I, however, live in consensual reality; which, unlike the Matrix, is synthesized from and supported by billions of minds like my own. If I chose to, perhaps, I could run up walls, stop bullets, levitate, self-heal wounds, etc ...

But my mission is different. I do not need to alter the basic construct of consensual reality. What I will do is alter the consciousness and behaviors of those who, like myself, inhabit consensual reality.

Given knowledge of the fundamental unreality of the Matrix within which he operated, Neo could then defy its "laws" to achieve his aims; and ultimately, destroy this unreal system from within precisely with his defiance.

Consensual reality, while similar to the Matrix, has a lot going for it. We feel pleasure, love, wonder, awe, creativity, joy, connectedness, ecstasy, belonging ... and while we also experience pain, agony, misery, doubt, hatred, rage, despair, and sorrow, these differences are integral to the structure of our reality. The difference between our reality and Neo's reality is simple, yet profound.

No one in the Matrix, except Neo, could choose HOW they each experienced their reality. We, however, each and every one of us, with our own mind and regardless of our individual situation, CAN choose, for ourselves, WHAT OUR REALITY WILL BE LIKE FOR US.

Nobody here on Earth needs to be the "the ONE." We are all, each and every self, "The One!"

Eveyone can be hurt. Everyone can be victimized, violated, scarred, shattered ... these are thing which happen in a consensual reality. No one is a failure or anything less than they are by experiencing these things. Recovery or surrender are not badges or ratings or diplomas that can be withheld or bestowed from any outside source ... nor can anyone be condemned for not achieving triumph, or for being swept under by life.

The difference between our world and the Matrix is not only one of complexity. The difference is that, in our world, EVERY mind can free itself ... not just a NEO, not only The One, can reach a place beyond the powers of reality to destroy us. And our individual missions too, will vary. Here no single mind, however enligthened, can liberate us all ...

But every mind, any mind, that can liberate itself ... changes that reality for all of us. For every one of us who becomes free, there is that much less strength to the uglier side of what we've all created to surround ourselves. And our influence can encourage other minds.

All the corny stuff you've ever heard about the one light in the darkness, throwing the starfish one at a time back into the sea, acting local/thinking global, making a difference ... it's all true, but not quite the way you think.

Think not of of ripples in the water. Think of the butterfly in chaos weather theory. Since our reality IS consensual, when one of us changes our mind, it changes everything for all of us.

You don't have to be a hero and conquer everything. All you need to do is give yourself a little more room in the reality you already participate in manifesting. And since I've come to this change myself only this week, you must know I will not be impatient with myself.

Come then, meet me outside the Matrix, and laugh. We have a lot more in common than we think.

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