Life is a Dream

One Whirls and turns, pines in sore pain in this false dream world, till at last the sleeper in his soft bed wakes up, the bad dream ends, one feels relieved, untouched, free as the pure white screen. Such freedom is Self-Knowledge.

• Sir Ramana Maharshi

In some religions like Hinduism, the concept that life is like a dream is closely related to the idea of Maya, which refers to the illusory nature of the material world. According to Hindu philosophy, reality is multifaceted and transcends the physical realm. The material world, including our experiences and perceptions, is considered temporary and ultimately unreal when compared to the ultimate reality, known as Brahman.

Just as in a dream, where we perceive things that seem real but are actually projections of our mind, Hindu philosophy suggests that the world we experience in waking life is also an illusion created by the ego-mind. This illusion, or Maya, causes us to perceive the world as separate from ourselves and to become attached to material things and experiences.

However, Hinduism teaches that beneath the illusion of Maya lies the ultimate reality of Brahman, which is eternal, unchanging, and infinite. The goal of spiritual practice in Hinduism is to transcend Maya and realize one's true nature as part of Brahman. This realization leads to liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara) and a profound sense of unity with all existence.

The idea that life is like a dream in Hinduism suggests that the material world is illusory and temporary, and that ultimate reality transcends it. By understanding the nature of Maya and realizing our connection to Brahman, individuals can attain spiritual liberation and awaken to their true nature.