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During the sparring match between Morpheus and Neo in the first movie, Morpheus illustrates the importance of freeing the mind. Even though Neo becomes an extremely skilled fighter later on in the trilogy, Morpheus at first still defeats him. The strength and quickness of Morpheus is not responsible for Neo’s defeat.  Morpheus tells Neo, “Do you believe that my being stronger or faster has anything to do with my muscles in this place? You think that’s air you’re breathing now?” It is his mind that defeats Neo, because it prevents him from reaching his potential. His weakness is his inability to free his mind, meaning his mind pauses to think. In Buddhist teachings, freeing the mind means having an undetained, unfixed mind, and recognizing and penetrating the limits of reason and logic (Brannigan 106).

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