A Reader Q&A

Spiritual Explainer: “The Matrix” — What It Is & How to Escape It

[Updated July 7, 2022] You escape the Matrix by becoming the Matrix, among other techniques.

Non-Medium subscribers can access this full article here.

A Reader’s Question: Please help me. I want to be free from this Matrix. I want my sovereignty. This is my free will choice. Please remove the bootie gig and cure me. I’m a 7th dimensional being and don’t want to be programmed by AI. Please help! Thanks for your time.

My Response: This is a long response because it is a topic I have been wanting to write about. I don’t know what a “bootie gig” is and I cannot cure anyone — you only ever cure yourself. But some ideas below can help you do that.

To help guide your interests, here is a list of the topics covered.

1. What is “The Matrix”? [1.1] The Holographic AI Simulation Matrix [1.2] The Alien Manipulation Matrix [1.3] The Global Elite / Brainwashing Matrix [1.4] Spiritual Matrices [1.5] The Akashic Records as the One Ultimate Matrix
2. A Multiplicity of Matrices [2.1] Non-Spiritual Matrices; [2.2] Spiritual Matrices
3. Spiritual Alternatives to the Dominant Matrix [3.1] The Oneness Response [3.2] The Ego Response [3.3] The Nonduality Response [3.4] The Create-Your-Own-Reality Response — (1) Subconscious Beliefs; (2) Spiritually Asleep; (3) You-Create-It-All
4. Is This All “Spiritual Bypassing”?
5. Escaping the Matrix [5.1] 5 Self-Education Approaches [5.2] 4 Spiritual Practices [5.3] Remember This Guy?

[1] What is “The Matrix”?

WE BELEIVE a Matrix controls us when: — We feel we are not in control of our lives. — We feel that we have no free will to make our own decisions. — We feel that something completely outside of us is controlling everything we know and experience in our reality.

There are 2 ways to look at those feelings. One is to resist them and consider them something negative that needs to change. The other is to accept them, in a way, and realize that we they do not define us.

The Matrix of Resistance

One definition of “spiritual awakening” is coming to realize that we are living in a Matrix universe. That definition places the Matrix outside of us. The Matrix is something that traps and imprisons us. While becoming aware of a Matrix is not a common definition of awakening, feeling trapped in an external and controlling structure is the most common definition of “The Matrix”.

New Age spirituality often includes beliefs in aliens/ETs, astral wars, and a global elite (the Illuminati and the Cabal). Such beliefs even include evil groups who have enslaved humankind through a Matrix. In addition, YouTube has many popular videos that attempt to prove that our physical reality is indeed a computer simulated Matrix, if you want to go down that conspiracy theory rabbit hole. Those are examples of The Matrix of Resistance (described above).

The Matrix of Acceptance

A more common definition of spiritual awakening is coming to realize that our True-Self (who we really are) is something beyond our mind, body, emotions, and ego. In this second definition, our mind, body, emotions, and ego are the Matrix. In this approach, we trap ourselves in the Matrix when we identify with our mind-body-ego self. We are outside (or free from) the Matrix when we identify with our True-Self.

But other aspects of New Age spirituality see our physical reality as an illusion of the mind, but not as a Matrix of domination and control. This perspective has long roots in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christian Gnosticism, Sufism, Bahai, and many other religious and spiritual teachings. They are more aligned with The Matrix of Acceptance (as described above).

Here are 5 major ways we think of the Matrix of today. These are all forms of The Matrix of Resistance.

[1.1] The Holographic AI Simulation Matrix

The main source for what contemporary society calls “The Matrix” comes from the science fiction movie The Matrix (1999). This is a synopsis of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Matrix in that movie:

In the early 21st century, humans celebrated the birth of artificial intelligence, which was a singular consciousness that gave rise to an entire race of AI machines. Unfortunately, a war devastated the entire planet. During the war, humans blotted out the sky, attempting to deprive the AI machines of the solar power they required to function. The machines turned to humans as a power source because a human’s body provides “more electricity than a 120 volt battery and over 25k BTUs in body heat.”

