The Matrix tells the story of humanity tricked into thinking that they live in a vast computer-generated virtual reality that is created by satient machines. The virtual world is set in late 20th century. The main character, a hacker named Neo, took the Red Pill in order to see the world as it truly is.
The Matrix is a modern day cave allegory of Plato. We see the world, and ourselves, based on information that comes through our senses, not necessarily reality. The prisoners in Plato’s allegory thought the world contained only the shadows projected onto the wall that faced them because they’re chained and the shadows were the only things they ever saw.
In a sense we also live in The Matrix, although not necessarily in the same way as presented in the film. Instead of a virtual reality made from ones and zeros, our Matrix is constructed, at least in a major way, from the bundles of beliefs and ideas that govern how we move through, perceive, and experience life, both internally and externally.
Many assumptions disguise themselves as beliefs and are experienced as personal knowledge. These disguised assumptions often take the form of “should” statements. For example, many of us believe that in order to be a valuable person, we should get a good job, which means we should get a good degree from a good school. We also believe that we should have a romantic relationship, marriage, mortgage, kids, etc. at various milestones. All these beliefs determine what we do, don’t do, say, and don’t say, and pretty much create the lives that each person experiences.
Most of these beliefs lie deep in our subconscious that we may not even recognize their presence. Yet they run our lives and pretty much determine how happy or unhappy we are. These beliefs determine our perceived reality, just like the simulated reality world in The Matrix.
Our beliefs comprise our reality, our life, and our world.
Our work of life is to become aware of those beliefs, evaluate them, and release (let go of) or reprogram them if they are illusory. When we release or reprogram our false beliefs, we see the world as it truly is, not seen through a distorted lense. That’s like taking the Red Pill in The Matrix.
Except that in our case, taking the Red Pill wakes us up, sets us free, and gives us bliss. Whereas taking the Red Pill in the movie put Neo in a post-apocalyptic world.
For example, I used to believe strongly, or rather I used to KNOW that I needed to be all those things to be valued as a person, for example having a college degree, getting a highly respectable job, and climbing the corporate ladder.
Although I’m very blessed and happy to have my degree, my work, and professional achievements, I now see that the connection between my value or sufficiency as a human being and all the things I thought I needed to obtain or achieve is just my belief and the society’s. But the belief or assumption about that connection has completely shaped my life and how I value myself.
I now wish to release the connection between my personal worth and material or professional achievements. The new belief I want to instill is that I am good enough and I deserve love, simply because I exist. Relying on external circumstances to demonstrate my worth, as a very wise person pointed out, would subject me to their whims and fluctuations, which can be unreliable and unstable.
And so are you. You are valued, and you are enough, simply because you exist.
This new belief might evolve into that I’m happy and content just because I exist, and it doesn’t even matter whether I’m “valuable”, “good”, or “enough.” I don’t mean to suggest that I’m quitting my job to wander the world. Although I love my job and I am grateful for my life situations, I don’t need to define my self worth with them.
What are the beliefs that may be running your life? Can you imagine how your life would differ if you released the connection between your self worth and these bundles of beliefs?
Time Travel Rescue 