About this episode
The Matrix is full of Buddhist themes! In the movies, we're dreaming, not interacting with the real world because the machines (read: AI) are using humans as batteries and actively keeping us asleep. In Buddhism, it's because we have countless lifetimes' worth of mistaken assumptions about the world. We see everything through the tinted lenses of our past. But you can wake up! In The Matrix, you have to know the right person and get lucky to wake up, and when you do, the real world is grim and grey and no fun. In Buddhism, you don't have to rely on anyone to wake up. Each of us contains basic luminosity, and Buddhist path shows us how to wake up. As we walk the spiritual path, the real world is amazing, splendid, and the more we clear off our lenses, the more vivid the world gets. May you and all beings be well.