Paul writes – “Is there a link between movies and spiritual direction? I believe there is, and to explore my sense of linkage I’d like to reflect on the first instalment of the Wachowski brothers’ Matrix movie trilogy.
Now, I need to say at the outset, that the Matrix is not a movie about spiritual direction – far from it! The themes that this essay seeks to highlight in relation to spiritual direction are drawn from a necessarily limited engagement with what I regard as a central metaphor in the movie – the metaphor of waking up.
Further, this essay is an attempt to both listen to the Christian spiritual direction tradition, and also for the presence of the Spirit (who directs) in the midst of contemporary culture.
The Matrix is a modern myth, a myth that draws on many religious and non-religious traditions and practices. It weaves together both orthodoxy and non-orthodoxy.
In fact, The Matrix offers the possibility of a parable, one that allegorises a process within which a directee increasingly “wakes up,” i.e. becomes wakeful, attentive, and alive to the inner and outer movements of God in their lives. They wake up to the realisation that they are on what Cistercian monk Michael Casey describes as “a journey toward God.” It is a journey of becoming increasingly free.
Jesuit priests, John Pungente and Monty Williams write, “Each of us, without exception, is trapped in encompassing forms of destruction that distort human freedom and seek to frustrate human desire to love, to be creative, and to create community.” And so it is that Neo too, the movie’s central character is likewise initially trapped in the de-humanising and illusory construct known as the “Matrix”. “
This is the opening paragraphs from an article I wrote earlier in the year for REFRESH, a “journal of Contemplative Spirituality published by Spiritual Growth Ministries (Aotearoa New Zealand). It was in an issue dedicated to “Film and Spirituality.” The issue has some great articles and is well worth reading. While a PDF format would be better, you can find the issue online here. I’ve also attached a PDF of my article if that’s easier, and you’re interested in reading it. Or you can read it online here.
Download paul_fromont_spiritual_direction_reorientating_and_recovering_ourselves_through_movies.pdf
My Spiritual Director is a pretty free woman, but I haven't yet seen her running up walls! Maybe she does that when I've gone home?!
Seriously, it is about becoming free - hard work, but so worthwile; in the company of God and the SD.
Posted by: Sarah | Tuesday, 19 September 2006 at 11:37 AM
Funny I posted a similar excerpt this morning.. great article!
Posted by: len hjalmarson | Wednesday, 20 September 2006 at 05:26 AM
Hi Paul
Awesome article! I get the impression that your Spriitual Direction course was extermely beneficial. I hope to see more articles like this. Waking up is such hard work, as reality is hard to face, particulalry when you are staring face to face with your woundedness.
Posted by: Gary Manders | Wednesday, 20 September 2006 at 10:57 AM
I saw the movie more of a picture or parable if you will of external controls. We are surrounded by them. The Religious contruct is one of the most controlling. It keeps those interested in God( yes, I mean the Gospel of Christ) from being free to follow the spirit that resides in all those who believe. Waking up is only part of what is neccessary. We must unplug from the external controls of the world system(the religious system too often is part of this also). It has been seduced by the things of the world. Mark 4:19
Posted by: kent burgess | Saturday, 23 September 2006 at 10:49 AM