We have a rule... we never free a mind once it reaches a certain age. … I did what I did It’s dangerous, because I had to. and the mind has trouble letting go ... Welcome to t elcome to the he 13Petals 13 etals.or .org g 2019 2019 Ma Matr trix ix Conf Confer erence! ence!
The Matrix trilogy is a midrashic vehicle that illustrates deep Torah concepts. This presentation is part of the 13petals.org Matrix Expansions Project. www.13petals.org/matrix Online Matrix Conference Chanukah 2019 (December 21-28) FACEBOOK GROUP: www.facebook.com/groups/matrixexpansions
The Matrix trilogy follows the journey of Neo, from the false reality of the Matrix world, back to “ the source ” which pre-existed the Matrix. This parallels the path of our own souls, existing in this present life in the world of concealment (physicality & materialism, since the expulsion from Gan Edan) back to its source, G-d. The “ path back ” for us is ‘ teshuvah, ’ which is defined as a “ return to self. ” This ‘ self ’ made in the “ Image of G-d ” (Genesis 1:26). The Matrix is also a ‘love story’ the divine bride and groom, the soul longing for G -d .
WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF “KNOWING?” The Torah concept of ‘ connecting ’ is ‘ da ’ at ’ which is translated ‘ knowing ’ or ‘ to know. ’ This ‘ knowing ’ is an intimate bond – physical or spiritual. The same term used in Genesis 4:1 is used in Daniel 12:4. The process of our soul returning to the Image of G-d (teshuvah) is a continual one. The concepts reviewed on the next few slides are important to understand regarding this path. These include; 1. The five levels of the soul 2. The worlds of existence 3. The Sefirot: emanations of G-d that exist in us and all creation For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line…
LEVELS OF ‘ INTERNAL ’ CONNECTIVITY The soul is seen as having “ 5 levels. ” We may consider these as five levels of potential development, though few attain more than the first three in this life. NEFESH: The basic soul that is concerned with physical reality RUACH: The level that senses there is more to life and ‘ seeks ’ NESHAMA: The level that makes a valid spiritual connection CHAYA: The level of connecting to other souls and the life-force of creation YECHIDA: Unity with the source, total self-nullification, even via martyrdom Neo ’ s journey is one of attaining these level of the soul.
The Four “ Worlds of Existence ” Each of these is seen as a greater ‘ constriction ’ (tsimtsum) from the source, G-d. The Matrix represents the lowest world of concealment, that we exist in. Examining these from the ‘ lowest to highest ’ worlds within the story line, we have the following relationships: Asiyah (Making) Matrix World = The world of concealment (materialism, consumerism, etc.) Yetzirah (Forming) Program World = The world of angels (which can take form in the world of Asiyah) Beriah (Creating) The Oracle = The world of heavenly powers/forces Atzilut (Nearness) The Architect = Existence outside of the “ created Matrix ” There is a fifth world of pre-existence called Adam Kadmon (Primordial Man). Singularity “before” Genesis 1:1
Matrix Worlds Corresponding With Torah View of Reality Master Chart at http://www.13petals.org/soulchart
EMANATIONS/SEFIROT The characters represent different emanations (Sefirot). As with us, each has all of these emanations within them. The characters all have some that manifest consistently and/or depending on circumstances. Morpheus plays a ‘’ father ” role to Neo and the others (Chokhmah). We also see him as the consummate tzaddik, which is the Sefirah of Yesod. Trinity mainly plays the role of Shekinah/Bride at Malkhut and also acts with the judgment of Gevurah at times. Agent Smith represents the aspect of Gevurah throughout, though as we will learn in a later movie, he is also the ‘ opposite ’ of Neo at Tiferet. The Oracle is Binah ( ‘ mother ’ of the Matrix) though her relationship to Neo shifts as he comes to ‘ know his true self ’ at each level of soul advancement. The Architect (in ‘ Reloaded ’ ) is Chokmah ( ‘ father ’ of the Matrix) while the Merovingian, the “ trafficker of information ” and vain egotist, is at Yesod … or Hod . Keep in mind, the emanations themselves, are ‘ neutral. ’
