Matrix bicycling: Two wheels, One messiah

(Photo by StromBer)

Although bicycling has become an Olympics sport, Matrixism adherents won't be competing in those games any time soon.  That's because Matrixism has ruled that "all forms of professional

athletic competition have now been abrogated."

For those who think that Matrixism is just a Hollywood creation, think again.  According to the website phosphoressence.tripod.com, Matrixism is a viable "religious movement" with roots in the Bahai Faith.  Back in 1911, Abdul Baha (Baha'u'llah's son) first made mention of "the matrix" within a series of speeches.  The content of these speeches was then published under the 1912 title The Promulgation of Universal Peace (PUP).

Here is a quote from page 305 of PUP:  The majority of people are captives in the matrix of nature, submerged in the sea of materiality.  We must pray that they may be reborn, that they may attain insight and spiritual hearing, that they may receive the gift of another heart, a new transcendent

power, and in the eternal world the unending bestowal of divine bounties.

Just what is this "matrix of nature" that flesh is heir to?  The website not only associates it with "the rules, norms and values of our current society," but also links it to the "hyperreality" of media such as Internet and television.  Jean Baudrillard's book Simulacra and Simulation (which makes a "cameo appearance" in The

Matrix film) further explains this notion of hyperreality.

Religious movements tend to have doctrines, and Matrixism is no exception.  Its Four Tenets include a belief in the One (a returning messiah who will bring world peace), an acceptance of psychedelics as sacrament, and a "recognition of the semi-subjective multi-layered nature of reality."  The Matrix films are considered to be "sacred texts." 

Bicyling is a major ritual within this movement.  In fact, the primary holiday of Matrixism is Bicycle Day, which commemorates the first intentional LSD trip taken by founding chemist Albert Hoffman on April 19, 1943.  (Hoffman was riding a bicycle to and from his laboratory at the time because of wartime restrictions on the use of motor vehicles.)  Critical Mass is another Matrixism ritual.  It occurs monthly and entails the promotion of  bicycling as "an environmentally sound form of transportation."   

Resources

http://phosphoressence.tripod.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_lysergic_acid_diethylamide       

Copyright August 9, 2012 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved