I really love the Matrix movies (PG-13 version). One of my favorite parts is the last part of the first movie. Neo, the main character, played by Keanu Reeves, gets shot and killed while in the “matrix”, which is a virtual reality (which pretty much everyone thinks IS reality). Earlier in the movie, he’s told that if you get killed in the matrix, you really die. Essentially, they explained that if the mind, which is buying into the reality of the matrix, “dies” or believes that you’ve been killed, your body will not survive. However, Neo manages to rise above the illusion of the matrix. He comes back to life and sees the matrix as it really is, which is just computer code. He was able to defeat the bad guys, which were nothing more than computer code also. Then at the very end, he flies through the sky like Superman, because he is able to use the matrix to his advantage. It’s not that he gained control of the matrix at this point, but that he stopped being a victim of it.
Movies like this can almost question your understanding of and grip on reality. Is reality simply a perception or is it a truth that is independent of what we believe about it? I believe the answer is yes, or in other words, both are true. Truth does exist. There is a “reality” that is independent of anyone’s beliefs. I believe that God created man, not vice versa. However, within the realm of truth, there is a universe of possibilities. Our thoughts, actions and emotions are very real energies, which impact the universe, especially as it applies to our own experience. Are you a victim of your reality? To a certain extent (to a large extent, according to some people), you created that reality. You then become a victim of yourself. I’m not saying that you have consciously chosen to have the life that you do (hopefully you did), but you certainly had an impact on it.
You’re probably familiar with the story of the blind men and the elephant. Several blind men encountered an elephant for the first time. Each one came into contact with a different part of the elephant. So each one described the elephant differently. Although their descriptions varied widely, each one was correct since it described a specific part of the elephant. Obviously the blind men didn’t create the elephant. Life/reality is like the elephant. It’s bigger than any one of us. Our perceptions of the universe can vary widely depending on our point of view. Let’s take the story of the elephant a step further. What if the blind men changed positions to feel a different part of the elephant? Of course, their understanding of the elephant would have changed significantly. If there was an emotional response to the initial understanding of the elephant, that reaction would have changed. If we approach life from a different angle, our perception of it will change. Thus our reality will change. To the extent that we control our reality, having a greater understanding empowers us further and helps us see new possibilities.
I’ve heard it said that no two people read the same book or watch the same movie. They see it from different perspectives. So the meaning will be different for each person. To a certain extent, life is what you see it as. The greatest secret to happiness that I’ve found is gratitude. There are always things in your life to be grateful for. It can always get worse. If you’re going through a really difficult time, I don’t mean to seem callous or uncaring. Find whatever is good in your life and express gratitude for it. Not only will your perception of reality shift, but your life will start to improve as well. You can also use the Emotion Code or other means to clear some of the emotional baggage of the past. Going forward though, look for and find the joy!
Dr. Whittaker's Blog 