In the devastated real Earth, there are fields where AI machines grow human beings in pods, connecting them to supply their power grid. They feed them with the liquefied remains of other humans. The Matrix is a computer-generated dreamworld (a holographic simulation) created to keep the humans passive and under control while in the real world they serve as imprisoned power sources for the AI machines. — edited from The Matrix (1999) — Plot Summary — IMDb

While the dystopian storyline in the movie is farfetched for many, it is true that our experiences of reality take place in our brain/mind. We never directly experience the world we think we know.

Biology tells us our physical senses experience energies and frequencies that are transformed into biological and chemical reactions. Our brain interprets these and presents them as reality to our mind (our awareness). Our brain not only perceives our reality in this way, but it also creates it. (See the article from sciencefocus.com below, as well as section [3.4] for more on that).

All you will ever know is that which appears inside your perception. — Lincoln Gergar

[1.2] The Alien Manipulation Matrix

Some believe that aliens are behind scenarios like the AI computers that create and control the Holographic Matrix in the original movie. Others believe aliens coerce us into obedience through physical abductions, implants, and other physical intrusions.

For example, some believe aliens manipulated human DNA thousands of years ago to create a mental Matrix that would allow us to only know the suffering in the 3rd Dimension. Those aliens were the archons of the Gnostic Bible but go by other names in other traditions. They did this because the more we suffer, the stronger those aliens become.

[1.3] The Global Elite / Brainwashing Matrix

Another common perspective is to see the Matrix as the manipulation of popular culture, the news media, and politicians. The global elite, with alien help, conspire to brainwash people into believing that the world works in a certain way. Some say we have been hypnotized. This is how “they” stay rich and powerful. That is the basis of most political conspiracy theories.

For example, I found these definitions on a website called Matrix Brainwashing:

• The Matrix is the system used by foreign forces operating on this planet, to accelerate spiritual choices of each individual on Earth without violating their free will. [“foreign” means “not from Earth” in this sentence]
• The Matrix is a system of control based on thought reading, on the Pavlovian association of ideas, and on the manipulation of language and doubletalk. [“double-talk” is to say something with the intention of hiding truth.]
• [The Matrix] is also based on subliminal techniques of control that “fishes” from your mind trivial answers about your ordinary life that your manipulators already know.
• [The Matrix] artificially projects images during the night inside your dreams, manipulating symbols and archetypes.
• The Matrix is a system that shapes realities around you based on your own feelings, fears, desires, expectations, beliefs, emotions, and thoughts.
• [The Matrix] tries to deconstruct your own beliefs and turn them against you by using elements that have a strong mathematical similarity with the elements that are comprised in your beliefs.

[1.4] Spiritual Matrices

Most people talk about a single, all-controlling Matrix. This is the most common use of the term on social media, such as Facebook. But others see competing matrices at various levels and scales.

One website, for example, identifies 13 different “False Light Matrices” that trap people in illusions of fake spirituality. These include: — the “Oprah” Matrix (selling spirituality to make money), — the “Oneness” Matrix (spiritual bypassing by saying we are all one), and — the “God” Matrix (spiritual bypassing by teaching everything is “God”). The website’s author considers all these as negative Matrices of Resistance.

Interestingly, that website is a channeled message from Archangel Metatron. Channeled messages can be very problematic, but those problems are not mentioned at all in the list of False Light Matrices. And the article ends with a link to sign up for a $269 spiritual reading — yikes, trapped in the Matrix, again! 😛

For more on things to be careful of when listening to channeled messages:

Beliefs about Spiritual Dimensions are another way to understand Spiritual Matrices. Many are anxious to see our planet ascend from the 3rd Dimension (3D) to the 4th or 5th Dimension (4D/5D). The three perspectives above (1.1-Simulation, 1.2-Alien, & 1.3-Elite) are all 3D Matrices. But 4D, 5D, and beyond are also Matrices. So, as we ascend, we move from one Matrix into another Matrix. (See the cage cartoon in section [3.3] below.)

