The most important lessons you can learn from watching the movie (documentary) 'The Matrix'

For those of you who don't know me well, I have a confession to make. My favourite film of all time is The Matrix which helps explain why my dog is called Neo! I'll be honest, it would not be an exaggeration to suggest I have seen this movie at least 50 times, and despite this, each time I watch it, I learn new things – there's just so many layers of granularity to it and as I've grown over the years, more and more reveals itself to me.

But what is The Matrix all about anyway and why do I love it so much?

Well, some people will tell you that The Matrix is a science-fiction film released in 1999 that tells the story of a dystopian world where humans live in a simulated reality created by sentient machines. The film, directed by the Wachowski's, is a classic that has been widely celebrated for its ground-breaking special effects, engaging plot, and thought-provoking themes. Over the years, The Matrix gained a massive cult-like following, and it's widely regarded as one of the best science fiction films ever made.

But is it really just a film? Because on the other side of the coin, there are those who believe The Matrix is more like a documentary. But the question is, why would people think that?

If you've never watched it, it's hard to grasp the sheer power of the storyline, especially the words of wisdom dispensed by Neo's mentor, Morpheus. Essentially, as Neo wakes up to the stark reality of being trapped in a computer-generated dream world which keeps him unconscious and asleep, Morpheus helps Neo to awaken to his true power and the divinity within.

One of the powerful messages is the aspect of duality – the machines invest a lot of energy in keeping humans in a state of fear as they realised they're easier to manipulate and control, plus their fear provides an unlimited source of energy to feed them.

Some argue there's a strong parallel with this and the impact mainstream media and its constant messages of negativity has on us. And whilst it may not necessarily lead to people being 'controlled' or used as a food source, surely it just doesn't make people feel particularly good about themselves if they're exposed to an hour or two of fear-inducing news every day?

The contrast to fear of course, is love – and that's a major theme in the movie as Neo and Trinity fall for one another – helping to give Neo courage in facing the agents within the Matrix itself.

Then there's the subject of agents which feature so heavily within the film. Neo is brought face-to-face with agent Smith and his many other agent accomplices who can magically occupy any other person's body within the Matrix at any time.

Some suggest there's two layers to this – the first is that in life there are many agents who operate in the course of our lives. Sure, we're all familiar with estate agents who act as agents on our behalf when we sell a property, but when you start to look deeper into the ways of the world, so many roles fall ultimately under the remit of an 'agent.'

In fact, so widespread is the topic of agents, its way beyond the scope of this blog post to go into it in any detail, but suffice to say, look around you and see how many people and professions are acting as agents.

When we look at the second layer, which is agents occupying the bodies of others, we can see a classic example of this during the pandemic. Frequently agent Smith and his associates would occupy the bodies of others and lambast those who were not following the covid rules or the mainstream view. It wasn't necessarily government agents or the police who enforced things – it was everyday men and women who chose to act out against those who they felt were not acting appropriately. Families were torn apart and friendships ruined because of differences in opinion over precautionary measures and the all-important topic of vaccines.

Regardless of whether you agreed or didn't agree with the rules or restrictions, this scenario highlights a a very strong parallel between real life and the movie itself.

Anyway, back to the contrast of fear and love. To get into things a little more, let's briefly explore the work of Dr David Hawkins who wrote the book Power vs. Force. In summary, Hawkins argued that human consciousness was always operating on a scale – from base level or lower-level emotions such as fear, hate, anger, resentment, and pride – to higher conscious emotions such as joy, happiness, acceptance, peace, courage, and love.

When operating at the lower end of the scale, the human being is disempowered and easily manipulated by others, but when operating at the higher end of the scale, the results are the opposite.

Again, you can see in The Matrix the unfolding of Neo's power when he switches from fearing the agents, to having the courage to stand and fight, whilst feeling empowered by the love he shares with Trinity. With this in mind, it's worth asking ourselves where we're operating out of fear, or other lower-level emotions, and where we're operating in our lives out of courage, love, joy, and other higher-level emotions. Because the impact of these emotions can affect every area of our lives – from our health and relationships, to our overall wealth and success in business or our careers.

That aside, here are some of what I think are the most important lessons you can learn from watching The Matrix:

• 1.The Power Of Perception: One of the key themes is the power of perception. The film explores how our perception of reality shapes our understanding of the world around us. It challenges us to question what we consider to be true and to consider the possibility that there may be more to reality than meets the eye.
  
  
• 2.The Importance Of Critical Thinking: Another key lesson is the importance of critical thinking. The film encourages us to question everything, including the information we receive from authority figures and the media. This is a reminder that we must always be vigilant and use our own critical thinking skills to determine the truth. Over the last few years, I can tell you from first-hand experience how downright wrong some of our most closely held beliefs are.
  
  
• 3.The Dangers Of Complacency: The Matrix shows how easy it is for people to become complacent and to accept the status quo, even if it is a false reality doing more harm than good to people. This is a warning to all of us to avoid becoming too comfortable and to always question the world around us. Could there be a more fitting parallel with the state of the property market and the time it takes for people to move home?
  
  
• 4.The Power Of Choice: One of the most powerful messages in The Matrix is the power of choice. The film reminds us that we have the power to choose our own destiny and that we are the ones who determine our own fate. It encourages us to take control of our lives and to make choices that will lead us to a better future.
  
  
• 5.The Value Of Self-Discovery: Finally, The Matrix encourages us to embark on a journey of self-discovery. It shows that the path to true happiness and fulfilment begins with a deep understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

I hope you can see the importance of the themes within the film not only having an impact on our daily lives but can help us to change our filters on how we see the world, which may allow us to break out of unconscious thought patterns and change our lives (and businesses) for the better.

In conclusion, The Matrix is a film that has left a lasting impact on audiences around the world. Its thought-provoking themes, engaging characters, and stunning visuals have made it a classic that will be remembered for generations to come. And despite the fact that the latest Matrix movie, Resurrections, was met with poor reviews, in my opinion the main themes in this movie went deeper still than the original, so it's also well worth a watch.

I believe that by watching The Matrix, you can learn important lessons about the power of perception, the importance of critical thinking, the dangers of complacency, the power of choice, and the value of self-discovery. Whether you're a fan of science fiction or simply appreciate a good story, The Matrix is a film that should not be missed.

I guarantee if you watch it with an open mind (maybe more than once), you'll become a fan! And if this movie resonates with you as much as it does with me, let's talk!