There are elements that help us realize reality and other elements that keep us in a "dream world," said Salih Adem, an expert on Islam and positive sciences, at a "Matrix and Sufism" seminar Friday.
During the seminar, which was sponsored by The Dialog Forum, Adem used The Matrix as a way to relate the philosophy of Sufism -- a spirituality-based branch of Islam -- and reality.
"The fundamental elements that help us move toward reality are the search for beauty, truth," Adem told the crowd of about 50. "Enemies of realizing our potential are pride, ego, stubbornness, fear, ignorance and laziness. If we can overcome these, then we are on the right journey," he added.
The Dialogue Forum is a new student organization formed last year to bring different religious backgrounds together.
"There are many religious organizations, but there were no clubs that focused on interfaith dialogue and friendship, and we wanted to focus and point out the importance of interfaith dialogue," said Zafer Akin, the group's president.
Adem said people who enjoy The Matrix are those who like thinking about reality. He then explained the difference between being in the "real world" and being in a "dream world" by using examples from the movie.
"In dream world, you are bound by computers and can't reach the real world, and those who are in the dream can't know they are living a dream," Adem said.
People learn what their mistakes are, and in a way, they wake up from their dreams, he said. The journey from the dream world to the real world is actually in your mind, he added.
"Every human being is his own person, and each is living his or her own dream," Adem said.
There is some infinite potential in human beings, and great men and women see this potential, he said.
"Imagination is limitless," he said, explaining humans' "infinite potential."
Adem ended the seminar by saying, "Reality is; it is timeless, unchangeable."
Akin said he thought Adem knew his subject very well and explained it well but should have been clearer and explained Sufism more.
"He talked about what is reality, and he explained it in his philosophy, but people weren't too clear," Akin said.
