There is a distinct difference between the condition of mind we experience called "fear" and the "Sansara Bhaya". The normal fear stems from an anxiety born in an ego-centered mind that oneself and those associated with oneself may be subject to suffering. Fear stems from a sense of insecurity about the future. There is also the fear of the unknown. The lower existences such as animals too experience fear.

"Sansara Bhaya" is a profound experience borne in minds that have greater depths of understanding than the ordinary mundane minds. The ordinary minds are drifted away aimlessly by the incessant craving borne of sense impressions, looking for little pleasure here and there. (Ya Yam Tanha Ponobhavika, Nandiraga Sahagatha tatra tatrabhinandini). Their minds are not open to observe the process of life as they get drifted away, pre-occupied with their mundane needs.

When we cease to drift away, when the mind becomes silent, freed of agitations, then we momentarily experience the "Sansara Bhaya." Few such situations are given below.

a) We are reminded that neither the beginning of life nor the end can be seen. When we are born, the same process of ageing, illness and death continue. We have experienced the same suffering millions of times and carry with us the potential to continue to suffer. In order to impress on the longevity of Sansara and the associated sufferings, Buddha said that the tears shed by one person over the death of his own parents and children in endless lives could equal the waters in the ocean.

2. We cannot fathom the Kammic energy we have accumulated and stored over endless births, which can spring up any moment, given the right environment.

Hence, there is total uncertainty about the future. We cannot predict the events of our lives which may occur in the next moment.

c) The speed at which everything around us changes can be frightening. The speed at which our bodies change, the movements of sub-atomic particles the body is made of, can perhaps be measured. But the speed of change of the mind cannot be measured. We tend to observe this movement only when we attempt to take charge of our thoughts in deep meditation. It dawns on us that we are passive observers of a continuous movement and change, over which we have little control. We realise how false and illusory our sense of security could be and get a feel that we are standing on shifting sand without any firm foundation to place our feet. It is this deep and profound sense of insecurity which Buddha described as "Anicca".

(d) Our inability to see the reality of existence (Yathabhuta) can be a cause of Sansara Bhaya. We are conditioned by trillions of sense impressions that have got embedded in our minds. They suppress our pure intellect and cloud the vision of reality, and pull us down to the ordinary. We see sickness and death all around us, but something within us suggests that sickness and death are for others and not for us. The past impressions which suggest that things around us are pleasurable (Subha), virtually programme our minds to think in a set pattern. Thus the mind at emotional level refuses to accept the true nature of things.

"Sansara Bhaya" is a dynamic concept that can be used with great advantage to propel us to heedfulness without wasting a moment in order to experience the absolute reality (Paramatta Sacca) of existence. We remind ourselves that this wonderful opportunity to access the Dhamma may have perhaps come after a million lives. We do not know when that opportunity will come next.