OTHER CONCEPTS TO KEEP IN MIND – FOR NOW When a person reaches out to heaven, then heaven (Binah/Oracle) replies with exactly what they need at that time. (Including “ unbalancing the equation. ” ) This can be tricky for us to assess. When something goes our way, we view as ‘ good ’ or ‘ positive, ’ at other times we see things as ‘ bad ’ or ‘ negative. ’ In all cases, it is what ‘ heaven ’ decides. Thus, there is, “ no difference between ‘ cursed is Haman ’ and ‘ blessed be Mordechai. ’” Neo is referred to as “ the One ” at different times of the movies, each relating to the level of understanding of the observer(s), as well as Neo ’ s level of advancement. The story takes us from the lowest parts of the physical world “ toward G-d, ” so we ’ re going to encounter changes and new realities and entities on the way. The movie characters are often as confused and in doubt as we can be trying to figure this out! “In the spiritual world, things are not what they seem.” -- Matisyahu
Welcome to the Matrix Movie Now it’s time to free your mind …
THE MOVIE IN 6 SEGMENTS We are breaking up the movie into six parts of approximately the same length: 1. To 21:40 when Neo awakens after being ‘bugged’ by the agents 2. To 46:40 through Morpheus’s explaining to Neo about the first man who freed them 3. To 1:07:10 when they all leave breakfast for Neo to go meet the Oracle 4. To 1:31:30 when they return from the Matrix right after Cypher is killed 5. To 1:53:00 right before Morpheus, Neo and Trinity are about to leave the Matrix and return to the ship via the phone line in the train station 6. To the END. There will be an intermission midway and time for discussion after the movie.
PART 1 OF 6 (UP TO 21:40) WHEN NEO AWAKENS AFTER BEING ‘ BUGGED ’ BY THE AGENTS Neo ’ s job is at ‘ Metacortex ’ (= beyond the brain/intellect). Note the scene with his boss as the window washers “ clear his view. ” Neo hears from Morpheus and is given a task, but fails. He does not give up however, thus ‘ heaven ’ will give him another opportunity. We encounter ‘ agents ’ of the ‘ other side ’ (= Sitra Achra), that challenge Neo and others. These are also “ part of the condition. ” Our task it to properly understand and react. The more Neo moves forward, the more he arouses “ elements of opposition. ” It is critical to understand that these also contribute to his advancement. “ This too is for the good ” (Gam zu letova!)
Through dialogue and action, we’re introduced to multiple characters, each of which will play a role related to Neo and his path. Though Neo exists in the world of concealment (= the Matrix), something has stirred with him to look beyond. This is when a person begins to move from the basic soul level of Nefesh toward that of Ruach. Within his present framework, the first ‘condition’ (test) he is given, is to ‘follow the white rabbit.’ This, and all such tests emanate from ‘heaven’ or as we will come to see, the Oracle. (She inspired Trinity to do this.)
Neo responds to the “small voice,” the line on his computer screen that says, “Follow the white rabbit.” He ‘descends’ into a nightclub where he encounters Trinity. This place may be seen as representing the lowest place of impurity or the “Nefesh of Nefesh.” Trinity is in the role of the Shekinah for Neo, in the world of the Matrix. She is also, Malchut/Kingdom, the ‘first gate’ associated with ‘humility.’ Seek first the Kingdom ( ‘ Malchut ’ ) of G-d, and ALL ( ‘ Yesod ’ and the rest ) will be added to you.
When in the car, he is called ‘Coppertop.’ This ‘battery’ reference is slang for someone who thinks they are ‘free’, but in reality, are not. Neo meets Morpheus who tries to explain that the ‘Matrix world’ is not true reality, to the best Neo is able to understand. He offers to show Neo a glimpse into what is beyond. “ We can never see past the choices we don ’ t understand. ” – The Oracle
PART 2 OF 6 (UP TO 46:40) THROUGH MORPHEUS ’ S EXPLAINING ABOUT THE FIRST MAN WHO FREED THEM Neo is told he is “ the One ” by Morpheus. Not only is Neo clueless as to what this means, but Morpheus ’ own view is limited to “ the choices he can understand, ” at that moment in his life. This will evolve through the movies, with many of the characters making determinations that they later change.
G-d sets all the conditions in our lives. Our response 'determines' what the next will be. Thus we have a hand in 'being in control, in 'creating reality, ’ through faith and action, However to ‘ understand ’ (Binah) how this all works, is not found within this world of concealment. “ The Matrix cannot tell you who you are. ” - Trinity MORPHEUS: Do you believe in fate, Neo? NEO: No. MORPHEUS: Why not? NEO: 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... “All is under heaven, except the fear of heaven.” – Berakhot 33b
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