I like the definition of Spiritual Dimensions as diverse ways of seeing and knowing the same reality, based on distinct levels of vibration or frequency. There is a tendency for each dimension to think that higher vibration dimensions (or densities) are “better” than they are. Maybe that is true, but higher dimensions are still a Matrix with a fully contained set of rules, laws, and beliefs.

For more on the different ways of understanding the Spiritual Dimensions of reality, see:

[1.5] The Akashic Records as the One Ultimate Matrix

Opposite to the diversity of 3D and its multiplicity of matrices, the Akashic Records are the Matrix of the Universe, including all dimensions and realities. In this definition, it is the ultimate storehouse of all realities, beings, and time (past, present, & future). Some see it as a controlling Matrix from that perspective.

One perspective says the Akash only records events that carry our karma into future incarnations. That would be a controlling Matrix of Resistance. Others (like Carol Collins channeling her Yeshua Group, on YouTube) say the Akash only records events supportive of our ascension. We tap into that memory bank as needed in future lifetimes.

Matias De Stefano equates the Akashic Records to the Universal Soul or Universal Mind, which is the single Soul and Mind that we are all connected to. It is the first manifestation of the unmanifested God/Source. But he sees this Matrix as a supportive information database, rather than a mechanism of control. His version of the Akashic Records provides the information we need to succeed in our life's purpose.

[2] A Multiplicity of Matrices

[2.1] Non-Spiritual Matrices

Some people give a lot of credit and power to the “global elite” and our governments. To me, “they” do not exist as a single entity, and “they” are as disorganized and clueless as the rest of us.

In my opinion, the incompetence of the elites in positions of money, prestige, and political power is a far greater problem for humanity than any Matrix manipulations that they mostly fail at.

Based on the different interpretations above,

I define a Matrix as any systematic collection of ideas and beliefs that a person believes is true.

A religion is a Matrix. But so is a political system, an education system, and a medical/health system. Your gender identity is a Matrix. If you belong to a political party, then you have voluntarily joined a Matrix. To believe in a conspiracy theory is being in the Matrix or that belief.

Each country has its dominant Matrix, as does the entire world. (The World Matrix is weaker than Country Matrices that are based on a more uniform culture.) And there are many Alternative Matrices.

Matrices give us our ego-identity.

The Matrices we identify with give us a sense of belonging, security, and purpose. They help us overcome feelings of separation that are inherent in the ego experience of the 3rd Dimension. (In 3D, everything is felt separate from everything else.)

We also do not need to think as hard when we identify with an external Matrix — it does the thinking for us! Life is easier when we are in prison.

But more than the ego, Matrices are how the entire universe is structured.

Matrix structures are how God / Source creates diversity from its inherent oneness. A structure is a belief that puts an imaginary boundary around a portion of oneness. The boundaries are imaginary because they are based on beliefs, ideas/thoughts, words, and concepts. Those boundaries are the Matrix.

Our beliefs and thoughts are extremely creative and, therefore, can create an infinite number of Matrix structures. As individuals, we can align ourselves with any of those — or with none of them.

To be unidentified with any Matrix is to be fully awakened and enlightened. That is probably not possible in a human body.

[2.2] Spiritual Matrices

From a spiritual perspective, there is an Absolute Matrix (the “God Matrix” or the “Akashic Matrix”, as noted above). Below that are many spiritual paths, each of which is a Matrix of ideas and beliefs.

As we evolve, we try out different Spiritual Matrices. We learn, through trial and error, that those matrices always limit us. What seemed “right” initially becomes less so as we awaken from one Matrix and are ready to move on. Awakening here means being able to see the Matrix we are in from a perspective that is beyond that Matrix.

Related to this, Seth/Jane Roberts says:

As an analogy, you live in a self-constructed box with certain self-constructed senses to enable you to perceive the “boxworld” that you yourself have created. Any true concept has its origins outside your box and continues beyond it. — Seth/Jane Roberts, The Early Sessions, Book 1, session 37 on March 23, 1964

We express our freedom and free will by resisting the Matrix that we presently find ourselves in. That Matrix is a problem if we feel trapped and unable to move on. The resistance we feel in this process is a form of “suffering”.

