In Kashmir Shavisim, there is this story that explains the concept of Punarjanm (re-birth) and Aatma.

Gold is often repurposed and exhibits various qualities in every form it takes. In the first life, it probably took the form of a necklace, in the next, earrings, and perhaps in the third, a bracelet. In all these three births, the forms is still that of gold. But the bracelet has warped its mind around the beauty of its current form and the pleasures it is obtaining from this form, that it has forgotten that it is actually Gold.

These ornaments will continue to be formed and broken, i.e.: one will continue to be trapped in this cycle of re-birth until one recognizes this Gold in oneself (attains self-realization).