Samsara: A Cinematic Meditation

 

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Samsara is the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation envisioned in Hinduism and other Indian religions. In Hindu and Buddhist practice, samsara is the endless cycle of life and death from which adherents seek liberation. In Hinduism, the prominent belief is that samsara is a feature of a life based on illusion (maya). Illusion enables a person to think s/he is an autonomous being instead of recognizing the connection between one's self and the rest of reality. Believing in the illusion of separateness that persists throughout samsara leads one to act in ways that generate karma and thus perpetuate the cycle of action and rebirth. By fully grasping the unity or oneness of all things, the believer has the potential to break the illusion upon which samsara is based and achieve moksha—liberation from samsara.

This short, deeply illuminating film eschews dialogue and traditional narrative techniques. Instead, it uses striking visuals and music to take us on an emotional exploration of the world around us — and of the oft-unseen cause and effect behind things we usually take for granted.Shot over five years in 25 different countries, it’s a surprisingly affecting film — not just for the glorious images it presents, but for the darkness and hope it exudes as well.