Not all matrices are problems in this way. Change is a fundamental law of the universe. Our situation will always change — that is guaranteed. Spiritual practices can be the best way to encourage change in a harmonious and positive direction.

Positive means moving toward our individuality, our inner self, and our soul. We are each a unique perspective of God/Source.

In the end, we will each create our own individual and personal Spiritual Matrix.

Then the Matrix will no longer be something external to who we are. Instead, we become our own Matrix. When we do that, we finish our journey because we become God/Source. We are no longer an ego, mind, and body. Most people, however, are not ready for that, no matter what they might say.

[3] Spiritual Alternatives to the Dominant Matrix

BASED ON my understandings, I have three specific spiritual responses to the Matrix problem. Each is an “Alternative Matrix” to the dominant one that you might be wanting to be free of. There are more, of course, but this is a good start.

[3.1] The Oneness Response

I have a tough time with words like “it” and “they”. To me, those are “blaming words”. We blame our troubles on “it” (the Matrix) or on “them” (those we believe control the Matrix).

To me, true spirituality is being able to hold both the diversity of 3D separation and the oneness of the True Self. It is knowing “it” and “them” are inseparable from “me” and “us”. All reality is one God/Source consciousness experienced in an infinite number of ways. (This is different from the “Oneness Matrix” in section [1.4] because it recognizes both diversity and oneness.)

Unity Consciousness is the state of knowing that we are all one being expressed as infinite, unique individuals. In that state, you know that everything you previously thought was separate from you is a mirror of your deepest inner self — of your soul-self. In that state, you have a sense of deep compassion for both yourself and everyone and everything you encounter.

So, if you see a Matrix with aliens who are manipulating and controlling you, what does that say about your deepest beliefs about yourself? In this approach, the only way you can change what you see in the world around you is to change what you believe about yourself as being separate from everything else.

[3.2] The Ego Response

It is natural to think of our physical reality as an all-controlling Matrix — because it is. That is the nature of our 3D experience. Every thought (every single one of them) puts a boundary around the infinite pure awareness of being that is our deepest truth. (See section [2.1] above on boundary structures as matrices.)

The boundaries created by thoughts and words are one form of bondage in a dreaded 3D Matrix. But thoughts allow us to navigate and communicate in our 3D world. So, they have some value.

Our thoughts do this by creating a structured set of beliefs about who we are and who we are not. In that way, they create our ego, which is our 3D identity that is separate from everything else. It is the “I Am My Story” part of us.

But we often seem to have little control over our thoughts and our story. Our “Autopilot Monkey Mind” is a major focus of resistance in traditional esoteric teachings, contemporary Buddhism and Hinduism, and modern psychoanalysis. It is the ego that many spiritual beliefs what to “kill” or control in some way.

From early childhood, our ego-self was taught to believe it is what the outside world says it is. By that definition, it is the opposite of who we are inside ourselves. That inner self is our ego-less state of pure awareness. That is our “True-Self” and our “soul”.

Some say that our ego is the part of us that keeps us in the 3rd Dimension (3D). It tries to stop us from spiritually awakening to our True-Self. Our outside 3D world also does all it can to encourage us to forget our inner self and to identify with our outer thoughts, words, emotions, ego, and beliefs.

That puts us in the bondage of limitations. It creates what may be the most powerful Matrix we have because it is the same as our 3D identity. In this way…

“The Matrix is the prison of the ego mind”. — anon.

Because of the world that we currently live in, it is far too easy to forget that our outer ego-self is a limited 3D false self. We forget that our inner self is our true, infinite self.

It is common to blame our ego for our troubles, both personally and globally. Those who blame the ego often see our salvation in “killing the ego” — or at least controlling it. By doing so, we free our inner self from the Matrix. We become our soul-self.

For more on our ego, see:

[3.3] The Nonduality Response

TK In the cartoon below, the person feels a sense of freedom in being released from a cage. But the simple thought “I’m Free” creates a new cage of “I’m Not Free”. That is because all words and thoughts exist in duality. (We can also say that all thoughts come from our ego.)

