The topic of "ultimate reality" or "deeper reality" is necessarily multi-faceted, with enquirers approaching the subject from diverse perspectives. Some conceptualize the subject in the context of the physical realm, pondering deeper aspects of the world that lie beyond our current scientific understanding. Others may choose to focus on comprehensive metaphysical systems that contain the observable world only as apart. Still others approach the subject from religious perspectives that range from mythical views of the universe to traditional religious perspectives that identify the ultimate reality as God or the Absolute.

The subject is so broad, and the literature so dynamic, that any bibliography is necessarily less than exhaustive. Nonetheless, this is a wide-ranging bibliography comprising over 2000 citations. It serves as a rich and timesaving point of departure for future research on the topic of Ultimate Reality. It is published in an open format so that it may be constantly updated to include new information from various disciplines and the most recent findings in science. To facilitate access to the appropriate information, the compilation entries are topically categorized.

The compilation was completed at the end of 2001. It is now available through the website of Canyon Institute for Advanced Studies, and is expected to be available as well in the near future on the website of the John Templeton Foundation, whose support has made this project possible.