Wisdom of the Movies: How ‘The Matrix’ Embodies Ancient Philosophies.

Of Science Fiction, the Universe, Truth, and Possibilities.

Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t yet seen the 1999 movie, the Matrix, you may wish to return to this post after watching the movie.

Need a reason to watch it? It’s significant enough to be preserved in the United States National Film Registry (Library of Congress) for being "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant."

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Watching ‘The Matrix’ again recently, I was struck by the philosophies underlying the movie that reflect ancient wisdom.

In this take, I’ve illustrated, wrapped in the movie’s story, the teachings of ancient texts, as interpreted by long-ago teachers, reflecting on the nature of the Universe and the purpose of human life, outlined as timeless truths by enlightened ones.

Have a different perspective? Share it!

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The world is not as it seems. It is an illusion.

Millions are living their lives without an awareness of the Self under the illusion that what they see, experience, eat, reflect, and enjoy is Real.

But it is not.

In fact, it is a manufactured reality. By the Unseen.

Each person experiences it according to their previous programming, actions, and imprints created by their mind in bondage.

In effect, all of the individuals are in a sleep state, dreaming, and assuming that what they are experiencing in the dream is reality.

What if they knew that it was a dream?

A dream state they have lived in for years—assuming their relationships, environments, and challenges are real, when in fact, nothing is real or as it seems.

Once the illusion shatters, the individual becomes aware of the Observer and the Observed within their own selves, and their true growth as a human being begins.

But how do they awaken from the dream state?

When the right teacher arrives, or when their Observer Self awakens the need in them to become curious about their world, and question what they are experiencing.

If not this, then what?¹

Is This That?²

What is That?

Who is the Self? One that sleeps, or one who has been awakened?

Who the Observer, who the Observed?

Who am I? The Observer, or the Observed ? Or ‘the One’?

Now that I am awake, I see truly for the first time.

All beings are asleep, dreaming, living in the Unreal and assuming it is Real.

Some cannot free their minds from this contradiction, and so let them sleep.

For it is not yet time to awaken them from the dream.

Search instead for ‘the One’ who is ready to awaken at the lightest touch, and aim to be free.

What does the mind believe?

Is the spoon matter, or an unreal concept ?

If unreal, then the spoon can be bent—but it is not the spoon that bends; it is the mind that becomes free to know that it can bend a metal spoon.

How?

Believe that it is all unreal. It is manufactured. It is attachment.

If the mind believes that it is all unreal, then spoons can be bent.

Bullets cannot harm you.

When the teacher awakens you, you realize that what is Real is unknown, and too often, what is unreal, is easily believed.

First, free the mind. Know the Real from the unreal.

Even if it confuses you at first.

Even if the blue pill seems to be the comfortable choice, seeking the red pill is the right choice.

Even if, at times, your mind wishes to return to the blue pill world of safety, comfort, and dreams, where you feel secure in the only world you know.

But would you prefer to live in a dream state, where you are chained to the limited?

What if red is for real, not danger?

To be awake, not asleep in a false reality?

What if, when awake, you see the teacher and those who are also awake, standing with you in the real dimension?

What if you reach a profound Truth?

Awake, you can solve problems at a different level of understanding.

Awake, you can protect others from harm.

Awake, you can rescue others by bending spoons and moving faster than anyone can imagine.

Awake, you are no longer subdued. Or afraid.

Awake, you no longer fear any challenge.

For your mind and soul are free, and you now know that the challenge is not real.

So, it is not insurmountable, even if it changes form and state.

You are greater than your challenge and the varied attempts to keep you in a dream state.

You refuse to return to it, now that you are awake.

Unafraid of any challenge, you have realized this simple truth:

To solve the challenge and free others, you need to be awake and free.

Awake, you can fly.

When you fly, you are free to be your true Self.

One with That Which Is.

Recognizing That Which Is Not.

In doing so, you become the One who is at peace with your Self.

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Hope you enjoyed it!

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1. An ancient teaching method imparted to a seeker of Brahman is to ask, ‘If not this, then what?’ or apply the principle of ‘Neti, Neti,’ meaning ‘Not this, Not that.’ Read this exploration of what forms the basis of Herman Hesse’s classic ‘Siddhartha’ which may be helpful.

2. Om Tat Sat (Sanskrit) means ‘That Which Is,’ or that ‘It Exists’ or ‘The Absolute Reality Simply Is.’

This is a fundamental truth shared in the Gita.

Om represents the transcendental sound of oneness in the Universe; Tat signifies Truth/That/Is; and Sat denotes Goodness.

Together, they suggest that ‘God Is’ or ‘Truth Is.’

Another version is found in the ancient Upanishads - ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ - ‘That Which Is’ or ‘Truth That Is’ reflecting on the formless Brahman.

The formless reality or ‘Brahman’ simply ‘Is’ untouched by any impurity in the Universe, pervading, but not being pervaded by anything, and unknowable by the attached mind. Thus,

‘All that is Goodness and Truth is Manifest as the Absolute Reality in the Universe.’