Polarities might be the easiest way to see the duality of reality. We cannot know Happiness without having Sadness to compare it to — and vice versa. Success implies that Failure also exists. Corruption would not be an issue if Honesty was not known.

And we cannot experience Freedom or Liberation without knowing about Bondage.

That is how 3D (and lower 4D) works. It is all about experiencing and knowing duality. Duality exists to a degree is all dimensions of reality. But many believe it is strongest in the 3rd Dimension.

Duality is not bad. There are many (if not all) emotions we could never know without duality. For example, we cannot know what it is to love another being without duality (because the other being would not exist).

Duality becomes a problem when it is the only thing we know. Religion and spirituality exist to show us the possibility of something beyond duality — to point to nonduality.

But those solutions are also forms of duality because they use words and concepts to describe the indescribable. That makes them inherently dualistic. And there is no way around that. The best they can do is point to what is beyond.

Even the word “nonduality” is a dualistic polarity of the word duality — it is only a pointer to “Truth”.

From a nonduality perspective, if you feel you are in a Matrix (a simulated or controlled reality), then you are living in duality.

And similarly, if you see good and bad in your world, you are living in a Matrix. In nonduality, there is neither good nor bad — there is no judgment. Everything in the universe is known as God/Source — no matter how evil some seem to your dualistic ego.

True nonduality (which is what I will call it) is beyond description, although many attempt to describe it. “Oneness” is a common description of nonduality. But the opposite of oneness is diversity. Oneness is also a Matrix because it is a concept that we can describe using words. And there is an “I” that is feeling or understanding the oneness with “everything else” — that is still duality.

Some say there is only “is-ness” or “being-ness”. Others call it “pure awareness” or “witnessing without a witnesser”. But remember that those are words. And words are foundational in creating matrices.

True nonduality is beyond oneness and diversity, and beyond is-ness and pure awareness. In nonduality, the “I” no longer exists. Radical Nondualists say that the human mind cannot conceive or understand nonduality. Only God/Source can know itself.

It is like becoming our soul, although nondualism also puts the soul in the realm of duality. Where Oneness is associated with “Unity Consciousness”, nonduality is better associated with what some call the highest states of “God Consciousness”.

For more on Radical Nonduality, see:

[3.4] The Create-Your-Own-Reality Response

“You create your own reality through your beliefs about yourself and your universe.”

From a Matrix perspective, this spiritual truism can be interpreted in several ways.

[3.4.1] Subconscious Beliefs: One way of interpreting the Create-Your-Own-Reality idea is that we set ourselves up for success or failure based on our deepest beliefs. Our subconscious chooses a better or worse option so we can fulfill the destiny that we believe we are most worthy or capable of. Our subconscious is the Matrix that controls us. That approach is also a definition of how karma works.

Our subconscious beliefs are largely determined by our life experiences and the beliefs we hold about ourselves and our world. These start our as conscious decisions, but then become deeply embedded in our subconscious. Psychologically, these are known as “conditioned responses” (like Pavlov’s dog). Thus, we make these decisions not of free will, but as a result of the Matrix that we exist in.

To fix our subconscious belief patterns, we do shadow work. That includes both traditional psychotherapy and spirituality, such as shamanic ceremonies. Those practices often involve uncovering, exposing, and releasing our subconscious beliefs and conditioned responses. Meditation is another way we can release subconscious karmic responses without shadow work.

Many people externalize and project their subconscious beliefs on or through others, such as aliens and the global elite. They blame “them” and “it” (the Matrix) for their failures. And they work very hard to fight against or change “them” and “it”.

Externalizing in that way can work. It might get others to change their ways in the short term. But it also causes resistance and is extremely difficult to maintain in the long run. Ultimately, we need to change our inner selves to truly create change in our outer world.

[3.4.2] Spiritually Asleep: A second way of interpreting the Create-Your-Own-Reality concept is that not only do you choose options for success or failure in an endeavor, as above, but you choose everything in your life in the same way. So, you build your reality by selecting your job, your friends, your interests/hobbies, your foods, your toys, and everything else.

