Remember The Matrix movie? In this popular philosophy-ridden action film, the human race was unconsciously enslaved by machines. Everyone thought they were awake when they were really in a computer induced stupor. They were all asleep.
That movie helped spark an interest in philosophy for me. The fact that my dad has a PhD in the subject left it’s mark as well. Since then I’ve read and listened to a variety of deep thinkers in an attempt to learn more about myself and the world.
Recently that quest has led me to a daily email musing by a Franciscan priest named Richard Rohr. He’s definitely outside the mainstream of religious circles and has challenged my thinking in some great ways. His recent posts have been about a 19th century French mystic named Therese of Lisieux. She was only 24 when she died but left behind writings that showed her amazing insights into the nature of reality. She learned at a young age to be “awake”. To snap out of the Matrix.
What does it mean to be “awake”? In simple terms, I think it means to be aware. To consciously consider the options that each situation in daily life offers us and make intentional choices. An “awake” inner dialog could go something like this:
“In this situation, I could choose action A or action B. Action A would be best for my own comfort and happiness. Action B would be best for other people’s comfort and happiness. I choose action A (or B).” I could drive by someone struggling with a flat tire or stop to help. I could keep my place in line or offer it to the parent behind me struggling with a young child. I could spend unexpected extra money on myself or on someone in need.
My point is NOT that we should always choose what we think will benefit others at the expense of our own well being. I’ve been down that road and it led to emotional burnout and a therapist’s office. Sometimes the best thing we can do for the world is to choose things that add to our own personal comfort and happiness. Like most things, there’s a balance to be sought there.
My point IS that we should be having that inner dialog. That we should snap out of the unconscious fog that we so easily drift into where we simply do what we feel is best for us unless some outside force pressures us to do otherwise. That we should recognize our options. That we should be intentional about our choices. That we should train ourselves to be “awake”.
So remember The Matrix. Consider your possibilities as you go through the day and make conscious choices. If you do, you’ll take another step toward Becoming Yourself.
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Below are a few quotes that inspired this post. While they make reference to spiritual things, I think the insight into our human condition they provide can be helpful to us all regardless of our belief system. To sign up for Richard Rohr’s daily email visit cac.org.
“The death instinct always comes from people who are unconscious, unaware, and indeed do not know what they are doing. Now we can hear Jesus on the cross and know why he said, “Forgive them, Father, they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34). When we love, we do know what we are doing! Love, if it is actually love, is always a highly conscious act. We do evil when we slip into unconsciousness.”
Richard Rohr on Thérèse of Lisieux, Part II – Wednesday, October 4, 2017
“Thérèse came to know the depth of her self-centeredness, the extent of her God-inspired desires, and the role and significance of her thoughts, acts, and feelings in the spiritual life. Thérèse had a great self-confidence in her ability to be honest with herself and an enormous intuitive capacity about the ways of human and divine love. Under the microscope of prayer, in her self-awareness, she came to learn universal truths about love: how love originates, how it is nourished or blocked, and how it grows. Her life became a microcosm of love, her teaching, a school of love.”
Joseph F. Schmidt, Walking the Little Way of Therese of Lisieux: Discovering the Path of Love (The Word Among Us Press: 2012), 33-34
“I understand so very well that it is only through love that we can render ourselves pleasing to the good Lord, that love is the one thing I long for. The science of love is the only science I desire.”
Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, translated by John Clarke (ICS Publications: 1996), 187-188