organisational, the tripartite structure reflects a unified cosmic tapestry. Each part, whether it be lower, middle, or upper, is interconnected, just as Kai in the previous story realized all threads of existence ultimately weave together into a single design. Whether we are talking about class structures, stages of spiritual enlightenment, or mental and emotional development, each level has its purpose, and all contribute to the whole.
Nothing is inherently “wrong” or “right”; instead, the distinctions between lower, middle, and upper realms offer different experiences, each necessary for the progression and evolution of the individual and the collective. Just as society needs balance between all classes, the universe requires the interplay of all levels to function in harmony.