We do this through every action we have ever taken and every thought we have ever had. That includes our subconscious beliefs [3.4.1], but it goes further than that. It is being “spiritually asleep”, which is the opposite of “spiritual awakened”.

For the unawakened, our 3D reality does not differ from a common dream. It is an all-controlling Matrix that is fully accepted as the totality of existence. We are not even aware that we are dreaming.

But for the spiritually awakened, our 3D reality becomes a lucid dream of miracles and synchronicities. We are free from the Matrix, and we are now fully aware and can change our 3D dream to bring forth our desires.

This place is a dream. Only a sleeper considers it real. Then death comes like dawn, and you wake up laughing at what you thought was your grief. — Rumi

⬇ This is an example of a personal experience I had with miracles and synchronicities in this dream of life. (Also see the article on karma, linked above, on this topic.)

[3.4.3] You-Create-It-All: A third way of interpreting this is that you create your entire universe through your beliefs and your physical and non-physical senses. This comes closest to the teachings of Seth, channeled by Jane Roberts, who first made “you create your own reality” popular. (See quote below.)

Every time you open your eyes (or any other sense organ) you create everything that you see from the mass of quantum and subatomic particles that make up our universe. That is how the Matrix is created from the empty space of the universe. We each have our own Matrix, and we are each creating it anew in each moment.

In this way, you (and every other entity) are always creating a universe and a Matrix. You do so in each new nanosecond. In theory, you (your inner self, not your outer ego) can change your universe and your Matrix at any moment, as well. It is like a “lucid dream” (as in section [3.4.2] where your slightest wish materializes.

This is the opposite of how our biological sciences see our body senses as receivers of information. It reflects a core difference between standard science and some spiritual teachings. But it comes closer to theoretical quantum physics perspectives in which the perceiver and the perceived cannot be separated.

So, if you are the one who created the evil Matrix that is manipulating and controlling your life, how do fix that? — In [3.4.1] the answer was to do shadow or karma work. — In [3.4.2] the answer was to work to become awakened / enlightened. — Here in [3.4.3] the most common approach is to do both above, plus to learn about our greater reality — to become knowledgeable (jnana yoga). That means reading and listening to teachings, such as those of Seth (channeled by Jane Roberts), Abraham (channeled by Esther Hicks), and others who talk about our multidimensional reality.

Note that channeled messages are a constantly changing mix of the broader perspective of the channeled being and the limited perspective of the channeler.

From Seth:

Your thoughts and beliefs and desires form the events that you view on television. If you want to change your world, you must first change your thoughts, expectations, and beliefs. If every reader of this book changed his or her attitudes, even though not one law was rewritten, tomorrow the world would have changed for the better. The new laws would follow.

Any new law always follows the change in belief. It is not the other way around.

There is no civilization, no system of science, art, or philosophy, that did not originate in the mind. When you give lip service to ideas with which you do not agree, you are betraying your own ideals, harming yourself to some extent, and society as well, insofar as you are denying yourself and society the benefit of your own understanding. Each person is an idealist. I simply want to help you practice your idealism in the acts of your daily life.

— Seth/Jane Roberts, The Individual and the Nature of Mass Events, session 873 on August 15, 1979

[4] Is This All “Spiritual Bypassing”?

SOME CONSIDER all the approaches in section [3] (Oneness, Ego, Nonduality, and Creating Reality) as “spiritual bypassing”. That means using spirituality to avoid or deny reality (the Matrix). It means blaming the victim, rather than the perpetrator (the Matrix, in this case) for the suffering that occurs.

It is especially difficult to understand the spiritual perspective when it seems so obvious that the victim had no control over what happened to them. And it seems just as obvious that the perpetrator had total control over what they did. The perpetrator has complete free will, and the victim has no free will over the situation.

When we hold that view, we are seeing the ego-selves of both the victim and the perpetrator. But the ego-self is a small part of who each of these fully is. It is the tip of the iceberg of their full spiritual selves. But it is all we can see from our own limited ego perspective.

