Excellent. From definition of Simulacrum in wiki I quote “Nietzsche addresses the concept of simulacrum (but does not use the term) in the Twilight of the Idols, suggesting that most philosophers, by ignoring the reliable input of their senses and resorting to the constructs of language and reason, arrive at a distorted copy of reality.”

You are reaching ‘just near the reality’ when you described it as Silence (however the universe is included in it) with universe in the moment. When you described it as emptiness between perception and thoughts. When you wish to ‘see’ it as it is. All these are coming out from depth of your heart or from centre of your being because in a real seeker the longing keeps giving him hints.
Two people meet during sex but still there is a gap between the two. To know the other these both must get dissolved into one, which happens during synchronicity, that is beyond both ie the third/reality. We all are one at that level only.
So mind takes you very near but one has to learn not to ignore the reliable input from the senses specially ears and eyes. It is through them you experience reality by getting dissolved into it (as you described clearly in this article).
The mind distorts everything and this is why you doubt nothingness. It is good to doubt first. But it must lead you on the path to search that which is. It should not be a conclusion.
The way to reality is through silence (as it happens when two person first time experience Love) or heart or meditation or no-mind. You may like to visit my linktree in bio for more and connect with me on social media platforms.
My post on my blog for more in detail about META from my experience. http://philosia.in/2021/12/30/the-world-is-already-a-metaverse-we-need-to-come-out-of-it-instead/