In our introductory articles, we discussed the ‘framework’ of the Matrix story. We are now going down deeper kabbalistic rabbit holes regarding the ‘timeline’ and what to expect in the fourth movie. With “The Matrix Resurrections” articles, we begin with an explanation of the three stages of the Matrix prophecy that comes right out of kabbalistic teachings. If you have not read all of the posts prior to this article, please go back and read as much as possible. Everything builds to this point.
“Only the misfortune of exile can provide the in-depth understanding and the overview into the realities of the world.” – Stefan Zweig
At one level, the Matrix story is that of humanity in a state of captivity, and a prophecy that says they will eventually be freed, largely due to the work of someone called “the One.” On the surface, this seems straightforward.
Recalling Morpheus’ words to Neo about the Matrix prophecy:
“… the Oracle prophesized his return and that his coming would hail the destruction of the Matrix, end the war, bring freedom to our people.”
That all sounded well and good to those of us enjoying the first movie. And though the Matrix wasn’t destroyed by its end, we knew there would be a sequel as Neo himself hinted at it with his parting words:
“I know you’re out there. I can feel you now. I know that you’re afraid. You’re afraid of us. You’re afraid of change. I don’t know the future. I didn’t come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it’s going to begin. I’m going to hang up this phone and then I’m going to show these people what you don’t want them to see. I’m going to show them a world without you, a world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries, a world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you.”
There’s a lot of ‘future’ actions in his statement. Thus, for the viewer, there was little concern. As Cypher had quipped, Neo was here to “save the world.” It would simply happen in a sequel.
“All’s well that ends well!” as Shakespeare said.
Then came “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions.” The One (the 6th version) “reached the Source.” Yet the film ended with Neo dying and without the fulfillment of the Matrix prophecy.
The years passed … we were left in limbo. (Not the ‘Mobil Ave’ version either.)
Why Did Neo Say the Matrix Prophecy Is a Lie?
In hindsight, things had begun to get a little murky before the end. Neo relayed information he received from the so-called “creator of the Matrix.” You can’t get much higher up the “food chain” than that:
The prophecy was a lie. The One was never meant to end anything. It was all another system of control.
The idea that “the Matrix prophecy was a lie,” along with the peculiar ending of the third movie, resulted in all sorts of theories developing about the storyline. They’re continuing in full force in 2020 with the announcement of The Matrix Resurrections.
All of them have their advocates who feel they may have figured things out.
So what’s going on?
The issue here is one the Oracle herself spoke of:
“We can never see past the choices we don’t understand.”
This goes for the fan base as well. What was not understood was the role of the One, and how all that Neo did was one (albeit major) action in a sequence of events that must occur.
As we alluded to in an earlier article, this happens to be a MAJOR kabbalistic principle:
“There is a special, higher type of suffering that comes to a tzaddik (righteous person) who is even greater and more highly perfected than the ones discussed above. This suffering comes to provide the help necessary to bring about the chain of events leading to the ultimate perfection of mankind as a whole.”
“Derech Hashem” (The Path of God) Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (1707-1746)
Neo endured much suffering, to the point of giving up his life. This enabled ‘something’ to happen along that “chain of events.” This had to occur for the next stage of the process of redemption of humanity to occur. The latter is dependent on the former.
The Matrix: Resurrections: Conclusion of Three Stages of Redemption
Kabbalah teaches that there are three major stages to this process of the redemption of humanity. They evolve around the actions of a “messiah figure” – as well as that of the people.
A cut scene from The Matrix Revolutions * has the Oracle saying:
“The path of the one is made by the many.”
This is critical in understanding why the last movie ended the way it did and where The Matrix Resurrections is going.
As they relate to the Matrix films, these three stages, with their proper names, are:
- Pekidah: An initial step, where the groundwork is laid, connections are made at a hidden level, and some humans benefit. (Exactly what Neo has done thus far.) This brings about the beginning of an inner spiritual awakening of the people while still in the world of concealment (the Matrix).
- Ma’avar: A transition stage with confusion, turmoil, progress and hope. (What we are heading into with The Matrix Resurrections).
- Zechirah: An elevation of the collective consciousness and the requisite “awakening from below.” (Bringing the return of the One, end of the Matrix and freedom to humanity.)
We will give an overview of these stages now, and elaborate on details in subsequent articles. This chart shows how they align with the movies, which in turn align with the levels of the soul:
Stage 1: Pekidah
This initial stage is dominated by a lack of awareness of the true reality. A ‘messiah figure’ (Neo, the supreme tzaddik/righteous one) connects with the ‘Divine presence’ (Shekinah, aka Trinity). The effect that has, is both to reveal these higher worlds to people and open up a pathway for others to follow – some immediately and the rest at the very end.
As discussed in a previous post, Neo has himself “become” the Path of the One (the “Ladder of Jacob”). Through his selfless actions, he has made the connection from the “world of concealment” (inside the Matrix) to ‘the Source’ the original creative power that pre-existed the Architect, Oracle, the program world, and the Matrix.
Through his actions, Neo has opened a gateway for others to follow. This is one ‘aspect’ of the messiah figure of “the One.” It is a fundamental part of the first phase of redemption.
We see this reflected at the end of Matrix Revolutions:
Oracle: What about the others?