As discussed in the Ego [3.2] and Nonduality [3.3] sections above, egos are always fully embedded in the Matrix of Duality. We experience that when we encounter judgments of good/bad, right/wrong, and should/should not. As long as you are seeing the world from that Matrix, then yes, there are powerless victims and powerful perpetrators. And life is unjust, unfair, and downright evil. Welcome to the Matrix.

Our ego-self resists all forms of spirituality and spiritual teachings. It judges them as nonsense and divorced from reality (which they are — they are divorced from physical reality).

“Spiritual Bypassing” is also a judgment. It is an aspect of the Matrix. Lincoln Gergar notes that if you see yourself judging a teaching as a form of “spiritual bypassing”, you are in your ego, separating the world into good and bad forms of spirituality.

From a spiritual perspective, the ego-self is the “false you”. It is a temporary you. It is a costume that you wear to experience the 3rd Dimension. It is an illusion.

But as long as you identify with your 3D ego-self (the Matrix), then you had better behave as though 3D reality (the Matrix) is real. Otherwise, you will get into a lot of trouble with 3D cause-and-effect, which you have also fully accepted.

As noted at the top of this article (in section [1]), one definition of spiritual awakening is the initial realization that there is a Matrix (or an ego) that is not you. It is the first step to realize knowing this truth fully.

Everything in this article encourages you to see beyond that limited ego Matrix. Although described in diverse ways, it is to see everyone and everything as the pure, infinite, and eternal soul that you and they both are. It is who you (and everyone) were when you were born. And it is who you (and everyone) will be after this incarnation has ended.

But the ego-self can never know that, because then it is just another Matrix pretending to be spiritual.

[5] Escaping the Matrix

THE EXAMPLES above hinted at several ways to escape the Matrix. I have divided these into Self-Education Approaches and Spiritual Practice Approaches. The 5 Self-Education Approaches are more intellectual and knowledge based. They use our ego to help select and interpret what we are learning. The 4 Spiritual Practices are more of a “beyond-the-ego” path.

We can consider these diverse ways to wake up from the “Matrix dream” we are having. What resonates with you depends on how you define the Matrix of the dream you are trapped in.

[5.1] 5 Self-Education Approaches

1. Educate yourselves about the many ways that our societies manipulate (some say “brainwash”) our beliefs — Please be careful with this approach. It is a popular one for the ego because it can strengthen the ego by making it think it knows better and is superior to those not informed. It is the approach of conspiracy theories and comes up in many New Age spiritual teachings. All that can take you deeper into the Matrix rather than freeing you from it. Again, see my article on 23 Mixed Messages from Higher Dimension Entities & Alien Beings.
2. Disconnect from popular culture, news media, and social media — Some people are more easily influenced by these than others. They are among the most obvious Matrix manipulations of the masses. Your ability to disconnect from them is a good indicator of your relationship to the Matrix. The harder it is for you to disconnect, the stronger your ego is attached to the Matrix, and the more you might want to do something about that.
3. Try to perceive everything without judgment, accepting all reality as simply what is happening now — To do this naturally with your full mind and body requires a high state of consciousness (like Unity Consciousness). But before that, we can at least try to remind ourselves of the limitations of making judgments about things that we really do not fully understand. That will sometimes help break the Matrix of our ego-mind, though not always.
4. Do shadow work to change your deepest subconscious beliefs — There are many articles and videos online on ways to explore and change your subconscious shadow beliefs. What works for one person may not work for another, so explore your options. See my article linked below on Surviving a Dark Night of the Soul for my take on shadow work.
5. Intellectually explore Alternative Matrices, which requires changing your beliefs about yourself and the world — Consider every spiritual teaching you encounter as a different Matrix of possibilities. Find ones you resonate with and expand your consciousness through those teachings. But do not attach yourself to one teaching. Remember that you are unique. — I recommend reading Seth (channeled by Jane Roberts, linked here), or listen to Seth/Jane book readings (by Tim Hart on YouTube). Similar teachings are offered by Abraham (channeled by Esther Hicks), Bashar (channeled by Darryl Anka), and Elan (channeled by Andrew Bayuk) (links are all to YouTube). I like Seth and Elan a lot more than the other two.

