Chapter 45

Caught In The Matrix?

 

In the last chapter, I referenced Romans 12:2, which reads:  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I like to use this passage when I help humans determine whether or not they’re “caught in the Matrix.” In the movie The Matrix, Neo’s teacher tries to help him understand what the Matrix is, by saying, “It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.”
                Neo counters, “What truth?”
                “That you are a slave, Neo,” says Morpheus. “Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind. Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.”
                That part was always challenging for me. I thought, What does he mean you have to “see it for yourself”? It took me a while to understand what he was talking about.
                Slowly, but surely, I began to see it for myself.
                I realized that most people are slaves. They’re slaves to something outside of themselves. They’ve accepted the life-program of “keeping up with the Kardashians.” They hallucinate, If I could just be like the rich and famous people on television, then I’d feel content!
                They become trapped in the never-ending cycles of the Matrix. They wake-up via alarm clock each morning, to go to jobs they dislike, to purchase “things” they don’t really need, to impress people they barely know. Most people are on auto-pilot, and they’ve just accepted their “life-program.” They experience no true freedom—no true joy.

Some humans are trapped in the Matrix of their own religious indoctrination.  They accept the “program” offered by their parents or “church folk,” and spend their lives as slaves to these programs.
                My life-experience indicates that true freedom and joy comes from non-attachment to “the things of this world.” You can find real joy in the laughter of a baby, the affection of your dog, the beauty of a sunset, the transformation of a life, or an act of kindness. You’ll begin to experience the highest quality of life when you can learn to appreciate the “simple things.”
                Jesus, in Matthew 19:24, explains this idea:  “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” In other words, if you want to experience the sensation that your soul longs for—you must eliminate your belief that material things (of this world) will satisfy its
cravings.

Simplicity satisfies the soul. Healthy expressions of “unconditional love” satisfy the soul. Forgiveness satisfies the soul. Laughter satisfies the soul. Giving satisfies the soul. Gratitude satisfies the soul. Soul growth satisfies the soul.
                Those “caught in the Matrix” are stuck in the illusory world. They’re trying to satisfy the never-ending hungers of the flesh—or the ego.
                The Matrix is the world of distraction and deception.
                Everything in the Matrix is designed to distract you from God’s simple truths. It deceives you into believing that the “yearning” you seek to fill can be achieved through the temporary thrills of the material world.
                The Matrix is where “the devil” lives; it’s home to all seven deadly sins:  anger, greed, lust, pride, envy, gluttony, and sloth. Humans become entangled in any number of these “sins” and it destroys lives. It’s also destroying the planet.
                Those “caught in the Matrix” are subjected to a number of other different “dis-es,” including:  disappointment, disapproval (of the self and others), disarray, disaster, disbelief, disclaimers, disclosures, discomfort, disconnect, discord, discouragement, discredit, discrepancies, discreetness, discrimination, disdain, disenchantment, disengagement, disgrace, disgruntlement, disguise, disgust, disharmony, dis-heartenment, dishonesty, dishonor, disillusionment, dis-ingenuousness, disinformation, disinterest, dislike, disloyalty, disobedience, disorder, disorientation, displeasure, distortion, disrespect, disputes, disregard, dissatisfaction, dissension, dis-symmetry, distaste, distress, distrust, disturbances, and disunity.
                Hollywood and reality television paint beautiful pictures of humans “caught in the Matrix.” It’s full of characters that are attached to the illusory things of the material world. They’ll do any number of strange things to protect their image (and their ego).
                Lying, cheating, stealing, drama, gossip, drugs, sex, scandal and rage are all “constants” in the Matrix. The focus is always on the self; it’s always about finding that next “temporary high,” in whatever form it presents itself.
                Most Americans are still “asleep in the Matrix.” They live their lives unconsciously. They tend to be reactors—reacting to the events that show up in their lives. As you begin to “wake-up” from the bondage that is the Matrix, you become a conscious creator—creating the events of your life.
                Your priorities begin shifting. You’re no longer concerned about selfish ambition; your joy now comes from selfless service. You begin to cultivate the kingdom of God within you. You realize how wonderful it is. You begin to share your experience with others; you “become the teacher.” Your new passion becomes “waking-up the dreamers.” You begin to pull them out of the Matrix. You’re on the verge of creating The Nice Life.
                The Nice Life? What’s that?
                Proceed to the next chapter.
                My Truth says ... if “caught in the Matrix,” you’re like a hamster running on a wheel. You’re just going to exhaust yourself, and you’ll never get to that place of pure “soul-satisfaction.” It’s time to wake-up.
                What does Your Truth say?

Morpheus: I imagine that right now, you're feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole?

Neo: You could say that.

Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?

Neo: No.

Morpheus: Why not?

Neo: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.

Morpheus: I know exactly what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Neo: The Matrix.

Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?

Neo: Yes.

Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

Neo: What truth?

Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind. Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember: all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more.

(Taken from the movie The Matrix.)