What is reality?
As opposed to the Matrix's notion of reality, which it defines as simply what is perceived by the mind to be true, I consider it to be external to the self. Without the proof that events happen simultaneously with respect to time, that time and space continuum could be bent, I stick to my belief that a single reality exists.
If we know that the body exists outside of the Matrix, the Matrix itself cannot be considered a reality on its own, but simply a subset of the physical reality. The Matrix cannot be considered a reality in itself because it was a product of the characters in the more external reality. Dualism can never exist and one has to surrender his previous notion of reality after he discovers what encompasses the prior one.
Regardless, only one reality exists, although different people perceive different pretentious realities. The most external space is the only reality that should be considered. Given this notion, the physical world having encompassed the mind of the human subjects, should appear as the reality. However, whether it is the most external one remains debatable, for some have witnessed that which goes beyond the physical.
Though this may soon be proven to be true, the physical world has currently been put into the position of truth. Thus, it would not be irrational if I consider it reality, at least for now. However, I should not be stuck up in absoluteness that this will remain forever, for after I will realize that something external contains this physical world, it shouldn't be hard to accept the change in my concept of reality. For as how we have argued above, a single reality exists, and it is the one that is the most external.
Is a dream real? I would say it is. Everything that happens is real, but a far greater concern dominates our consciousness, requiring us to unconsciously dismiss the things which only exist as a subset of our reality. I do not totality dismiss how the Matrix conceptualizes reality, for it has part of the truth I'm discussing. I'm reaffirming my stand by pointing out that reality is something that we give our focus on because we know we are part of it, and it has a far greater impact on us than what the subsets do.
If supposing we live inside the Matrix, our mind is at work with the computer programs. However, the stimuli are not carried out by the programs alone, but by the physical connections the body has with the external physical world. First, the body has to be nourished by chemical food, that's why the unfreed humans remained enclosed inside the capsules. Without the nourishment, the body will soon cease to exist. Second, although it is true that "without the mind, the body will die", but after being freed, the humans may choose to subject themselves to be delved into the Matrix. This choice happens in the physical world and a physical connection has to be established. Clearly, the power exists in the physical world that exists outside the Matrix. It is thus, what I call, the more external reality encompassing that subset which has the Matrix.
Lastly, this physical world might simply be a subset of the spiritual world as what most people believe. The spiritual world is then the more external reality where the soul is simply taking part in a subset of its activities, such as those in this physical world. If this is true, then we should dismiss our belief that the physical world is what constitutes the reality. However, unless we are certain of it, we are rational to continue believing in the reality which we consider the most external.
There can only be one reality, the one which encompasses everything, and gives the greatest impact to the subjects. By considering our reality, we know that indeed, our focus and energy should be brought to that, live it, and dismiss the petty mini-realities that exist internal to it.
How does one associate freedom to one's concept of reality?
The Matrix defines freedom as being in control. They portrayed it in the movie that it was inherent in human beings to seek control with their lives. However, at a glance, the mere fact that the characters did not know that they were suppressed in the Matrix indicates that either the Matrix program might have limited them which their physical body unconsciously detected or that the definition posed to freedom isn't really about controlling because if we study the latter case, there was nothing to control in the first place since they didn't know their actual bodies were inhibited by the machines.
As the nature of power relations indicate, freedom comes after breaking free from the dominating power through any form of a rebellion. First, there must be acknowledgement of the dominating power before a rebellion can be made.
Looking through the Matrix scenario again, the characters were informed by Morpheus of the existence of the Matrix. This can be said to have led the characters to acknowledging the repressive power that must have lied external to the Matrix. Although the characters didn't know of the external scenario, they were informed of its indications that existed within the Matrix.
Simple indications build up to convince the person that really, a force exists. Although the force is not known in entirety, figments of it are known, as in the case of the Matrix. This new knowledge creates the repressive force and that the mind would naturally seek to be free from this force. Freedom, seen in this light, is practically getting out of the internal realities and eventually uncovering the most external reality. Freedom is knowing and living the truth, which in this article I would simply claim to be absolute.
Reality exists in many levels, and if only part of the reality is grasped, the human being will continuously seek to understand the whole spread. If the figments of the more external reality are not evident, only the repressive forces of the subset comes into play. Freedom will then be associated only to that subset for the power relations only involve those that exist inside that set. If characters from the external reality joins the subset, which is very logical to think since it encompasses the subset, then the power relations are extended, leading to a deeper thrive for freedom; since it will now involve getting past the external dominating repressive forces.
If one is affected by the external force, then one cannot be truly free by ignoring this force. Take for example the act of freeing the bodies from the Matrix. Though it should be noted that figments of the external world are felt inside the Matrix, seeing the external world is the ultimate act of acknowledging that the external world exists. As Morpheus said, "now that you know about this, will you still have chosen the other pill?" If one knows that his physical body exists outside of the matrix, he will not be able to ignore its existence and will try to make it as secure as possible. When Smith made the treachery to the team, he first tried eliminating all of them and hoped to have his body restored in the capsule. Why the assurance that they'll be eliminated? It is because of the fact that he acknowledges their involvement in the power relations that govern the outside physical world, which simply contains the Matrix.
Moving further, one cannot assume freedom if one believes that he is not acting in accordance to the reality he thinks encompasses where he is now. Spirituality for instance greatly changes the concept of freedom of every individual. Thus, one hopes to know that this greater reality is not repressed from being acquired. Freedom then cannot be separated from the concept of reality. It is dependent to what one perceives of his reality. Achieving absolute freedom is believing to have achieved the most external reality and actively going with the power relations that play in it, and not be repressed by them.
