Ancient Indian philosophy did not treat consciousness simply as a product of the physical body. Its concept of Ātman points toward a deeper question: is consciousness fundamental to reality itself? By examining Ātman, Prāṇa, energy and modern ideas of consciousness, we can explore an intriguing philosophical possibility without confusing ancient metaphysics with modern physics.

Could the ancient Indian concept of Māyā and the modern Simulation Hypothesis be asking the same fundamental question: is reality really what we experience it to be? Their similarities are fascinating, but their differences may be even more important. This article explores Māyā, Advaita Vedānta, simulation theory, consciousness and the limits of the comparison.