[5.2] 4 Spiritual Practices

1. Skip 4D and ascend your consciousness directly to 5D — I do not think this is possible. But many New Age spiritualists say it is. It mostly depends on definitions. Some say 4D is the source of the negative or evil Matrix that controls our 3D Earth. For others, 4D is where we learn how to work with time and timelines. For many, 5D is the realm of unconditional love for everything in existence (no judgments allowed) and Unity Consciousness.

2. Skip over lower dimensional Matrices to connect to the Universal Matrix (Akashic Records) — There are many people these days who say they can access the Akashic Records as a form of psychic reading. Maybe they can. That differs from what I suggest here. We need to become the Akashic Records (or Universal Matrix). That is a form of God Consciousness higher than Unity Consciousness — we become the manifest version of God/Source. Obviously, that is difficult and very few reach that level of consciousness. (See section [1.5] for more on the Akashic Records as the Universal Matrix.)

We usually do #1 and #2 above approach through a combination of meditation and spiritual teachings. But they also happen spontaneously for some people. For more on spiritual awakening, see:

3. Explore Alternative Matrices, through guided meditation and hypnosis — We can find many examples of guided meditations of that type on YouTube. I link to several of those in this article. Working with someone trained in hypnosis and past life regressions can also help with that.

4. Killing or controlling your Ego — There are many approaches and ways of understanding this. Sometimes it is referred to as quieting or transcending your mind, thoughts, or ego, which is the same as transcending duality or manifest reality. Others describe it as becoming your Inner-Self, Soul-Self, or True-Self. By becoming our True-Self, we transcend the Matrix of our ego-self (see section [3.2] above). Of course, our True-Self is another Matrix, but it might be a gentler one.

[5.3] Become The Matrix

Remember This Guy ⬇ ️(below)? He is on a Self-Education Approach path. Self-Education (like reading this article) works. Each new experience of insight and realization brings an exhilarating sense of freedom. Through Self-Education we expand our knowledge of who we truly are. We learn to see ourselves as the Matrix — we become the Matrix.

But that experience and knowledge will always be short-lived. As we integrate each level of understanding, we realize that there is yet another, larger Matrix for us to comprehend. That is OK because manifest reality exists for us to learn and expand our understanding. We are always learning. (Some say we are expanding our ego to become God/Source.)

At some point, Spiritual Practices are required because it is the only way to transcend all definitions of the Matrix, to transcend yourself and your ego, and to be cage-less. You (your ego-self) cannot do that. But you (your True-Self) can. It can reach those higher states of Unity Consciousness and God Consciousness.

I did not go to go into detail on how to do those spiritual practices. The number of paths to freedom/liberation from the Matrix are as many as the number of paths to spiritual awakening and enlightenment (which is 7.9 billion by my estimate). None is perfect, but they are all perfect for some people at certain points in their lives.

The overview above should be enough to get you started.

“I am saying that you, and you, every individual, is in control of their own destiny… You are in control, you are not moved by other forces. You do not always understand nor comprehend, but you have already set your goals and you have chosen your circumstances. You are all working out problems, and you set the problems for yourselves. No one else gives them to you. You know what they are.” — Seth/Jane Roberts, The Early Sessions, volume 9, session 447 on November 11, 1968

Notes:

• Thanks to the reader who posed this question. It is a topic that I have been thinking about for some time, and I was glad to write this up.
• Related to the ego-self, see: No One Can Take Away Your Freedom — But You!, by Shunyamurti, on YouTube (16min)
• For more Spiritual Explainer Articles, see this collection:

• Note that the articles in that collection are behind the Medium paywall. For paywall-free access to my articles go to www.AlanLew.com, linked below.

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• I appreciate comments, questions, and typo corrections. - See the About link in my Medium profile for contact information and related articles
• Written in collaboration with my Energy Group/Higher Self. This is our perspective of the truth and not the whole truth of reality.
• I am not financially affiliated with any of the people or products discussed in this article.

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