The Kenyan Scholar

"Many are not ready to unplug from the system," is one of the most famous lines in film history where Morpheus informs Neo in The Matrix, expressing a deep truth about human nature that is reflected in both the story's fictitious environment and the real-life metaphysical state of society. The "system" in The Matrix represents deception—an artificial structure meant to enslave and control mankind through creating a distorted perception of reality. Many people in our modern society are similarly ensnared in deception, unwilling or unable to see through the facade of deceit, manipulation, and control.

Morpheus is cognisant of the fact that many would rather stay in the system's safety than undergo the uncomfortable and frequently painful process of coming to terms with reality. Being conditioned to embrace the world as it is is a result of years, if not generations, of brainwashing. Everything they thought was genuine is essentially a deception, and disconnecting from this system forces them to face this harsh and sometimes intolerable reality. This calls for bravery, an openness to feeling uncomfortable, and, most crucially, the ability to let go of one's preconceived notions about the reality.

On top of that, Morpheus was aware that the people who remain connected to the system are frequently its staunchest advocates. Why? The system has become an integral part of who they are. Their identity, principles, and worldview are all intertwined by the system's illusions and constructions. Endangering it would mean endangering all that they value. A lot of people would rather protect the system than deal with the prospect of dishonesty.

Defending the System is a Psychological Reaction

Many people will battle to defend it, as Morpheus puts it, and he is tapping into a psychological fact: cognitive dissonance. People feel uneasy when they are given knowledge that goes against their strongly held views. As a defence mechanism for their pride and comfort, people may ignore or even reject fresh information rather than challenge the belief or system. This is why the system's surviving members will fight tooth and nail to keep it intact, no matter how much proof points to its incompetence, fraud, or dependence on deception.

For individuals who aren't quite prepared to disconnect, the system stands for stability, predictability, and comfort. Inside the cosy confines of their own thoughts, admitting the truth would put their safety and place in the system at risk. They value the stability and predictability it provides, so they will strive to maintain it even if it means sacrificing their freedom and the truth.

Clinging to illusion is Common in Today's World.

The relevance of this concept in the contemporary era is remarkable. Many aspects of contemporary society can be symbolised by the system, including political ideologies, economic systems, social standards, and even religious doctrines. People who refuse to let go of the system usually do so because they are either naive, afraid, or want to be in charge. Starting at an early age, the system inculcates a feeling of realism in individuals through various government agencies, educational programs, and media outlets. It paints a picture of a promising future where everyone can achieve their dreams if they put in the effort, play by the rules, and embrace their role in it. Still, we're well-aware that not everyone feels this way.

In order to awaken, one must separate themselves from these tales and challenge the basic basis of commonly accepted truth. Examining the surface to reveal the hidden realities beneath is the essence of Hermeticism. Nevertheless, individuals who insist on maintaining the status quo will frequently belittle, assault, or isolate anyone who dared to challenge its dominion. Why? They are threatening the very foundation of their own reality when they cast doubt on it.

Unplugging: A Challenging Yet Essential Step

Like in The Matrix, stepping away from the system represents waking up from the dominant communal delusion. Rather than seeing things the way we've been led to believe them, the trick is to peel back the illusions and view things for what they really are. However, this is not a simple operation. It requires dismantling social programming and years of conditioning. It requires facing unsettling realities about ourselves and the world around us.

The path of emancipation awaits those who are prepared to disconnect, who will be freed from the system's mental and spiritual shackles. However, for a great number of people, the thought of facing long-old misconceptions, letting go of deeply held beliefs, and the uncertainty is too much to bear.

The Matrix as a Metaphor for Control

More than simply a social control mechanism, the system stands for the exterior, materialistic preoccupation that prevents humans from realising their inherent divinity as awareness in Hermetics. Systemic racism promotes alienation, fear, and discord. It teaches people that they should prioritise approval from others, wealth, and power. But the truth is that, as Hermetics teaches, we are all interdependent, and true strength comes from within.

By disconnecting from the system, one can rise above these base, egocentric wants and become aware of the greater spiritual laws that control the cosmos. The key is to understand that everything happening outside of oneself is really a mirror of one's interior condition. We reassert our independence and bring ourselves into harmony with the greater ideals of knowledge, honesty, and love when we disconnect.

Because the system incentivises conformity and penalises divergence, individuals who adhere to it fail to notice this reality. Not because unplugging poses a hazard in and of itself, but because it calls into question the system's illusion of safety.

The Role of Fear in Defending the Illusion

The system's most potent tool is fear, whether it be of failure, ridicule, or the unknown. Because of this dread, individuals fiercely protect the deception. They act out their anxiety by attacking anyone who dares to challenge the illusion they've constructed for themselves. That is why Morpheus claims they will battle to defend it. Rather than fighting for the system out of belief in it, they fight out of fear of what might happen outside of it. For the truth terrifies them.

Fear, according to Hermeticism, stems from a lack of understanding, but gnosis, or direct encounter with truth, is the remedy for this. The terror starts to fade away as one starts to perceive through the delusion. The system's ability to maintain control is undermined since its strength is in its ability to keep people in the dark, estranged from who they really are. Adherents do not do so out of any sense of service to the system, but rather because they are unsure of their place in the world outside of it.

Departing the System

People who have disconnected or are about to disconnect should know that not everyone is prepared. Like Neo, we need to keep in mind that a lot of people are still trapped in their own heads, enslaved by delusion, as we go through life. But it's not our job to compel people to wake up; it's our job to keep shining our truth lights so that others who are prepared to see through the veil of deception can find their way.

The timeless reality of Morpheus's statements is that many people aren't prepared to disconnect from technology because they aren't prepared to confront the disorder of the actual world, which forces them to question their own perceptions, beliefs, and identities. Those who refuse to let go of the system will keep fighting for it until they have the strength to see beyond it.