Saṃsāra is a concept that is common to most dharmic philosophies and religions. Commonly, it is believed that we reincarnate into physical bodies in a cycle of Saṃsāra until we achieve liberation.
My philosophy is that just as the jiva (the ego self) sleeps and dreams, each dream being analogical incarnation, the Ātman "dreams" each incarnation of the jiva in Maya.
In a lucid dream, the jiva realizes s/he is dreaming within the dream, can control many aspects of the dream, and can wake up from the dream at any time one wishes. As I see it, this is not dissimilar from the relationship between the jiva and the Ātman, where once the jiva realizes s/he is in Maya, a "dream" of the Ātman, s/he, though meditation or a spontaneous mystical experience, can awaken from Maya, or control aspects of Maya.
I think that the jiva who doesn't realize Maya, or awakens from Maya, remains in Saṃsāra until one realizes the jiva is not his/her true self, just as the jiva in a dream who doesn't realize s/he is dreaming remains in the dream. As I see it, Maya is an illusory "dream" of the Ātman. While we perceive a physical reality, this is an illusion of Maya, therefore, rather than being reincarnated into a physical body as we might think, we are simply starting a new "dream."
Opinions? Thought? Scathing criticism?
*I'm placing this in the Dharmic DIR with the presumption that this will remain a civilized discussion, but I wouldn't be opposed to moving this to Same Faith Debates if someone wishes to debate. If you do intend to debate, please drop me a PM and I'll move the thread.
My philosophy is that just as the jiva (the ego self) sleeps and dreams, each dream being analogical incarnation, the Ātman "dreams" each incarnation of the jiva in Maya.
In a lucid dream, the jiva realizes s/he is dreaming within the dream, can control many aspects of the dream, and can wake up from the dream at any time one wishes. As I see it, this is not dissimilar from the relationship between the jiva and the Ātman, where once the jiva realizes s/he is in Maya, a "dream" of the Ātman, s/he, though meditation or a spontaneous mystical experience, can awaken from Maya, or control aspects of Maya.
I think that the jiva who doesn't realize Maya, or awakens from Maya, remains in Saṃsāra until one realizes the jiva is not his/her true self, just as the jiva in a dream who doesn't realize s/he is dreaming remains in the dream. As I see it, Maya is an illusory "dream" of the Ātman. While we perceive a physical reality, this is an illusion of Maya, therefore, rather than being reincarnated into a physical body as we might think, we are simply starting a new "dream."
Opinions? Thought? Scathing criticism?
*I'm placing this in the Dharmic DIR with the presumption that this will remain a civilized discussion, but I wouldn't be opposed to moving this to Same Faith Debates if someone wishes to debate. If you do intend to debate, please drop me a PM and I'll move the thread.