The Matrix Online Interview

Stratics has conducted an interview with Dr. Pradheep Chhalliyil, in which the Journey to the Source author talks about his philosophy behind The Matrix movies and The Matrix Online. A snip:
Q: What do you think of the concept of The Matrix Online? How does such a game fit in with your overall philosophical view of the Matrix story?

A: I find the concept of Matrix Online very appropriate and lots of fun. The key feature of Upanishadic philosophy that I have explained in the Matrix book is this: life in the Matrix is fun only when we unplug ourselves. Until we are unplugged we take everything as real. Taking the red pill (knowledge), we are free to plug in and out of the matrix. When we unplug ourselves we understand that we are (Consciousness) and not just this body (residual image of the digital self). The Upanishads, like the Matrix movies, say there is one single Consciousness which directs all this play like the computer main frame machine. Science is finding it hard to understand Consciousness and so confuses it with awareness, which is the phenomenon of the brain. (I have explained these distinctions in the book.)

Having understood this theme of the Matrix, we all can have a lot of fun in Matrix Online by playing roles in it. This is a clue that I can give to the fans. Create your own character, based on your mindset, in the Matrix Online. Interact with other characters and try to free yourself and help others, too. This is real fun and I can already see how deep the fun goes. What is important is interaction with others, or else it would be just a messy war. Understand the words of Oracle We are all here to do what we are supposed to do.