Architect: What others?
Oracle: The ones that want out.
Architect: Obviously, they will be freed.
Note that some want out. Their desire to escape the Matrix “world of concealment,” is the key. Though Neo’s actions enabled a small number of humans who had this desire, to escape, the bulk of humanity was not ready.
Something has to first change inside and among them.
When Neo made the connection at the end of Matrix Revolutions, and the light/energy from the source passed through him, it impacted everything in the Matrix. This could only occur ‘thanks’ to Smith, the aspect of Gevurah/Judgment, that took over the entire Matrix and brought it into total darkness, because at such a time, the people are …
“… in the intensity of the heavy darkness and near the end of the obscurity, where it is most overpowering, and they have also become furthest removed from the source – that is when the pekidah (Stage 1) must happen.”
Secrets of the Redemption, Moshe Luzzatto 1707-1746 (Henceforth ‘SR’)
Stage 2: Ma’avar
With The Matrix: Resurrections, we enter the ‘transition’ stage. In some ways, things will be “the same,” as we will still have the Matrix and people going about their business. ‘Choice’ must and will remain a key element, and some humans will keep making bad decisions.
This middle stage to the saga exists, as the connection Neo made was at an upper/hidden level (via the Source) and was meant to be temporary:
“You need to realize two things: 1) The concealment was only removed in the inner sanctum, the place of the Neshama … but not from without (the bodies of the physical people) … 2) The opening was momentary, it did not last forever. However it did what it was supposed to and then the gateway close once again, until the final, eternal redemption … when this first union is complete, there will be none other like it until the stage of zechirah (Stage 3) occurs. (SR)
(We break down this quote in the next article.)
Keep in mind that the third movie was Neo at the 3rd soul level of the Neshama. This concluded the first stage of redemption which according to the same source above:
“reawakens the inner cords of the collective Neshama,” of the people (SR).
This is the essence of the 4th movie, which relates to the 4th soul level of Chaya, that of collective consciousness.
As discussed in earlier posts, Neo experienced a sense of this collective consciousness to increasing degrees, ‘within’ each of the first three soul levels he progressed through (Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama). In this fourth movie, he is at this fourth dimension of his soul – one only attainable after death.
This interim time between what Neo did, and what remains to be done, isn’t all “doom and gloom.” There’s going to be progress made in ways not seen yet, but it will be a struggle as not all the humans will be “on board with the plan.”
In this stage, we are going to have a more powerful “feminine” aspect arise – one that contains both “feminine and masculine” energy. (The feminine Malkhut begins to ‘rise up,’ connecting to the masculine dimension above.) Several returning female characters are going to take on different, more significant roles.
There is also this to ponder if you are wondering what Neo has been “up to” since Matrix Revolutions:
“Understand properly, from the moment of the Pekidah (the end of Matrix Revolutions), the building of the crown for the Messiah (the One) commences. This crown is known as the Yechidah (the fifth/highest soul dimension), During the period of time between the Pekidah and Zechirah (the first and last stages of the Matrix prophecy), the one who is designated as the redeemer of the redemption (Neo) must be worthy to be groomed and prepared for his task. Consequently, he will ascend in those days (The Matrix: Resurrections) to great unlimited heights.” (SR)
This aspect of his ‘crown’ relates to his connection to all of humanity as according to this same text, the souls of humans are “…. bound together through this.” (SR)
Stage 3: Zechirah
This is where everything will be revealed and “made one” again, at the end of The Matrix: Resurrections. There must be a significant segment of humanity experiencing what is called the arousal from below, for the Matrix prophecy to reach its fulfillment and everyone to be ‘freed.’
Two things from earlier movies touch on this:
- Looking back at Neo’s final words from the first movie, he made strong mention of his work being a ‘beginning,’ for the purpose of “showing people,” what they could not see — a world without rules, controls, borders or boundaries. This is a description of the “World to Come” in kabbalah, where everything is in a unified, perfect state. (Refer to the concept of ‘singularity’ and highest soul level of ‘Yechida,’ in our first background articles.)
-
- The essential idea of the messiah is – Yechida … Yechida is the quintessence of the soul and from it also issues the four lower soul levels.
On the Essence of Chassidus – R. Menachem Schneerson
- The essential idea of the messiah is – Yechida … Yechida is the quintessence of the soul and from it also issues the four lower soul levels.
- Regarding the end of The Matrix Revolutions, Neo’s connection to the Source, caused the light/energy from there to permeate the entire Matrix. Now that every human in the Matrix was ‘touched’ by this light, each has some form of ‘access’ to it that they did not before. This is accessible to anyone via self-sacrifice (‘bittul’) which Neo was the prime example of.
“And even if it is not outwardly manifest, nonetheless their neshamot (plural, the neshama soul level of each person) receive this spiritual light and it implants within their hearts to return … the spiritual light intensifies from within … an awakening of redemption and return will occur.” (SR)
That is another key to The Matrix: Resurrections. Humanity will not only ‘return’ to life before the Matrix – they will be at an even more elevated level – “thanks to the Matrix.”
We develop the concepts in this post, and related topics, in subsequent articles. For an interesting take on the return to singularity, check out our short article on the Matrix movie date of 12.22.21.
* At 10:35 of cut scene video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXBXD44Ymww
